“I can’t tell you that I’m not concerned, but I don’t doubt that it’s the right thing to do,” Mack said. “If Destiny wants to go ahead, I’m behind her one hundred percent.”
“Nothing’s going to go wrong,” Beth told him.
“Sweetheart, we both know there are no guarantees, but I can’t look back. I won’t. Tony has to have his chance to live.”
Beth tucked her hand in his. “Can I tell you something without you getting all crazy?”
Mack fought a grin. “Try me.”
“I love you, Mack. If I hadn’t before today, I would now,” she said quietly.
Mack wanted to say the words back. They were on the very tip of his tongue, but somehow he couldn’t get them out.
Beth met his gaze and smiled. “It’s okay. I know.”
He studied her face for a minute, then nodded. She did know. That was the remarkable thing about Beth. She seemed to know what was in his heart, even when he couldn’t explain it.
One of these days, though, he was going to have to find the words. She deserved to hear them.
And their future depended on them.
“I simply don’t understand why there’s so much commotion over this,” Destiny said when the entire family had gathered for dinner a few nights later. “It’s a simple, uncomplicated procedure. That handsome Dr. Lang explained that to all of us at the hospital today.”
“It’s simple and uncomplicated if you’re a doctor who does it routinely,” Mack said dryly. “You’ve never done it before.”
“Well, fortunately I’ll have very experienced doctors doing the hard part,” Destiny told him. “Now stop it, all of you. I’ve made up my mind. If I hadn’t before, that visit to Tony today would have clinched it. What an amazing boy he is. I look forward to having him in my life after this.”
“I’m glad you’re looking ahead,” Richard said, “but I don’t think any of us could live with ourselves if something happened to you.”
“Then we’ll make sure that nothing does,” Destiny told him firmly. She looked pointedly toward Melanie. “How are you feeling? Any morning sickness?”
Mack sat back and sighed. So did Ben and Richard. It was evident that the topic of the transplant was over and done with for the evening. Destiny had made up her mind days ago as soon as she’d been told that she was a good match. She intended to be at the hospital at 6:00 a.m., no matter what any of them said. The wheels had been put into motion. Tony had received the high-dose chemo and was pronounced ready for the procedure. There would be no turning back now. A part of Mack was relieved, a part of him still terrified.
“I’m feeling fit as a fiddle,” Melanie said, going along with Destiny’s attempt to change the subject. “Of course, maybe that’s because Richard hasn’t let me pick up anything heavier than a glass since we got the news.”
“Enjoy it while you can,” Destiny told her. “Once the baby comes, Richard will fall back into his old workaholic patterns, and you’ll be left to fend for yourself.”
Destiny pushed aside her plate. “I want you all to know that I appreciate you coming over tonight, but I need to get my beauty sleep if I’m going to be up before dawn. I’ll say good-night now. I’ll see you at the hospital in the morning.”
“I’m staying,” Ben said, regarding her defiantly.
“So are we,” Richard added.
Destiny returned their stubborn expressions with an impatient look, then finally uttered a sigh of her own. “Whatever makes you happy.” She gazed at Mack. “Since I’m going to be so well looked after, why don’t you go on over to Beth’s? I’m sure she could use some company tonight. I’m still not sure I understand why she turned down my dinner invitation.”
“She thought you should concentrate on family tonight,” Mack said.
“She’s family, too,” Destiny replied. “Or she will be if someone we know doesn’t blow it.”
Mack shook his head. “Stop with the matchmaking, Destiny. It’s already worked.”
Her expression brightened. “Really?”
“As if you would have allowed it to turn out any other way,” Ben remarked.
Mack bent down and kissed his aunt’s cheek. “I owe you one.”
She grinned at him. “You usually do. Good night, darling. Give Beth my love and tell her I’m counting on her bringing both Tony and me through all of this with flying colors.”
“How would you like to have that pressure hanging over you?” Richard commented. “If I were you, I’d keep that to myself, Mack.”