Lucas' P.O.V.
The alarm startled me awake. I had almost forgotten what happened last night. I had told my darkest secret to Rose, and she had comforted me in a way I was not expecting. I'm certain that she stole my heart last night, because it only beats for her now. I looked down to find her still laying on my chest. I remembered waking multiple times to her inching closer to me anytime she had moved away in her sleep. Her small muscular body curled nicely around me.
"Rose, we need to get up. I need to take you to the hospital."
I rubbed her back as I spoke softly. She is cute when she first wakes up. She scrunched up her face in complaint with her lips in a slight pout. She furrowed her brow, annoyed at the fact she had to wake. From what I've learned, on the few occasions I have slept all night with her, she likes to sleep in.
"Can we just pretend the mass isn't there?" She groaned, making me chuckle.
"I think it's best if we get it removed. Come on, we don't want to be late." I sat her up as she rubbed her eyes.
Her beautiful curls were standing in many different directions, making it look like a red flamed lion's mane. I loved the way her hair looked like this. I liked being the first to see her in the morning. I smiled at her, just admiring her beauty.
We both got dressed and fixed our hair. I found her hair routine intriguing. I saw the millions of things she had to use to tame those unruly curls. They were beautiful, but they were definitely hard to control. I wonder how she learned to care for them without her mother present.
"Are you ready to go?" I asked her, putting my shoes on by the door.
"Yup." She popped the p, drawing my attention to her lips. I couldn't help the small smirk that played on my face.
"Let's go get this thing removed."
I held my hand out towards her. She didn't hesitate to grab it, making me smile as I turned from her, leading us out of the door and to my car. I could tell Rose was nervous on our drive over. I held her hand for comfort, but I saw her leg twitching the entire time. She took a few deep breaths when I parked in front of the hospital.
"Are you ready?" I asked her, making her look at me instead of the large hospital building.
"Not at all." She shook her head, her eyes wide and full of fear.
"What do you do before going into a ring? Before a fight, how do you get ready?" I asked her, because this is no different. The fight is different, but it's a fight nonetheless.
"I shake it out."
"Then let's shake it out."
I wanted to help ease her worries enough that I didn't care about looking like an idiot as I started shaking my body like a lunatic. She laughed hysterically at me, making it all worthwhile.
"I don't see you shaking it." I eyed her as I continued shaking my arms and legs.
She laughed, but I saw her shake her arms and hands out. Then her shoulders and torso and finally her legs. I saw her open and shut her hands a few times. She took one long deep breath at the end.
"I'm ready."
Her beautiful icy blue eyes held that fire in them now. She really was ready.
"Thank you, Lucas."
"Anytime, Rose." I kissed her forehead, before getting out of the car. I raced to the other side, opening her door for her. "Muh Lady."
She let out a laugh as she took my hand.
"Such a gentleman."
We entered the hospital, heading for the check in. Leo and Hailey came shortly after we did. They both eyed me suspiciously. I am guessing she didn't tell them she was with me all night.
"How are you feeling, Livie?" Hailey asked her, taking her from my side and hugging her. Surprisingly, Rose didn't let go of my hand when she hugged Hailey back.
"I'm okay now." She shot me a glance from the side of her eye, as if to thank me again for helping her calm down.
"Good. We'll be waiting for you out here when you are done. I'll take you home. Everything is going to be okay." Hailey seemed to be trying to convince herself, more than Rose, of those final words.
Rose nodded her head. We all waited in the lobby for a moment before Rose was called back. She gave us each a hug, leaving me for last. I kissed her temple gently, before relinquishing her to the care of the nurse.
Please don't let it be cancer.
I watched her bright red hair disappear behind those silver doors. I wished I could follow her there. My need to be by her side was consuming every part of my being. I needed to get my mind off of Rose's surgery if I am going to make it out here in the waiting area.
"Rachel told me she paid you a visit yesterday." I said to Leo, starting a conversation to distract myself.
"Yeah, she did. I had no idea she was coming into town. Did you?" He looked up at me from the chair he deemed his. I couldn't sit still to save my life right now, so instead I leaned against the wall.
"Not a clue. She just randomly showed up at my apartment. I think Rose thought she was another girl I had slept with before." I laughed at the thought before cringing at the image. I visibly shuddered. "Gross."
"Liv was at your apartment?" Leo arched his brow. I noticed Hailey leaning forward in her chair, interested in the conversation now.
