Page 68 of Abel

Like today, I’m just lounging on the sofa in the living room when I saw Abel and Camden deep in conversation while Travis and I made small talk.

I couldn’t really engage in what Travis was saying, because I was too busy trying to read their lips and failing miserably.

Sly devils.

All of a sudden, a sharp pain radiates throughout my side, causing me to drop the mug of tea I was holding. “Oh, God!” I shout, doubling over in pain.

“Camden, Abel, get your asses in here!” Travis yells, scared for his life when I finally sit up… Laughing.

“Travis!” Snort. “You should have seen your face.” Snort. “The way you jumped up, calling for the guys and trying to come to my rescue was priceless.” I laugh harder.

“Well, aren’t you quite the little girl that cried wolf?” He says, standing up with his hands planted firmly on his hip, clearly pissed at me.

“In my defense, there really was a sharp pain, like a contraction maybe.”

“How do you know?”

“Well, it traveled from my stomach to the side, then rested in my back. It was definitely not something I wanted to play around with.” I say, trying to catch my breath. “I really didn’t mean to scare you, but it scared the hell outta me.”

“Hmm, I’m no doctor, but Abel can definitely help us out. Abel? Where the hell are you and Cam? We need you over here.” His high-pitched voice makes me giggle.

“I’m sorry, Trav, thank you for being so caring and understanding.” I feel like such a secretive bitch because I haven’t told either of them about my diagnosis yet, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Begging Abel to agree with me was not an easy choice or task, because he didn’t think it was right I keep it from them. I can’t make myself tell them any faster.

Hell, I’m still accepting it myself.

It’s been pretty rough, I’ll admit that.

Tired is an understatement for what I’ve been. A lazy couch potato who’s lost a little more weight than I can afford to is more like it.

Abel and Cam come flying in like bats outta hell. “What’s going on?Marrone Dolce, are you okay?” He asks, eyebrows furrowed with concern and anger.

“I’m fine. It just felt like a contraction.”

“You need to tell them. What if I’m not around to help you? They need to know how to help you, and what to tell anyone giving you medical attention about your condition.” Watching him, my smile is gone, my heart begins to race, and sweat gathers in places I didn’t know possible.

“I don’t want to.” I pout.

“Now is not the time to be acting like a child, Ivy.” He barks, making me feel smaller than I already am.

“I’m not acting like a child.”

“Well tell them. They may be able to help find your mother.” He grunts, pacing the floor. “The baby will be here soon, and we need to start looking for a donor.”

“Hold up, what the fuck are you two talking about?” Cam yells, his voice shocking the shit out of meandmaking me jump. “Iswear to God, if one of you doesn't start talking, I’m going to have a bitch fit.”

I want to tell him nobody’s scared of him, but the way his eyes travel between me and Abel with a murderous look on them, has me snapping my mouth shut.

“She was diagnosed with sickle cell last month. There’s not much she can do or take because she’s pregnant, but after the baby’s born, she will need to have a blood transfusion.”

“Is that why you’ve been looking more sick lately?” Cam asks, coming to sit beside me when I nod my head. “Sweetie, why didn’t you tell us?”

It’s like Hoover Dam opened her pearly gates, beckoning me to shed the tears she keeps locked tight at bay behind her walls. “I’m sorry.” I say in a rush. “I didn’t want any of you to uproot your life just to make sure I was okay at all times.”

“Marrone Dolce, that’s what family does.” Abel answers for them all.

Cam sniffs, “Yeah, what Abel said. We are all your family. We have been for quite some time, but you know that.” He takes my hand, squeezing. “You know you can tell us anything, it doesn’t matter what it is, and if we decide to uproot our life for you, then it’s our choice to make.”

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