Chapter Eleven
EFFA
Family dinners with Kiera and Gran are always a hive of energy. Not the chaotic, bouncing-off-the-walls kind, but the sort of warm, steady buzz that makes you feel like you belong. There’s laughter, teasing, the clink of cutlery, and the comfortable rhythm of people who love each other deeply.
Kiera and I mercilessly teased Mercs about how she and Raoul have been talking, embellishing every tiny detail until his ears turned red.
Gran simply laughed and, in the wise words of Elsa, but also in a sing-song voice, told him to, “ ”Let It Go.” ”
Seeing Kiera smiling like that is all any of us wants.
But when her energy begins to fade, and her laughter softens into something quieter, there’s a shift in the room.
It’s subtle, but we all feel it. There’s an unspoken shadow that hovers over us, something none of us dare name aloud.
Kiera knows it too. I see it in her eyes when she thinks no one’s looking.
I wish there were something I could do.
I know there’s a procedure they want to do, but beyond that, I don’t know much. They’re waiting for ‘the right time.’ Whatever that means.
I feel like I’m part of this family now, and if that’s true, then it’s high time I understood what’s really going on, because if there’s something I can do to help Kiera, I will.
No hesitation.
As we sit around the table and Kaden and Kiera continue their playful war of insults, Gran gathers the empty plates and carries them to the kitchen. I reach for a few more dishes, standing to help, but Mercs is on his feet in an instant, intercepting me.
“Stop right there. You’re meant to be resting. I’ll help Gran. You stay in here with my brat sister and plot my demise.”
I laugh as Kiera nods enthusiastically, and I surrender the plates, sitting back down while Mercs disappears into the kitchen.
Kiera watches him go and shakes her head. “You have him wrapped around your thumb. I love it. It’s so nice to see him worked up over a girl who’s actually good for him.”
I bump her shoulder. “Thanks. But trust me, I’m just as wrapped up in him.”
“Oh, yeah, I know.” She rolls her eyes dramatically. “It’s honestly sickening. You think I’m dying from cancer? Nope. I’m dying from watching you two make goo-goo eyes at each other.” She makes gagging noises, and I laugh.
“You’re disgusting.” She grins, unashamed.
“You’ll have that too one day,” I tease. “Maybe with a burly French man?”
She smirks. “Enough about me. How are you feeling? Recovering okay?”
I narrow my eyes. “Oh, no… we are not changing the subject. It’s actually you I wanted to talk about, not Raoul.”
She tilts her head. “Oh?”
I glance toward the kitchen to make sure Mercs isn’t returning, then lower my voice. “I know you’re waiting for the ‘right time’ to get your procedure done, but that’s all I know. What’s holding you back?”
She stiffens immediately, her gaze dropping to her lap. The reaction surprises me. Kiera doesn’t usually flinch from anything.
I reach across and take her hand. She looks up at me, eyes glistening slightly, then glances toward the kitchen as if checking whether she’s about to be overheard.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this,” she whispers. “They didn’t want to burden you.”
“We’re family,” I say gently. “Your problem is my problem.”
She exhales slowly. “The stem cell procedure…” She lowers her voice even more.
“It’s really expensive, and we can’t afford it.
Kaden’s been working hard to save, but between my treatments, daily living, and everything else, it’s a struggle.
He feels it, he carries it, but he won’t talk about it, even to you. He is too stubborn to ask for help.”
My stomach drops.
Money?
Of course, it’s money.
Why didn’t I see that?
All this time, I’ve been worrying it was medical complications or timing issues, when the real barrier has been financial strain.
I close my eyes briefly, furious at myself for not realizing sooner.
When I open them, I smile softly at her.
“Jett made that worse,” I admit. “He told Mercs he was only with me because of my money.”
Her eyes widen. “Please don’t tell Kades I told you.”
“I won’t.” I pull her into a tight hug. “But you have to promise me something.”
She pulls back. “What?”
“If you need anything… anything, and you can’t afford it, you tell me. I will send the money. I don’t care if Mercs doesn’t like it. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. We’re sisters, okay?”
She hesitates, then nods. “Okay… thank you, Effa.”
Mercs walks back into the room mid-yawn, arms stretched overhead. “Man, I’m beat. Effa, wanna tuck me in?”
Kiera snorts. “You’re the weirdest guy I know.”
“In my defense…” he shrugs, “… you don’t know many guys.”
She laughs as she stands. “You’ll be an asshole of a father one day.”
I burst out laughing as she heads off.
Mercs grins while she sticks her tongue out at him in passing.
When she’s gone, I step into him and wrap my arms around his waist. “You need to let her live her life, Kaden.”
He sighs, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “I know, it’s hard. I just want her to get better.”
This is it.
Right here.
“Kaden… I want what’s best for Kiera, too.”
He looks down at me. “I know.”
“Then tell me what you’re waiting for. What has to be ‘right’ before her treatment starts?”
He goes still.
His body hardens, then slowly deflates in my arms. “Money,” he whispers. “It’s money, Effa.”
I lift my hand to his cheek. “Look at me…”
His eyes are shining when he meets mine, and my heart aches for him.
“We’re family. You and me, right?”
He nods.
“Then Kiera is my family too. Let me help.”
His breathing grows uneven, and I can tell he is going to say no. Men and their pride.
“It doesn’t mean you failed her. Accepting help is still providing, don’t you see that?”
He licks his lip. “Do you even know how much you’re offering?”
“I don’t care,” I say firmly. “If it takes every cent I have, then so be it. Kiera deserves to live. And if I end up penniless but still have you all, then I’m the luckiest woman alive.”
