Chapter 10
ONE MONTH LATER
Stacy
“Good news and good news, family,” the doctor announced as he entered the room.
Stacy sat with Helen on her lap, while Harry sat on Travis’. The last month had been a rollercoaster for certain. Treatments and hospital stays, as well as hometime.
Stacy had learned through Travis' club that several families homeschooled, and they were researching how to go that route. Now that Stacy had Travis in her corner. In their life again. Where he was meant to be, Stacy felt like she had a handle on life for once.
While Travis had essentially moved in when they had been able to bring Harry home, life still felt stilted. Like Stacy was holding her breath.
“Good news, doc,” Travis grinned, and cuddled Harry, eliciting a giggle from both twins.
“Tests show treatment was successful. Now on for the long stretch of more tests and monthly appointments.”
Stacy felt her heart jump for joy and release the stress and tension. The doctor went on to bring in the rest of the team and go over the plan of the action.
While not completely out of the woods, they were on the road to recovery and Stacy wanted her family back. Wanted to start the next chapter in life. With her children healthy.
If it meant monthly, or even weekly appointments, but more time at home, then bring it on.
Stacy glanced at Travis, her heart was still a little leery. Given their past. They had an appointment with Josephine later in the week, and Stacy wasn't feeling up to it, if she were honest. It made her nervous. Anxious. Why couldn't they just move on and move forward?
But Stacy knew why. The anxiety she was feeling every time Travis left the house was not normal.
Follow-up appointments were booked before they left the hospital. Travis had planned on a special outing lunch for the kids. Stacy enjoyed the moments and memories made as a family.
So why was she dreading the therapy session?
“Mommy,” Helen's small voice intruded on her thoughts. “Are you ready? Can we stop and see the fish first?”
“Yea, we can see the fish on the way out.” Stacy hugged her daughter and followed behind her husband and son.
Stacy pushed her fears and anxiety to the back of her mind as the kids laughed and giggled as they walked to the car. The sound was beautiful and contagious, causing the evening to pass quickly.
ECHO
Hearing the good news about Harry was amazing. Echo didn't know how much that had weighed on him until he heard the good prognosis.
He knew they still had a long road ahead of them, given they were just past part one of the entire treatment. But it looked good. And that was good. It was all good. Good, good, great.
Except for the anxiety he could feel coming from Stacy.
They may have missed six years of growing together, but he could still read his wife. She was worried. But what about? There were a dozen topics he could toss out and it would still be hit or miss.
Harry? Helen? Homeschool? Bills? Living arrangements? Income? Him? The club? The future? Her vehicle? Their little family? Their meeting with Josephine?
Owing Frank and Eleanor? Even though they refused any money from her, what little she had at the moment. Because the woman was still being stubborn about her money and his money. They were married. It was theirs.
Did they need another apartment or house? Definitely. He barely fit in the bed with Stacy. Although he would sleep anywhere as long as he got to hold her. He would never take any small action for granted. Never again.
He never left the house for work or church or whatever without letting her know and giving her a kiss. He texted her throughout his shift. Was always available for her. Yet she still seemed off with his presence.
Like she was dreaming and afraid to wake up. Which was why they had an appointment with Josephine.
Echo did not like living a half life. He had done that for six years, in a muddled haze. Now he had what was missing and he wasn't going to fuck it up again.
Yet he didn't know how to get her to understand he wasn't going anywhere.
Even when they went to the lodge together. As a couple or a family. She was always quiet and stuck to his side.
Echo would have to worry about it later. He was taking his family to a game and pizza place. Harry needed to celebrate a win. If anything the last month, six years, his entire life had taught him was that life was too short and could change in the blink of an eye. They needed to enjoy it as the day came. Live life to its fullest. Enjoy the little things.
If only he could get Stacy to fully understand that and that he wasn't leaving. Not willingly. Never again.
Stacy was the love of his life and he'd do anything for her.