Her voice is hoarse from all the crying. “You’ll stay with me forever?”
“Forever, my sweet girl.” I hold up my pinky, and she hooks hers around mine. We both lean forward and kiss our hands, then I say, “I love you very much.”
Her chin quivers again as she whispers, “I’m scared.”
I wrap her in a tight hug and press kisses to the side of her head. “Me too. But we’ll find a way through this. You, me, and Uncle Easton.”
She nods, and pulling back, her gaze finds mine again. “Will it hurt?”
“What, my sweet girl?”
“Will it hurt Mommy when she dies?”
Oh God. I have no idea, and I tried not to think about Rachel’s last days. Not knowing what else to say, I shake my head. “No. She’ll sleep a lot until she doesn’t wake up again.”
We hear movement coming from the room, and I quickly pull Lainey off the counter and help her onto her feet. Her hand instantly grips mine as we rush out of the restroom.
Rachel is in a wheelchair, looking exhausted as hell. Easton picks her up, and I wait for him to place her down on the bed before I move closer. Lainey presses into my side as I glance between Easton, a nurse, and a man who I assume is the doctor.
Easton brushes his hand over Rachel’s forehead and leans over her. “Hey, Rach.”
She stares at him for too long, and intense worry pours into my soul.
When her lips part, her words are slurred and slow, “Take ... me ... home.”
Easton’s head snaps to the doctor, and it has the man in the white coat explaining, “The tumor has grown and is affecting Rachel’s motor skills and the right side of her body.” He steps closer to us. “She’s also experiencing double vision, so it will become significantly more difficult for her to move around.”
NoNoNo. I’m not ready!
I glance wildly at everyone, and I grip Lainey’s hand tighter.
“I’ve already spoken with Rachel, and I’ve advised her that we contacted hospice to help make things easier for you.” The doctor delivers another punishing blow. “I’m afraid at the rapid pace the tumor is growing, it won’t be long now.”
Pins and needles spread over my body, and my tongue goes numb from shock.
With a grim expression, Easton nods, and I don’t know how he does it, but his voice sounds calm as he asks, “Can I take my sister home?”
“I recommend that she stays a few days so we can monitor her,” the doctor answers, which has Rachel shaking her head.
“She wants to go home,” Easton insists.
“Okay,” the doctor agrees reluctantly. “I’ve prescribed medicine to help with the seizures and any pain she might experience. It will make her comfortable. Hospice will be in touch with you over the next forty-eight hours.”
Easton nods again. “Thank you, doctor. Bring the medicine and any documents I need to sign. I’d like to leave as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” The doctor looks at the nurse. “Get everything ready for the patient to be discharged.” Then, he focuses his attention on Easton again. “Is there anything else I can do, Mr. Rowe?”
Easton shakes his head. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” The doctor hesitates for a moment, then adds, “Call me day or night if I can help. Hospice will come to your house to set up everything, which will make things easier for you.”
When he leaves the room, we all stand frozen until Lainey pulls her hand from mine.
“Mommy?” she whispers as she cautiously takes a step forward.
The heartache on Rachel’s face is the saddest thing I’ve ever witnessed, but she starts to pull herself up into a sitting position. I notice how she favors her left side, and Easton quickly moves closer to help.
When she’s propped up against pillows, I help Lainey onto the bed. She quickly scoots closer to Rachel and carefully wraps her arms around her mother’s neck.