"Yeah, she was. She and Rachel spoke, while I finished some work."
I didn't want to tell him about last night's events. He didn't need to know the details. I will eventually let him know that Rose now knows what happened to me. What had caused me to sleep with so many women.
"I see." Leo nodded. I could tell he wanted to ask more questions, but thought better of it.
"She kind of told Rose about John and Ivy."
I plopped on the chair beside him, finally feeling like I didn't want to climb the walls. My anxiety seems to have settled down. I saw Leo look at me with a slightly upset look.
"Why would she do that?" Leo shook his head.
"Your guess is as good as mine." I shrugged.
"Who are John and Ivy?" Hailey suddenly asked, reminding me she was there.
"John's my dead brother."
"Ivy is my dead, almost, fiance."
Hailey's eyes widened in shock. Her mouth opened and closed a million times as she thought of what to say.
"Mierda," now, I don't speak Spanish but I know my swear words and that's definitely one. "I am so sorry guys."
Hailey seemed upset at herself for asking. She shook her head multiple times after she had asked.
"Don't worry about it. We've healed, it's been a year and a half already. " Leo assured her with a small smile.
Ivy will forever hold a large place in my heart. I loved that woman so deeply that it broke me to lose her. I wouldn't eat, sleep, or even move. I remember being a mess on my floor, too fatigued to even get on my bed. Leo and I grieved separately for the first few months before we came together again. We helped each other out, lifting each other off the ground, quite literally. Leo is the closest thing I have to a brother.
We all spoke about lighter topics after that as we waited for someone to tell us about Rose. Leo and I kept asking Hailey questions about her. I liked using any and every opportunity I could to get to know Rose better. Hailey shared how she was the one to teach Rose how to maintain her curls. I smiled thinking back to this morning.
"You guys are good for her. She's always been a bit insecure when it comes to guys. She's never really had them pay her that much attention until she stared college." Hailey told us both. "She told me about your whole 6 month dating plan. I think it's a great idea. I just hope that the one of you she doesn't choose can be man enough to still be her friend. I can tell she's starting to care for you both, and it's going to hurt her to lose one of you in the end."
Leo and I sat silently for a while, contemplating Hailey's words. I thought about how I would feel if she chose Leo. Could I handle being around the two of them? The thought alone caused a sinking feeling in my stomach. I know I'd have to, because Leo is my best friend. It's not like I would be able to avoid them. Although, maybe I could go overseas for a little while, give myself time to get over Rose before coming back.
Yeah, I think that's what I'll do if my Rose chooses Leo. I'll move abroad.
"Are you Ms. Brewer's family?" A doctor in scrubs came out, asking us.
"I'm her sister." Hailey stood up, looking attentively at the doctor. The doctor narrowed his eyes at Hailey, probably wondering how they could be related when they looked so vastly different.
"Surgery went well. She's currently in recovery where we will keep her for an hour or two to monitor her. She should be good to go home once we remove the drain. She thankfully won't have to keep it in. Make sure to call the office to schedule her one week follow up. Her biopsy results should come back in a day or two, but with the weekend coming up, she won't hear from her doctor till Monday if not Tuesday. In the meantime, let her rest. She'll be sleepy and possibly a little woozy from the anesthesia. Make sure to keep an eye on the incision so that it does not get infected. Do you have any questions for me?"
"When can I see her?" She asked.
"A nurse will come and get you as soon as she wakes."
"Thank you, doctor." Hailey nodded, taking her seat again.
I felt like I could breathe a little better, knowing everything went well. I know I won't be able to breathe right until we know if it's cancer or not. I hate that we have to wait another day or two to find out.
"I am assuming you're both going to go to Liv's flat after this?" Hailey looked at us assessingly as she waited for our answer.
"I already told her I would be pampering her after surgery." Leo answered first.
I figured as much, but I was a bit disappointed it wouldn't be just she and I for the rest of today too.
"I don't plan on leaving her side," I confirmed.
"Perfect."
Hailey smiled at us sweetly. I was glad that Rose had such a good friend. Hailey and she seem almost as close as Leo and I. I think with everything that Leo and I have gone through we're bonded for life, no matter what happens.
About 20 minutes later, the nurse called Hailey back. Rose had woken up. I wished that I could go back to see her as well, but I was glad she at least had Hailey. I watched them lead Hailey away to the back.
I'll see you at your flat, Rose.