Page 89 of Loving Lizzy

Lizzy smiled, remembering the first time she witnessed the beautiful scene in front of her.

“I’ll bring you here every morning as soon as we finish off your chemo. Did the doctor say when you can return? I hope you aren’t worried about the money, the foundation will handle it,” Lizzy reassured her.

Diana turned to face her. A single tear slid down her face as she smiled and took Lizzy’s hands. “I’m not getting more chemo. When I went to see the doctor, the cancer has metastasized. Lizzy, I’m dying.”

Lizzy stood and stepped back, shaking her head in denial. “No. You’re too young. We’ll get a second opinion and I’m sure Kassie can help us find someone to help?—”

Diana stood, “Your friend, Dr. Chase already took me to see a friend of his.”

“No. I refuse to believe it. We’ll figure out something.”

“I brought you here to experience this sunrise. Sit with me.” Diana tugged on her to sit on the blanket beside her. She took her hand and gripped it tightly. “I’ve made my peace with it. You once told me we’re placed on a journey for a reason. I believe you and Michael came on this journey to help us. Will you?”

Tears streamed down Lizzy’s face as she faced the calm young woman beside her and nodded her head.

“Caleb and Faith need a mom and dad. My mom’s too old and tired to care for two young kids. She wants to watch them grow and be involved in their lives. I contacted my husband and when I threatened to sue him for child support or give up his rights, he happily signed away his children. I hired an attorney who made sure the agreement is iron clad.”

“Kassie and Chase will make good parents; you see how they treat their daughter…” Lizzy immediately suggested, knowing Kassie wouldn’t hesitate to take the children.

Diana laughed and shook her head. “I’m sure Kassie and Chase are great parents. I want you to adopt them. They already love you. We can get the paperwork done as soon as possible. I don’t want the kids to watch me suffer. We’ll move them in, and I’ll help decorate their rooms, then a part of me will always be with them. We’ll take lots of pictures and I’ll ask the grandparents to make them each a blanket to keep me close to them. My mom will help, and they’ll inherit this huge loving family. You and Michael will be the best gift I can give my children.”

“What if my cancer returns someday? Don’t you want someone completely healthy?” She sat stunned.

“Lizzy, you’re already thinking like a mom. We can’t control life or death. My children deserve a loving home. They deserve you. Caleb will have kids his own age to play with, and Faith’s almost a year old. You’re on this journey to become a mom. In return, I’ll make sure Conner knows how much he’s loved, and his daddy thinks about him every day. Give them the life they deserve and place me here to grow among the wildflowers. Then you can bring them here and tell them all about me and I’ll watch over you.”

Pulling Diana into her arms, the women clung to one another. Both women beginning a different journey which would forever be intertwined.

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

Lizzy walked through front door and closed it quietly behind her. She swiped the tears from her cheeks as she went to find Michael.

He stepped into the hallway from the kitchen, returning from his office on the opposite side. Upon seeing her face, Michael rushed forward and clutched her in his arms.

“What happened? Do you feel sick?” He led her over to the couch and sat down beside her. He felt her forehead as he tried to figure out what caused her such distress.

“I have to tell you something.”

He swallowed and nodded. He took her hands and cupped them in his. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together,” he reminded her.

“Diana’s not getting more chemo. She’s dying,” she whispered.

Michael sat up and gazed at Lizzy in disbelief as fresh tears fell down her face.

“I can call Chase; we can get a second—” He stopped as she shook her head.

“Diana asked me if you and I will take Caleb and Faith. Her mom can’t do it alone and their dad signed away his rights. She gave me instructions,” she sobbed.

“I don’t know what to say. She’s still young, maybe a different treatment. If it’s about the money, we have savings…” Again, he halted as she sadly shook her head.

“Chase took her to see a friend of his. Chase would only take her to someone he truly trusted to help her,” she whispered.

Michael nodded too stunned to speak.

“She wants to help us decorate the kids’ rooms and move them over here. She doesn’t want Caleb to watch her decline. We’ll take lots of pictures and make every moment count. Diana wants to see us married and the kids adopted. We’ll need to do this right away.”

Michael stood. “Call the women. I’ll contact the team. We need our family to help us. I want to talk to Diana and will return in a few moments.”

Lizzy watched him walk out the door, already reaching for his phone. She shakily pulled hers from the pack and dialed Kassie’s number.

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