Please Remember Me

Chapter 23

A/N: all medical information is courtesy of google research; if anything is incorrect, I apologize. I am doing my best to remain accurate, but I am not a doctor nor have I experienced this. That being said, this is another readers warning; if you have experienced the situation I have placed my character in, I am sorry & wish you the best healing journey. I do not claim to be an expert or realistic; this is a work of Fiction. Thank you for your patience! 

ALSO please don't hate me, but this has always been a part of the storyline I have planned. We are still in the first half of their love journey... Let me know what you think so far! :)

Sean's POV

I sat staring at Tulip's results. 

I knew before clicking them open fifteen minutes ago, that something was wrong. 

The small mole on her wrist, its uneven borders, discoloration and her reports of irritation, furthered my suspicion. In all my years of practice, my gut instinct had never been wrong. I had been so stressed, that I drowned myself in work these past two days to avoid my brothers, and Gabe's, intuitive eyes. 

It was her Lactic Dehydrogenase, or LDH, isoenzyme levels that confirmed my fears. 

Under healthy conditions, adults would have an LDH-2 result between 27-27% and an LDH-3 result between 18-25%. Tulips levels for both of these categories were significantly elevated, as well as her total LDH.

My heart stopped beating for a second.

Her results suggested that she may have melanoma which has probably spread to nearby lymph nodes. It would explain the lump, and mole. Without a biopsy, I couldn't be sure. Knowing that I would have to call our Flower and ask her to come in, made me want to throw-up. 

I was too close to this case.

In order to give Tulip the proper support I know she'll need, I have to step aside. 

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I called Tulip. It was early Sunday morning, two days after she had been in my office last. After a few rings, her groggy voice answered with a soft hello.

"Good morning, Flower girl. I've got your lab results and would love it if you could pop over so I can go over them with you." 

I kept my tone light, not wanting to tip her off. 

I wanted Tulip to stay oblivious as long as she could; this news would scare her, no doubt.

"Oh, yeah. I'll be over in about an hour, is that okay?" She asked sleepily.

Confirming that it was perfect, I hung up with a quick goodbye. Hands shaking, I held onto the phone tightly; I needed to make one more call.

He picked up on the first ring.

"Sean? Why are you calling? Shouldn't you be home? If I recall correctly, your shift officially ended over an hour ago." 

Phil's fatherly voice, gently scolding me, caused my composure to slip.

My eyes burned as a dry sob heaved from my chest leaving me momentarily speechless.

"Sean? What happened?" Phil's tone immediately shifted from scold to alarm.

I could hear his breathing pick up, shuffling in the background, and I knew he was already making his way to my office.

"Tulip's results came in; it's bad, Phil. Really bad. I need you to take over the case." I got out, voice thick with unbridled emotion.

"I'm on my way." 

Was Phil's prompt response before the line was cut.

I dropped the phone onto my desk covering my face with my hands; I allowed myself a moment to break. 

My shoulders shook with silent sobs, tears tracking down my cheeks. This couldn't be happening. Why was this happening? I didn't hear Phil enter, or see him approaching me, but I recognized his strong hand clasping my shoulder.

I turned towards the only man any of us ever considered a true father figure. Without a word he pulled me into his embrace, allowing me time to compose myself in silence. I took one more minute, before inhaling a steadying breath. I needed to be put together when Tulip got here; she would need a rock to lean on. 

As we waited for her arrival, I let Phil take a look at her lab results, watching as he came to the same realization I had minutes before.

Tulip's POV

The way Sean watched me as I took a seat in front of him and Dr. Robert's, who stood next to the seated man, immediately made me suspicious. I had never seen such a detached look on the  sunny man; it was sterile. 

I hated it. 

The good mood that still remained from my recent time spent with my guys evaporated instantaneously. My gut told me that whatever they had to say about my results, I wouldn't like it. My fingers began trembling with nerves as I took a seat in front of the two men. 

"Ms. Beavers, after reviewing your tests results, we have come to the conclusion that the probability that you have melanoma is high. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. We suspect you might have....."

And just like that, the two Angels of Healing, became Angels of Death. 

I heard the rest of his words, as he went on to explain the disease and the need for confirmation through a biopsy. I heard as he told me not to panic; that there were treatment options. I heard as he began a spiel of encouragement, trying to light a path of hope. But as I heard all of his words, I couldn't see anything but Sean's pale face. I couldn't focus on anything but Sean's sad eyes. 

I couldn't breathe. 

I can't breathe.