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Chapter Thirty-Four
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Emery walked up the stairs toward the second floor of the hospital. She took deep breaths and tried to calm her nerves before she went in to see Austin. The door leading to the second floor creaked open as the light flooded the stairwell. There were several nurses in the hallway, but none of them paid her much mind as she walked past on her way to Austin’s room.
The door was shut when Emery finally came to the room that Dr. Holt had told her Austin would be in. She knocked softly, but there was no answer. She slowly opened it up and peeked inside. Austin was laying on the bed with the covers pulled halfway up. There was an IV in his arm and the TV was turned on low. It seemed whoever had delivered him had already done their thing and left.
Emery sat on the chair beside the bed. Her eyes carefully gazed over Austin’s body, looking for any signs of trauma, but he looked like he normally did, only now he was asleep. She took hold of his hand and lightly intert
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Austin felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. If this was any other girl, he would have said ‘see ya later.’ But with her, he just couldn’t let go. Like there was something pulling him toward her like he was in love for the first time ever in his life. “Cool.” He didn’t know what else to say without sounding like a total pushover wuss.Emery shook her head. “A man of many words.” She laid her head down on his arm so that her forehead was resting against his hand. “Anything you want to know?” She hoped that they could maybe have a detailed conversation tomorrow, it was getting really late and she had taken her nightly meds before she went to the game so she was getting sleepy.“Anything else you feel you need to tell me right now?” Austin ran his hand over her hair, then kept it situated on the base of her neck.“Emery isn’t my real name.” She glanced up
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Emery squinted her eyes open. There was faint sunlight shining through the window like the sun was just coming up over the horizon. She remembered where she was instantly and sat upright. Austin was still laying on the bed, carefully watching her as she woke up.“What time is it?” Emery tried to sit more upright, but her stiff neck and back stopped her from doing so graciously.“It’s a little before dawn.” Austin motioned toward the sun peeking in the window.Emery grabbed her cell phone on the stand to see what the exact time was. Her clock read a little past six in the morning. “Why did you let me sleep so long?” Emery ran her hand through her hair, knowing it must be a total mess. “Didn’t anyone come in and try to kick me out?” She knew it was a big no-no for non-family members to stay the night.“I tried to wake you up, but you kept making these small noises and never fully woke u
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Emery had spent the past eight hours with Austin in his living room. They’d watched three movies, ate dinner, and listened to his sisters whine about going to bed early. His mom had gotten a cake so that they could help celebrate the birthday and was going to invite Emery’s parents over. She declined the offer because her grandparents were coming over to her parents’ house the next day and there would be a late birthday celebration. After everyone sang the birthday song, Emery and Austin took their plates of cake and ice cream back to his room.“Would you like to come over tomorrow?” Emery took a bite of her chocolate cake and looked up at Austin. He knew about the grandparent thing and didn’t know if he would feel uncomfortable meeting other family members.“Yeah, sure that sounds good.” Austin licked the remaining icing off his plate, then placed it on the floor. “I’m only coming over for more cake
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“They should be here in about half an hour.” Emery made sure the living room was cleaned up to her grandparents’ satisfaction. Not that they were critical about how the house was kept, but she liked to keep everything cleaned up just for show. She kissed Austin on the cheek. “Don’t be nervous.” He was fidgeting around with the remote, which was a sign that he was trying to hide his anxiety.“I’m not.” Austin knew his attempt at sounding sincere failed as his voice crackled. Emery smirked at him and went about her business. “Well, the way you’re all acting makes me think that these people are uptight.”“They’re not. We just like things to go well when we see them.” Emery finished the last of the dusting then settled in beside Austin on the couch. “Mom and Dad like to cook them dinner and I just like the house to be clean…no biggie.” She saw him nod his head okay,
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The next two months flew by for Austin and Emery. There hadn’t been any more complications in their relationship or with either of their health. They spent as much time as possible together, along with Laney and Brandon, who had become their sidekick couple.Football season was finally over. Although it didn’t end with a playoff game win, Austin was happy and yet sad to see his high school days of playing ball come to an end. The school was getting ready for the big seasonal dance that seemed like the mini prom before the actual big prom in the springtime. The couples were all planning on going together and Emery had gone with Laney to pick out a dress. Both girls kept what kind of dress they’d gotten a secret from their men, only telling them the color so that they could buy corsages that matched.It was the day before the dance. Austin and Emery were seated with Laney and Brandon at lunch discussing what time they were all leaving tomorrow night.
