Taking Chances (Official Second Draft)

Chapter 19

Lily's POV

"Okay, so this is just the pen we're going to draw the incision site." One of my prep doctors said to me, I look over to Naiomie and Matt both sitting in their wheelchair's. I feel the pen scribbling across my head. Naiomie's hand lies in Matt's tightly. I can tell she is scared. Maybe more scared than I am. Whenever she is worried her eyes blink rapidly, just like my moms did. She would always tell me it made her self conscious, but I always thought it just made her more unique in her own perfect way. I smile to myself thinking about my amazing sister. My heart pings out of nowhere knowing that this might be the last time I ever see her.

"All done. The doctor and anesthesiologist should be in shortly." She sets down the pen and walks out the door. I try to brighten the mood.

"Sooo how do I look?" I pretend to toss my hair. Naiomie nervously chuckles.

"You look Pre-Madonna Lily." Matt says. Naiomie turns her head to the window and looks out. I cleared my throat.

"Well at least i'll look good for my surgery, I have to impress all the doctors and nurses." Naiomie slightly smiles and I can see Matt squeeze her hand tighter.

"No matter what happens Matt.." They both look over to me. Naiomie cocks her head to the right with curiosity with what I'm about to say. "Please take care of my sister, for the rest of her life. Even though she is completely capable of taking care of herself, please never let her feel alone."

"Why do I feel like this is a goodbye message." Naiomie pipes in. I look at her.

"Because, if I don't make it out of this, I want to make sure you don't sink, I want you to swim, I want you to explore the world. I want you to do everything you ever wanted to do." tears start rolling down her face. "Don't cry, because if you cry then i'll start crying and I don't want the last time I possibly see you to be crying." She shakes her head and Matt helps wipe her tears. I don't think he will ever know how much I will appreciate him, knowing if I leave this world today, my sister will be well taken care of for the rest of her life. Suddenly Dr. Piccard walks in the room with the same students as yesterday morning.

"Good morning everyone, today is the day." I nod my head and smile.

"Put everything you have into me doc." I say and he smiles. Another girl in scrubs scurries into the room, she smiles at me.

"I'm Elizabeth Johnson your anesthesiologist, I wanted to be here when they take you down."

"So just as explained yesterday we are going to try to do a full removal of the tumor-" I cut him off.

"Can I say something?" The room goes quiet as everyone looks at me.

"Uh- yes of course." Piccard replies.

"I-I don't want to be stuck on a machine if I don't make it out of this."

"Lilian!" Naiomie tries to cut in.

"No, Naiomie, this is what I want! I don't want to be hooked up to a machine for months with people hoping I will come out. I want to be free. I've been stuck fighting this thing for years and I-I'm tired." her eyes soften.

"Okay." Is all she can manage to say. Her voice is somber and the room is heavy. She looks down towards the ground.

"You are a very brave young girl Lilian." Piccard says. Dr. Pavery is going to assist in the surgery with me, as well as Dr. Narissa who is Naiomies doctor. She is the head of General Surgery. I nod my head.

"Let's do our goodbyes, and Naiomie you can come with us as far as we can go." He says. Matt gets up with the help of a nurse and comes over to give me a hug and a kiss on my cheek.