Grace Through It All (Book 2)

Ye-no

(6 months later)
*Joey POV*
The boys and Cynthia are now 4 1/2. In a few months Layla is turning 1. The kids are all so big now. Layla's seizures have decreased a lot. She hasn't had one in 3 weeks. She has an appointment today and that's where we're headed. Donald is watching the others for us.
"Grace wouldn't it be amazing if her seizures have disappeared" I ask
"That would but lets not hope for to much" she says
"Yeah I guess your right." I say
We get to the place and I get Layla out of the van. We go into the building.
"Layla Stamper to see Dr. Peterson" I tell the lady at the front desk
"I will inform him you guys are here" she says
I thank her and sit down.
"Joe have you been remembering to give her her medicine" Grace asks
"Crap no I've forgotten for the last few weeks or so ever since she stopped having the seizures for awhile" I say
"Ok we'll just let the doctor know" she says
I nod in agreement.
"Layla Stamper" nick (Dr. Peterson) calls
We walk over to him.
"Hey Joseph. How's the family" he asks
"Good Nick what about yours" I ask
"Wonderful" he says
We go back to a room.
"So how has she been" he asks pointing to Layla
"Well I've been forgetting to give her her medicine. Also the last time she had a seizure was last month when we were in the appointment" I say
"Well I'd say you can take her off most of her meds and give me the injection back. There will only be four medicines you need to keep her on." He says
"Does this mean she's totally cured" I ask
"No it doesn't. We don't know what type they are yet and there is a chance they might come back later on. If they don't come back by the time she turns 15 1/2 then she would be considered 15 years free and completely done with seizures" he says
"Thank you so much" I say
"No problem" he answers
"Come on Grace lets get going" I say
"Hold on Joseph can I talk to you in the hall for a moment" he asks
"Yeah" I say
I go into the hall and Nick comes out.
"What's up" I ask
"I have a concern. I would like to talk to you about it at some point" he says
"What about right now" I ask
"I don't think that would be best" he says
"Ok well I can do tomorrow around 10 am" I say
"That works for me. I'll see you tomorrow here at 10" he says
I go back into the room.
"Ready" I ask
"Yeah" Grace says
We go to the can and head home. When we get home I look I. The back and see Layla asleep. I look next to me and Grace is almost asleep.
"Hey princess we're almost home you can go to sleep then" I say
"Ok" she mumbles
We get home and I get Layla out of the van. We go inside and upstairs. I take Layla to bed and then head to my room. Grace is already fast asleep. I laugh silently then go downstairs. I'm really worried about what Nick wanted to talk about. It sounds as if it can't be good. I'm really really worried. I take my phone out and open my group chat with the guys and my brother.
J-the doctor just told me he wants to talk to me tomorrow about something it doesn't seem good
D-really? how's Layla
J-she's good they said that the medicine will be cut down to four different ones. Also if she stays seizure free for 15 years then she won't get then back anymore
A-that's awesome and I'll be praying for tomorrow
Ca-hope it's nothing to serious. Your family has already gone through so much
Ch-yeah what Caleb and Alan said
J-wow Chad not a lot of words but full of heart. You're very unpredictable
Ch-and is like to keep it that way
J-Donny what you and kids doin
Ca-JOSEPH!!
D-well Joe we eat Mac n cheese and play dolls than we are drewing
Ca-STAMPERS!!
J-yes
D-huh
Ca-I hate you
J-sure you do
D-I agree with my lil bro
I put my phone away and turn on the tv. My phone starts ringing. I pick it up.
J-what Don
D-do you want me to keep the kids over night
J-Sure thanks
D-no problem bye
I hang up and turn in boy meets world. My phone rings again.
J-hello
N-hi Joseph this is Nick I'm free right now so I was thinking we could talk now if that works for you
J-yeah let me let Grace know then ill see you at your office
N-okay
I hang up and go upstairs. I go over to Grace.
"Princess I'm going to go do something. I'll be back later" I whisper
"Okay" she says
I head out and get in my car. I drive to his office. I get out and go inside.
"Hey Nick" I say
"Hi Joseph" he says
"Please call me Joe or Joey" I say
"Ok Joe well why don't we go into my office" he says
We go in and I sit across from him.
"So Joe I have some bad or good news I'm not sure which it is considered" he says
"Ok" I say
"Here it goes, Grace might have cancer." He says
"H- how do you know" I ask
"Well it looks as if she's been losing a lot of weight. Also it seems as if she's always tired" he says
"Well that makes sense" I say
"What" he asks
"She always sleeps in, goes to bed early, and takes naps" I say
"Joe this is serious. Her mom and step dad died from cancer. Also I just found out a few weeks ago her dad died a year ago from cancer as well so she has a history of cancer" he says
"Ok when can you find out" I ask
"Well tomorrow. Bring her and we will run a few tests. But don't tell her why she's really coming. Just say that it's a yearly checkup" he says
"Ok thanks" I say
"No problem and Joe I'm sorry" he says
"It's fine" I say
I stand up and walk out to the car. I get in and break down. I let the tears out and the won't stop. I need to do it now so I can be strong for my family. My phone rings and caller id says Chad. I answer it.
