How My World Changed Forever...Again

High Risk and High Emotion

A/N I couldn't think of a good title, so just deal with it lol
*2 days after getting back from Canada*
Colleen's POV
Today Hayley's going home. Katie thinks they're alright to have her back now without pressure for her to always be at the hospital. Technically, Hayley could fly alone as an unaccompanied minor. However, Rachel and I are actually going to fly out with her. I did really well on the flight to Canada just a few days ago, and being in second trimester, I have a much lower risk of anything happening. I want to see Katie again and I would really like to tell the Leblanc's that I'm engaged in person. The catch is Hayley already knows. I think it's frickin hilarious. When we got back from Canada, of course, I wanted to shout it from the roof top, "I'm engaged, bitches!" So I kinda did and called everyone in my family who didn't already know immediately. I told Hayley because she might be only 10, but she's one more person I get to brag to. No really, when there is something that special, you just wanna tell everyone you care about. So anyway, Hayley is very focused on not spilling the beans to her sister.
Rachel and I are only staying for two nights because neither of us want to be away from the loves of our lives. Plus Erik and I have a lot to do before the babies are born, such as even think about names.
     By 11 AM, we're leaving for LAX.  Our flight leaves at 2 which means we won't be getting into Maryland until around 9 PM EST.  Luckily, I'm feeling really good today and have kept down two full meals. 
     I stand in the living room, saying goodbye to Erik.  I lean into him and tuck my arms up against his chest.  "It's only two days," I say.
     "I know.  I'll miss you though.  Don't forget to take your vitamins.  And hydrate.  And rest as much as you can.  Take it easy, okay?"
     "I will."
     "I know you won't.  And, hey, if anything's wrong, Rachel is with you.  Tell her, and she'll make sure you get a break."
     "I know.  Plus Katie [LeBlanc] has done this before.  She'll be around, and if I need anything, I'm sure she'll help."
     "Yeah, you're gonna be fine.  Well, you better get going.  I love you, baby."
     Erik kisses me.  I hold onto the moment for as long as I can.  I love traveling and being with the girls, but it's hard to leave the man you love while you're pregnant and engaged.
     "I'm gonna miss you so much, lovey," I whisper into his chest.
     The tears come and I'm a mess.  "I'm sorry," I say laughing a little through cries.  "my hormone levels are a mess!  I've heard one girl is bad, two makes me wanna cry every five seconds."
     "Don't apologize.  You're creating a human.  Now, go get in the car, Rachel and Hayley are waiting.  I'll be right here when you get back."
     I nod and kiss him again.
     When I meet Rachel in the garage she takes one look at my face and says, "you good?"
     "Yeah." I nod.

Jill's POV
I run my hand over Katie's head while she's asleep in the hospital bed, and I start crying! Everything is hard these days.
I never really see Katie without hair because she always insists on wearing her wig. The doctors say not to fight it because it's just how she copes with such a drastic change. Now that she's recovering from brain surgery, she can't wear it until all the stitches and dressings have been removed.
Katie has been doing really well. She was up just a couple hours after operation walking around. Her one leg was still weak, but it's getting even stronger now. She's gained movement back in her arm that she lost from the treatment.  We get to have an MRI done very soon to see if they were able to remove the mass in its entirety.  If they were, she'll just be on chemo for a while to try to defeat the Leukemia.
The scariest thing in the world is to allow your child to undergo a surgery they may not wake up from. And if they do, they may have lost the ability to walk or talk or eat or write or do all the things they learned through life. And every moment she can do all those things, it makes me imagine what life would be like if the outcome was any different.
     I'm glad she's finally asleep.  She's been having a really hard time getting a full nights rest just because of how bad her incision hurts.  She's been on pain meds like crazy but still complains of discomfort (rightfully so!).  I know Colleen and Rachel are coming for a couple days and she'll be over the moon excited to see them. She's been talking about Colleen's baby ever since it's been announced, and I'm sure Katie would pay money to see her bump. Something about those two women just puts a smile on Kate's face immediately. If I could see her like that all the time, I'd do anything in a heartbeat.
Perhaps one of the absolute worst things a parent can possibly face is watching their child in pain every day of their life. Katie is just a kid, but this disease made her grow up. Instead of worrying about a test, she's worrying for her life. Anything that makes your kid happy for a moment you will do.
While Katie's asleep, the doctor comes in to check her incision. "While you're here," I say, wiping tears from my eyes, "I was just wondering, is Katie okay to have a few visitors tomorrow? The two that were here before are gonna be back in Maryland for a few days."
"As long as she continues to have a good day, there shouldn't be a problem. Visitors will be good, a chance to interact and forget for a minute."
"Another thing, one of them is pregnant now. What do you say about pregnant women visiting hospitals?"
     As much as I love how happy Colleen makes Katie, it isn't fair to her to put her in a position where it could possibly harm her child.
"What trimester?"
I try to remember what Katie Leblanc told me. "Second," I say pretty confidently.
"She should be fine. Think about it this way, we have pregnant nurses working well into third. She won't pose as any more of a threat to Katie. Just make sure that for her and her baby's health she washes her hands a lot."
A weight is lifted off my chest. Katie Leblanc and I discussed that Colleen might be advised not to come. We know that would break her and Katie's hearts.
I'm really glad Colleen can come. She gives Katie a sense of hope and joy that she doesn't get anywhere else. Sure Annie has been a huge help, but it's just different. Also, now that Colleen's pregnant, I think it's given Katie something to live for. When you're a kid undergoing brain surgery and intense treatments I'm sure there comes a point when you ask yourself why you're even doing any of it. Kate wants to meet this kid. She has that to look forward to.