Rydel's PoV
"What are you talking about?" I ask; my breaths becoming short and rapid.
"Come with me please. I'll get your blood tests done now, and while you're there, I'm going to check the soonest date I can slip you in for an MRI or a CT scan," he says, leading us out into a bright white hallway.
Ellington slips his hand into mine; giving it a reassuring squeeze. His hand shakes violently, and it puts me more on edge than I already am. It takes me a few seconds to realize that I'm the one trembling.
"I thought there was over a three month wait for any sort of medical testing like that," Ellington mentions softly.
"I'm afraid this simply cannot wait that long," Doctor Kingston replies curtly.
"Will any of these tests hurt the baby?" he asks.
"Not as much as it will hurt Rydel if they're not done."
I stop dead in my tracks.
"You're not hurting my baby," I say.
"Rydel, the dose of radiation in a CT scan is not strong enough to harm the fetus. As for the MRI, it is a little more risky. Still, the odds of the embryo being affected is slim to none. Now, please follow me."
After a minute of hesitation, I continue walking.
Doctor Kingston ushers us into a small white room filled with chairs. After instructing us to wait here until the lab technician is ready, he leaves to check the status of the scans I need.
The second we're alone, I break down crying. Weakly, I crawl into Ellington's lap and continue sobbing into his shirt. He gently rocks me, singing softly in my ear.
"And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright."
"Ell," I whisper; my voice shaking almost as much as I am. "What am I going to do?"
"To be honest, Del, I have no clue what we're going to do. I just know that we're gonna do it together."
"I love you, Ell," I murmur. "So fricken much."
"I love you too, Del."
Just as he leans in to press a kiss to my lips, the lab technician calls out my name.
Her voice echoes softly off the walls of the empty room. My body freezes with fear, and I need an actual physical push before I make my way into the room.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Three days, six needles, and two scans later, I find myself back in a hospital room. Administration just called my house to say that they have the results of my tests and need me to come in immediately.
This time around, I bring all of my brothers and Marriya in addition to Ellington. Whatever news I get today, they deserve to know first hand.
"Good afternoon," Dr Kingston says as he walks into the room. "How is everyone today."
"We're fine," Riker replies curtly.
He takes a seat on his stool; his full attention turning to me.
"Rydel, I'm not going to sugarcoat things. The tests came back positive for hepatocellular carcinom."
"What is that?" I ask softly.
"It's the most common type of primary liver cancer."
My heart drops.
"Cancer?" Ellington asks weakly.
"Yes, and I'm afraid we found it too late to be able to do much about it, as it is stage 4. At this point, it hasn't begun to spread yet, but it will before too long."
"So you're saying there's nothing you can do to help my sister?" Rocky demands, slamming his hand down on the counter.
"No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that we've found it too late to be able to get rid of it. Chemotherapy will extend her life by many years, but unfortunately it will not be enough to save her in the end."
"And when can she start that?" Ross questions.
"We can book it immediatly, and begin as soon as the baby is gone. I -"
"Hold up," I interrupt. "What do you mean by 'as soon as the baby is gone'?"
"Rydel, it would be impossible to do chemotherapy while pregnant. The harmful chemicals used would kill the fetus the second they come in contact with it."
"I'm not getting rid of this baby," I state.
"I'm afraid there's no other choice."
"Then I don't want chemo."
In unison, all six of my family members begin to protest.
"Del," Marriya says softly. "That's crazy. You have to do it. It's the only way to save your life."
"The doctor said it himself, I'm not going to make it through this! I've lived a more fulfilled life by the age of 21 than most people ever do, and I am extremely blessed for that. I'd rather die earlier and leave you with a piece of me than live knowing I'm bomb just waiting to go off."
"Rydel, please at least consider it," Rocky pleads.
"No! I don't want to live a life full of hospital trips, pain, and medication. I'll take the life I've been given and live every second I have left of it to the fullest extent. I'm not going to kill my child so I can then drug myself constantly, just to add a couple years into my life. It's wrong."
"How long do you think she has left if she doesn't take the chemo?" Ryland asks.
"I'd say close to a year under normal circumstances. However, you are pregnant and that changes things. You going into labor could be enough to end your life."
"So you're saying she only has six months left?" Riker clarifies quietly.
"If she doesn't take the chemo, it'll be six months at best."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hey everyone :) I know this was kinda short, I just felt like this was a good place to end it. A lot of information came up in this chapter, all of which I actually googled!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it's not a cheerful one, but I still worked really hard and j hope you all like it :)
I love you all so much and thanks for reading! Stay beautiful ❤️
~ Hannah xxx
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Crazy Stupid Love
Fanfiction"She was his first, he was her last." Marriya Mitchell didn't have it easy. Her life was far from perfect, and the people around her were a constant reminder of that. She had a dad who was never there, a verbally abusive mother, a physically abusive...
