Could she trust him enough to see the yucky parts? To see where life cut her and stitched her up? She swallowed at the thought of him running and a pain sliced through her chest. Feeling ashamed, she finally knew how he must’ve felt when she ran. She never gave him a chance to prove his love for her. Maybe it was time to prove her love for him and show how much she trusted him to stay.
Michael turned off the lights and walked down the hallway to their room. Lizzy sat in the middle of the bed clutching the sheet to her. His pace slowed as he neared, and she gave him a nervous smile and patted the bed.
Michael sat down on the edge and waited. Her smile faltered a little and she licked her bottom lip before biting it. She met his gaze and slowly undid the sheet from her chest and let it fall around her waist. A lone tear and a shaky breath followed. Michael scanned the healing area, fully acknowledging her courage in showing him her scars. He cupped her cheek and swiped the tear away with his thumb as he whispered, “I love you Lizzy Bee and I see you, and you’re enough.”
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Michael threw Lizzy’s bag over his shoulder and took her hand as they headed toward the infusion center. When they entered, she went directly to the counter and gave her name. They sat in front of the glass doors waiting for them to call her. He acted as if the sight of the chairs with the hanging bags didn’t bother him, but Lizzy knew he felt uncomfortable.
To relax him, she leaned her head on his shoulder, and his arm automatically went around her as he scooted her closer to him as if he dared the invisible disease to go through him before attacking her. His other hand gripped hers, refusing to let her go.
“Why don’t you grab something to eat and visit with your colleagues while I’m here? It’ll take a while and you’ll only get bored,” she encouraged him again.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He dug in her bag and removed his computer, the miniature cooler with snacks and his e-reader. “I packed your water bottle, a lemon lime soda, crackers, and snacks for you and the ladies.”
“You constantly amaze me. I’ve decided to keep you, forever,” she raised her head and smiled at him.
“I’m holding you to it.” He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head.
“Lizzy,” the nurse called for her.
Michael stood as he handed her the bag. “I packed your blanket and if you want anything, I’ll be sitting here right outside the door.”
Lizzy squeezed his hand before following the nurse and taking a seat beside Barb.
“Good morning,” she cheerfully greeted her.
“Don’t you resemble a knockout. Are you sure you need chemo? I love the new hair.” Barb put down her paperback and gave Lizzy her full attention. “You don’t appear as scared as last time. How did you do when you returned home?”
She waited until the nurse finished hooking her up and took the supplies away.
“I can’t say I enjoyed the nausea. How do you feel?”
“I’ll survive. I bought myself a new hat to celebrate losing some of my gray,” she chuckled to herself.
“I like it. It suits you,” she told her as she pulled the shawl from her bag and wrapped it around her shoulders. She placed the blanket over her lap. Glancing down into the tote, she grinned as she found individual baggies for each of the women. The night before, she’d told Michael about the two people she met and how sad she felt they didn’t have the same support system as her. While she showered, he took it upon himself to make a miniature buffet. He even added adult coloring books with three packs of colored pencils. She searched for Michael on the other side of the door. She found him watching her. She pointed to his gifts, smiled, and blew him a kiss.
“Michael packed us a treat and an activity. Do you like to color?” Lizzy pulled out the items and offered Barb her choice.
She chuckled as she picked up the book and laughed. “I don’t think I’ve colored since I was a little girl.”
“These are adult coloring books. I heard they help reduce stress. Where’s Diana?” She scanned the room for the outspoken woman.
“She’ll be along shortly, as long as her bloodwork came back good.” She chose her items and held them up and gave Michael a little wave. “Please tell him thank you. He didn’t need to bring me anything, I appreciate the gesture all the same.”
Lizzy sat the items back in the bag to give Diana a selection when she arrived. She pulled out her water bottle and sat it on her tray.
“Is he your husband? He’s a handsome guy,” Barb observed.
“He’s my ex-husband but we’re together. We will probably finish around the same time if you need a ride home today,” Lizzy offered.
Her new friend turned her head from searching through her new book. “I can grab a cab,” she told her. “When you get to be my age, you learn how to do everything yourself.”
“I don’t doubt you can. I want to pick up a few things I ordered while in the city and can drop you off. It beats waiting for a cab,” Lizzy cajoled.
Barb thought for a moment, “As long as it doesn’t put you out, I’ll grab a ride. If anything, it’ll give my neighbors something to talk about when I pull up with a handsome man and a stunning woman in the car. I don’t think they’ve ever seen anyone with me. Diana and I sometimes get together. We met at the cancer support group a few blocks away. We try to schedule our appointments at the same time. Do you live around here? Maybe you’ll want to join us?”
“I recently moved to Serenity. It takes me about forty minutes to return home. I don’t mind because the view makes it totally worth it.”