Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“Go away,” I playfully grumble.
He helps me to my feet and flushes the toilet. Dad roots around in the drawers until he finds an unopened toothbrush. I set to brushing my teeth while Dad watches me in the mirror. It reminds me of when I was a little girl all dressed up in one of Mom’s dresses pretending to be grown. He’d always look at me with such pride in his eyes. Even now. Even with my body failing me. Once I finish brushing my teeth and fix my makeup, I turn to my dad and hug him.
“Thank you,” I murmur, closing my eyes. “I needed a pep talk.”
He squeezes me. “That’s what dads are for, baby girl. Now get out there and marry that old man.”
I snort. “Dad!”
“The grandpa jokes will never get…wait for it….old.”
“You’re a dork.”
“So are you.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
The cool spring air nips at my exposed flesh. If it were up to Daniel, he would’ve married me the day after he proposed, but when he mentioned the lake, I knew I wanted to be married here. Not with it snowing, though. No, I wanted to get married just as the sun slides down along the horizon, glimmering off the lake. I wanted Mom to be there and that felt like the closest thing. Waiting was hard, but it gave us time to plan things better.
Music plays softly, barely heard over the cadence of the crickets chirping in the grass nearby. Today, the lake is calm and undisturbed. With a group of our closest friends and family, it’s a perfect wedding day. My eyes catch the front row where Taylor sits beside Enzo. I was thrilled when he was able to make that happen. But it’s the groom, though, that I can’t keep my eyes off of.
Tall, strong, incredibly handsome. Daniel is all man and delicious in a suit. It’s his bright smile that lights my soul on fire. His bright green eyes that shine only for me.
“Ready, baby girl?” Dad asks as he slowly guides me forward.
“Very much so.”
I clutch onto my bouquet of flowers that smell fragrant and sweet. Everyone smiles proudly at us. At the end of the aisle, beside Daniel, Landon smirks at me. I guess I’ll be doing the same for him in a few months when he and Callie tie the knot.
As soon as Dad passes me off to Daniel, my heart rate calms and the world seems to stop around me. The sunset is our backdrop and it couldn’t be any more perfect.
“You look extra beautiful when you’re about to be mine,” Daniel says, leaning in to brush his lips across the shell of my ear.
“And what about after?” I sass, my voice only slightly shaking.
“It’ll hurt to look at you, angel.”
My heart melts. “Hope you like pain because once you start, you don’t get to stop.”
“I like it all with you, Lauren. And don’t worry. I’ll never stop.”
Daniel
Two weeks later…
We knew this was coming. Knowing and accepting are two different things, though. I’m numb as the doctor discusses the fact that Lauren must now go on a transplant waiting list. All the risk factors involved with having a kidney transplant and everything leading up to it. Whereas I’m breaking inside, Lauren remains rigid and strong. My wife has researched all there is to know about her disease. She’s handling it like a champ.
And though I’m the doctor and know a transplant is her best chance at a more normal life, the husband in me freaks the fuck out over the risks.
I can’t lose her.
Not now, not ever.
“…and of course friends and family can get tested.”
“W-What?” I bark out, needing him to repeat what he’s said.
“Potential donors.”
“Test me now,” I demand.
Lauren snorts and swats at my knee. “Stop.”
“You may get tested, Dr. Venable, but don’t get your hopes up. A lot of things, as you know, will need to be a perfect match. And giving up an organ is a big deal.”
I stand abruptly and glare at him as though he’s lost his mind. “And losing one is too.”
“Oh my God. Sit down,” Lauren grumbles. “Do not fight with my doctor or I’ll send you into the hall.”
I don’t sit down. All I can do is pace the floor in front of the desk, anxiety clawing at my insides.
“And if no one is a match?” Lauren asks, ever the realist.
I don’t wait for that answer and stalk out of the office.
In my dark kitchen, I drink shot after shot, hating the injustice of the world.
Why her?
Why bright, beautiful, fierce Lauren?
Why not my asshole neighbor or that guy who used to give me shit in college or some random criminal or fuck-up?
Why young, smart, wonderful Lauren?
Another shot. Another curse word muttered under my breath.
It’s been nearly a week since the doctor started the process to put her on a transplant list. She’s handling shit a lot better than I am. I’m pissed and upset that her body is literally dying and there’s nothing I can do about it.