AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After we divulged every moment that happened during our months apart, I was exhausted, and I needed sleep desperately. I half expected Reed to go home, but he refused to leave me. He slept in my queen-size bed with his arms and legs wrapped around me. I hadn’t slept that deeply in what feels like forever.
He also told me about his new cat son, Hatty, which at first caught me off guard, but then I realized that I’m more surprised it took him this long to get a furry companion. He’s always loved animals. He couldn’t stop talking about the strides they’d made toward bonding, and somehow, the love he shares with the little three-legged gray kitty is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to meet him and eventually make him love me too.
Harper texted me and said that Ella has chemo this morning, and of course I’m going to be there for her. When I told Reed, I could tell he was intrigued. To be loved by Reed is to be seen, validated, cared for, listened to, and protected. Which is exactly why I invited him along this morning, to let my two worlds collide. I want him to see the side of my life that I’ve kept in the dark, and I want him to meet the greatest little girl in the world.
Of course I checked with Harper if that would be okay. I even offered to take us out for lunch on a different day if that would be better and less intrusive. But she didn’t even hesitate and said that she nor Ella would have any issue with me bringing Reed along.
He offered to drive this morning, and I realized how much I missed being his passenger princess with his hand on my thigh and his thumb caressing me without thought.
As we near the clinic, my feet start bouncing on the floor, and my heart quickens. I’m so dang excited to see her. She is forevermore my little sister. I want to be there when she finally rings the bell, going into remission. I want to be there when she starts middle school, high school, college. I just hope I manage to be around long enough to see all of those dreams through to the end. I pray that Harper and I continue to build the relationship that we’ve started to. I never imagined that going to treatment would bring me a bigger sense of family.
Reed takes a right into a grocery store parking lot, and I instantly speak up. “Your turn isn’t for, like, a mile.”
“I know.” He smiles and parks in the front row and shuts the car off. “I’ll be right back.”
Squishing my eyebrows together, I say, “Wait, what? Where are you going?”
He smirks, then chuckles. “I’ll be right back, Char.”
What is he up to? Is he hungry and needs a doughnut or snack? Why didn’t he just say that?
I can’t seem to stop trying to figure out what he’s up to the entire time he’s in there. But the second I see the automatic doors open to him, my lips part, and my racing heart skips a beat. His long strides carry him to his pickup in just a few short steps.
As he opens the truck door, he says, “I had to grab a few things.”
In his hand is a bag filled to the top and two bouquets. He hands the first one to me, and I take the biggest inhale, my eyes rolling from one of the best smells in the world—fresh flowers.
“I haven’t been able to get these for you in a while, and I missed it.” He blushes, then hands me the second bunch that’s smaller than the first. “These are for Ella. I figured she’s kind of like your mini, so since you like flowers, I had a feeling she would too.”
My eyes begin to burn and water as he puts his truck in reverse.
“I-I love you,” I murmur as a tear rolls down my cheek.
He presses on the brakes and leans over the console and grabs my face. Holding me, he looks into my eyes like he sees into my soul before kissing me fiercely, and I kiss him back just the same.
“I love you,” he whispers against my lips before refocusing on driving.
Trying to gather my wits, I remember the bag he had. “What else did you get?”
“Just some of my girl’s favorite things. They had those chocolate croissants you like, so I picked up a couple. I also grabbed a few bottles of apple juice, a bunch of bananas, and a pack of applesauce. I read online last night that they can help after chemo treatments, and I wanted to have something in case you or her need a little boost.”
Am I ever going to stop happy-crying because of this man?
“You’re the best,” I coo. “You do know I’m not getting treatment today, right?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, I know. But I also read that you still might not feel great, even after you’ve finished treatment, and I didn’t want you to have to track something down to help you feel better when I could just have it on hand.”
Oh my God, the word love isn’t strong enough to describe the way I feel about Reed.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You never have to thank me for anything,” he says and turns into the clinic.
“I’m going to do it anyway,” I protest with a smile.
He chuckles and throws the pickup in park.
Harper’s van is already here, which means Princess Ella is as well, more than likely inside, waiting by the window for me. I hope she’s feeling okay today.
