Chapter 44 Greyson #3
She beams back at me, excitement filling her eyes.
“Oh, yes! I love Gracie, she’s so cute and funny.
I wish I had a little sister. Oh! And Daisy, she’s so fluffy and white and soft.
” She practically has hearts in her eyes as she watches the tiny dog run around in the grass.
“I always wanted a dog, but Daddy says it’s a lot of work and time,” she adds with a touch of sadness.
I nod my head. “He’s right, dogs are a lot of work. But you can always come here and see Daisy whenever you’d like. You can even pretend she’s your dog, too. That’s if Emma doesn’t mind sharing. You’ll have to ask her.” I wink when she lights up at the prospect of claiming the dog as her own.
She lifts from the ground where she was seated and hurries over to Emma, asking if she wouldn’t mind sharing Daisy with her sometimes.
To which Emma agrees, like I knew she would.
If letting her have Daisy for a day or two can keep that smile on Maddie’s face and make her happy, I’m more than willing to do it.
I walk back over to Bryan and sit in one of the unoccupied chairs Emma must have brought in from the backyard.
There’s a cooler beside it and I open it, checking its contents.
Beers, juices, water bottles, and fresh fruits inside containers for the kids.
I take out two bottles and pass one over to Bryan.
He hesitates at first but finally takes it when I nudge it his way again.
After unscrewing our caps and both taking a sip, I finally ask what I’ve been wanting to know. “How is she really doing?”
He sighs deeply and looks down at the bottle, picking at the label.
“Not great… It’s getting worse, and there’s not much more we can do.
She stopped responding to treatment a while ago, and the cancer keeps spreading…
” He clears his throat. His eyes peek my way before turning to his daughter while wearing a pained smile, and his nose begins to turn red.
“They gave us one year at first. We’re now on year three… ”
He takes a big swallow from his beer bottle, then leans his elbows onto his knees, his thumb and forefinger digging into his eye sockets.
“I was hoping we’d make it to five. I knew there was no cure, I knew I’d eventually lose her, but I was hoping for five years.
As much time as possible before I have to say goodbye to my little girl, too. ..”
His voice cracks and he lets out a tiny sob.
It’s small and quiet but so powerful that my heart shatters at the sound.
I place my hand on his back, rubbing soothingly up and down.
There’s nothing I can say, nothing I can do to make him feel better, to make this situation better.
Because the reality is he will lose her.
“They’re giving her three months at most, and only if we’re lucky. Her doctor said to enjoy our last moments as best as we can. No more holding back by fear that it will make her worse...”
“It’s in her heart?” I ask softly.
He nods his head, then leans back in his seat and wipes his eyes.
“Give her what she wants. Get her a damn dog, even if it’s only for a week. We’ll take it after if you can’t keep it. She wants to go to Disney, go to Disney. She wants a horse, I’ll buy her a fucking horse,” I whisper.
“Whatever it is, do it. Let us help, Bryan. I know you’re a proud dad and want to do it all, but let us help you.
Take advantage of what we’re offering, and spend that time with her.
Take the time off work, we’ll help you out financially.
Your job will understand, and if they don’t, quit.
We’ll help you find a new one when you’re ready.
” He works in construction and has years of experience.
How hard can it be to find him a new one?
He opens his mouth to protest, but I put my hand up, stopping him. “The only answer I want to hear is ‘yes’ or ‘thank you’.”
He smiles sadly. “Thank you.”
We end our conversation there and watch the kids playing in the yard for a little while longer. Maddie starts to run a little faster as Daisy chases behind her, Gracie crawling not far behind. Suddenly, Maddie drops to her hands and knees, head bowed down between her arms as she gasps for air.
Within seconds we’re all crowding her, Emma being the first one. She places her hand on Maddison’s back and kneels beside her.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” she asks with worry.
“Maddie, baby. Are you okay? Can you breathe? Tell me what hurts, baby.” Her dad hurries to her other side. He goes to take her in his arms, but Maddie lifts her head finally and sits back on her calves.
