Lucas's scan was scheduled for 9:00 a.m.
Ella squeezed his hand in the waiting room. “Still nervous?"
“I haven't stopped sweating since dawn," he muttered. “What if it's back?"
“Then we face it again."
The nurse called his name. He stood slowly, kissed her forehead, and disappeared down the hall.
Ella waited.
Minutes passed. Then an hour.
The doctor finally emerged, file in hand, expression unreadable.
Lucas followed behind, eyes locked on Ella's.
“Well?" she asked, breath caught.
He held up the file, voice trembling. “The tumor's gone."
She stared. “Gone?"
“Gone," he repeated, laughing in disbelief.
Ella pressed both hands to her mouth, then burst into tears.
Lucas pulled her into a hug, whispering into her hair. “I'm still here. And I want everything."
---
They packed a c
