AllFreeNovel
Share Us
25
Ally
Imeet Andrew and Jase at the truck when they park. Ignoring the questioning look Andrew gives me as he gets out of his side, I walk right into his arms. Yesterday evening, after Erica was checked into the hospital and settled in her room, I stepped out into the hallway to call Andrew. I didn’t want to give him any details over the phone, so I just told them it was important that I see him and Jase as soon as possible. Thankfully, he didn’t press for more and offered to drive down the first thing in the morning.
“Thank you both for coming,” I tell the pair after hugging Jase. “I wouldn’t have asked you to drive all this way if it weren’t important.”
“What’s going on, Skittles?” He looks around the hospital parking lot. “Where’s Trent?”
“He’s inside waiting on us.” I pull in a fortifying breath, then grab Andrew and Jase’s hands. What I’m about to tell them is huge. What I’m about to ask of them is even bigger. “There’s something I’ve been keeping from you both.” I look back and forth between the two of them. Seeing the concerned look on Andrew’s face, I automatically know what he’s thinking. “It’s not about me. Well, it is, but it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m fine. It’s nothing like that.”
“All right, Ally, you’re starting to worry us. Tell us what’s happened. Does it have anything to do with the phone calls Bailey and I got a couple of weeks ago?”
“Or the people you had over when you were home the last time?” Andrew adds.
I give both of them a crooked smile. “I’m working up the courage to tell you.”
“Whatever it is can’t be that bad, if you said it has nothing to do with your health.”
“It’s not necessarily bad. It’s actually really good, but it’s also complicated. And there’s something I need from you both, if you’re willing.”
“Baby girl, for Christ’s sa—”
I cut Andrew off. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell you. When I came here to get chemo, Trent and I met a little girl. Her name is Erica. She’s eight and has leukemia. Her mom died of leukemia when she was three.” I pause a moment. “She never knew her dad. For the past five years, she’s been in a group home.”
Andrew’s brows dip. “She has no other family?”
“No. She has no one.” I take a minute to gather my thoughts. “The more we saw the girl, the closer we became. I hated the thought of her being alone. She had the people at the group home, but it wasn’t the same as having a family.” I pull in a breath and get straight to the point. “Trent and I decided to adopt her.”
Both sets of eyes staring back at me widen in surprise.
“Are you sure you’re ready for something like that?” Andrew asks.
“I better be, because it was made official yesterday morning. Trent and I are now Erica’s parents.”
“Shit, Ally,” Andrew mutters. “This is a huge step.”
“I know and I can’t wait.” I smile. “We already love that little girl. She was ours before it was made official.” I step closer to Andrew and reach out for his hand. “You know Trent and I have talked about adopting.”
“Yes, and you know I think you’ll make excellent parents, but right on the cusp of dealing with your own illness? You still haven’t fully recovered.”
“I’m fine, and I’m getting stronger every day.” I squeeze Andrew’s hand and look at him earnestly. “I’ve felt from the moment we made the decision to adopt her that it was right. Erica needs us.”
Andrew stares at me, and I see the wheels in his head turning as he thinks over everything I’ve just said. After a moment, he nods.
“What is it you need from us?” Jase asks, pulling my attention to him.
“Erica needs a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible.” I stop and let my words sink in. They both know what I’m asking. “Given the circumstances, I can’t offer my own. Trent’s been tested and we’re waiting on the results. I hate to ask this, but we need to find alternatives if he comes back as not a match.”
“This girl means that much to you?” I look at Andrew when he asks his quiet question.
“Yes,” I answer just as quietly. “I would do anything for her.”
“Okay. Set it up.”
My heart skips a beat. I knew Andrew would agree, but hearing him confirm it takes my breath away. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