She takes a few deep breaths, letting them back out slowly. “I’m okay,” she finally says in a quiet, shy voice, taking a couple more inhales and exhales before giggling breathlessly. “I shouldn’t have run. I’m sorry, Daddy, I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
Emma looks up at me, and the look on her face tells me she’s seconds away from breaking down. I cup the back of her head and slide my hand down her hair.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to go see Doctor Carlton to make sure?”
“No, Daddy. I’m okay, I promise.” She smiles at him like her heart didn’t almost just give out.
“How about we head inside now? Little Tulip will be due for her nap, and you could watch a movie in the living room, or we could bake cookies together? You two could stay for dinner as well, I insist,” Em tells them.
“Oh, please! Can we, Daddy? Can we?” Maddie claps her hands with excitement, causing Gracie to do the same as she giggles.
“I don’t know… I don’t want to impose. You’ve already done so much for us,” Bryan says.
“You aren’t imposing at all. I’d really like to spend more time with my Little Lotus.” Em winks at Maddie.
She doesn’t even wait for him to agree, simply rising to her feet and lifting Gracie into her arms at the same time. Then Em stretches a hand out for Maddie to take before turning and heading into the house.
Bryan looks at them leaving, unsure what to do or say. I clap his back and chuckle. “Even if you said no, she would have found a reason to make you stay. Emma likes to get her way.”
He shakes his head with a smirk. “Yeah, I’ve picked up on that.”
The rest of the day went well without any worrying incidents. Bunny and Maddie ended up making a few different types of cookies, as well as cupcakes and brownies. Then dinner was served, and we all got to taste their delicious pastries afterward.
When Bryan and Maddie are getting ready to go, I catch Emma looking at the front door a few times with that bothered look on her face.
I walk up to her, palming the back of her neck. “What’s wrong?” I whisper against her ear before kissing her neck.
“That car isn’t safe, Greyson. Certainly not for a child.” She chews on her bottom lip, eyes still fixed on the door.
“What do you want me to do?” I kiss her shoulder.
She thinks for a moment, then turns her head to the side to face me. “Can you go empty my car quickly?”
I smile against the skin between her neck and shoulder. This girl. I lift my gaze to hers. “Are you sure?”
“Mhm. I can’t let them leave in that. What if they have an accident on their way home? I’ll feel guilty. I’ll get my dad to bring me a new one tomorrow.”
I nod and hurry out. Luckily, Emma doesn’t have much in her car and always keeps it clean. It took me all of two minutes to take out Gracie’s car seat, a stroller in the trunk, her sunglasses, and a few papers and napkins in the glove compartment.
I’m just bringing the things up to the front door when Bryan and Maddie walk out. Emma’s right behind them with Gracie on her hip, looking nervous. She knows he won’t accept, but she’s not going to back down, either.
Bryan looks from me to the seat in my hand and then to Emma’s car, quickly connecting the dots. “No. Absolutely not,” he says firmly.
Emma quickly steps up, grabbing the car keys from my hand and holding them out for Bryan. “Please just take it. It’s in perfect condition and all paid off.”
“No. This is too much. We already have a car. I can’t accept yours. What will you do without one?”
She places her hand on Bryan’s shoulder and uses that delicate voice of reason that always wins me over.
“Bryan. Your car isn’t safe for Maddie. I would feel terrible if something happened to both of you.
Please, just take the car. I promise you, I don’t need it.
I was already planning on buying a bigger one, anyway. ”
“I don’t even know what to say…” His eyes gloss over as he looks from Emma to me, like he’s living in a dream and afraid to wake up.
“Just say you’ll take care of my baby and enjoy her to the max.
” Em grins at him, knowing she won. “Little Lotus, do you want to see your new car? It’s really, really cool; you’ll see.
There’s even a sunroof.” She takes her hand and walks her to the car with Gracie while Bryan stands back in complete shock.
“You weren’t kidding about how she always gets her way.”
“Nope, not even a little,” I laugh.
He watches Emma with the girls for a moment, then turns to me with a tender smile. “Don’t wait too long to lock her up. Women like that don’t come by every day.”
“I know. I intend to.” Soon.