Loving Lizzy (The Serenity Mountain Series Book 6)

Chapter Forty Six

Lizzy walked through front door and closed it quietly behind her. She swiped the tears from her cheeks as she went to find Michael.

He stepped into the hallway from the kitchen, returning from his office on the opposite side. Upon seeing her face, Michael rushed forward and clutched her in his arms.

“What happened? Do you feel sick?” He led her over to the couch and sat down beside her. He felt her forehead as he tried to figure out what caused her such distress.

“I have to tell you something.”

He swallowed and nodded. He took her hands and cupped them in his. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together,” he reminded her.

“Diana’s not getting more chemo. She’s dying,” she whispered.

Michael sat up and gazed at Lizzy in disbelief as fresh tears fell down her face.

“I can call Chase; we can get a second—” He stopped as she shook her head.

“Diana asked me if you and I will take Caleb and Faith. Her mom can’t do it alone and their dad signed away his rights. She gave me instructions,” she sobbed.

“I don’t know what to say. She’s still young, maybe a different treatment. If it’s about the money, we have savings…” Again, he halted as she sadly shook her head.

“Chase took her to see a friend of his. Chase would only take her to someone he truly trusted to help her,” she whispered.

Michael nodded too stunned to speak.

“She wants to help us decorate the kids’ rooms and move them over here. She doesn’t want Caleb to watch her decline. We’ll take lots of pictures and make every moment count. Diana wants to see us married and the kids adopted. We’ll need to do this right away.”

Michael stood. “Call the women. I’ll contact the team. We need our family to help us. I want to talk to Diana and will return in a few moments.”

Lizzy watched him walk out the door, already reaching for his phone. She shakily pulled hers from the pack and dialed Kassie’s number.

“Hi, Lizzy.”

“Kassie, please activate the phone tree, I’m fine, but Michael and I need our family.”

* * *

Two hours later,the women of Serenity sat in the living room. Diana sat in Lizzy’s recliner, while Lizzy sat in the armchair on the opposite side. Initially, the close group sat in shock, not knowing what to say to the young mother.

Understanding, Diana broke the silence, “I know this is difficult to digest. I’ve known for a few weeks now and concluded I have two choices. I can curl up in a ball and deny everything they told me, or I can ensure my children’s future. Most of you here are mom’s and I ask you, if faced with this choice, which one would you pick?”

Kassie embraced Diana and sat back down. “Tell us what you need.”

She now held a tablet and a pen as she wrote down a list and instructions. Lizzy held Diana’s hand in support as the women asked questions.

“Now, I’d like to see Michael and Lizzy married and start the adoption proceedings. How soon can we make it happen?”

“How about Saturday?” Samantha asked.

A startled Lizzy turned to her friend. “It’s your special day and I’m not stealing a moment of it from you. We can run to the courthouse in Seattle.”

Samantha shook her head. “We never divorced and can hold a commitment ceremony at any time.” She turned toward Diana. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, I’m devastated for you.” She addressed everyone else in the room. “If we put ourselves in Diana’s shoes, our first thoughts after receiving such a blow would be our husbands and our children. We’ve already gone to extreme lengths to protect them. Diana’s asking us to help her protect her kids. Lizzy and Diana need this now.”

Maddie dabbed her eyes. “We can find a dress and alter it if needed.”

“I can still bake the cake.” Bryanna offered.

“We can decorate in the morning, have the wedding around eleven, then serve a lunch buffet at our home. Joe can ask one of the lawyers to come by the house and start the adoption proceedings,” Kassie thought out loud.

Diana beamed as she allowed the tears to fall. “When I first met all of you, I saw how special your family was. This moment, right here, gives me peace in knowing Lizzy and Michael will always have you to back them up. Thank you for making my wishes come true.”

“You’re part of this family. You’re doing this for your children, Michael, Lizzy, and your mom. Don’t forget, we’re doing it for you.” Kassie stood and started making calls.

Samantha grabbed the computer to decide which stores to start shopping for a dress. Lizzy reached over and grabbed her arm. “Did you ask Whiskey? Do you need a minute to ask him before we begin this insanity?”

Samantha gave her a one-armed hug. “He’ll understand.”

A few minutes later, the team walked inside. They gathered around the women or stood behind the sofa.

“Tomorrow, we’ll pick up paint swatches for the rooms. Diana can help pick colors and while we’re painting you can order the bedding and accessories,” Leo informed them what the men discussed.

“I’ve contacted a local photographer, she’ll come by the day after tomorrow and take photos with your family,” Michael added.

“You’ll come too, right?” Diana asked. “I want pictures of all of us together. I want them to know I left them with my family.”

Everyone nodded and agreed to meet on the mountain. Kassie and Chase left to relieve Victoria and Ivan, who were watching the kids. One by one the couples left.

Michael took Diana’s arm and walked her across the street. “If I knew of a miracle to save you, I’d gladly give it to you. Words can’t express exactly how I feel, I hope you know we’ll love Caleb and Faith as our own. But they’ll always know how their mother gave us such a precious gift.”

“I’ve written each of them a letter and when the time comes, give it to them. Love them as your own and know you’ve made my biggest worry disappear. Don’t feel sad for me. Life is too short. Concentrate on your new family and your happiness. Lizzy told me you’re the lighthouse in her storm. She didn’t realize she never rode in the boat alone. You weren’t the lighthouse, Michael. You became the warrior who refused to let her drown. That’s how I know you’ll be the man my son needs to teach him how to treat a woman, how to stand by her side, and how to love her. You’ll protect my little girl and make sure the man she marries is worthy of her. I didn’t make the choice out of desperation. I made it for you and for the woman who needs to forgive herself because she felt she didn’t do enough to save her son. This gives you a second chance. This is your forever.”

Michael choked back the lump in his throat and pulled Diana to him. “I promise to love and cherish them, thank you.”