The Only Things You Can Take (Wildflower Romance #2)

by Stacy Claflin

  Anchor smiles, finally looking relaxed. “It can, if you want it to.”

  “I always want ice cream.”

  I take a deep breath, struggling to decide how to work the question. Finally, I just spit it out. “If you could have any wish come true, what would it be?”

  She tilts her head. “Any wish?”

  “Anything in the world.”

  “Um…” She scrunches her face, looking deep in thought. “Anything?”

  “Yes. There is no limit other than your imagination.”

  She twists her face in several different ways before answering. “I want you and Daddy to get married.”

  Anchor and I exchange a surprised look. Then I take Kady’s hand. “Sweetie, I’m asking about something for you. Like a vacation or meeting an actor.”

  “But that’s really what I want. Us as a family.”

  “We’re already a family.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  Anchor leans over. “You mean officially.”

  Kady nods. “And with a wedding, where Mommy gets to dress up like a princess. She’ll be the prettiest one there ever was.”

  My voice hitches. I hold up my engagement ring. “I… we’re already planning on getting married. What’s something you want just for you?”

  “To dress up like a princess with you!”

  “You can do that. Is there somewhere special you want to go? A vacation? Meeting someone?”

  Kady shrugs.

  Tears sting my eyes. “Isn’t there anywhere you want to visit?”

  “Um…” She looks deep in thought.

  Anchor offers some theme parks as ideas. “Or the pyramids of Egypt? What about the Eiffel Tower? The London Bridge? What else is there? I’m drawing a blank.”

  Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything else either.

  Then Kady’s expression lights up. “I know!”

  “What, sweetie?” Anchor pulls her into his lap and kisses her cheek.

  “Can I meet Sparkles?”

  Anchor and I exchange a worried look. How can we get her to meet a cartoon character?

  “They’re making the movie. Can I go there?” Kady clasps her hands together.

  That’s at least more realistic than meeting a cartoon unicorn. Anchor appears as relieved as I feel.

  I scoot closer. “I’ll find out.”

  Her mouth drops open. “Really?”

  “I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll see if it’s possible. It might be.”

  “Yay!” Kady snuggles against Anchor.

  I lean against them and wrap my arm around Kady, a wave of mixed emotions running through me. Heartbreak for the certain future. Happiness over Kady’s excitement—assuming the agency can pull off a trip to the movie studio. Uncertainty about the engagement, especially now with Kady wanting to experience the wedding herself.

  Anchor

  The next month or so goes by in a blur of hospital visits and decisions. Kady potentially qualifies for two or three trials. The doctor has been bringing up that place in Mexico that offers treatment for kids. They manage to extend the life of some kids, but from what Sutton and I have gathered, it isn’t by much. Months, most likely. A year, if we’re lucky.

  If we take her there, we take her away from all three sets of grandparents. And they all want to spend as much time with her as possible. She’s still doing pretty good. A lot of the kids with the disease that we’ve found with online searches are bedridden. Kady’s still running around and playing, though not with the amount of stability she once had. Plus, she tires easily and wears herself out fighting the treatments at the hospital. Not that I blame her. There’s a mask she has to wear that looks like it’s straight out of an eighties’ horror flick.

  We also try not to take her out too often. The steroids have made her cheeks stick out even more, and other kids notice and stare. Some even point it out or ask what’s wrong with her. Why can’t anyone consider her feelings?

  Sutton and I keep everyone outside of the immediate families updated through social media. We were encouraged to start a group to keep the updates in one place for everyone. Tens of thousands have joined the group to offer support. Gifts and cards arrive daily. More than we could possibly open.

  “Anchor?” Sutton’s voice brings me back to the present. We’re sitting on her bed, waiting for Kady to wake up from her nap in her bedroom one room over.

  I shake my head and focus on her. “Yeah?”

  “That was the agency.” She glances down at her phone in her lap.

  “And?”

