don‘t want me in it right now. As soon as you‘re done being
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angry with me, you‘ll understand that.‖
―I‘ll never stop being angry at you.‖ She answered
knowing it was a lie. She wasn‘t angry she was hurt, heartbroken
and devastated.
―Lily,‖ Luke said finally, ―I need you to listen to what the
doctor told me—―
Her mouth fell open, ―It‘s the flu.‖ She said more quietly
now unconvinced. Finding her courage, her eyes guided to Max.
There was concern in his expression and it was genuine, ―Isn‘t
it?‖
Luke stood up next to Max, ―Actually honey, it may be
worse than that. The doctor thinks you may have breast cancer.‖
He watched her lip tremble after a brief pause for his words to
sink in.
―Breast—― She choked unable to finish.
Luke went to reach for her but before he could, and
contrary to her testimony only moments ago, she went to Max‘s
outstretched arms who embraced her tightly without hesitation
lowering his head on top of hers while speaking softly to her. It
was then that Luke realized that he handled this whole thing with
Lily and Max wrong. Had he allowed Max to marry her when he
wanted, she wouldn‘t have gone through the stress of heartbreak
besides the shock of what he‘d just told her. Her actions were
completely opposite of what she‘d just voiced. In the end she
needed Max to comfort her not her own brother.
As his eyes guided over the couple it was definitely more
than just a reassuring hug. It was intimate and Luke almost felt
as if he was intruding on the two. They loved each other. It was
as obvious as a slap in the face. Why hadn‘t he seen it before?
Was he that overprotective of his baby sister to realize that she
was old enough to make mature decisions and that she was old
enough to genuinely love someone? He already knew the answer
to that.
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He was.
Max held onto her like she would disappear any moment
and spoke to her endearingly, ―Look baby, don‘t panic yet until
we get the results, then we‘ll go from there—― She released a
muffled sob, ―—I‘ll hire the best oncologists the country has,‖ he
continued soothing her in a soft deep voice while inside he felt
like weeping himself. He could feel her fingers scrunch the cloth
of his shirt as she wept clinging to him. Max kissed the top of her
head before he lifted his eyes to Luke, ―Go and find her doctor
and see if the results are back yet. Then get Nancy on the phone
and tell her to find out who the best Oncologist is in Chicago. I
want appointments yesterday. Then we‘ll go from there.‖
―I‘ll get right on it.‖ He said walking out of the room as he
pulled out his phone. It should have been him comforting Lily,
but she wanted Max and for some reason that was okay with him.
Also, Max was able to take charge when he could hardly think
right and although he hated to admit to feeling helpless, he was
thankful for him. He nearly fell to pieces after seeing the look on
Lily‘s face when he broke the news to her. What good was he to
his sister in that condition?
Back in the room Lily was completely inconsolable. She
had soaked the front of his shirt and showed no sign of letting up.
He didn‘t blame her, the news was devastating.
―Honey, look at me.‖ Max finally said placing his hands
on either side of her head and tilting her red tearstained face up
to his, ―I won‘t let anything happen to you. I swear to God we‘ll
beat this.‖
―We?‖ she managed to choke out.
―We.‖ He brushed his mouth across her forehead. ―You
don‘t think I‘ll let my girl go through this alone do you?‖
She hiccupped, ―no.‖ she said uncertainly. He gave her
an adoring smile at her tone that literally pulled at her heart.
―First don‘t get so upset until we hear the results. Then
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we‘ll panic.‖ He smiled. ―Okay?‖
―Okay.‖ She said weakly.
―Hey, I won‘t abandon you and neither will Luke. You
have family that love you button.‖ She nodded and he pulled her
into his arms again just as Luke came back in and mouthed the
words ‗how is she?‘, Max just shook his head and mouthed back
‗not good‘.
―Lily the doctor is coming back in to speak to all of us.‖
Just then his phone rang, and he pulled it out, ―It‘s Nance.‖ And
he turned away just as Doctor Chang entered.
She looked at Luke who was on the phone then held out
her hand and introduced herself.
Max took her hand but kept his other wrapped tightly
around Lily, ―I‘m Max King, Lily‘s fiancé.‖