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Emery felt someone touching her arm and instantly jolted awake. “Mom, what’s wrong?” Her mother was standing near her bed and had a worried look on her face.Mrs. Warden patted her daughter’s arm to let her know everything was all right and walked toward the closet. “It’s almost five and I know you have to get ready. I thought you might want to get up now from your nap.” She brushed the hanging dress on the door with the back of her hand and couldn’t wait to see both Emery and Austin all dolled up for this occasion.“Thank you.” Emery thanked her mom for waking her up. If not, she probably would’ve still been sleeping when Austin got there at seven. Her mom waved her hand in response and continued out through the door, shutting it on the way out. Emery ran her hand over her face to wake herself up more. No time to be wasting, she thought to herself as she jumped out of bed and grabbed her robe t
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The parking lot where the dance was being held was getting full of cars, trucks, and even a few motorcycles. Austin pulled his truck into the row that had an available space. He got out and ran around to help Emery out so she wouldn’t trip getting out with her dress and heels on. The slide that she did down his body made him want to forget the dance and head straight over to what he had planned for later. They walked hand-in-hand to the entrance that had a line formed around the corner of the building.“Hey, guys.” Laney and Brandon had gotten to the club about fifteen minutes earlier. They’d seen Austin and Emery pull up and begin to walk to the back of the line. Laney had grabbed ahold of Austin’s jacket and pulled him along with Emery in line with them. Of course, that got her rude looks and comments from the people behind her but Laney just blew that off like she did with whatever most people said and did.The two couples gave their ti
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“It’s almost time to leave.” Laney was as excited as she was nervous about the upcoming night. She was seated on Brandon’s lap and counting down the next twenty minutes as they were all in lockdown until eleven-thirty. They had all danced, eaten some of the snacks that were set out, and planned once again what they were going to do afterward. She knew what Austin had agreed to was total bullshit, but she had promised to keep his surprise for Emery just that…a surprise.“You look tired.” Austin brushed back a curl that had fallen over Emery’s shoulder and brought her closer to him so she could rest her head on his shoulder.“Nah, I’m pretty good.” Emery was tired of being so active right now, but not tired as in she wanted to go to sleep. She wanted to enjoy this night until there was no more to enjoy.“Good, we still have a long night ahead of us.” Austin kept her close and swayed wit
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It’s been almost one year since Emery found out cancer returned and claimed her life. We had to move back closer to home to where her doctors practice so that she could complete her chemo and radiation treatments again. It was so hard to watch her go through that, knowing how much pain she was in and how much I wish I could’ve taken it all away, but I couldn’t. There was nothing I could’ve done to help her except hold and love her as much as I could. She kept fighting and trying to stay strong, but it seemed the disease took her from me no matter how hard we both fought it. We did get to see another snowfall together. As she watched from our bedroom window, I made a snowman for us like the ones we used to make together. I had a feeling that would be the last time we would both be present for the yearly tradition of building the snowman. Too many memories would tear me apart with that scenario to continue
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“Austin,” Emery yelled once more at her boyfriend, who was always taking forever to get ready. “I have a long drive and you, dear, have to be at work in thirty minutes.” After graduation from nursing, they both passed the mandated state board exam to get their nursing license and landed jobs at a children’s hospital near Lake Erie.“I’m coming.” Austin bounded down the steps of their townhouse and kissed Emery when he reached the bottom. He grew to love her more and more with each passing day and couldn’t wait until the next year when she said they could finally become legally wed. “So,” he wrapped her in a tight hug, “you’ll be careful driving to your doctor’s appointment and promise to tell me everything as soon as you get back, right?”Emery kissed him once more before stepping out of his embrace. “I will, sir.” She saluted him.“I just want to know eve
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Emery didn’t know what to say. They’d talked about this a few times before, but as of lately it hadn’t been mentioned at all. She’d told him last year that she would never get married to leave her husband all alone if cancer ever came back and overtook her. But now that she felt better than ever, she was having a change of mind. “I don’t know what to say.” After a minute delay of him asking and still being on one knee, Emery finally gave him an answer.“I’d like for you to say yes, but that decision isn’t up to me.” Austin stood upright and kept the ring in his hand.“I thought we had talked about this before. You know my reason why. It’s not that I don’t love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I can’t promise you forever.” Emery knew she was only supposed to cry at a time like this out of happiness, and she was happy, but also so confused and upset.
