Our Roots SAMPLE

Chapter One- Bedrooms

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Courtney

I smile to myself as I watch my husband, Ryder, Skype with his mom and dad with our daughter on his lap. They are all smiles, of course. I know Ryder's been missing his parents since they've been in Chicago for the past three months while his mom is receiving a new kind of chemo. We've been so used to having them right down the street for so long now, it's been a little strange without them.

"Where's Courtney?" I hear Ashley, Ryder's mother, ask. "I want to see her too."

I make my way from behind the kitchen counter and stand behind Ryder and Charlie who are sitting at the kitchen table.

I inhale a sharp breath when I see her. Her normally olive toned skin is pale and she's even thinner than the last time I saw her. "Hi, Ashley! We miss you so much!"

She smiles happily. "I think you get prettier every time I see you. How have you been?"

"I can't complain. Did Ryder tell you about the party?"

She nods excitedly. "He did! I can't wait to have all my family together again! It's been so long..."

"I think it's a perfect idea, and wow; five years married already? That's definitely something to celebrate," Ryder's father, Asher, says. He's sitting on the hospital bed next to Ashley and even though I'm only looking through a laptop, I can tell how tired and worn they both look.

Ashley's been traveling to Chicago for the past year and a half to receive chemo; with all the traveling and medicines, she's fading fast. Since Ryder's brother, Logan, also lives in Chicago, they've been staying with him and his wife to start a trial run of new medicines. It's a hard thing to watch, but what's even harder is watching my husband hold on to a miracle that's scientifically impossible. I'll never let him think for a second that I don't believe Ashley will make it much longer, because in reality, I want to be as hopeful as he is. She means so much to our family and none of us could bear losing her.

"I agree. I remember when Asher and I celebrated five years together. That seems like forever ago now," Ashley says.

The thought of Ryder's adorable mother falling for a guy like Asher could raise a few brows. He's 6'4, covered in tattoos and wears sunglasses wherever he goes, day or night. He's the definition of intimidating, but he's a sucker for Ashley.

Asher chuckles. "Well, Buttercup, it kinda was. We've been married almost thirty years."

I smile, but underneath the strong facade I put on for my family each day, I'm dying inside. I hate to see them all so hopeful, so sure that everything will turn out okay. I guess the alternative is moping around in sadness and there will be plenty of time for that after she's gone.

I'm starting to choke up, so I decide it's time for me to get back to cooking. "I have a roast in the oven, so I need to get back to it. See you guys next weekend!"

After we say our goodbyes and I've gone back to dinner, I can't help but eavesdrop on Charlie telling her grandparents goodnight. She's six years old now and smarter than I ever could've imagined, but sometimes I wonder if that's such a good thing.

"Goodbye my sweet angel," Ashley tells her.

Charlie pushes her long brown hair behind her ears and watches the computer monitor intently. She looks so strong, so determined. "No, Grammie. We can't say goodbye, just see you later."