He pulls me into him, holding me tight. “You think you’re lucky? No, it’s us. I should have come to you sooner. I just…”
“Your pride’s hurt,” I finish gently. “Jett got in your head, but you’re not using me. I want to do this. I need to.”
I cup his face more firmly. “The only way this doesn’t happen is if you refuse to give Kiera your stem cells, and we both know that’s not happening. So suck it up and get on board, Kaden. Because this is happening.”
“Fuck, this is hard to say, but okay. I’m on board.” A slow smile spreads across his face. “But I’m paying you back. Every damn cent.” He tilts his head, humor flickering in his eyes. “Though I do like it when you boss me around. Makes me want to do bad, bad things.”
I roll my eyes. “Later. We need to tell Gran.”
I turn toward the kitchen, but he grabs my elbow and pulls me back. His eyes are blazing now, something raw and urgent sparking there.
He kisses me hard, almost frantically, and full of everything he can’t put into words.
I melt into it, sliding my hands into his hair as he presses me back against the table. Our bodies align, heat building fast. This feels primal—not about dominance, not about ego—but about him needing to anchor himself.
So I let him.
Let him take control.
Let him prove to himself that he is still strong, still the man who protects, who provides.
His mouth moves against mine with intensity, and I feel him harden against me as he pulls me closer.
I lift my leg instinctively, wrapping it around his hip to draw him in tighter.
He grinds once, breath rough as he breaks the kiss and looks into my eyes.
“All of this is mine,” he murmurs, his hand sliding slowly down my chest, lingering over the curve of my breast. “I love what you’re doing for my family, and when you’re fully recovered, I’m going to thank you properly. ”
Heat floods through me.
I kiss him again, softer this time, before lowering my leg and stepping back as we both struggle to regain composure…
Just as Gran rounds the corner with a tray of cookies.
“Oh, there you are. Cookies, anyone?”
Mercs subtly adjusts himself and grabs one quickly. “Thanks, Gran. Effa’s got something amazing to tell you. Let’s head to the living room.”
***
Telling Gran was everything I’d hoped it would be.
She cried openly, hugging me tighter than I expected and thanking me over and over for giving their family this gift.
We spent the rest of the night gathered around the dining table, researching every detail we could find about the stem cell procedure—what to expect, timelines, recovery phases, risks, and success rates.
It felt surreal, like we were planning something monumental.
Because we were.
Knowing that I’m going to help Kiera through this fills me with a deep, steady warmth.
I can’t shake the feeling that this is the real reason I was brought back to Ligonier, not just for my recovery, but for hers.
It feels like Gaia’s hand at work, as though some greater force nudged the pieces into place exactly when they needed to be.
Whether Kaden realized it or not, bringing me here has set both Kiera and me on a path toward healing.
Together.
But first, we have to tell her.
Kaden, Gran, and I sit in the living room the next morning, leaflets spread across the coffee table as we quietly review everything we’d gone over the night before. Kiera makes her way downstairs, still half-asleep, stretching and yawning as she shuffles into the room.
We all fall silent.
Her brow lifts immediately. “Wow! That wasn’t weird at all, and completely not obvious that you were all talking about me. What’s going on?” She rounds the sofa, and her eyes drop to the leaflets scattered across the table.
Recognition dawns instantly.
Her gaze snaps to me.
I give the smallest shake of my head, silently assuring her I didn’t betray our private conversation. She shifts her focus to Kaden instead.
He stands, takes a steady breath, and walks toward her, gently taking her hand in his. “Kiera… I love you.”
She squints at him. “Aaand now you’re officially being weird—”
“Shut up,” he mutters, trying to keep his composure. “I’m being serious.”
She presses her lips together, suddenly sensing the weight in his tone.
“Effa and I talked last night,” he continues, exhaling slowly as his shoulders sag. “I told her we needed the money for your procedure…” He pauses, swallowing hard. “She’s paying for everything.”
Kiera’s head snaps toward me, her mouth falling open in disbelief.
“You’re going to have the procedure,” Kaden says softly.
Her hand flies to her mouth as tears flood her eyes. She shakes her head slowly, like she doesn’t quite trust what she’s hearing.
I nod, smiling through the blur in my own vision.
And then she breaks.
A sob rips from her chest as she throws herself into Mercs’ arms. He catches her immediately, wrapping himself around her and swaying gently. “It’s happening, booger-butt. We’re gonna fix you.”
I swipe a tear from beneath my eye as Gran reaches for my hand, squeezing it tightly. I glance at her, and she’s crying too, though her smile is radiant.
Suddenly, Kiera pulls back from Mercs, her breathing uneven as she looks at me again. “Effa, I… I don’t even know what to say.”
I step forward, cupping her shoulders firmly. “We’re sisters. I love you, Kiera.”
Her bottom lip trembles before she launches herself at me. I hold her close, feeling just how fragile she is beneath my hands, how small she feels despite her bright spirit. But even in her frailty, there’s warmth, and there’s strength.
I can already picture her months from now—hair growing back thicker, cheeks flushed with health, a little more weight on her frame, a little more spark in her eyes—a whole new version of Kiera, and I can’t wait to meet her.
“I love you too, Eff,” she whispers. “What would we do without you?”
I laugh softly, brushing a tear from her cheek. “You’ll never have to find out. Now come on… let’s start booking appointments.”
Gran beams at me as Mercs releases a long, shaky breath, like he’s been holding it for months. We all settle back onto the sofa together, leaning over the coffee table as we organize the paperwork and make the call to Kiera’s specialist for the initial consult.
A consultation that will mark the beginning of her long road ahead.
A journey toward healing.
A journey toward strength.
A journey toward a long, beautiful, cancer-free life.
And as we sit there together, hopeful, united, and more determined than ever, I know without a doubt…
This is going to be a great day.