“No.”
“You’re such a liar,” Vanessa teases.
“I think this works. Chance is still fighting with his sexuality, and maybe I think he is more bisexual than gay, but he told me he sees a future with me.”
“How can he have a future with you when he’s still so far in the closet?” she asks.
“You can’t rush people’s sexuality,” I bite back at her.
“I know, but I worry when it has the potential to hurt my friend,” she says.
“I love you, Ness, and thank you for caring about me. I know this is probably going to backfire on me, but I have to give it a go, otherwise, I will always be left wondering what if.”
“And I will be here for you either way.”
Everything then went to shit. Vanessa went and did the BRCA test and came back positive for the gene. She then made the difficult decision to remove her breasts to cut her risk of breast cancer. I can’t even imagine what that must be like to haveto make that choice. Ness said it was a simple one and she chose life. I’m so fucking proud of my girl, we all are, especially Christian who has stepped up and has chosen to be her rock through all this. He has accompanied her to all her doctor’s meetings, her check-ups, tests, the boob doctor to talk about getting breast reconstructions, and has helped her choose her new breast size, I knew he would like that one.
Christian organized a goodbye party for Vanessa’s boobs with her friend Camryn. It might seem weird, but it was exactly what Vanessa needed because we all know she has been stressing about the surgery, and I don’t blame her. She’s worried that her boobs are not going to look the same and there will be unsightly scars all over her body, and that no one will ever want to see her naked again. I don’t think she needs to worry about that because Christian is only too happy to see her naked anytime she wants. He’s really stepped up for her during her time of need. You can see how much he loves her, and I know he’s worried about the surgery for her. Vanessa asked us not to all be at the hospital, she didn’t want the fanfare when she woke up from surgery and we totally understood. Having Dirty Texas in the waiting room does draw a lot of attention.
What I wasn’t expecting was a visit from Christian.
“Hey, how is she?” I ask him. He’s been by Nessa’s side at the hospital every day while she heals.
“She’s going well. Thanks for those flowers you gave her, she loves them.” He smiles.
“What can I help you with?” I wonder why he is visiting me so late.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he says seriously as we take a seat in the kitchen.
“Do you want a beer or something?” I ask him. He shakes his head. Oh, wow, it must be serious.
“Ness can come home on the weekend.”
“That’s great news. All her stuff is here, ready for her,” I tell him.
“See, that’s what I’m here to talk to you about. I want her to live with me. I have arranged twenty-four-hour medical assistance. We have room for her family and mine, who are all helping with her recovery. Plus, D, she told me she loved me before she went into surgery. She confessed that she wants forever with me.” I can see the tears begin to well in his eyes. “And I don’t want to live another moment without her.” Now I’m crying. The bloody romantic fool.
“Chris,” I say as I stand up and hug him.
“I love her, D. You know that. And she loves me. This is my time to show her she’s my forever.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“I never want her to ever doubt my love for her ever again. I know I messed up and nearly lost her. This is our second chance, and I’m taking it.” He smiles through his tears.
“You’d better take me ring shopping then,” I warn him.
“Of course. I’m going to wait till she is feeling better so she knows I’m not asking her because I feel sorry for her, because you know that is what she would think …” He’s not wrong, she would. “But because I want to grow old with her. And one day I hope we are blessed to have babies.”
“You would have gorgeous babies. Look at Ryder, he is so cute,” I gush.
“I’m so far gone, D, that I’m getting clucky every time I’m around that little rugrat,” he confesses. Aw. Daddy Chris would be hot. “Ness is nowhere near any of those plans just yet.”
“Come on then, let’s pack up her things,” I tell him as we make our way to Nessa’s room.
“How are things with you?” Chris asks as we pack.
“Work’s busy. Sienna is still on maternity leave, but I think she loves being at home with Ryder. I can’t see her wanting tocome back anytime soon. The boutique’s busy as is my styling business, which is great, but I think it’s getting a bit much for Stacey and me to manage by ourselves. We might have to bring in another manager.”
