“You?” Eric gestured to Camden. “Babe, I heart you!” he declared, swinging his arm around her shoulder and leading her inside.
“If only you were straight,” she teased. “You hunky, hunky, McDreamy, you!” She reached up and ruffled his hair, which was no small feat, as he towered above her.
Eric noticed her happy mood solemnify as they entered the hospital. When they reached the oncology ward, Eric was shocked when Camden slapped herself in the head.
“What the hell was THAT for?!” he shouted.
“I remembered.”
“Remembered what?” he asked, thoroughly confused.
“A girl from school loaned me some book to read. I meant to bring it to read instead of my e-reader.”
Eric shrugged his shoulder and grabbed Camden’s hand. As he led her down the hall to check-in at the nurses’ station, he replied. “I promised I’d go home to get whatever you forgot. Just let me get you settled, and then I’ll run home.”
“Thank you so much, Eric.” Camden threw her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly. She felt so emotional today. Facing your mortality was exhausting.
Eric held Camden in his arms for several minutes, relishing the feel of her. He may not feel anything toward her romantically, but he was scared to death that he was going to lose her. He’d been trying to keep a brave face, and he had avoided any troublesome topics. Those included, but were not limited to Shane, Camden’s family, Shane, the camping weekend, Shane, etc. Basically, Eric was avoiding the mention of anything having to with the Shepherd family or with Shane. It was the least that they had ever been mentioned in all the time Eric knew Camden. Even when she had cut her family out of her life before, she talked about them constantly. Eric feared that emotionally, Camden was hurting far more than she would admit. If only he could convince her to let her family be there for her. But how could he when he couldn’t even bring himself to mention them? Eric sighed before releasing Camden once again, and leading her straight to the nurse’s station.
"We have an appointment with Dr. Stevens in ten minutes.” Eric smiled at the nurse, and she blushed bright red.
“Fill these out, and Dr. Stevens will be with you momentarily.” The nurse handed him a clip board. Her eyes shifted quickly between Camden and Eric before she began fluttering her eyelashes in Eric’s direction. “I hope your sister gets well soon,” she said sweetly. A little too sweetly according to Eric’s judgment.
“Oh, she’s not my sister,” Eric corrected the nurse. He didn’t miss the snarl on her face when she looked back at Camden. What a bitch! Eric thought. “She’s my fiancée, Adrienne,” he said, reading her name badge. He pulled a distracted Camden (who had missed the whole exchange) to his side. “Once we kick cancer’s butt, I’m going to make an honest woman out of her.” Eric kissed Camden’s forehead, trying to drive home the point. He grabbed Camden’s elbow and led her to the waiting room chairs.
"Since when did you switch teams?” She giggled. Eric was glad his pain at least caused her good mood to return. He couldn’t handle the mood swings caused by her despair. He knew fighting cancer was hard from personal experience, but he could imagine the anger he would feel if it came back more aggressive than before.
“Since the bitch nurse started giving my best friend death glares. I didn’t like the odds of her thinking you were competition.”
“So you let her KNOW that I was?!?!” Camden shrieked in laughter.
"I let her KNOW,” Eric emphasized, “that she didn’t have a chance in hell. If she gives up before she even starts trying, I don’t have to worry about her spiking your chemo,” he defended.
"With what? Poison?” Her sarcasm was beyond obvious, but she continued to mock him. "Oh excuse me while I put some poison into your poison cocktail.” She began giggling again, and Eric couldn’t help but smile.
Thirty minutes later, Eric found the incessant teasing to be grating on his nerves. Dr. Stevens’ nurse (not Adrienne, thankfully) had called them into a small room and had taken Camden’s blood and urine samples. Even though it was her first round of chemo, the oncology team wanted to have her white cell count, along with a few other markers, on file. When the door to the room opened to reveal Dr. Stevens, Eric exhaled audibly in relief. He hoped Dr. Stevens didn’t think that was relief at seeing him specifically. It was just that finally there was a third party to distract Camden from teasing him.
Dr. Stevens looked at the clipboard in his hand, flipping through a few pages as he scanned the text of each. He looked Camden straight in the eyes, and a serious expression graced his face. He cleared his throat.
