40. Cameron
Cameron
The laughter around is warm, filling every inch of the room with something that feels akin to normal.
Which is ironic—because nothing about this time should feel normal.
Not when I’ve spent the last few months fighting to stay alive.
Not when I’m still recovering from the torture that is chemo and radiation, now waiting for the next step that could determine if I get more time or if this fight is already slipping through my fingers.
But right now? Right now, surrounded by the people I love, finally sitting at my own damn dining table instead of in a hospital bed eating dinner—it feels like getting back a piece of my old life.
Gabrielle is next to me, laughing at something Kinsley said, her fingers loosely around my arm.
Her mom is beside her, deep in conversation.
My parents are sitting across from me, both looking healthier than they probably should, considering the stress I’ve put them under.
And Wes is at the far end of the table, smirking into his drink as he throws out some ridiculous story from work.
“Wait, wait, wait—” Kinsley waves a hand, barely containing her laughter. “Are you telling me you actually got on the ground and had to wrestle a toddler for your stethoscope back?”
Wes sighs dramatically, leaning back in his chair. “Listen, that kid had a death grip. I swear he was part Python.”
Gabrielle giggles, shaking her head. “Did you at least win?”
Wes glares at her. “What do you think?”
Kinsley snorts. “So…no?”
Wes groans. “His mom had to pry it from him while I stood there looking like a total idiot. The other doctors haven’t let me live it down.”
Gabrielle wipes a tear at the corner of her eye from laughing so hard, and I swear my heart stumbles a little just watching her.
“Tell me someone at least recorded it,” I tease.
Wes narrows his eyes at me. “I hate all of you.”
“Don’t be mad,” Kinsley grins. “You are by far the best kind of entertainment I’ve ever come across.”
Wes huffs even though I know he’s enjoying the attention.
I lean back in my chair, letting the moment settle in. Just soaking it up. Because I know these moments don’t last forever. So I’m trying to bottle this one up.
I know what’s waiting for me.
The fight isn’t over. The transplant is looming. And there are still too many unknowns. So tonight, I just want to focus on what’s about to happen.
As Wes stands, excusing himself to the bathroom, he pats me on the shoulder. As he does, he slips something small into my palm. My fingers close around the velvet box instinctively, and I glance up just in time to see him wink before walking away like nothing happened.
I exhale slowly, my heart hammering as I tighten my grip on the box. I wait for Wes to come back, for everyone to start winding down after their meals, the last sips of wine being taken, and the plates nearly empty. Then I clear my throat, pushing my chair back as I slowly rise to my feet.
“I, uh—” I rub the back of my neck, suddenly feeling every set of eyes on me. “I just wanted to say something.”
Gabrielle turns and looks up at me, her expression soft and curious.
I glance around the table, taking in every face. My parents, my best friend, the woman I love, all of the people who have been with me through the absolute worst times. And I feel the words I want to say settle a little easier in my chest.
“I wouldn’t be here without you guys,” I start, my voice steady despite the emotions welling up in my throat. “These last few months have been…hell. There’s no better way to say it. But every step of the way, I’ve had all of you, and I don’t take that for granted.”
I turn to my parents first.
“Mom, Dad…you dropped everything to come be here for me. You’ve put your lives on hold to help me fight for mine…again, and I don’t have enough words to tell you how much that means to me.”
My mom’s eyes glisten, and my dad gives me a tight nod, his throat working as he swallows hard.
I turn to Wes next, shaking my head. “And you.”
Wes smirks. “Oh no, am I about to get a sentimental speech too?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Shut up. I just want you to know that you’ve always been more than just my best friend. You’re my brother. And even though you’re the biggest pain sometimes, I wouldn’t have made it through this without you either.”
Wes coughs, shifting in his chair. “Alright, alright. Enough with all the feelings.” He pauses, and I can see him trying to collect himself before continuing, “I love you, man. I’m glad you’re still here. I actually don’t know what I would do without you around.”
I nod at him before finally turning to Gabrielle. And suddenly, everything else in the room fades away. She’s staring up at me, her eyes searching mine, like she knows something is coming, just not sure what.
I reach for her hand, lifting it gently.
“Gabrielle, I’ve loved you since we were kids.
” My voice is rougher now, making me feel stupid for how emotional I’m getting.
“And even through all the years we spent apart, I never stopped. You were always it for me. No matter how much time passed, no matter how much life changed us—I think I’ve always known you were it for me, even if I didn’t know when I’d find my way back to you. ”
Her lips part slightly, her fingers squeezing mine.
I swallow hard, trying to push through.
“God’s timing is a crazy thing. And maybe—maybe he knew exactly when I was going to need you back in my life. Maybe he knew you were always meant to be here, right beside me, through all of this.”
I pull the velvet box from my pocket, my heart pounding as I slowly lower myself down on one knee.
Gabrielle gasps quietly, making me have to hold back my smirk.
“I don’t want to waste the time we do have,” I tell her, feeling oddly steady. “I don’t want you to ever have to doubt how much you mean to me, or how much I want forever with you.”
Her eyes are already shining with tears.
“Gabrielle Naomi Voss, will you marry me?”
For a second, she just stares at me, like she can’t quite believe this is happening.
“Yes.” It’s barely a whisper at first. Then she nods, laughing through her tears. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
The second the words leave her mouth, I slide the ring onto her finger, my hands trembling slightly. And then I stand, pulling her into me, pressing my lips to hers as the entire room bursts into cheers.
My mom and Kinsley are crying, Wes is whistling obnoxiously, and Gabrielle’s mom and my dad are clapping.
But none of it matters. It’s all faded into the background because all I can feel is her right now. All I can see is her. I think that’s all I’ve ever been able to see, really.
When we finally break apart, she looks down at the ring, shaking her head in disbelief. “Cam…when did you even—how did you—?”
I grin. “I’ve been planning it since I first got admitted to the hospital. Even before that day in the hospital when I told you I wanted to marry you.”
Her jaw drops. “But—you just got out yesterday—”
“Wes helped me,” I admit, glancing over at him. “A lot of FaceTime calls, a lot of sending him on wild goose chases to every jeweler in the city until we found the perfect one.”
She stares at me for a second before looking back down at the ring, twisting it gently on her finger.
Then she looks back up at me. “It’s perfect.”
I pull her in again, pressing my forehead to hers. “You’re perfect,” I murmur. “And I’m so lucky to have gotten you back.”
I try not to think about what the future holds and just focus on my feelings in the present. I feel like—at least for right now—everything in my world is exactly how it’s supposed to be.