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My throat convulses, and I launch myself forward. Years ago, Andrew saved my life by offering a part of himself to me, and now he’s doing the same for a little girl he doesn’t even know. “Thank you,” I whisper in his ear.
“You know I’d do anything for you,” he whispers back.
I pull away and wipe the tears from my cheeks.
“Get the doctors ready for both of us.” I look at Jase, and he smiles. “She’s family now, and we’re always there for family.”
I step into Jase’s arms for another tight hug. I don’t know what I did to deserve to have two such wonderful men in my life, but I’m grateful I do.
* * *
Andrew,Jase, and I approach room 315. I stop just outside the door and peek inside. When I left earlier to meet Andrew and Jase outside, Erica was asleep. We stopped by the lab to let the guys get tested, along with an extensive medical history, so it’s been a couple of hours since I left. Erica is now sitting up in bed with Trent sitting beside her hip. He’s doing something on his phone. When he holds the screen up for her to see and she giggles, it sends a shot of happiness to my heart. I already love watching the two of them together.
“She’s the reason you haven’t come home?” Andrew asks behind me.
I turn to him. “Yeah. I couldn’t bear to leave her until we knew if the adoption would go through. Now that it has, we’ll be staying until she can come home with us.”
“She’s beautiful,” Jase remarks, and I smile over at him.
“She reminds me of you when you were her age.”
I look back at Andrew, then turn around to face the room again. Memories of my own stay in the hospital the first time I had leukemia filter through my mind. I tried my best to stay positive because I knew the people around me were worried. I was only a child then, but as much as everyone tried to hide their worry, I still saw it on their faces. Even so, deep down, I was scared I was going to die. I firmly believe I would have if Andrew hadn’t given me the bone marrow that saved my life.
I grab his hand and pull him forward. “Come meet Erica.”
Erica looks up when we enter the room, her eyes going behind me to the big men approaching. Since her immune system is compromised, the doctors have her wearing a mask to ensure no germs enter her system. She’s paler than she was yesterday and there’s a gauntness to her cheeks. Worry has me rushing forward and grabbing her hand.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.”
Erica is more like me than Andrew realizes. She claims to be okay, but I know she’s not. Her body must be wracked with aches and pains. But she refuses to admit it.
“Do you remember me telling you about Andrew and Jase?” She nods. “They’re both anxious to meet you.” I step to the side so Andrew and Jase can move forward. “The big guy there”—I point to Andrew—“is Andrew. And this is Jase.”
“Hi,” Erica says in an uncertain voice.
“Hey, beautiful,” Andrew says, offering a smile.
“Hello there.” Jase smiles too.
Her eyes dart to me before going back to the two men. “Ally’s told me about you two.”
Andrew’s lips tip up on one side. “Don’t listen to everything she says. I promise we aren’t the grouchy old men I’m sure she says we are.”
“She said you two were the best men she knew.” Her eyes slide to Trent. “Well, other than Trent, anyway.”
Andrew grins, flashing her a wink. “We’re better than Trent.”
Erica giggles, and for a moment, the pain in her eyes dim.
“Don’t listen to him, Erica. I’m the best of the three of us.”
Andrew pats the top of Erica’s leg and leans closer, lowering his voice. “We just let him think he’s better so his feelings aren’t hurt. Everyone knows we’re the best.”
Trent snorts. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Erica laughs, and my chest fills with pride, knowing it’s my family who’s put a sparkle in her eyes.
