“Not good, the doctors said we need to limit his visitors, Cayden and Logan can’t come around, and they may admit him again if this cold doesn’t clear up quickly.”

“Oh, honey.” I pause, trying to find the right words. “I’m sure your mama is watchin’ him like a hawk.”

He nods. “Let’s enjoy tonight and try not to think about this.”

I hate this, but at the same time, I understand wanting to distract yourself from the reality of life. So, that’s what I do. I distract him by talking about everything and anything I can think of.

We get to the top of the hill, and Trent helps me off Lightning. We set up a small picnic, and I smile when he takes out two sandwiches and a single slice of cake. We don’t have to talk. I am perfectly content just being with him.

After a few minutes, he shifts and grabs the wine. “Here you go.”

“Did you steal this from my parents?” I smile as I take the glass from his outstretched hand.

“I did.” He lets out a deep chuckle and pulls me onto his lap. “Your dad said I needed to be authentic.”

“You know my daddy proposed to my mama that night.”

“I do.”

My mouth goes dry. Oh my god. What if this is his plan? I don’t know that I’m ready to say yes. We just got back together, and it feels like we’ve gone from idle to full speed in the matter of a minute. I love Trent, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him, but I want to be sure this is all real.

“Trent—” I touch his hand.

“Grace, I’ve been with you for a long time. You’ve waited. You’ve been patient and understanding.”

“Please.” I try to stop him. I don’t want to say no, but I don’t think I’m ready to say yes. A few weeks ago, I was on a date with Cooper, we weren’t together, and my life wasn’t any less crazy. This is way too soon.

“Listen to me, sweetheart.” Trent takes the glass, shifts me off his lap, and then climbs to his knees in front of me. “I need to finish what I came here to say.”

“But . . .”

“Shhh.” His hand covers my mouth. “I know you’re not sure about us. I’ve given you pretty much every reason to doubt me. So,” he removes his hand, “I’m not going to propose, but I am going to tell you that I don’t plan to wait long. Losing you taught me something I won’t ever forget. I have every intention of tying you to me—legally.”

I let out a deep sigh of relief. “I want to believe all of this is the new you.”

“But you don’t, yet.”

“I’m gettin’ there.”

“You once said you wanted a love like your parents.”

My smile is soft as I lean back to look at him. “I remember.”

Trent sits back on his feet. “I can’t give you that, Gracie. I’m not your father and you’re not your mother, but we are who we are. I can give you me. I won’t be perfect. I’ll make mistakes, but I won’t make the same ones again. What your parents have together is theirs. I want to make something that’s ours. The story we tell our kids won’t be as sweet as what your dad told us, but it’ll still be beautiful.”

Kids.

The thought steals my breath and answers the question I never asked him.

I climb to my knees and press my lips against his. He’s had times in our years where he said the most beautiful things, but this will forever be my top spot. He’s right. I’ve been trying to have something like his parents or mine, instead of seeing what we share as being good enough.

Trent grips my shoulders, pulling be back before cupping my face. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Good. Now, come here.”

We both get comfortable again and a few minutes later, the fireworks begin. The bright colors paint the sky with light and warmth.

“I love the fireworks.” I remark as the lights flash. “They’re so beautiful.”

Trent holds me close and he lifts my head to him. “You’re what’s beautiful, Grace. You make the sky bright. This,” he looks back up, “this is nothing compared to you.”

“Keep sayin’ these sweet things, and I’m gonna keep you.”

He smiles and leans in for a kiss. “I’m plannin’ on it, sweetheart.”

Chapter 17

Trent

“Three weeks he’s been suffering!” Mama yells at the doctor. “And now we’re back in the hospital again?”

“Mrs. Hennington, I warned y’all this would be possible. His immune system is weak and the leukemia has spread. I’m sorry, but at this point, we need to do another blood transfusion. We have to treat the symptoms as they arise.”

My mother falls in the chair and begins to cry. Instantly, my brothers and I move to her side.

Her red-rimmed eyes look at each of us, and my heart breaks. It’s happening so fast. Maybe my father was right to deny treatment. He’s barely able to stay awake or eat, and it’s been wearing on my mother.

We’re back in the hospital after his blood work came back with his red blood cell count lower than when he collapsed. It feels like the chemo accelerated his body’s breakdown.

“Do whatever you can. Just give us more time with him.” Defeat is clear in Mama’s voice. Something I don’t think I’ve ever heard from her. She’s a fighter, but she’s trying to fight a battle she never had a chance of winning. Cancer is robbing her of everything she loves.

Dr. Halpern clears his throat. “Our blood banks are a little low.”

Wyatt steps next to me and huffs. “What do you need?”

Dr. Halpern writes something on the chart he’s holding. “We’d like to have a good match donate blood since your father will be needing more frequent blood transfusions. Are you all willing to be tested? Most of the time we can find a match in the family.”

“Of course,” my brothers and I all agree.

I enter the waiting room where Grace, Presley, and Angie are waiting. I don’t know if I could’ve made it this last month without Grace. She’s been at my side each time I’ve needed her.

“How’s he doin’?” Presley asks.

Zach shakes his head.

Wyatt explains what the doctor said, and we head to the lab before breaking off into separate rooms.

Grace holds my hand, offering me her support as I wrap my mind around the last few hours. I can’t accept defeat. There has to be a way to get him through this.

The nurse comes around and describes the process. “The doctor explained about the increased need for blood?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Most of the time, there’s a good match in the family and we could store blood exclusively for your father. We’re rushing the results so we should know in a few hours.”

“I understand.”

After they get the vial done she asks us to stay close for the results in case one of us is a match. I ask a few more questions, and I pray I can be the one to help my father. I need to do something, and if giving blood will get him there, I’ll give every ounce I have.

“How’s the baby doin’?” Grace asks Angie, breaking the silence as we all sit and wait.

“Good.” She rubs her stomach. “I’m so glad we’re over all the puking and what not. This baby decided to make good on everything that satanic pregnancy book warned about.”

“Especially the mood swings,” Wyatt pipes in.

Angie silences him with a death stare, which makes everyone around them laugh. I love my sisters-in-law. Both of my brothers found women I enjoy being around. I nestle Grace into my side and kiss the top of her head. I was hoping my father’s health would stay stable.

For the last two weeks, I’ve been planning a big trip for us. She’s always talked about wanting to go to the beach. Mama has a friend whose daughter lives in Virginia Beach. Natalie’s husband, Liam, is a Navy SEAL and she’s visiting her family for a month while he’s deployed. She offered us their house instead of staying in some hotel. I haven’t seen Lee since she was eight. She and Wyatt used to be close when they were kids, but then they moved out of town and we lost touch. However, I’m not sure if we’ll get out there next week if Dad keeps getting worse.

“Take a walk with me?” I ask, needing to get out of this waiting room. She nods and we start down the hall. “I hate it here.”

“I don’t think anyone likes hospitals.” Grace holds on to my bicep as we walk. “Your dad is okay, though. He’ll get the blood, and then you guys can figure out a plan. I know it seems like it’s a lot, but I know if any family can find a way, it’s yours.”

“And then what?” I ask. “He goes through another round of chemo and we maybe get another month with him?”

“I know it’s not ideal, but you have to have faith.”

For the first time since all this came crashing down, I understand why he chose to not tell us. There’s no guarantees and what if all of this was for nothing? What if all that fighting only causes him to miss out on living his life because he’s too sick to leave the hospital. If he didn’t agree to fight it, he could’ve spent time with his kids and wife.