what you’re getting into with his career, don’t you?”
“Ye s. First you’re happy for me, then you follow it with a downer.” She teased. “There was something else. Remember how you wanted me to talk with some of the parents who were having a hard time dealing with their child’s cancer?”
“Yes , and you turned me down, saying you weren’t ready for that.”
“I am now if you need someone. I spoke with Kelly Cook, Jessica’s mother , and I think I can do some good. I can meet with parents who are having a hard time, have coffee with them while they’re waiting for the chemo or radiation treatments to be finished. I don’t want the responsibility of your job, I just want to be a friend, someone to listen to them.”
“We’ll get you started right away. What changed your mind?”
“A little bit of this and that, but mostly talking to Kelly and Le. It’s time I move on with my life. Hope will always be a part of me but I have to start living again. I’ve also got to show that brother of yours that there’s more to life than just the hospital.” She paused as she heard voices coming from below. As they passed, she turned back to Liz. “I also want to do more with Hope’s Toy Chest but we can discuss that later. I believe you have some news you need to tell the family.” She winked.
“ Correction, news we both need to tell everyone. You’re announcing your engagement too.” Liz slipped her arm through Chelsea’s and headed to the stairs.
“Oh no. This is your moment, they can find out about the impending wedding soon enough. I only told you because I couldn’t hold it in any longer and I was hoping you’d be my maid of honor.”
“Seriously?”
Chelsea nodded. “You’re my best friend and his sister, there’s no one else more qualified.”
“Oh, this is going to be so much fun.” Liz let go of her arm and bounced down the steps. “Everyone gather around ! There are a few announcements we need to get out of the way before dinner. Le and Chelsea, why don’t you do the honor.”
“What are you talking about?” Le raised an eyebrow , glancing between both women.
“Sorry , I couldn’t help myself.” She smiled and held out her hand to him. “Tell everyone so Liz can tell them her good news.” When he came to her, she wrapped her arm around his waist.
With his arm around her , she snuggled against him, glowing with happiness. Things had a way of working out and eventually she’d found contentment. No, on the contrary; it had found them.
Epilogue
A bar beque had sounded like a wonderful idea when Kingsley thought of it, but now that the day had arrived all he wanted to do was take his wife up to their room and forget about the last twenty-four hours. Ups and downs were part of a doctor’s life, but when one of the patients he’d been seeing for years came out of remission, only to decline quickly, he began to wonder if things were worth it. With the grill going, he stared out at the green grass, his thoughts transporting him back to the hospital until he heard a familiar little girl’s yell.
“Doctor Mathews!”
He looked to the side of the house to see Jessica sprinting toward him, her mother Kelly only a few steps behind. Six months of remission and she looked like any other child her age. A little skinnier than she should be, but she was up running around and not stuck in some hospital bed. “Jessica, it’s good to see you, my Christmas miracle.” He squatted down to give her a hug.
“It was nice of you to invite us.” Kelly held a large bowl filled with fruit salad. “I know you said not to bring anything but I could n’t come empty-handed.”
“Thank you, but we’re just glad you could make it.” Chelsea took the bowl and set it on the table.
“I hear you’re doing amazing work at the hospital.” Kelly squeezed Chelsea’s arm. “Parents going through cancer with their children need someone like you to talk to.” She leaned in to whisper,
“Ye s. First you’re happy for me, then you follow it with a downer.” She teased. “There was something else. Remember how you wanted me to talk with some of the parents who were having a hard time dealing with their child’s cancer?”
“Yes , and you turned me down, saying you weren’t ready for that.”
“I am now if you need someone. I spoke with Kelly Cook, Jessica’s mother , and I think I can do some good. I can meet with parents who are having a hard time, have coffee with them while they’re waiting for the chemo or radiation treatments to be finished. I don’t want the responsibility of your job, I just want to be a friend, someone to listen to them.”
“We’ll get you started right away. What changed your mind?”
“A little bit of this and that, but mostly talking to Kelly and Le. It’s time I move on with my life. Hope will always be a part of me but I have to start living again. I’ve also got to show that brother of yours that there’s more to life than just the hospital.” She paused as she heard voices coming from below. As they passed, she turned back to Liz. “I also want to do more with Hope’s Toy Chest but we can discuss that later. I believe you have some news you need to tell the family.” She winked.
“ Correction, news we both need to tell everyone. You’re announcing your engagement too.” Liz slipped her arm through Chelsea’s and headed to the stairs.
“Oh no. This is your moment, they can find out about the impending wedding soon enough. I only told you because I couldn’t hold it in any longer and I was hoping you’d be my maid of honor.”
“Seriously?”
Chelsea nodded. “You’re my best friend and his sister, there’s no one else more qualified.”
“Oh, this is going to be so much fun.” Liz let go of her arm and bounced down the steps. “Everyone gather around ! There are a few announcements we need to get out of the way before dinner. Le and Chelsea, why don’t you do the honor.”
“What are you talking about?” Le raised an eyebrow , glancing between both women.
“Sorry , I couldn’t help myself.” She smiled and held out her hand to him. “Tell everyone so Liz can tell them her good news.” When he came to her, she wrapped her arm around his waist.
With his arm around her , she snuggled against him, glowing with happiness. Things had a way of working out and eventually she’d found contentment. No, on the contrary; it had found them.
Epilogue
A bar beque had sounded like a wonderful idea when Kingsley thought of it, but now that the day had arrived all he wanted to do was take his wife up to their room and forget about the last twenty-four hours. Ups and downs were part of a doctor’s life, but when one of the patients he’d been seeing for years came out of remission, only to decline quickly, he began to wonder if things were worth it. With the grill going, he stared out at the green grass, his thoughts transporting him back to the hospital until he heard a familiar little girl’s yell.
“Doctor Mathews!”
He looked to the side of the house to see Jessica sprinting toward him, her mother Kelly only a few steps behind. Six months of remission and she looked like any other child her age. A little skinnier than she should be, but she was up running around and not stuck in some hospital bed. “Jessica, it’s good to see you, my Christmas miracle.” He squatted down to give her a hug.
“It was nice of you to invite us.” Kelly held a large bowl filled with fruit salad. “I know you said not to bring anything but I could n’t come empty-handed.”
“Thank you, but we’re just glad you could make it.” Chelsea took the bowl and set it on the table.
“I hear you’re doing amazing work at the hospital.” Kelly squeezed Chelsea’s arm. “Parents going through cancer with their children need someone like you to talk to.” She leaned in to whisper,
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