"We are still waiting on the results of the blood culture, Miss Shepherd, but the results from your urinalysis have come back, and I have news that will affect your treatment.”
***
Chapter 13
“WHAT?!?!?!” Eric’s bellow could be heard throughout the corridors of the oncology ward. “How the hell did that happen?!?!”
Camden glared at Eric and turned to Dr. Stevens. “Are you sure?”
"One hundred percent, certain, Miss Shepherd. This changes things.” He paused to look at a livid Eric, and then returned his gaze to a conflicted Camden before continuing.
“You are pregnant. If we continue with today’s planned chemotherapy session…”
“We are DEFINITELY continuing chemo, Dr. Stevens,” Eric interjected. Dr. Stevens cut his eyes at Eric, and spoke again.
"As I was saying, the chemotherapy combination scheduled to be used today would most certainly cause you to have a miscarriage. I assume this pregnancy is unplanned?” The stern look he sent to Eric indicated he wanted a response from Camden.
“Totally unplanned,” she whispered. Camden’s mind was swirling. She reached to grab Eric’s hand for support, but he yanked it angrily from her grip.
“We can still treat the cancer Camden. How we do that is your choice.” Dr. Stevens nodded at her with compassion in his gaze. “If you want to keep the baby, you’ll go home today and get some rest. We’ll meet back here Thursday to discuss the treatment options available in your condition, and then we can start treatment next Monday. I still want to start as soon as possible, given the aggressive nature of the relapse.”
“And the other choice?” Eric spit the words out bitterly.
“The other choice would be to continue treatment as planned, starting with her chemotherapy session today. As I said, this plan would result in the loss of the fetus.” While his voice was gentle, the words still caused Camden to flinch.
"We’ll start today,” Eric stated emphatically at the same time Camden softly said, “We’ll see you Thursday.”
“Excuse me?!?!” Eric stood rapidly and turned to face a shocked Camden. “You are going to keep it?!?!?! What about hope? What about kicking cancer’s ass???”
“It’s a part of Shane,” she whispered.
Eric glared at Dr. Stevens. “Do you mind giving us a little privacy? We’ll be out in a minute to start Camden’s treatment.” Eric’s look brooked no argument, and Dr. Stevens quietly exited the room. As soon as Eric turned around, Camden’s face transformed into one of fury.
“What is wrong with you?!?” she demanded.
“You are ready to throw your life away for this….this little zygote!” he yelled.
Tears started to stream down Camden’s cheeks, and Eric felt a momentary pang of guilt, but there was no way he was going to risk losing her because of some baby not even born yet.
"This little…..zygote…”Camden choked on the word, “is a part of me and Shane. I cannot even think of doing what you are suggesting.”
“Do you even know that it’s Shane’s?” Eric demanded.
Camden felt like she had been slapped. “What?!?!” Eric blanched at her tone. “I have been with only two people in my life, one of which was three years ago, so EXCUSE me if he is not on my list of possible fathers!”
Eric knew he had crossed a line. While Camden may have had the opportunity to
date in the last couple of years, she never kept secrets from him. He would have known if there had been any other man in her life. The anger drained from Eric as quickly as it had attacked him.
“Camden,” he started, stepping hesitantly in her direction. Camden stiffened as Eric reached for her hand. Eric lowered his head in shame.
“Camicake,” he started again. “I know better. I shouldn’t have said that.” His watery eyes peered into hers, pleading. “I’m just so scared to lose my best friend. I’m trying to be strong for you, but what if the treatment they give you, while protecting the baby,” he paused, gesturing at her flat stomach. His breath hitched when he placed his hand gently on her stomach. “What if it saves the baby, but I lose you?” A single tear slid down his face.
Camden pulled Eric close, and wrapped her arms around his middle. She inhaled his comforting woodsy scent, and squeezed him as closely as she could.
“Eric,” she begged. “You may not be happy with my decision, but there is no question. I am keeping this baby. I’ve only known about it for fifteen minutes, but already I love it.” She stepped back and lifted her lips in a small smile.
“I’m going to be a mommy,” she whispered. “Can you stick with me through this, Uncle Eric?”
