What It Takes

Chapter 3- What It Takes

CHAPTER 3

“Talan has been accepted for the stem cell transplant, but it is a very risky procedure.” Ashton warned me as I sat in his office about to sign the papers.

“If he doesn't get it done there is no hope for him.” I said with tears springing to my eyes, “This way we actually have a string of hope.” Ashton nodded his head I could tell he was having trouble with all this, he loved Talan.

“We can’t perform the transplant until we get a donor, that could take a long time.” I knew it could take a long time but i wanted to try. Talan was the only family i had with me right now, sure i had my parents and siblings but they all lived in Wisconsin.

“I’d rather try than sit around and do nothing.” We sat in his office and did paper work for what felt like hours, I was starting to get anxious to see Talan. Standing up I pushed down my shirt and handed Ashton the last packet of paperwork. “I’ll talk to you later.” I said over my shoulder as I left his small office.

Talan was asleep in his bed, I came over extra early this morning because he was having pains. Just looking at his sleeping face I could tell he was in pain, sitting down next to him I grasped his hand and laid my head on the bed. Closing my eyes I immediately fell into a deep sleep.

 *** (Dream)

“Are you ready?” My dad asked as he walked into where I was standing.

I looked over at him in his black suit and his familiar smile on his face, he pulled me into his chest hugging me. “Dad I don't think I can do this.”

He lifted my chin so I would be looking at him in the eyes and asked “Do you love him?”

“Do I what?” I asked confused as to why he would ask that, I'm standing here in a wedding dress obviously I do. At least I think I do.

“Does he make you happy? Are you in love?”

Ignoring the voice in the back of my head yelling 'No you don’t love him! Run away while you can!' I thought of his black hair and the way I feel when he looks at me. “Yes, yes I do”

My dad nodded his head and kissed my forehead “Then there is nothing to be scared of.”

I held his hand so tightly I thought I was going to hurt him, I couldn’t even bring myself to look at Andrew as I walked down the aisle. We were marrying in his family's church purple lilacs at the end of every pew. It wasn’t my dream wedding but I settled for Andrew so I settled for not having my dream wedding. After I got to the alter my dad whispered in my ear “No you don’t.” then passed me off you Andrew. For the first time I looked up at Andrew, he look handsome yes. Any woman would be happy to be marrying him, but not me.

“Isabell?” I blinked then looked at the priest with a questioning look on my face.

“Say 'I do” whispered Andrew.

I cleared my throat and made my decision “I....”

I jerked awake hitting my head on the armrest of my chair in the meantime. I groaned and stood up walking out of Talan’s room to get an ice pack.

As I was walking down one of the busy halls I caught a glimpse of a man standing at the front desk demanding something. I stopped in my tracks and stared in disbelief at the back of his head. My heart was thumping in my chest, I swear if someone walked past me they would have been able to hear it beating. Then the man turned around and looked straight at me his cold eyes piercing through my soul. I took a sharp intake of breath and spinned around speed walking back where I came from. I knew him, but I couldn't seem to pinpoint where I knew him from. I could remember his cold grey eyes, they were the kind you can never forget doesnt matter how hard you try. I was walking so fast not even paying attention to where I was going when I ran straight into a hard chest. Looking up I saw Jace smiling down at me, I quickly stepped away and mumbled a incoherent ‘sorry’.

“Wait Isabell!” He called as I kept on walking down the hall. After catching up to me he grabbed my arm turning me around to face him. “Isabell what going on?”

I shook my head, “Nothing, don’t worry about it Jace.” I said while walking down the hall towards Talan’s room Jace matching my pace next to me. I could see him in the corner of my eye staring at me with concern clear across his face. “What?” I demanded whilst coming to a complete stop.

“Something is wrong Isabell.” He said while pulling me into a janitor's closet, after my eyes adjusted I could faintly see the outline of Jace’s face in the darkness. He reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder, “You can tell me anything.”

Could I really? Trust him I mean. I hardly knew the man, he’s only a business partner. But for some strange reason I felt a sense of trustworthiness in this tall dark haired man standing in front of me.

I stepped away and started pacing the small closet, I could sense Jace watching my every move. “My life before New York is dark.” I said while looking straight at Jace, “I just saw someone who I was not expecting to ever see again.”

Jace walked closer to me, “Who?”

“A friend of my ex husbands.” I said so quietly I doubted he could hear me properly.

Putting his broad arms around me he pulled me into a warm hug. “If you ever need anything, anything, call me.” He whispered into my ear.

I felt a sudden spurt of appreciation for him. I stepped away and genuinely smiled up at him, “So what are you doing here again anyways?” I asked.

“I came up with a proposal for the fundraiser.”

Together Jace and I sat in the abandoned cafeteria, he explained in great detail his idea for the fundraiser. A 5K run walk would be held near their house in the hamptons. At the finish line we will be unveiling a garden and park dedicated to Talan and Elana. The garden would be filled with an abundance of flowers, while the park would have a playground in Talan’s memory. I thought the run walk was a little insane but Jace’s father insisted on it. By the end of summer we would be ready to unveil our work.

“Well I suppose i should get going.” Jace said while standing up.

I peered up at him and smiled. “Thank you so much.” He winked at me and swiftly walked away. I leant back in my chair and closed my eyes, a pounding headache had formed in between my eyes.

***

(Deam)

“Andrew!” I called at the top of my lungs. Almost immediately he came running into the bathroom where I was soaking in the bathtub and looked down at me.

“What's wrong Isabell?” He asked.

I simply pointed down at my swollen belly and said “He's coming!” Andrew quickly grabbed a towel and helped me out, then wrapped the warm towel around my body. Together we walked into our room and he grabbed our overnight bags while I changed into clothes. Holding on to my hand he ushered us out of building and into our car. The whole way to the hospital I held onto Andrews hand so tight he had to ask me to lighten up “Andrew! I'm about to push something the size of a watermelon out of something the size of a lemon, don't complain to me about pain!” I yelled.

He didn’t complain again about me hurting him, even while I was pushing he was there holding my hand and encouraging me. At that moment the doctor handed me our new born baby and I saw Andrew tear up, I felt a spark of love for him. But love is pain.