Page 86 of Loving Lizzy

Barb gave her a hug, holding the bouquet of flowers he brought for her. The trio walked out of the hospital doors and entered the car.

“Thank you for taking me home and bringing all those lovely meals. I really appreciate it,” Barb told them as they pulled up to the curb of her apartment building.

Lizzy stepped out of the car and opened the door for her friend. Michael grabbed the cooler and followed her, as she walked arm and arm with Barb.

“You sound as if you’re getting rid of us,” she commented as she held the door open for the older woman and her walker.

“I’m sure you two have better things to do than visit with me. Put this behind you and find your happiness,” she advised.

The elevator door opened, and Barb strolled to her apartment. Michael proceeded to add the items to the fridge while Lizzy settled Barb in the living room with her blanket and TV remote.

“We can do both. You’re part of our family now. We’ll plan lunch dates and bring you to Serenity to view our mountain,” Lizzy told her as Michael walked into the room.

“I left a couple of dishes in the fridge, and I added my number to your new cell phone, and I expect you to use it if you need to or just want to say hello,” he sternly told her, earning a smile from Barb. The couple made their goodbyes.

Lizzy buckled herself in and waited as Michael climbed in the vehicle and turned toward Serenity. Even through the fatigue, she felt relieved and laid back and closed her eyes.

A short time later he gently shook her shoulder, letting her know they arrived home. He held the door to the house open to allow her to walk in. She immediately went to the recliner.

Michael took the flowers into the kitchen, put them in a vase, and brought them back to place on the coffee table. “I ordered food from Ty’s for dinner tonight. We’ll take a nap together then celebrate,” he told her as he took her hand and led her to the bedroom.

“I’m not done yet. The radiation is scheduled in four weeks with my preparation appointment two days before.” She sat on the edge of the bed as Michael took off her shoes and stood as he pulled her pants off. He held the covers back, allowing her to slip inside the blankets. Then he sat beside her on the edge of the bed.

“Dr. Safder said your blood work came back with good numbers and recommended the radiation because of the number of lymph nodes. The radiation oncologist on her team said to call if you have any questions. Chemo took care of the cancer. It’s like a preventative measure,” he assured her.

“I guess a part of me worries after doing all these treatments, what if it comes back again?” He heard the fear in her voice.

He rounded the bed, slipped off his jeans and pulled the shirt over his head before sliding under the covers. He pulled her onto this chest, and she rested her chin below his collar bone.

“Look at me,” he commanded. “I found you when I thought I lost you forever. We’re battling this disease, and I still loved you through it all. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. Yes, it might come, or I can lose you tomorrow from a car accident, like Jake lost Bonnie. Let’s promise from this day forward, we live our lives and never take it for granted.”

She moved further up his chest and kissed his lips. “I didn’t think of it that way. One thing I’ve learned is gratitude for my friends, and especially you. I promise to live every day and cherish the fact I’m able to spend it with you.”

She moved to snuggle into his side and laid her head on his chest. Michael brought up a good point. Instead of fearing what life held in store for her, she vowed to make every minute count. She closed her eyes and dreamed of her future with him.

* * *

Six weeks later,on the day of her last radiation treatment, she sat across the table from Michael, who seemed engrossed in his tablet reading the news.

“Chase called me to the hospital. There’s a new pediatric admission with complex issues. He asked if I could receive the admission. Kassie will take you to your last appointment. I’ll meet you back here then we’ll decide how to celebrate,” he told her as he tapped to the next page.

Lizzy barely contained her disappointment. It was her last breast cancer treatment. She no longer held the status as a breast cancer patient, she survived. She’d fought the battle and won. She stood and wrapped the robe tighter around her when the doorbell rang. When Michael grabbed his coffee cup and made no move to answer, she clutched her robe close to her throat and answered the door.

Samantha and Kassie stood smiling as they held bags in their hands while she appeared confused at their arrival.

“My appointment isn’t until ten hundred,” she told them, sending them into laughter.

“We know, silly. It’s your last day and we wanted you to feel special. May we come in?” Samantha asked as she waited for her to move out of the doorway. She opened it wider to allow the women to come inside.

Michael greeted them as he leaned down to kiss her, “Have fun and I’ll see you later.”

She watched him leave before turning back to her friends. “Is there really a patient needing his attention? I wanted him to come with me.”

Kassie turned her toward the bedroom. “Yes, if everything goes as scheduled, he still might arrive before you’re done. Now hop in the shower, we want to play dress up. I want to video you ringing the bell today in case Michael misses it.”

Lizzy frowned, no longer in the mood to celebrate as she thought of him missing this special moment with her. Shrugging her shoulders, she knew a relationship with a doctor required sacrifices. She turned on the shower water and resolved to not let his absence ruin the significance of the day.

She turned off the water and wrapped a towel around her. Samantha knocked on the door. “Put your robe on Lizzy, we want you to wear something special today.”

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