J-hey Chad
C-hey Joe
J-what do you want
C-just wondering where you are I stopped by your place but you weren't home
J-yeah Nick decided he wanted to meet with me today
C-oh what was it about
J-I can't tell you over the phone
C-ok well all the guys are at my house and the girls are at Alan's so you can come here
J-ok I'll be there soon
I hang up and drive to Chad's. I get there and go inside.
"Hey Joe" the guys say
"Hey" I mumble
"What's wrong Joe" Caleb asks
"Nick and I just finished talking" I say
"Oh so it was bad" Alan says
"Yeah" I say
"Well what's the news" Chad asks
"So G-Grace might have c-cancer" I manage to get out
"I'm so sorry Joe. When will you find out if she does" Alan asks
"Tomorrow. So can you guys please not mention any of this to anyone till I know for sure? I'm not even telling Grace" I say
"Yeah we promise" Caleb says
"Thank you guys so much" I say
"No problem. We're here for you bro" Chad says
"Joe you don't have to be strong right now you can let your walls break" Alan said
"I already did that in the car. I need to be strong for my kids for myself and especially for Grace" I say
"Joe you aren't with them right now. Your with us it's okay to break down. We expect you to" Caleb says
I really want to let my walls down bit I can't. I need to keep it together for my family. I give up. I let my walls down I cry. I cry and can't stop. The guys come around me and give me a group hug. I fall on my knees and start praying silently.
Lord,
Please be here with me and my family. Help us to stay strong and help my kids to understand what's going on. If it's your will take my wife. Of its your will save her. What ever you want to do do it and I will be there to support my family. I know you have surrounded us with other family to help us and support us. Help me see this and for me to put all my burdens on you. Help me please.
Amen
I finish praying and I hear the guys praying for me. I open my eyes and they're on their knees praying for me. I sit down on the floor and just cry into my hands quietly. I finish crying as they're done praying. They sit down on the floor as well.
"Thanks guys. I needed that" I say
"No problem Joe we're here for you." Alan says
"You might want to go home and feed your family" Chad says
"Crap I totally forgot that I was going to make dinner. See you three later" I say
I run out the door. I get in the car and drive home. I get home and go inside. They aren't awake yet. I go in the kitchen and start making personal pan pizzas. I throw them in the oven and go upstairs to wake them both up. I go and wake Layla up first. I take her downstairs, put her in the swing, then give her a bottle. I go back upstairs and go to Grace. I kneel down beside the bed.
"Grace, princess it's time to wake up for dinner" I say
"Joe I don't want anything to eat. I'm not feeling well" she says
"Come on princess please eat something" I ask
"No Joe I feel really sick" she says
I feel her forehead and she's burning up. I go to he bathroom and grab the thermometer. I take her temperature. It's 110. I don't think that's good.
"Grace I'm going to take you to go see Dr. Peterson" I say
"Ok but I can't walk. I'm to weak to" she says
"That's ok. I will put Layla in the car then I will carry you on my back to the van. To go inside I will put Layla in the baby carrier on my front and carry you on my back" I say
She nods and I go back downstairs. I pick Layla up and grab the carrier and put her in the van. I go back upstairs and Grace gets on my back. I take her down to the van. I can now feel that she has lost a lot of weight. I put her in the I get in. I drive down to the hospital. We get there and I put the carrier on and put Layla in it. I the get grace on my back. Layla nuzzles her head into my chest and falls asleep. I carry them inside and go to the desk.
"I need to see Dr. Peterson now" I say
"He's on break" she says
"I'm back what's the ma- Joe what's wrong" he asks
"Nick, Grace has a 110 fever and she's to weak to walk" I say
"Come back with me" he says
I hurry and follow him to a room. I put Grace on the bed.
"Ok I need you to give me 2 hours to run tests" he says
"Ok" I say I walk out and go to the waiting room. I take Layla out of the carrier and take it off. I cradle Layla in my arms and softly sing to her to pass time.
(3 hours later)
I've been waiting 3 hours and I'm getting really worried.
"Joe" Nick says
I stand up and walk over to him. I follow him to his office.
"What's the matter" I ask
"Grace has leukemia" he says
"How Long has she had it for" I ask
"About a year or two now" he says
"How long does she have to live" I ask
"About a week" he says
"Ok thank you Nick" I say
"No problem. You can go see her if you want but she's sleeping." He says
"Thank you" I say
I leave the office and go to the room I enter and sit on the chair next to her bed.
"Joey?" She whispers
"Yeah princess I'm here so is your baby girl" I say
"Can I hold her" she asks
"Of course" I say
I pass her Layla and pull out my phone. Time to tell the family.
J-hey so I brought Grace to the hospital because she had a 110 fever and was to weak to walk
A-really
B-so sorry to hear
D-I'll watch these three till you're ready for them
Ca-I'm so sorry
K-wow I never thought this would happen
F-we'll be praying
Ch-what's the verdict
J-thanks guys and please Donald that would be so helpful. She has leukemia and one week to live. She has to stay in the hospital because she's so weak
Ch-me and the guys are coming over tomorrow morning. Right now you need to get sleep.
