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At the sound of her mom’s voice, Ella pulls away from Reed, twirls, and shows the flowers off to her mom. “These!”
“Wow!” she sings, and her entire body relaxes.
I can’t imagine the stress and absolute fear that having a child going through this brings. Every time Ella smiles or laughs, it’s like Harper is so desperately trying to memorize the sight and the sound of her daughter. I’m glad that even for a brief moment, we could bring her a slice of tranquility.
The nurse that always seems to be on staff when we are here turns the corner and points at Ella. “There you are! I was worried we were going to have to call in the royal guard to track you down.”
Ella breaks into another fit of giggles, then begins skipping down the hall toward Nurse Jackie.
“Look what I got!” She pridefully shows the nurse her bouquet.
“Oh my goodness. Those are the prettiest flowers I have ever seen!” she squeals.
“Are you coming?” Ella asks, but I don’t realize she’s talking to me at first.
“Me?” I ask.
“Well, duh. We always go together,” she says so matter-of-factly and seriously for being only seven years old.
I glance at the nurse, and she nods, letting me know that it’s okay if I tag along.
“I’m coming,” I tell her. “I’ll be right behind you!”
Harper follows them toward the waiting room, which leads to the treatment rooms.
Turning toward Reed, I open my mouth to make sure he’ll be okay while I’m gone, but he cuts me off before I can even get a word out.
“I am happy to wait with Harper.” He leans down and kisses my forehead. “It’s clear that Queen Charlotte is needed. Just don’t forget about this commoner afterward.”
I laugh. “If I’m a queen, then you would obviously be the king.”
He shrugs and smirks. “I kind of thought so, but I didn’t want to crown myself with the title.”
He takes my hand again, and I lead us down the hallway and into the waiting room.
He spins me back to him and kisses me like we didn’t just walk into a room full of people. “I love you.”
I kiss him back and melt against his lips. “I love you too.”
After Ella finishes treatment, we mingle in the waiting room for a few minutes before walking out to the parking lot together.
“You know, Ella, you are the coolest person I’ve ever met,” Reed says as Ella goes in for a hug good-bye.
“You mean that?” she asks with a grin.
“Of course I mean that.” He smiles and hugs her back before releasing her.
“You’re pretty cool too,” she says shyly and turns to the car.
“Umm, excuse me, Princess, did you forget about your queen?” I scoff.
She turns back around with a menacing smile and says, “Gotcha!” before launching herself at me.
I catch her in my arms and squeeze her tightly.
“I’ll see you soon, okay?” I kiss the side of her head and pull away.
She throws her arms back around me and hugs me even tighter a second time. “Very soon!”
