So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

59. It's done

Eden

After Reed surprised me and showed up, I felt a million times better. It felt amazing to have him with me for comfort and support. Having Tate and Brynn with me, I felt loved more than I deserved. We spent the evening after dinner just sitting around and talking; I loved how easily the conversation flowed between us and how well Reed fit with my friends. Brynn and Tate headed off to their room, vowing to stay with us until I was heading home. We had an early day coming, and I was looking forward to getting this donation over with and returning to my everyday life.

Before bed, Reed and I video chatted with his family; most of our conversation was with Lizzie. She wasn't feeling the best as expected, but she was still a chatty little thing and so cute. After we ended the call, Reed needed to take care of some soccer-related things. While he was busy with that, I began working on the letter I had been writing for June and Glenn. My entire life, I had always wondered about my biological parents, they never visited, and I never heard from them even though my grandparents were the ones who were raising me. I suppose they abandoned them as well. But, now that I had met them and spent a little time with them, that was enough. I learned enough to know that I had been better off without them and would be fine not ever seeing them again.

I wrote the letter to let them know, to let June know that I was doing this because I was a good person, a good human, and had anyone asked this of me, I would have most likely done everything the same. So I wished them well, and I hoped, for her sake, for a recovery thanks to these stem cells. Then, in the nicest way possible, I asked that they no longer have any contact with me. I was giving them what they wanted, what they asked for, and now it was their turn to give me what I wanted.

I found the words flowed easily as I put pen to paper. I already felt a million times lighter just having written out my feelings for them to read. I knew I could start getting back to myself after tomorrow, and I was more than looking forward to it.

When Reed finished his work, he took a quick shower and joined me in the bed. I read him the complete letter, and he just stared at me in amazement.

"You never cease to amaze me." He smiled, pulling me close to him once I shut everything off. "You're doing this selfless thing for them and finally standing up for yourself. That letter shows that you are an absolutely fucking extraordinary human being, and it has nothing to do with them. I wish I could have met your grandparents; whatever happened with your mother can't be on them because they did an amazing job with you." He kissed my cheek before giving me a peck on the lips.

"They would have loved you, and thank you for saying that. I doubt myself a lot, and it's nice sometimes to hear that I'm not a total screw-up." I laughed.

"You are most definitely not a total screw-up. I mean, I question your choices when it comes to choosing me, but I'm thankful for that lack of judgment on your part." He teased. We both laughed before snuggling in for one of the best nights of sleep I'd had in a while.

*

"Two more hours to go." The nurse smiled as she checked everything on the various equipment surrounding me. Reed was napping in the lounge chair tucked into the corner of the room. He wanted to sit as close to me as possible, but the machines didn't allow for that. He pouted for a good twenty minutes about it but managed to suck it up for my sake. I laid on my back, both arms flat out with needles, taking the blood out and putting some back. I had one more hour of this and then an hour of waiting for the lab to do the counts to ensure one day of this would be enough. Dr. Simmons seemed to believe it would be and that I could return to the hotel to rest for a day before heading home.

Reed finally returned to life just as they removed the needles and sat me upright with some juice and crackers. His smile sent my heart into flutters.

"I wish I had someone to make me smile like that." The nurse laughed, looking at me. My cheeks were beginning to get sore from my smile. "You've got an hour to rest and get your energy up while the lab does their work. If you need anything, I'm just outside the door. I think you're in good hands, though." She winked before leaving us alone.

"How ya feeling?" He stood, coming over to stand next to me.

"Truthfully, I already feel so much better. It's crazy." I nibbled on the crackers. He leaned down to me, kissing my forehead.

"I love you." He cooed, sitting at the foot of the bed.

"You two are just adorable." Brynn gushed when she burst into the room.

"Hey! You aren't supposed to be back here." Reed teased.

"What can I say? People love me." She grinned, holding up a bag of takeout. "I figured you would be ready for dinner by now."

"Thank you!" Brynn and Tate had stayed at the hotel, but she popped over at lunch to bring some food, and now here she was again; I was fortunate to have her. "I love you, B."

"All ya gotta do is keep her fed, and she'll love you forever." She nudged Reed's shoulder as they both laughed. "Eat up! I want you to keep your strength so we can get out of this place, this state, and back home where we belong!" She practically cheered as I began to eat one of the burgers.

"I agree; I'm ready to get back to our normal," Reed spoke.

"I'm not sure how normal any of us really are, but sure." Brynn rolled her eyes. "We get to move Reed into the new apartment, spoil Eden as she rests up, and then plan the most amazing wedding Seattle has ever seen."

"I knew you'd be a bridezilla." I joked, handing a burger to Reed. "I'll take it, though; I'll be so glad to never talk about blood and stem cells again, at least any time soon." I immediately felt terrible once the words were out, knowing that Lizzie would also need this, though from who remained to be seen.

"Did you deliver the letter?" Brynn asked, thankfully changing the subject.

"I gave it to the doctor, and she'll give it to her."

Brynn and I continued conversing back and forth as Reed stood and stepped to the corner of the room, busy on his phone. She explained she had already purchased our plane tickets for midday the next day. Gemma was going to pick us all up from the airport, and by Sunday night, I would be able to sleep in my own bed; I couldn't wait.

Reed came back over to us, his face full of anger as he held his phone in hand. Brynn looked from him to me and back again, her face now full of worry.

"What's wrong?" I finally asked.

"It was fucking Nick."