26. Cole

TWENTY-SIX

Cole

2:27 pm

I'm sitting in the uncomfortable hospital chair, flipping through the latest People magazine without really seeing the pages. My eyes keep darting to Madeline, watching her slight form curled up in the bed, her eyes glued to Moana on the TV. The familiar songs wash over us, a stark contrast to the beeping machines.

I called Steele earlier and left him a second message that I needed him to come in to test for a match. He never returned my call from the day they gave me the news.

There is a part of me that wants to put that off for infinity. The thought of talking to him about Maddie and pleading for him to do something for us for her makes me want to scream. I wonder if he would even do it…

Suddenly, the door bursts open. Buster rushes in, his face flushed and eyes wild. My heart leaps into my throat. Before I can ask what's wrong, he's kneeling beside me, gripping my hands.

"Cole," he pants, "I have amazing news."

I hold my breath, afraid to hope.

"I'm a likely match for Madeline," he says, his voice cracking. "There's still more testing to be done, but... it's huge. We may have found someone so quickly."

The world stops spinning for a moment. I can't process what he's saying. A match? So soon? And it's Buster?

Before I can form words, he wraps me in a tight embrace. I feel his body shaking and realize he's crying. Tears spring to my eyes, a mix of relief, hope, and overwhelming emotion.

"Are you sure?" I whisper, clinging to him.

He pulls back, wiping his eyes. "Pretty sure. The initial tests look good. We'll know more soon, but... Cole, this is incredible."

I look over at Madeline, still engrossed in her movie, blissfully unaware of this potential lifeline—my mind races. If Buster is such a close match, it must mean...

But he doesn't mention anything about paternity. Maybe he hasn't made the connection yet, or perhaps he's focusing solely on Madeline's health right now.

"Thank you," I choke out, squeezing his hand. "I don't know what to say."

He smiles, his eyes shining. "You don't have to say anything. But, Goddamn! This is a great, great thing! Many patients go months, even years before they can find a match. This is wonderful news, Cole!"

I nod, overwhelmed by his kindness, his presence, and this glimmer of hope in the darkness.

Thursday, September 5

11:01 am

I sit in the small, sterile room, my heart pounding in my chest. It's been a few weeks of agonizing waiting and constant worry. Every time the phone rings, my stomach tightens, hoping it's the news we've been waiting for. Buster is in between cases and sits beside me. His presence is a comforting anchor in the storm of uncertainty.

The door opens, and Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Nguyen walk in. Their expressions are calm, but their eyes are intense, and my pulse quickens. This isn't a normal check-in, I can tell.

"Ms. Johnson, Buster," Dr. Bellinger begins, sitting across from us. "We have the results of the final compatibility tests."

I hold my breath, gripping Buster's hand tightly. Dr. Nguyen smiles gently, and I feel a flicker of hope.

"Buster is a full match," she says, her voice filled with reassurance. "He's a perfect candidate for Maddie's stem cell transplant."

Relief floods through me, and tears spring to my eyes. "Thank God," I whisper, squeezing Buster's hand even tighter. "Thank you."

Buster looks at me, his eyes reflecting the same mix of relief and determination. "We'll get her through this, Cole."

Dr. Bellinger continues, "Now that we have a match, we must move quickly to prepare for the transplant. Here's what will happen next."

He pulls out a detailed chart, showing the timeline and steps involved. "First, we need to prepare Buster for the donation. This involves a series of injections of a medication called filgrastim, which will increase the number of stem cells in his blood. He'll receive these injections daily for five days."

Buster nods, his expression resolute. "I'm ready. Whatever it takes."

"On the fifth day," Dr. Nguyen explains, "we'll collect the stem cells through a process called apheresis. Buster will be connected to a machine that draws blood from one arm, filters out the stem cells, and returns the rest of the blood to the other arm. This process usually takes about four to six hours."

I glance at Buster, my heart swelling with gratitude and love for his willingness to endure this.

"While Buster is preparing for the donation," Dr. Bellinger continues, "Madeline will undergo a conditioning regimen. This involves a combination of chemotherapy and possibly radiation to destroy her diseased bone marrow and make room for healthy stem cells. This phase will take about a week."

The thought of Maddie going through more chemotherapy is daunting, but I know it's necessary. "What happens after the transplant?" I ask, needing to understand every step.

"Once the stem cells are collected, we'll infuse them into Maddie's bloodstream," Dr. Nguyen says. "The new stem cells will travel to her bone marrow and begin to grow and produce healthy blood cells. This process, known as engraftment, usually takes two to four weeks. During this time, Maddie will be closely monitored for any signs of complications or infections."

