Page 93 of Devoted

A throat clearing behind us diverts our attention from each other. “Sorry to interrupt, but Dr. Lexington is on his way over.” Katelyn watches us as we part and I wrap my arm around Jess in the bed, pulling her into the crook of my shoulder and arm. “Is everything okay now?”

Jess looks up at me. “Yeah.” She lets out a long breath, like she can finally breathe again. “Everything is going to be alright.”

A few seconds later, Dr. Lexington comes over, looking slightly nervous for what he’s walking into. “Hey, Jess. Brooks. Did you two have time to talk?”

I nod while looking down at my beautiful woman, my forever. “Yeah. We did.”

“Okay. Well, if you’re ready, Jess, we’re all set. The plastic surgeon is on standby to do your reconstruction once we’re done with the double mastectomy. I’ll let Brooks and your sister know as soon as you’re in recovery so they can be there when you wake up.”

Jess’s eyes start to well up again as she cups both of her breasts in her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“They’re just boobs, Jess,” Katelyn whispers. “I mean, they’re nice ones, but you’re doing the right thing. I’d be making the same decision in your shoes. We love you with or without them,” she states with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.

“I know. It’s just hard. I guess part of me is still in shock that this is real, but I know I’m making the right decision.” She looks down at her hands and then relaxes, releasing her breasts from her palms. “But I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

I stand from the bed but lean down once more to kiss her, pressing my mouth so sensually to hers that I leave no room for doubt about how much I love her, how much I need her, how devoted I am to her.

“I love you. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon.”

Two nurses move into the curtains, unhooking cords and wires in preparation to move Jess’s bed towards the operating room. Katelyn and I stand off to the side as they prepare to wheel her away.

“I’ll have orange Tic Tacs waiting for you when you get out,” I call after her as the nurses start to push her bed away from Katelyn and me.

Her laughter floats through the air as she moves further down the hall, the screech of the wheels on her bed echoing off the walls. “Some people say they’re really just candy!” She calls back at me, making me chuckle through my tears.

“Some would say chewing gum is bad for you too!” I reply as I reach in my pocket, remove a piece of cinnamon gum from its wrapper, and plop it in my mouth, knowing nothing else could give me more comfort in this moment than our little exchange and my one and only vice.

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