Chapter Two
Michael watched Lizzy close her eyes. Her long black lashes contrasted against her fair skin. He took her hand and tugged it slightly to get her attention. He refused to let her push him away.
“Come on, let’s have a peek,” he softly encouraged her.
They walked down the hall and came to the first room. The walls covered with helicopters made Michael smile. He remembered Samantha’s son”s fascination with them.
Lizzy opened the closet and glanced out the window as she circled the room. Her face remained passive as she took in the decorative trim on the walls and caressed one of the helos. Michael led her further down until they came to a light lavender-colored room. It even smelled like the herb.
“The rooms seem like a good size,” he told her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever entered a room with a personality. It feels soothing between the faint smell and color,” she answered.
He smiled as she opened the closet, now genuinely interested in the room. “I like the scent. We can use LJ’s old room as an office for you or me. I think there’s a couple more to choose from.”
They walked down the hall and explored the two additional spaces before heading into the bright cheerful kitchen. Michael watched as Lizzy’s gaze focused out the window at the tire swing. Her expression turned sad, and she straightened her shoulders as if she resolved herself into believing the dream of children was nothing more than a fantasy. He refrained from saying anything to her. It didn’t matter how much he argued, instinctively, he knew she already decided to withdraw from him. He steeled himself for the impending fight between the two of them. No matter what Lizzy convinced herself, he planned to stay right beside her.
Michael walked into Samantha’s old salon. Although Lizzy didn’t see the crime scene, he got a glimpse of it when he tended to LJ. He came in with the team to clear out their friend’s products. An involuntary shiver went down his spine before anger took its place. He carried no sympathy for someone who terrorized innocent children and women. The men who died deserved their fate.
“Is this where Kassie killed the man who threatened Samantha and the kids?” She asked.
“Yes, it was self-defense, and she saved all their lives. Victoria taught her. Does it bother you?” he replied.
“No. Kassie did what she had to do to save her friend and children. I’ve known her since she worked at Seattle Health. She’s one of the most compassionate nurses I know. I can’t believe she built the hospital and the team building, not knowing if Chase would make it home.” She shook her head.
“It’s called faith, Lizzy. She held on to it for the man she loved. Something in her demanded she fight. Regardless of whether he returned, her family, friends and child needed her.” Michael walked closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m hoping you realize you have the same people in your life. We’re here for you. Please don’t push me away. I feel you withdrawing, believing you’re protecting me. Darlin’, all you’re succeeding in doing is making this harder for both of us.”
Lizzy leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t do what you’re thinking,” he whispered. “It killed me when they refused to allow me to travel home from Germany. All I thought about was getting to you. Then I walked into the empty house and found the picture of you and Conner lying on the counter. I saw the spots on the letter where you cried telling me what happened. You do know SIDS isn’t your fault, right?” He swiped at the single tear falling down her cheek.
She hesitantly nodded, unable to meet his eyes. He tilted her chin with his forefinger. “You ran, Lizzy. I know you thought to spare me the pain of watching you battle breast cancer after my mom’s ordeal. Instead, it felt like you cut my heart out and walked away. I spent days and nights searching for you, worried you suffered from postpartum symptoms and formed a hasty decision. Then you served me divorce papers. To lose Conner, then you, just about killed me,” he whispered.
“I admit I made a mistake. This is my second diagnosis, what if I end up fighting this over and over? Either way, I decide I hurt you by staying with you, or I die and leave you all over again. I know how hard you took your mom’s suffering and her death. She fought bravely, and it still wasn’t enough,” she told him softly.
Taking her hand, he led her to the only chair in the room. He sat down and pulled her into his lap.
“Lizzy Bee, listen to me. Regardless of how this turns out, I’m sticking by your side. I’ll stand behind any decision you make regarding your treatment. In return, I get to decide how much I can handle. You don’t get to assume how I feel. All I want from you is a promise. When you want to run, you walk into my arms. When you’re scared, you lean on me. And I’ll vow to always tell you the truth,” he negotiated.
“What about your practice? Serenity isn’t as big as Seattle. We don’t even see the doctor for another two days and you’re already sacrificing your career,” she sighed.
“I’m not giving up anything. Kassie offered me a job working in the teen ward. The kids are under the age of eighteen and I overheard Chase asking the guys about finding projects. I don’t know all the specifics, but he hinted that a local construction crew Kassie uses slows down on jobs since it”s winter. It might give them an income if someone took over this house and turned this area into a pediatric practice. The way the team’s expanding, I imagine I’ll have a bunch of rug rats to keep me occupied.” He smiled.
Lizzy surveyed the room, and he watched as her busy worker bee mind got to work planning the needs of his office.
“What about kids? I know you want them,” she sadly asked.
“Yes. I do. It doesn’t matter how we get them. In my practice, I’ve seen such neglect and abuse, there are children out there who need stability and a place to feel loved. We can provide them with a home and a chance at a better life. We’ll do it together, Lizzy Bee. Let me be here for you,” he cajoled.
She sighed. “I’m scared. If I allow you to stay, you’ll give up everything to remain by my side.”
“I’ll give up anything for you if it means you’re with me. While we’re on the subject, I want you to promise me honesty,” his voice turned stern. “Have you avoided making love with me because you knew I’ll discover your lumpectomy from before?” Michael waited as he saw her cheeks redden. Since they’d found each other at Seattle Health when he helped Chase and Leo get Kassie and Emma to safety, Lizzy allowed him to hold and kiss her, but refused to go to bed with him. The only explanation he came up with was she wanted to take things slow.
“You’ll know right away. I’m sorry. I wasn’t honest about it. Between weeks of worrying where you were, if the rebels killed you, and Conner’s sudden death, I didn’t handle the situation adeptly. I went over the last few days wondering what I did wrong. When I went to the doctor and received the first diagnosis of breast cancer, my first thoughts drifted to your mom and you. We already suffered greatly.”
“I forgive you. Going forth, we do this together. I want us to get remarried. I don’t like the fact you aren’t my wife,” he insisted.
She shook her head. “No. I’ll promise to stay with you, but until we know what we’re dealing with, I don’t want to make plans. Let’s take this day by day.”
“Lizzy—” he sighed.
Her finger pressed over his lips. “Please. Don’t pressure me on this. When we know we got a shot at a second chance, then we’ll revisit this again.”
Michael stared into her eyes. “I’ll compromise. I love you, Lizzy Bee.” He caressed her cheek before pulling her face to his and kissing her.
“I love you,” she whispered and prayed with her whole heart one day they’d have a chance to plan their future together.