Dr. Bellinger adds, "The first 100 days after the transplant are critical. Maddie will need to stay in the hospital for several weeks. And even after she's discharged, she'll require regular follow-ups and monitoring to ensure the transplant is successful and to manage any side effects."

I take a deep breath, absorbing all the information. It's a long road ahead, but I feel a spark of hope for the first time in weeks. "Thank you, Dr. Bellinger, Dr. Nguyen. We're ready to do whatever it takes."

Buster squeezes my hand, his eyes steady and confident. "We've got this, Cole. Maddie's strong, and so are we."

As they leave the room, a sense of determination settles over me. We have a plan, and we have a chance. And with Buster's help, we'll get Maddie through this. My baby has a chance to beat this.

4:27 pm

I watch as Liesle walks into Maddie's hospital room, her familiar presence bringing a small measure of comfort. It's become our daily routine over the past two and a half weeks—her visits are constant in the swirling uncertainty that has engulfed our lives.

Without fail, she is here every afternoon after her husband gets home from work. She is a rock, the world's best sister.

"How are you holding up?" she asks, giving me a tight hug.

I shrug, not sure how to answer. I finally have some good news, if it can be called that. Relatively good, I could say, if it didn't mean that my daughter had to go through a grueling treatment, guaranteeing her weeks, if not months more in the hospital. But it's hope for a chance…

"I can stay tonight if you want to go home, get some real rest," she offers, just as she has every day. I usually only accept it every four or five days.

This time, I nod, accepting. "That would be great. I need to stop by the cafe, do some laundry, and grab fresh clothes."

Relief washes over Liesle's face. She's been worried about me, I know.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" I exclaim, a spark of excitement breaking through my exhaustion. "We got amazing news today. Buster is a full match for Maddie."

Liesle's eyes widen. "That's incredible! So what happens now?"

"We finally have a plan," I tell her, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time in weeks. "They're going to start the transplant process next week. They have to prepare both Buster and Maddie, but it is action. No more endless waiting and wondering with nothing to do to move us forward."

Tears spring to my eyes as I hug my sister fiercely. "Thank you for being here, for everything. I don't know how I'd get through this without you."

Liesle squeezes me back. "That's what sisters are for. Now go, get some rest. I've got this covered."

I kiss Maddie's forehead, whispering that I'll be back soon, then gather my things to head out. Walking to the elevator, I feel a weight lift ever so slightly. We have a path forward now.

It's terrifying, but at least we're moving instead of stuck in limbo. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever comes next.

Walking to the parking deck, I pull out my phone to text Buster.

Hey, you. Not sure if you're still here or not, but wanted to let you know I took Liesle up on her offer to stay with Maddie tonight. I have to go by the cafe and then I'm going to do some laundry and take a long bath. I'd love to see you if you're up for it—and it won't interrupt your transplant prep. xo-

I glance at my phone as it buzzes with Buster's reply. A smile tugs at my lips as I read his message.

Just finished swimming laps in the complex pool. Feels great to move. You should try it. No one is out here this late in the season.

My muscles ache at the thought of gliding through soothing water. I hadn't realized how tense I've been, barely moving from Maddie's bedside for weeks. I quickly type back.

That sounds amazing. I just might do that myself. Could use some movement that isn't pacing hospital corridors.

Buster's response comes almost immediately.

Come on, I'll wait for you.

The offer is tempting—so tempting—but I know I have responsibilities waiting for me at the cafe. I told Nelson, who has been a lifesaver in picking up the slack at the cafe, that I would meet him today. Who knows how long that will take? I sigh, torn between what I want and what I need to do.

After a moment's hesitation, I text back.

I can't right now. I have to stop by the cafe first, and I'm not sure how long that will take. I'll call you later?

I hit send, then slide my phone into my pocket. As much as I'd love to lose myself in the pool with Buster, I know I need to take care of business first. But maybe later... The thought of unwinding with him after everything is settled gives me something to look forward to.

Park Place Condominiums

8:02 pm

I balance the bags of Chinese takeout in one hand as I fumble with my keys, the tantalizing aroma making my stomach growl. I knock on Buster's door. It isn't latched and pushes open. I step inside and call out, "Buster? I've got dinner!"

He emerges from the kitchen, a smile lighting up his face. "Perfect timing. I just opened a bottle of wine."

We settle on his balcony, the evening air cool against my skin. The parking lot is quiet below us as we dig into our food, the flavors exploding on my tongue. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a meal this much.

