Chapter 47

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

MOLLY/ONE YEAR LATER

"Pass the french toast!" Ellen shouts down the length of the dining room table.

Blake picks up the tray and sends it in the direction of my sister, who is eight months pregnant and eating like she's gestating quadruplets. Luckily, she's only got twins in there.

Blake blows me a kiss before mouthing the words, "Merry Christmas."

I cannot believe how many wonderful things this last year has brought. Blake and I have been nearly inseparable since the Bulls game last year. True to his word, he hasn't lied to me once. Although, I wish he would have when I asked him if my new pants made my butt look big. At least after saying yes, he reminded me that nobody likes a bone but a dog. That's when I decided he meant it as a compliment.

Henry stands up and raises his orange juice glass into the air. "I would like to toast to my lovely wife Ellen, who has blessed me not only by marrying me, but by giving me twin boys."

My dad calls out, "Here, here!"

My mom adds, "Next Christmas is going to be wild! "

Henry's kids are here with us, and they're as excited as their dad about the additions to their family.

After we finish breakfast, we head off into the living room to open presents. Blake already gave me mine last night, and I love it. It's a gold necklace with two hearts entwined together like they're one.

After all the gifts are opened, I stand up and announce, "We need to get over to Blake's parents' house and then we're taking off to the lodge." We've decided to visit the Elk Lake Lodge every year at Christmas to remember where our love affair started.

My mom jumps to her feet. "Let me wrap up a fruit cake for you to take."

My dad announces, "I bought them a bottle of scotch. It's on the counter."

We hurry to say goodbye to everyone and wish them a very Merry Christmas before heading out the door. As soon as we get into the car the phone rings. I look at the screen and announce, "It's Ben."

"Hey, Bennie," I answer. "How are you doing?"

"Great!" he says "I got new ice skates, and a new basketball, and a fish tank!"

"You must have been a very good boy this year," I tell him. And I know he was. He's not had an easy time with his treatment, but the artemisinin regimen he was put on seems to really be helping.

"You know I was!" Ben says. "I just called to tell you guys that I love your present and I can't wait to see you on New Year's Day." Blake and I bought Ben and his parents Bulls tickets to the rest of this season's games. Their seats are right next to ours.

Ben says, "Mom wants to talk to you, so I'll see you in a week!"

Francies takes the phone and says, "Merry Christmas, you two!"

"Merry Christmas to you guys," we say in unison.

"We got some news yesterday that I wanted to share with you." Blake and I sit quietly waiting to hear what she has to say. "We got a call from Sloan Kettering regarding Ben's latest test results."

I sit so still my heart feels like it's stopped. Reaching over, Blake takes my hand and squeezes it while we wait. Francie says, "They had to run the tests twice because they weren't sure the results were correct. It seems that they are."

I can't wait another second, and I practically yell, "Tell us already!"

Francie inhales deeply before saying, "Ben is in full remission. There's no cancer left in his body."

Emotion explodes out of me like the business end of a cannon. "Yes!!!"

"That's the best news ever, Francie. The best." Blake's voice is full of emotion.

After we hang up, we sit in the car, unmoving for several minutes. Blake finally says, "I'll never doubt it again."

"What won't you doubt?" I ask him.

"That miracles really do happen at Christmas." Then he leans over and gives me the sweetest kiss imaginable.

I've learned so many things this year. I've learned to trust again. I've learned to have faith that good will win out. And I've learned to treat every day like it's a gift. I know that our futures are entwined and I'm excited to see it all play out. Every day since Blake and I have gotten together has felt like its own special miracle, and I will never take him or us for granted.