  “Everything is set up. Kady gets to go to the set, have a tour, and even act out a scene if she’s up to it.” Sutton’s eyes shine with tears. “They’ve also arranged some other things for us to do during the trip, and we get to stay at a beach house that someone from the online group donated for our use.”

  “That’s really nice.” I clear my throat.

  Silence rests between us, the unspoken words practically screaming between us. This will be a trip of a lifetime, but we’d both do anything for it to be taken away. For Kady to have her old life back. The future we dreamed about before DIPG ripped it away from us.

  Knock, knock.

  “Come in.” Sutton doesn’t even look up. She’s been staring at a framed photo of Kady at her birthday party, dancing in her tutu. The beloved tutu that hasn’t been touched in weeks because it’s only a reminder that she can’t dance anymore.

  Rori comes in and sits on the edge of the bed. Her eyes are red. She’s been crying. We all have. Red eyes and sad smiles are the calling card of this extended family of ours. “I just got off the phone with Rogan. He and Kenna want to know if Kady wants to join them on stage at a concert. You can join them if you want.”

  I turn to Sutton. “What do you think?”

  She sniffles. “We just got the dates for the movie set. It’ll have to be before or after that.”

  Rori puts a hand on Sutton’s arm. “I’m sure it’ll all work out. Don’t worry about the logistics, sweetie.”

  Sutton leans against me and shakes. Every time she cries, it rips me apart. I struggle to keep my composure as I wrap my arm around her.

  Sutton’s mom leans over. “I don’t mean to put any extra pressure on you, but Kady was asking me about the wedding again.”

  I stiffen but try to relax. The topic has become somewhat of a sore topic. Not that Sutton and I are arguing, but I know how much she doesn’t want it right now. Not that I entirely blame her. I don’t want to think about a big celebration at a time like this. On the other hand, it’s something that Kady wants with all of her heart, and there isn’t much time for her to see it come to fruition.

  “You can wear one of my wedding dresses,” Rori says. “Either the one from when I married your dad or my recent one when I married Hank. I’d be proud to see you in either. Or you and Kady can pick out something together—my treat.”

  Sutton sits up. “Thanks, Mom. It’s a lot to think about right now. I mean planning a wedding takes a year, maybe more.”

  “Doesn’t have to. We can have it here in the backyard. Hank’s brother is a pastor, remember? He said he’d perform it, any day you wish. Even a Sunday morning. He’ll find a guest preacher for church. We can make it happen before Kady’s trip.”

  A phone rings. Rori pulls hers out and looks at the screen. “Sorry, I have to take this. Think about the wedding. It’ll make Kady so happy, and we already know you two are meant to be together forever.” She hurries out of the room, answering the call.

  “Don’t feel pressured.” I squeeze Sutton’s shoulder.

  She looks at me, her eyes empty. “It’s not that I don’t want to marry you.” She plays with the engagement ring. “The day you proposed was one of the happiest I’ve ever had.”

  I kiss her cheek. “Same for me.”

  Sutton holds my gaze. “Are you okay with a shotgun wedding?”

  “I’m okay with whatever you want. If you want to wait until li
fe doesn’t suck, I understand. If you want to have a wedding to make Kady happy, I’m happy with that. Like your mom said, we’re meant to be together. Look at how much we’ve been through already, and it hasn’t ripped us apart. We’re going to need each other more than ever before too long. Whether we’re married or not, I’m here for you, Sutton. We’ll get through this together. Life always goes on no matter what—we know that. And if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that I’ll be here for you.”

  She leans against me and sobs. I rub her back and try not to soak her hair with my own tears.

  I fail miserably.

  Eventually, Sutton sits up and rubs her eyes. “Shouldn’t Kady have woken from her nap by now?”

  “Her body needs the rest.” Even though she’s at the age where she should be napping less, she’s now sleeping more than she has in a long time. Everything wears her out—the treatments, the tumor, everything.

  Sutton’s eyes widen. “What if she’s d—”

  “Don’t say it.” I press my finger against her mouth. “Don’t say it.”