Buster points out people walking by on the street below as we eat, making up ridiculous stories about their lives. I find myself laughing, genuinely laughing, for the first time in weeks. The weight on my shoulders lifts, if only for a moment.

"You know what would be perfect right now?" Buster asks with a mischievous glint in his eye.

I raise an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"A night swim." He grins. "Come on, it'll be good for you. Help you relax. I've been thinking about it since my swim earlier."

I hesitate, thinking of all the reasons why I shouldn't, sleep being at the top of the list. But something about the idea of slipping into the cool water under the stars feels irresistible. Romantic, even.

"You know what? Let's do it," I say, surprising myself. "We have something to celebrate."

Buster's smile widens. "Really?"

I nod, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. "Give me a few minutes to change."

Walking back to my apartment to put on my swimsuit, I realize I'm looking forward to something for the first time in weeks. It's a small thing, but it feels monumental.

8:49 pm

I slip into the pool, the cool water enveloping my body. The night air is crisp against my skin, creating a delicious contrast. Buster follows, his muscular form cutting through the water with ease. We float towards the deep end, our bodies illuminated by the soft glow of underwater lights.

Buster's hand brushes against my leg as we tread water, sending a shiver that has nothing to do with the temperature. I reach out, running my fingers along his bare chest, marveling at the strength I feel beneath my touch.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "For everything you're doing for us. For Maddie."

Buster's eyes lock with mine, intense and sincere. "Cole, you don't have to thank me."

I shake my head, moving closer. "But I do. You're our hero, Buster. What you're doing... it's not a small thing. You could have walked away at any point."

My arms slip around his neck, our bodies pressed together in the water. I'm acutely aware of every point of contact between us.

"I know it won't be easy," I continue. "The procedure, the recovery... it's a huge sacrifice. It means more to me than I could ever express."

Before he can respond, I press my lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss. All the gratitude, fear, and hope I've been carrying pours into it. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against his.

The water laps around us, a sensual caress against my skin as Buster's hands find my waist. We're suspended in the pool, the rest of the world fading away under the cloak of night. The risk of being caught in the public pool only heightens the moment's intensity.

Buster's touch is electric, igniting a fire within me that the cool water can't quench. I wrap my legs around his hips, feeling the hard proof of his desire pressing against me. Our kiss deepens, tongues exploring with a hunger that seems insatiable.

His hands slide down to cup my bottom, pulling me tighter against him. I can feel the roughness of his swim trunks against my inner thighs, a stark contrast to the silkiness of the water. I arch my back, pressing myself against his erection, eliciting a low growl from him.

We're lost in each other, the world around us forgotten. My fingers trace the contours of his broad shoulders, circling his tattoo, mapping out the terrain of his body as if it's the first time I've touched him. Buster's lips leave a trail of fire down my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin.

With a swift motion, he lifts me out of the water and sets me on the edge of the pool. I'm exposed to the cool night air, and my bikini bottoms are a mere whisper of fabric between us. Buster's eyes are dark with desire as he looks up at me, his hands splayed possessively on my thighs.

He tugs at the strings of my bikini, freeing me from the flimsy material. I'm naked and vulnerable under his gaze, yet I've never felt more powerful. With a swift movement, he pulls his trunks down just enough to free himself, his erection jutting out, rigid and demanding.

Buster enters me with one sure thrust, filling me completely. A gasp escapes my lips, the sensation of him inside me both overwhelming and exhilarating. We move together in a primal rhythm, each stroke stoking the flames higher and higher.

The water splashes around us as we lose ourselves in the moment, the sound mingling with our ragged breaths and soft moans. I cling to him, my fingers digging into his back as I meet him thrust for thrust.

The intensity builds, a coil of pleasure winding tighter and tighter within me. Buster's movements become more urgent, his breathing ragged as he chases his release. I can feel the edge approaching, a wave of ecstasy that threatens to consume me.

With a final, powerful thrust, we both shatter, our cries of pleasure echoing into the night. Buster holds me close. Our bodies are still joined as we ride out the aftershocks together.

Our breathing slows, and the haze of passion begins to clear. I realize just how vulnerable we've been. The danger of being caught only adds to the thrill of what we've just shared. But at this moment, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Buster looks up at me, his eyes soft with affection. He reaches up to brush a damp lock of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. I lean into his touch, savoring the tenderness of the gesture.

We're both silent, lost in our thoughts as we come down from the high of our lovemaking. The world around us feels different now, charged with the memory of what we've done.

We'll have to face reality soon enough, with all its challenges and uncertainties. But for now, I'm content to float here in Buster's arms, the water cradling us in its gentle embrace.