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Emery heard the lock on the door being undone. She quickly covered her and Austin up even more with the additional blanket at the bottom of the bed. A girl stumbled in and relocked the door. She looked as though she’d had a few too many of whatever alcoholic drinks she’d been drinking. With her blonde curls bouncing along, she tried to quietly stumble to her bed. She glanced over at Emery’s side of the room and her eyes went wide when she saw eyes looking back at her.“Hey, sorry if I woke you. I’m Kristy” Emery’s roommate turned on her own lamp. She pointed and squealed when she noticed Austin beside Emery. “You already brought one back. I’m glad to see we’re alike in that way. I was so afraid that I was going to get stuck with some roommate who didn’t like to party and all they ever did was study and be like the biggest nerd on campus.” Kristy’s mouth kept running more than Emery wanted to hear at
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“Do you have everything?” Emery’s mom was helping her carry down some of the stuff that she needed to take to the dormitory. The past three weeks since graduation had passed in a blur. Mrs. Warden was trying hard to control her emotions, but this was the first time her daughter would be away from home for a prolonged time.Emery looked around her room and the suitcases she’d packed. “Yep, I think so.” The main things she would need in her dorm room were already there. The bed, dresser, and desk had all been provided. She just had to bring her own things to put on or in them. Emery noted that her mom had tears in her eyes and was trying hard not to cry. “I’ll miss you too.” She pulled her mom into a hug as they both wept about her leaving.“I guess we better get going.” Mrs. Warden finally let go of Emery after they had their big cry fest. Both their eyes, nose, and cheeks were now red. She grabbed a tiss
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Two days later Austin found out he’d passed his history course with almost a B. He contributed that success to all of Emery’s help with studying. He took her out to dinner for a celebration and also learned that she’d gotten her letter of acceptance into Case Western. Their plans were moving right along and each was excited to get started on the next part of their life and relationship.“Guess this is it.” Austin stood with Emery in their caps and gowns in the designated part of the stadium. It was graduation night and it was going to be a long process with over nine hundred kids in their class. His last name was in the middle and hers was at the end of the alphabet so they had a good while to wait. “Are you happy that you decided to wait this all out?”Emery nodded yes. She was going to just get her diploma in December, but once she and Austin got serious she went ahead with the normal graduation. “Just ner
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“I can’t believe we graduate next week.” Emery tossed her backpack on the floor and sat down in the chair next to Austin.The library was buzzing with seniors as they all tried to get in some last-minute studying before the last exams the next day. Prom had been the week before and the excitement from that had finally dwindled down. Austin had been nominated Prom King and Apryl had been elected as his Queen. Of course, they had to do their couple’s dance together, but Austin made it comical as he held her at a twelve-inch distance away from him at all times. When the song had finally ended he dropped her like a hot potato and went back to Emery’s side.The couple along with Laney and Brandon went to an after-prom party together, but neither couple stayed out until the wee hours. They’d broken the news to their two friends about leaving in June. They seemed genuinely upset, but then announced they were also going to coll
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“Do we really have to go back?” Emery knew she sounded whiny, but they were almost back home and she really didn’t want to go back to their normal life and routine.Austin laughed and pulled her closer to his side. “We have to now, but just think we can leave all of this in another two and half months.” He had to start football camp at Case Western at the end of June. Although it was a long shot, he hoped Emery would be accepted and be ready to go by then.“That’s if I get into school and if my parents don’t throw too much of a fit knowing I’ll be that far away.” She laid her head on Austin’s shoulder and continued to watch the towns fly by.“School isn’t going to be the issue, telling our parents what we’ve decided to do is the problem.” He knew both his mom and dad would probably be disappointed in what he’d chosen, but it was time for Austin to ta
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The bed squeaked as they both collapsed onto it. Austin regained his breath, then rolled off of Emery’s back. She was flattened out, with her arms spread wide and her face buried into the mattress. “Are you okay?” He hoped he hadn’t hurt her. How would he explain that to her parents?Emery gathered enough strength to roll herself over. Austin was laying there in all his naked wonderment, looking at her as if he was sorry for what had happened. “That was awesome.” She slowly crawled up and lay down beside him. Austin pulled the blanket that had fallen to the floor over the both of them. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her as close as he could.“I love you.” Austin kissed the girl who had stolen his heart on the cheek. She made him feel things that no one else had ever done before. Emery had become his life and he couldn’t imagine a day going by that she wasn’t part of it.Instead of repeating the s