  She leaps from the bed and races for the door. I run after her, but don’t reach her side until she’s in Kady’s room, at her bedside.

  Kady is snoring softly with a stuffed Sparkles in her arms and another next to her. Thanks to online gifters, Kady has every Sparkles toy ever made in duplicate, plus some handmade ones.

  I kneel next to Sutton. “See? She’s fine.”

  Sutton rests her head on the mattress. “She’s never going to be fine again.”

  I frown. “You know what I mean.”

  Kady rolls over and opens her eyes. “Mommy, Daddy.” She struggles to sit up, so I climb onto the bed and help her.

  “Did you sleep well?” Sutton joins us on the bed.

  Kady rubs her eyes. “Yeah. I have a headache, though.”

  Sutton glances at the time. “We can get you some more medicine soon, sweetie.”

  “Okay, Mommy.” Kady grimaces, obviously in pain but always putting on the brave face.

  We all put on the brave face for each other. And I hate that we have to.

  Sutton pulls Kady onto her lap. “We have some good news.”

  “You do?” Kady turns to look at her. “What is it?”

  “We get to see the Sparkles movie being made.”

  Kady shrieks, but then grabs her head. “We get to go?”

  Sutton nods. “And before we go, Daddy and I are going to get married.”

  “You are?” Kady turns to me, wide-eyed. “Really?”

  I look at Sutton, surprised. She nods, so then I nod at Kady. “We are.”

  “When?” Kady asks. “Where? Can I be the flower princess?”

  Sutton kisses her cheek. “You can be whatever you want to be.”

  “What about dresses?”

  “We’ll pick some out. But we can’t let Daddy see. They have to be a surprise.”

  I lift an eyebrow. “Oh, now the groom can’t see the flower princess dress either?”

  Sutton actually smiles. “Nope, not a chance.”

  Anchor

  My heart thunders in my chest, threatening to burst through my tuxedo. I swallow and adjust my tie. Actually, it was one of Kade’s. His parents wanted me to wear it, and I couldn’t say no. It seems kind of fitting since none of us would be here without him, and it’s kind of a way for him to be with us.

  Warm sunlight streams through the tree branches. Birds sing from one of the trees acting as a canopy for the ceremony. A light murmur of conversation sounds from the fifty filled seats in front of me.

  Lincoln nudges me. “You’re going to be fine.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  He chuckles. “Yeah, actually.”

  Soft, cheerful music starts. Rogan and his band stand just off to the side to play all the day’s music for us.

  Kady appears in a sparkly white dress and a small tiara in her hair, holding a basket of flower petals. They’re a mixture of white and blue petals. The blue ones I recognize from Kade’s yard. He’d originally planted them so he could give them to Sutton every time one bloomed. He had been so excited, sure she’d love them.

  Kady gives me a wide grin when she sees me, then she walks down the aisle. Her stride is crooked, but she corrects herself and reaches into the basket and drops a handful of petals onto the grass. Then after a few more steps, she repeats the process until she reaches the small platform and walks underneath the canopy of flowers and vines—again, more of Kade’s blue flowers.

  It hits me like a punch in the gut how much I miss him. Surrounded by people in the backyard, I may as well be all alone.

  Then Sutton appears. The music fades between songs and the birds sing louder. Sutton takes my breath away in the long, flowing dress and crown with a transparent veil flowing over her hair, which is partly up and partly cascading down over her shoulders. Her bouquet is a mixture of white flowers mixed with some blue ones interspersed. Her face lights up with a smile when our gazes meet.

  Everyone rises, then the band plays one of their most popular love songs.

  Sutton then walks down the aisle with the grace of an angel. She winks at Kady, then returns her gaze to me. The aisle feels miles long as I wait for the world’s most beautiful woman to reach the platform. She finally does, and the ceremony goes by in a blur. I’m surprised I have the wherewithal to repeat my vows to her and slide the ring on her finger.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!”

  The band plays a soft romantic tune and I stare into Sutton’s eyes, hardly able to believe we’re husband and wife. I want to savor this moment.

