Chapter 260
816 Words
“So I guess I’m more affected by this whole thing than I realized,” she said. “I’ve been so focused on the kids that we’re going to see in a few days, and I’ve been trying so hard to not think about the parents. What they’ve been through, what they’re still going through.”
He nodded, understanding her need to avoid that whole train of thought and emotion.
“They have no idea where their babies are, and I know what that’s doing to them,” she said. “I went through it for no real stretch of time at all, but God help me, Hunter… those nine days damn near killed me. And in my dreams sometimes? I can still hear Sean screaming for me.” She looked up at him, so strong and beautiful in her vulnerability. “I heard him again tonight.”
“I’m so sorry.” He ran his hand down her spine, loving the curve of her lower back. “I’d do anything to make it stop for you, I swear.”
“You know, when Sean was diagnosed with the brain tumor?” Cordelia said slowly. “All those nightmares about losing him just came rushing back… but they were for a different reason. Now Gus isn’t the one taking him away from me – cancer is.”
Sully hesitated. “Cordelia?”
“Hmmm?”
“Can I ask about Sean being sick?”
“You mean his prognosis?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s impossible to say, really.” She rested her chin on her hand and gazed up at him. “It’s a slow-growing tumor anyway, thank God, and the medication and radiation slow it down even more. It’s – controllable, to a certain extent. They say that he may live two years, he may live twenty years if they can keep holding it off. And the doctors are talking about surgery now, which would help even more with stunting the growth.”
“Can it be removed completely?”
“No. Not with traditional surgery. They can remove parts of it and kind of… paralyze its growth. But the only way to fully eliminate it is with lasers.”
“So why can’t they do that?”
“Money.”
“You’d have to pay for it? Privately?”
“Yes.” She shrugged. “I get great medical insurance with Dallas, but it wouldn’t cover this kind of more experimental treatment.”
“How much is it? The treatment?”
“About a quarter of a million dollars.” She smiled at his shock. “Honestly? I was kinda tempted to take that suitcase of cash today and make a run for it.”
He laughed again. “I can see how the thought would cross your mind.”
“Yeah, well.” She shrugged. “I guess I could always win the lottery.”
“You play?”
“Nope. Don’t like the odds.”
Sully gave her a grin, but he was actually studying her, really taking her in. She was looking totally drained now – the day was wearing her down.
“You gonna be able to sleep again?” he said softly.
“I don’t know.” Her voice was a bit shaky. “Maybe I’ll just get up for a while. Maybe make some tea.”
“Or I could stay.”
Cordelia’s whole body froze up. “Stay – here? With me?”
“Yeah.” He shifted his huge body to get a bit more comfortable. “I’ll stay until you’re asleep again.”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to do that.”
“Maybe I want to,” he said, his voice husky. “Maybe I want to make you feel safe.”
“You – you do?”
“Sure I do. It’s all I want to do right now.”
“It is?” she whispered.
“Yes.” His hard face was so soft in the moonlight. “Will you let me?”
Cordelia stared up at Hunter, wondering if he’d ever looked more gorgeous. God, the man was so… good. He was a good man, a caring man, and all he wanted to do was protect her.
As she had that thought, she felt a small piece of her heart give itself over to him. Completely and totally and forever, that part of herself was going to be Hunter’s, whether he wanted to claim it or not. And as she recognized that, she knew there was only one answer to his question.
“Yes.” She smiled, finally accepting that she loved this man, and to hell with the inevitable pain of not being loved in return. He was worth having these feelings for, no debate and no discussion. “Yes, I’ll let you do that.”
- Writer
