Fake Smiles

#33: Treatment

Lily woke up at 8am. Her appointment was at 10am, so she had plenty of time to prepare. She was so excited for the treatment. But she was also scared. Questions were flooding her mind: what if it doesn't work, what if it only makes it worse, what if it kills her, will Grayson be there after?

She asked herself many questions. Having no answer for either of them. She left the house for the hospital at 9:30am. She had texted Grayson telling him she was leaving for the hospital. He didn't reply. She sighed as she closed her phone. If only he was with her. Maybe she would be less scared.

They arrived at the hospital and prepared for the treatment. She lay in the hospital bed wearing a hospital gown. She had her oxygen tank next to her as the doctors took her for treatment. Her parents waited in the waiting room for four hours. They were anxious. They would look up every time a doctor walked by.

"Is she out yet?" Someone asked. They looked up to see Grayson. He looked like he'd had no sleep. He was anxious. "Have you heard anything? Have they told you anything? Do you know how she is? How long has she been in there? How long will she be? Do you think this will work?"

"Grayson" Mrs Lovegood said. Grayson stopped and looked at her. "Calm down. We've been waiting for four hours. They've told us nothing. We know just as much as you do. All we can do is pray that it works. And hope that she's fine".

He sat down with his head in his hands. He kept rambling on about how much he loves her. Mrs Lovegood heard what he was saying. She smiled as she listened. "When she comes out, I'll show her how much I love her! I'll take her everywhere she's always wanted to go! I'll do everything with her! I'll do anything and everything to make her happy!"

"Miss Lily Lovegood?" A doctor spoke up. They all jumped up in hope. "She is currently in the recovery room. We have tried our best to remove the cancer, but we can only slow it down. We're terribly sorry".

They fell quiet. Grayson felt his heart break. She was going through so much so young! It wasn't fair! But he had to accept it. He followed Mr and Mrs Lovegood to Lily's room. He stood outside as he waited for his turn.

After an hour, he was allowed to enter. She was sleeping peacefully in the bed. He walked in and sat in the chair next to her bed. He held her hand and kissed it gentle. "Hey, I am so sorry I wasn't here before you went in! I was too scared to face your dad! But I realised that you need me more than ever. I came as fast as I could! I had to see you! I can't believe how selfish I was! I'd hate me if I was you!"

"I would never hate you".

He looked at Lily to see her smiling at him. He threw himself on her and hugged her tight. She giggled as he continued to hug her. "I am so sorry! I should have been here before you went inside! I was too scared to face your dad! But I know you need me more than ever! I love you so much!"

"I love you more!" She said. They hugged for a while longer until he pulled away. He smiled down at her before leaning in. He smiled as he kissed her lips. She pulled him in closer and kissed him passionately.

They were disturbed by someone clearing their throat. They pulled away and saw Mr Lovegood. Grayson stood up straight and faced him. He began to panic. "Oh... er... Mr Lovegood! I... I was..."

He raised his hand to stop Grayson, and said, "It's alright". Grayson and Lily were shocked. Mr Lovegood smiled. "I can see you make my daughter very happy. She's lucky to have you". His smile vanished. "But if you hurt her... I will kill you!"

Grayson gulped as he stood there, his palms sweaty with fear. He smiled an awkward smile as he faced Lily. "I'll... I'll see you later. Get well soon". He left the room as fast as he could. He left the hospital and went home to rest.

As he lay in bed, his phone buzzed.

My world 🌎
I love you 😘

Grayson
I love you more 😘😚

My world 🌎
I love you most 😙😘😍😚❤

He smiled as he fell asleep.

***

Lily smiled as she watched Grayson leave her hospital room. She turned her attention to her dad. He was smiling at her. She watched as he made his way to the chair next to her. As he sat down, she heard him breathe out a heavy sigh.

"I'd like to apologise for how I reacted yesterday" he started. Lily was shocked at his sudden change of personality. He wasn't someone who would apologise so quickly. "You're a young woman now. I should have known you'd be curious and want to experience new things. I guess I just want to keep you all to myself: my little girl. But you're not my little girl anymore. You've grown up, met new people, fell in love. Soon, you'll be leaving and having your own family. I just want what's best for you. But I also need to remember that you are 15, not 10".

Lily smiled at him. "So, does that mean you accept Grayson?" She waited for his reply. "Dad? He's almost 16! He looks about 20! And acts 4! I don't think you need to worry about anything; not yet, anyway. In a few years time, maybe. But not now".

"That's what I'd like to hear" he smiled. "Why don't you invite Grayson round for dinner this Saturday? We could get to know him. See if you've got the best of the best. And also see how he treats you".

Lily gave him the best smile she had. "I'd love to! I'm sure he would to!" She was so happy. She spent the rest of the day with her mom and dad in the hospital room. She was told she was allowed to leave tomorrow, so she texted Grayson.

Lily
Hey

Gray bear 😍
Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling?

Lily
Good! I'm allowed to leave tomorrow. I should be home by 12, maybe?

Gray bear 😍
I'll see you then 😘

Lily
Would you like to come to dinner on Saturday?

Gray bear 😍
With your dad?

Lily
Yeah...

Gray bear 😍
Um... sure. What time?

Lily
You don't have to come if you don't want to

Gray bear 😍
No! I'd love to

Lily
Ok... come around 5?

Gray bear 😍
Yeah, I'll be there 😘

Lily
Bye. I love you 😘😘😘

Gray bear 😍
I love you more 😘😙😍❤

She placed her phone next to her and fell asleep.