Briony opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but her throat was so dry that the words caught, dissolving into a fit of coughing.
The nurse hurried over, poured her a glass of water, and helped her drink through a straw.
After a few small sips, Briony's throat felt much better. She couldn't wait any longer. "Are the kids here too?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
"They are!" The nurse smiled, understanding exactly how much Briony missed her children. "I'll go downstairs and let them know you're awake. I'll tell them to bring the kids up so you can see them." "No-please, wait..." Briony stopped her, panic in her voice. "I don't want them to seelike this. I'll scare them..." The nurse paused, caught off guard by Briony's concern.
Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtStewart entered, followed by Cedric Clarke and a few other doctors.
"Well, look who's finally awake-our miracle patient!" Cedric joked as he strode in, his tone light and easy. "I was just telling Stewart that if you didn't wake up soon, I'd have to shake you and tell you sincredible news myself." Briony's eyes grew misty. "I already know," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Stewart cto her side, his voice warm and steady. "Bryn, the donor was admitted today to get ready for the procedure. Cedric and his team will start prepping you for the transplant. You're going to get better." A surge of feeling swept through Briony, her tears spilling over. "While I was asleep, were Little Nina and little Maokay? They didn't cause any trouble, did they?" "No, they've been wonderful," Stewart reassured her. "But they really miss you. Little Nina had a few rough nights-she's still so attached to you. That's why you have to hang in there." Briony sniffed, trying to smile. "I will." Ten days later, both the donor and Briony were cleared for the transplant. The day she was moved to the isolation unit had finally arrived.
Everyone was there.
Little Nina and little Mawere still too young to understand what leukemia was, but they knew their mom was about to go into a big, special room. The grown-ups had explained that when Mom cout, her illness would be gone.
Now, Briony lay on the hospital bed as they prepared to wheel her in.
Family and friends gathered around, each offering words of encouragement.
Briony was overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Mommy, you can do it!" Little Nina cheered, pumping her fist in the air.
Little Mario's voice rang out, clear and ce with us, Mom! Be: "We're waiting for yout swhovel brave!" Their cheers filled Briony's heart with a fierce determination to survive.
She reached out, gently stroking her children's heads. "I promise, I'll fight with everything I have." Stewart stood behind the kids, watching Briony silently.
She met his gaze.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFor a moment, their eyes locked.
Stewart swallowed hard. "Bryn, you can do this."
A faint smile appeared on Briony's I pale lips. "Stewart, thank you. Fom everything For these past few weeks." Stewart's lashes trembled. "There's no need to thank me. Not between us." Cedric Clarke and two specialists were already waiting, ready to begin.
The nurses pushed Briony's bed towards the sterile isolation room.
If everything went well, she would spend the next twenty-six days inside, undergoing multiple bone marrow transplants. The process was incredibly complex-every single day would be critical, and Briony would have to face it all, alone.
Half an hour after Briony entered the isolation unit, Stewart's phone m vibrated in his poc pocket. A woman's voice cthrough the art, I did what you asked s your turn to keep youre's