A Brand New Life: Love, Lust and Lies in Pine Valley (A Zack & Marty Romance)

Chapter 6

As Marty frantically tended to Brianna who was lethargic with fever, she wasn't getting any better. Cole picked his little sister up in his arms as Marty and Cole rushed her to PVUH (Pine Valley University Hospital) where Marty and Cole met Dr. David Hayward.

"What seems to be the problem?" David asked when he saw Marty and Cole with little Brianna.

"My daughter is sick. She has a high fever." Marty said frantically.

"Let me take her." David said as he scooped Brianna in his arms and placed her on the gurney and wheeled it into the ER room for an examination.

Several minutes later, Marty and Cole were still waiting.

"Hello, Starr?" Cole said after he had reached Starr on her cell.

"Cole, I'm so glad you called. I missed you." Starr said happily.

"I have bad news." Cole told her.

"What is it?"

"Brianna is sick. Mom and I are at the hospital waiting for word on her."

"Oh, Cole, I'm so sorry. I hope Brianna will be okay." Starr said with concern.

"So, how are you doing?" Cole asked her.

"Okay. The usual Llanview drama."

"SSDD?"

"Yep. But on a lighter note. I have good news." Starr told him.

"Really? What?"

"After graduation, I applied to the university there in Pine Valley and got accepted." Starr said enthusiastically.

"Really. That's great. And funny too." Cole said.

"Why's that?"

"I also applied and got accepted too."

"So we will be heading to school together?"

"Looks like it."

"I can't wait to see you." Starr said. "I've really missed you."

"Me too."

"Well, Starr, the doctor has just came out. Talk later."

"Okay. Bye. Love you."

"Love you too." Cole said.

Cole hung up with Starr as David was about to give Marty and Cole word on Brianna.

"I'm afraid that I have bad news." David told Marty and Cole.

"What is it, Dr.?" Marty said worriedly.

"I'm still running tests, but I'm afraid Brianna may have leukemia." David informed Marty and Cole. "I'll know more when I get the test results back."

"I'm here, David." Cara said. "What seems to be the matter?"

"Oh, Cara, good." David said. "This is Marty. I am running tests on her daughter, Brianna. I'm afraid she may have leukemia."

"I will get on it." Cara told David.

"Great." David said, as Cara left to go check on the test results.

"Dr. Castillo is an expert in oncology. She will be on your daughter's case from now on." David told Marty.

"Thanks, Dr. Hayward."

"Please, call me David."

"Can I go see my daughter now?" Marty said, distraught.

"Yes, I will show you to her room."

As David escorted Marty and Cole to Brianna's room, he couldn't help but be taken by the lovely Ms. Saybrooke. But as soon as David showed Marty to Brianna's room, Zack was waiting for Marty, who had received word from Cole who told Zack when Marty didn't pick her calls.

(Next: David comes between Marty and Zack, to Kendall's glee.)