  “Kiss her, Daddy!” Kady steps closer to us.

  Laughter sounds from the crowd.

  I cup Sutton’s beautiful face with my palms and press my lips on hers. She closes her eyes and kisses me with her sweet mouth. Just as I’m about to close my eyes, some flowers float down from the tree. They’re blue. I watch them for just a moment, knowing that Kade is with us, then I close my eyes.

  The audience breaks into applause, then almost as quickly as the kiss began, it’s over. Kady grabs our hands and pulls us toward the aisle. The three of us walk down together as a family.

  Sutton leans close. “Did you see those blue flowers come down from the tree?”

  I nod. “I thought your eyes were closed.”

  “I peeked.” She squeezes my hand. “I had to look at my husband. And it felt like Kade was smiling down on us.”

  “That was exactly what I thought.”

  The rest of the afternoon goes by in a perfect blur of activity. I dance with my new wife and Kady, and also two mother-son dances—one with my mom and another with Kade’s. It’s fitting on many levels. Sutton dances with me, Kady, Hank, and Kade’s dad. We eat and enjoy the day with fifty of our closest friends and family. I’m sure Sutton notices the absence of her dad and his family, but she doesn’t say anything. I wish I could say I’m surprised at this, but considering he hasn’t offered a bit of support over Kady’s illness, nothing surprises me. Not that I don’t want to give him an earful.

  We cut the tiered cake made by Miss Alice and feed it to each other, then share some with Kady. Then we dance and eat more before my mom taps my shoulder. “The limo is here.”

  My stomach knots. The limo is going to take us to the airport so we can visit the set of the Sparkles movie tomorrow. I can’t think about going there without thinking about why we get to take her. Kady’s thrilled, of course, but she also doesn’t grasp the severity of the situation. That her “owie” isn’t going away. It’s going to take her away from us forever.

  Our loved ones toss flower petals at us and call out well wishes as we make our way into the limo.

  Kady gushes at the inside. “Look at this car! It’s like a room!”

  Sutton and I exchange a smile, then Lincoln pokes his head in. “I gave the driver the suitcases and bags that were in the hall. Is there anything else you need?”r />
  I give my brother a hug. “That’s it. Thanks for all your help today.”

  He squeezes me. “Glad to help! I hope you guys have the trip of a lifetime.”

  “Me too.” We exchange a knowing glance before he ducks out.

  Sutton helps Kady to stand through the sunroof, and I join them. We wave and blow kisses as the limo takes us away.

  Once back inside, Kady plops on a seat. “Are we really going to the movie?”

  Sutton sits next to her. “We are, although it might not look like being in a movie.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She explains what a movie set is like while I pour some drinks and bring out snacks. We all tap our glasses and say cheers. Sutton and I enjoy a little champagne and Kady gulps down sparkling cider.

  We arrive at the airport, and people gush over us.

  Kady giggles. “I feel like a princess.”

  I scoop her up and swing her around. “That’s because you are!”

  She giggles some more and squeezes the small plush Sparkles we brought for her to hold on the plane. We take our time, stopping at gift shops and looking at artwork. Then Kady presses her face against the large window and watches the planes come and go.

  Sutton takes my hand. “Can you believe we’re married?”

  I pull her close and kiss her deeply, not caring that we’re surrounded by travelers. It’s our wedding day and we’re still dressed up. Let them watch me kiss the woman I love. My wife. My bride.

  She smiles when I pull away. “I didn’t expect that!”

  “No?” This time I dip her as I kiss her.

  A few people clap and whistle.

  Then we sit near where Kady is still pressed against the window and watch birds fly around outside while there’s a lull in planes.

  Eventually, we make it onto the plane. Before we make it to our seats, the pilot offers to let Kady “fly” the plane. He shows her around the cockpit and lets her sit in his seat and push a few buttons. She squeals and thanks him.

  Sutton and I both get a bunch of pictures. We always took pictures before, but now we take so many pictures of everything. She already posted them on social media before we have our seatbelts on.