Forever and Always

Chapter 27 Part 1 - Live Like There's No Tomorrow

Taylor's POV

"Today's your last day at the hospital before the holidays!" I exclaimed as Kayla and I walked down the hallway towards the lobby. Kayla waited for me while I filled out the papers allowing her to leave.
"Mommy look!" I turned around to see Kayla dancing around the base of a large Christmas tree. Kayla has been looking forward to today for a long time. Christmas is both of our favorite holidays. The lady at the front desk took my papers for processing. I walked over to look at the beautifully lit tree. Tiny pieces of paper hung from every branch. Each paper had a Christmas wish on it.
"Can I write a wish Mommy?"
"Of course." I told her. Kayla grabbed a sheet of paper and markers and began to write. I picked up the last of my papers at the front desk. I walked back over to Kayla to see what she had written.
Have a dance party with mommy was scrawled across the page.
"Hang it as high as you can," Kayla squealed. She has so much energy today. I'm almost certain she understands that she is only a few minutes away from leaving the hospital. "How about you hang it?" I lifted Kayla onto my shoulders. She hung her wish on the highest branch. "Let's get out of here." I lifted her off my shoulders and she bolted to the door. "Enjoy the holidays!" Called out the lady sitting at the desk as we ran out the building. We were finally free.

"Are we going home?" Kayla asked once she was buckled in the car. She hadn't been home for over a week now. "Absolutely." I shifted the car into gear. She was completely oblivious to what my actual plans were for the day.

I rolled down the car windows as I pulled onto our street. "Mommy, it's cold. Why did you open the windows." She whined. "You will see soon enough." Cars were parked all around our house. As I pulled closer to the driveway I could see everyone standing there with welcome home signs and balloons. "Kay, look out your window." I told her. "WELCOME HOME KAYLA!!" She was greeted by so many people when she hopped out of the car. Owen ran up to Kayla and gave her a great big hug. It was a picture perfect moment. My whole family came. Ed and several of my friends came for our pre-holiday/welcome back party. Kayla was quickly exhausted but loved the attention.

Once we all made our way inside, I put on some holiday tunes, turned on the tree lights and started a fire. Kayla and Owen helped my mom and I bake cookies. Kayla, Owen and even Austin insisted that we make an extra batch for Santa. The fun part was frosting them. We made a competition out of it. Once we finished there was frosting every where. When I wasn't watching, Meredith started licking the frosting bowl. Owen thought that was hilarious.

After a wonderful dinner, we sat around the fire place and sang Christmas carols. We all really needed tonight to remind us about the important things in life. Tonight was light hearted and fun. It was about family, friends and hope.

Later that night, after everyone left and after I tucked the kids into bed, I thought about Kayla's wish. Have a dance party with mommy. She didn't want new clothes or the latest technology; she had a simple wish. I knew having this dance party could be easily arranged. I got to thinking about other kids and their wishes. Many kids wish to meet me, but I have a hard time seeing everyone due to my crazy schedule. However, tonight reminded me that life does not and should not revolve around work. Instantly, I knew what I was going to do for these kids.

I was so excited about getting my plan in action that I forgot it was almost midnight. Regardless of the time, I called my friend at the Make-A-Wish foundation to explain my brilliant idea. He wasn't too thrilled about me waking him up, but he loved my idea. Tomorrow we would start our official planning.

Don't forget to favorite and comment!