J-I'm not going to sleep. Not until I know she's in good hands. And of course you guys can come
Ca-Joey sleep
J-no
D-bro please sleep
J-no I can't
Ch-that's it I'm coming
I put my phone away and take Layla from Grace.
"Get some sleep princess I'll be here in the morning" I say
"Ok" she says
Once she's asleep I go to the waiting room with Layla.
*Chad POV*
Ugh Joe needs to sleep and he won't. Caleb and Kelsey are over here.
"So does everyone agree that he needs sleep" I ask
"Yeah" they say
"Ok so Caleb and I are going to go and convince Joe to come with us to sleep and Kelsey and Fallon go to his house and get things they'll need. We will meet back here afterwards" I say
We sent our kids to Alan's.
The girls leave and Caleb and I head to the hospital. We get there and see Joey in the waiting room on his phone. We go over and sit in a chair on either side of him.
"What do you want guys" he asks
"I told you I wasn't sleeping" He says
"Yes and I told you I was coming" I say
"Come on Joe you need a goodnights sleep. You won't have to worry about any of the kids" Caleb says
"No I need to be here for Grace" he says
"Yeah but Grace would want you to go and sleep" I say
"Fine I'll come" he says
"Good" I say
We stand up to leave but Nick comes out.
"Um can I talk with one of you" he says
"Sure" I say
I go and follow him to his office.
"So what's up" I ask
"I need you to keep him distracted for me for about a few days so we can run tests and stuff on Grace" he says
"Of course we can try but it will be hard" I say
"Lock him in the house or don't give him any car keys" he says
"Ok we'll try. Have a good night" I say
"Same to you. Also make sure he sleeps" he says
"Don't worry" I say
I walk back out to the waiting room. We head to my car and get in we get to my house and Joe goes up to the guest room. I take Layla from him and go to the couch. The girls walk in with stuff for the whole week.
"Where's Joe" Fallon asks
"Upstairs. Not sure what he's doing" I say
"Okay well I'll go make a bottle for Layla and you go see what he's doing" Kelsey says
"Alright" I say
I head upstairs.
*Joey POV*
I still can't believe my wife is on the verge of dying. It could happen at any moment. I'm in the guest room right now crying into the pillow. I hear a knock on the door.
"Come in" I mumble
"Hey Joe" Chad says
"Hey chad" I say laying on my back
"You ok bro" he asks
"Yeah" I say
"What's wrong. What are you thinking" he asks
"I don't know. I can't raise these kids on my own. I'm going to fail. I'm going to be a terrible single father. I can't do it. I won't be able to do it. I wo-" I say
"Joseph shut up and look at me" he cuts me off
"Yes" I say
"Your an amazing father. We're all here to help you. You won't be alone" he says
"Chad I can't do it. The kids will never have a good childhood. I will mess their lives up" I say
"Joseph Patrick Stamper you need to start thinking positively. Get some sleep and I will finish this lecture tomorrow" he says
"Fine" I sigh
"Good" he says
He walks out and I fall instantly asleep.
*Chad POV*
As I'm walking downstairs my phone rings. I go into my bedroom to answer it.
C-hello
N-hello Chad this is Nick
C-oh hi how is Grace
N-that's why I'm calling. She had an episode or something and we couldn't save her
C-so she's gone
N-I'm sorry but yes
C-ok thank you for telling me. I'll tell Joe later because I finally got him to go upstairs and sleep
N-good now good night
C-you too
I hang up and walk downstairs. I go and sit on the couch and put my head in my hands and think. Think about everything. I feel a hand on my back. I look up and see Fallon holding Layla.
"Is he gone" Fallon asks
I nod my head.
"We should tell the others. When are you going to tell Joey" she asks
"Tomorrow I'll tell Joey and I'll go tell the guys to meet me at Starbucks. I'll tell them and they can tell their wives. I'll ask them not to tell Joey or Donald" I say
"OK" she says
She goes upstairs and I pull my phone out.
Ch-hey we need to talk. Just us three. Meet me at Starbucks
Ca-ok.
A-see you there
I put my phone in my pocket grab my keys and head out the door. I get to Starbucks and go in. The guys are already there.
"So Joey finally went to sleep" I say
"Good he needs sleep" Alan says
"Chad what's the bad news" Caleb asks
"What do you mean the bad news" I ask
"You seem off I know there's bad news" Caleb says
"You're right. Grace is gone. There was a problem and they couldn't save her" I say
"Does Joe know" Alan asks
"No and I don't plan in telling him or his brother until tomorrow" I say
"Ok well this is going to be hard for him to hear" Caleb says
"Yeah I know that's why I think we need to see if momma Stamper will come and watch his kids for awhile" I say
"That's a good idea" Alan says
We talk a little more then leave. I go back home and upstairs. Fallon is already asleep. I get on my pajamas and drift off to sleep.