One Wish Left

CHAPTER 34: MATRIARCH

This chapter is dedicated to my incredible sister-in-law, Beth. I love you so much! Thank you so much for your support in all things. Happy birthday! <3
________________________________

Five days later and all the test results were back. Jesse had been tested, of course, along with Eleanor, Donna, Sam, and Rachel. Miranda would have if they'd let her, but currently she was preoccupied by snuggling up to the day-old, brown-eyed beauty they'd named Hattie, just one floor below.

Of the five volunteers, two were matches, Dr. Moore had informed Jesse, and he was one of them.

The doctor had given Jesse a rundown of everything it would mean for him to be Kieran's donor. The risks. What he would have to give up. His new normal, if he agreed to it. Jesse didn't care that he would never be able to box or fight again. He knew right then he had to do it.

He wanted nothing more.

But when he exited Dr. Moore's office with his mind made up, he met a look of equal determination on his aunt's face.

"You're the other match, aren't you?" Eleanor accused.

Jesse nodded grimly.

She lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, so am I. And I will be the donor, so just you forget about it."

Jesse clenched his jaw. "No bloody way, Aunt El. I have to do this."

"You have to? And why is that?"

"Because I...." He drew a hand through his hair as he faltered for a moment. "I couldn't do anything for Brodie. I would have died for him, Aunt El, and I could do nothing. I have to do this now for his son."

Eleanor let out a breath and dropped her arms when she saw the pain flash across her nephew's face. She knew that pain well. It was a pain familiar yet fresh in her own heart, with only one way to heal it.

"Do you think you're the only one who wants redemption, Jesse?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion. "Don't you think I would have died for him a thousand times over if I could have?" Eleanor took a step closer, and Jesse could feel desperation and anger brewing in his chest. "Don't you dare think for one minute you're the only one who's been suffering, Jesse. Not to mention that I am this child's grandmother, who until recently has been kept in the dark about his existence, so I think if anyone is first in line to save Kieran's life, it's me."

Jesse wanted to scream. It didn't matter that she was right; he hated every word that came out of her mouth. But this wasn't his granddad or his mother, that he could just punch the wall or slam the door in her face like he was some twenty-year-old kid. This was Aunt El, and if there was anyone who had suffered more than he had when Brodie passed, it was her. Nevertheless, the aggravation of being denied the chance to show the two people who meant the most to him in the world just how much he loved them was devastating.

He swallowed down his protest and glued his eyes to the generic piece of hospital art on the wall next to him. He imagined for a moment he might be able to set the frame on fire and melt the glass with just his glare.

Then he realized he hadn't actually gained any superpowers, but his eyes were burning with the threat of tears.

As one spilled over, Eleanor reached down and eased her hand into one of this clenched fists. "Jesse, listen to me, love." He begrudgingly looked away from the wall art and focused on their hands. "Kieran is going to need another transplant when my kidney no longer does the job fifteen years down the road. I'm the older of the two matches, so it only makes sense that I donate while I still can. Then when the time comes, you'll be ready."