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ChapterTwenty-Nine
The lumpin Graham’s gut expanded on the drive to Jace and Alex’s for the family dinner. Erin had kept him distracted enough to refrain from calling Megan or Reece to get an update on their consultation with the neurosurgeon. Until he heard the doctor’s conclusion, Graham could hold on to hope that his daughter would be given a clean bill of health or at least a reprieve.
“Have you talked to Meg yet?” Jace asked as they joined Alex in the kitchen.
Erin set the salad and bruschetta on the counter.
“No. I’m trying to respect her saying she’d tell us tonight.” It hadn’t been easy, but based on the tone of her text, Graham wasn’t sure she’d answer.
“Same,” Jace said. “I can’t believe it’s only been two weeks, and she’s already seen a neurosurgeon.”
“They’re here,” Alex said seconds before the front door opened. “You didn’t have to bring something.” She reached for the glass baking dish Megan carried in.
“I’m not an invalid,” Megan stated.
“But you were away. I—”
“It gave me something to do.”
“What did the surgeon say?” Graham asked the question on everyone’s mind.
Megan sighed. “I was hoping to wait until after we ate, but I might as well get it over with.” She sighed again, and Reece placed a hand on her back. She motioned for them to sit at the table, but she remained standing.
Even though it went against his instincts, Graham followed her orders. Erin sat next to him and covered his hand with hers.
“Dr. Verner was super nice and reassuring. The size and location of the aneurysm are why he wanted to see me. Because of my age and overall health, I’m not in the high-risk category, but, with the family history, he suggested I consider surgery at some point.” She paused. “I want to do it before we start a family—just in case. It’s not like there’s ever a good time, but I’d much rather do it while Reece is here and not deployed. There were two options, and we both agreed with Dr. Verner’s recommendation of the less invasive coiling procedure over surgery to go in and clamp or cut out the aneurysm.”
“What does that entail?” Graham asked.
“They insert tiny metal coils into the weakened artery to block blood flow. It’s still brain surgery, but it’s less risky. It only requires a night or two in the hospital and about a week for recovery.”
“They’re not going to cut open your brain? Darn. I guess that means they can’t cut out the part that makes you so bossy. Though I guess that wouldn’t leave a lot,” Jace joked.
Alex elbowed him in the ribs.
“No.” Megan stepped close enough to swat Jace on the shoulder. “But you’re going to have to be nice to me until the surgery and at least six months afterward.”
“You’re making that up,” Jace scoffed.
“I can get a doctor’s note. The surgery is scheduled for two months from now. There’s a possibility I could get rescheduled if something gets canceled because we can get there on short notice. And, for the record,ifsomething goes wrong, Reece has to wait eighteen months before dating, or I’m going to come back and haunt him.”
The laughter broke the tension.
“Nothing’s going to happen. We just have to treat you like a delicate princess for a little while.” Reece pressed a kiss to her temple.
“That’s nothing new. She dressed up like a princesseveryHalloween.” Jace rolled his eyes.
“Not every one. I went as Hermione Granger my last year trick-or-treating.”
“When you were fifteen. She was in love with Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter,” Jace told Reece.
“I’m over him. I got my happily-ever-after.” Megan batted her lashes at Reece.
“That all sounds encouraging.” Graham got up and embraced Megan, holding her for several long seconds.
Then Jace hugged his sister. “Enough mushy stuff. Let’s eat.”
Alex took a turn hugging Megan. “We are doing make your own pizza. You get to go first.” She set out baking sheets with pizza dough.
