“Okay.” Her expression is resolute, and while I didn’t think it possible, my feelings for her grow. “Introduce me.”
“Come on, then.”
Savannah, Declan, and Tristan fall silent as we walk into the room. But only for a moment.
“Bash!” Declan squeals happily, jumping off Savvy’s bed and running over to wrap his little arms around my waist in a hug. “You’re here!”
“I am. Sorry it’s been a bit, bud.” Setting my bags down, I return his hug before ruffling his short auburn hair.
“That’s okay,” he chirps. “We watched all of your games.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yep.” Tristan slaps my hand in greeting. “The last two were hard to watch, though.” His eyes jump between me and Indie, and he smiles when he recognizes her from her photo.
“Don’t remind me,” I groan. I turn my attention to Savvy, who has her head wrapped in a pretty silk scarf. It’s difficult to hide my sadness when I smile at her, because I know what that means. The bubbly thirteen-year-old has lost her hair. “Hey, Savvy. You’re looking stylish today.”
“You think so?” she asks bravely, striking a pose. “My class got me a bunch of different scarves so I can match them to my mood.”
Her body feels fragile as I hug her carefully, and I swallow back the lump in my throat. “I can’t wait to have more time to see them all once we win the Cup.”
“Me too.” She beams up at me when I release her from the hug.
It’s difficult to do. I want to protect them all, but how can you protect someone from their own body? Clearing my throat again, I look back at Indie, who watches the whole scene with a tenderness that tells me I made the right choice bringing her here today, and extend my hand to her. When she places her palm on mine, I tug her to my side.
“Guys, Savvy, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Three sets of eyes bounce eagerly between Indie and me. “This is my girlfriend, Indie.”
Savannah squeals, clapping her hands and bouncing in her bed. Tristan grins, looking older than his fourteen years, and Declan stares at Indie with open curiosity.
“Hi.” Indie waves at them, her cheeks turning pink under the weight of the kids’ inspection. “Nice to meet you all.”
“She’s so pretty,” Savvy whispers to Tristan.
The older boy chuckles and says, “Just like you, Savvy.”
Savannah’s face turns bright red. Tristan has the grace to pretend not to notice. I’ve missed the hell out of these kids.
“Indie, this is Tristan, Savannah—or Savvy—and Declan. Say hi, guys.”
“Hi,” they all say in unison.
Declan looks between Indie and the bags I left on the floor. “Are you going to play with us?”
“I’ve never played,” Indie responds. “But I’d love to learn, if that’s okay with all of you.”
“Yeah!” Savvy cheers. “I won’t be the only girl anymore.”
“Bash is a good teacher. He and Tristan taught me, and now I’m a pro,” Declan says with the kind of confidence only a ten-year-old could pull off.
“I have presents for you all,” I say, trying not to chuckle at Dec. I won’t be the reason any of these kids question themselves. “Who wants them?”
Chaos erupts as I hand out souvenirs from my time in Florida. A dolphin stuffed animal for Savvy, a cool custom mini figurine for Tristan, and a shark stuffed animal for Declan, along with some other random little odds and ends. The kids treat each present like it’s the best thing they’ve ever received, and my chest aches.
One day, all three of them will have beaten their cancer, and I’m going to throw them the biggest party ever. I’ll hire carnival rides and games and make sure every kid walks away with a prize that’s as big as they are. There will be face painting and dunk tanks where the kids can dunk members of the Rogues… I’ll make sure they can celebrate and simply be a kid for a night. Carefree. Healthy. Hopeful.
“You okay?” Indie whispers as she rubs circles on my back.
“Yeah,” I whisper back. “I’m okay.”
