The Chef's Sick Mate (Book 17 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 6

Once Gen was gone, her overworked mother could take a vacation. Something they had never done as a family. She'd make Ana promise to take her on one. Somewhere amazing. Somewhere warm and sunny. Or perhaps wherever her mother wanted to go, instead of where she wanted to go. Not that she ever would. But Melissa deserved that. Gen had been a pain in her mother's ass, not that her mother had ever said that, and it had resulted in her parents separating, and her mother having to work herself to the bone. She still felt guilty over all of that.

Her father, she had a feeling he knew that her time was short. She saw it on his face. He kept his disposition cheery when he saw her, but she could still see it. He was well aware. But he didn't mention it, and for that, she was sort of thankful. Talking about her impending death with herself was one thing; talking about it with her family was another. She just wanted to enjoy the rest of her time with them, not cry over her impending death. They could do that once she was gone.

She knew at some point she'd have to though. She needed to let all of her wishes be known. She has decided to write them all down into three separate letters, and put them in envelopes addressed to each member of her family. She'd left them somewhere easy to find when she died.

Gwn was awake by the time her father knocked on the front door. She was glad she'd managed to get some sleep. She'd be completely exhausted by the time he left and that might be it for the night. She'd probably sleep until morning.

Gen got out of bed and slowly made her way to the front door. He'd patiently wait for her, knowing it would take her a bit. She didn't move very fast. She couldn't. Not anymore. She finally opened it and was greeted by his huge smile.

"How's my Gennybug?" he asked, walking inside and giving her a hug.

"I'm alright," she lied, though judging by his expression as he looked her over, he knew she was being less than honest. Her father saw right through her, but he would never call her out on it.

"Let's sit down. I brought a meal for us to eat," he said, holding up a bag from one of her favorite restaurants.

Gen smiled at him and walked over to the table. He usually had dinner with her once a week, always coming to her and bringing something that was delicious for her to eat. It was one of her favorite parts of her week. It broke up the monotony of her dull boring life. She deeply appreciated her father for that.

He'd brought burgers and fries this time, and they were delicious. Some days she didn't have much of an appetite, and her father always brought something he knew she'd love to tempt her. Most of the time it worked. She'd devour it, which made him happy.

Today though, she was picking at her food. She wasn't very hungry, and her stomach was a bit queasy. But she ate what she could. She hated that he'd brought it to her and then she was unable to eat all of it.

"You should eat more," Coleman said, his concerned gaze on her plate and the food that still remained.

"I can't," she said quietly, hoping he'd understand.

He nodded, not arguing with her, which she was thankful for. He seemed to understand that if she couldn't, she couldn't. He didn't push her. He never had. It just wasn't in him to do so. "Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes. It was delicious," she told him, looking up. "Thank you for bringing it." She found herself wondering how many more meals she'd share with him before she was gone. Given how she'd been feeling lately, probably not many. She'd enjoy her time with him while she could.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Gen." Coleman turned his blue eyes to her, studying her quietly, his face solemn.

She knew he was being very serious if he was calling her Gen. He rarely ever did. He'd always called her Gennybug for as long as she could remember. Whatever he wanted, she'd give him if she was capable of it. "Okay?"

"I have something for you." He looked down, but not before she saw the guilt flash briefly in his eyes.

She frowned at that but nodded. "What's that?"

He pulled a thermos out of his bag. "This. I want you to drink it for me. Please." He stared at her intently, his eyes pleading with her to do as he asked.

Gen eyed her father thoughtfully. She knew he'd been doing a lot of research into her illness, though he hadn't wanted to try anything like this before. He'd never offered her anything he thought might help. He'd always seemed resigned to the fact that really nothing could be done to cure her. "What is it?"

"An experiment. That's all. I just want you to drink it. It won't hurt you at all. It may not taste all that pleasant, but..." he shrugged. "Will you do it for me? Please?"

She wanted to shake her head at him. He knew she wouldn't say no to that. "Sure. I'll drink it." She took the thermos from him and opened it open. "Now?"

He nodded, eyeing her warily.

Gen lifted it to her lips and took a sip. He was right. It wasn't that pleasant. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't delicious either. It almost tasted like blood, but she pushed that thought out of her mind, not wanting to dwell on it. Her father wouldn't really give her blood would he? No. What good would giving her blood do for her anyway? And who's blood?

Hopefully she kept whatever this was down. She decided to drink it quickly and threw it back, swallowing as fast as she could and not thinking about the taste, her eyes darting back to Coleman.

Her father watched her, his eyes following her movements, a small smile on his lips. Whatever the stuff was, he seemed to have some faith in it, though he'd been completely vague on what he was hoping for. She hoped more for his sake than her own that it did whatever he wanted it to do. She didn't want to disappoint him.

She swallowed the last drop, a small sense of relief washing over her when it was gone, then sat the thermos down on the table. Her father handed her another thermos and she frowned at him. Was he having her consume a series of drinks?

"It's to wash out the taste of the other," he said. "Trust me."

She did trust him, and she opened it and took a sip. It was a chocolate shake. Her favorite. She drank it easily, happy that it was something she actually really liked, though part of her wondered if there was anything in it too.

"You good?" Coleman asked her as he took the second empty thermos from her when she was finished.

She nodded. "I think so." She really hoped it all stayed down.

He eyed her quietly for a long moment, almost like he expected something to happen. "Good. I'm going to get out of here, and let you get some rest, Gennybug."

Genny smiled at him. "Okay." She really was growing rather exhausted. A long nap would do her some good, or at least she hoped. A small part of her was afraid she'd throw up whatever that first drink was, and she hoped if she went to sleep, it would be digested enough when she woke that it would stay put.

Coleman stood and began to clean off the table, tossing out the garbage before he wiped it off so that she wouldn't have to worry about it. Then he turned back to her.

"Thank you for dinner, Dad." She smiled up at him.

He nodded, leaning down and giving her a hug. "I love you. I'll call you tomorrow. Rest up."

"I love you too." She watched him walk out the door, then leaned back in her chair and breathed out slowly. She could probably lay her head down on the table in front of her and sleep right now, she was so tired.

She didn't know at that moment it would be the last time she'd see him alive. Or how much her life was about to drastically change.