Eric nodded his head vigorously. “Anything for you, baby.” He hugged her once more before opening the door to get Doctor Stevens.
***
Two hours later, Eric and Camden were snuggled once again on the living room couch watching television. Eric chuckled at Camden. She was glued to the show on the TV, a half-hour comedy geared toward kids and tweens. She was going to be the best mom ever.
It had only taken Eric thirty minutes to decide that he and Camden were going to approach her cancer battle as if they knew she would come through it unscathed. He was ready to be there for her and for the baby she was carrying. There was one thing bothering him, though, and he knew it needed to be addressed. He reached for the remote and paused the show.
"Hey!” Camden protested.
“Baby, we still need to talk about some stuff.”
"I know,” she whined. “I kind of wanted a day to let everything settle in my mind, though.”
Eric ran a hand gently through her blonde strands before bringing his fingers to rest under her chin. Tipping up her face, he met her worried gaze.
“What about your family, sweetie?”
Camden’s shoulders slumped, and her intense green eyes moistened once again. Since they had left the hospital, her family was all she had thought about. She knew her chances were already slim that she would survive this cancer relapse. That had been the main factor in her decision to see her family one more time at their annual camping weekend. Camden couldn’t deny that she was even more worried about her chances of survival now. If her treatment wasn’t as aggressive as Dr. Stevens had originally planned, her baby may not have a mother alive to raise it.
“I have to tell them,” she stated. “If anything happens to me….” She trailed off, unable to finish the thought out loud.
“When do you pl…”
“This weekend,” she interjected. Eric was surprised that she was planning to inform her family so quickly. She must have been less distracted by the television than he had believed. She must have been obsessing over these difficult decisions.
“And Shane?” Her gaze locked with his, tears filling them to the brim, but none escaping just yet.
“After I tell my parents’ and Brody, I’ll tell Shane. I’m not going to tell my family who the father is at first, though.”
Eric shook his head in disagreement. “Camden, do you think that is wise? They’re going to think it’s me.”
“Would that be so bad, Eric? Brody will KILL Shane!”
“Shane deserves to know he’s going to be a father. The sooner the better,” Eric argued.
"And I’m going to tell him!” she protested. “I just wasn’t planning to tell him this weekend.” Her eyes were full of guilt, and she lowered her head in shame.
“Why?” Eric asked gently. He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his blue-gray orbs.
“I can’t,” she whispered, the tears she had held back finally flowing freely down her face.
“Why, baby?” Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his chest.
“You’ve seen me when I go through chemo. It’s not pretty,” she chuckled darkly. “I can’t let Shane see me like that.”
“Oh, Camden,” Eric murmured and kissed her forehead.
“You are beautiful even in the midst of chemotherapy. Yes, I have seen you emaciated and gaunt. I’ve seen you without hair. I’ve seen you sweaty with fever and pained with nausea from the chemo. Yes, I’ve seen you at your worst, but you were always the most beautiful girl I had ever seen…inside and out.”
“What if he is angry with me, Eric? What if he doesn’t want our baby?”
Eric didn’t want to make empty promises. He had only met Shane once, and they hadn’t exactly had a heart-to-heart. He had no idea how Shane would react.
"If he doesn’t, Camden, then that is his loss.” He pressed his lips to her brow again. “But if he doesn’t,” he continued, “you will still have me. I can be Daddy Eric instead of Uncle Eric.” He smirked at her.
Camden giggled at the thought, and Eric puffed his chest in pride that he had brought her beautiful smile back to her lips. It may have been a small one, but he had been the one to put it there, which was no small feat these days.
“I’ll let you be daddy, as long as I can get my needs met elsewhere.”
Eric winked at her. “We can bring another man into our bedroom anytime you want, Camicake.”
“Ewww!” Camden tossed a throw-pillow into Eric’s face. “Thanks for the image that will PERMANENTLY be burnt into my brain!!!” she yelled.
Eric laughed. “You know you want me!”
“Yeah, Eric. I’m really a stalker. You just don’t know it. My grand plan is to make you raise another man’s baby and turn straight.”
She giggled again, and Eric thought to himself that the he and Camden were going to be alright after all. Cancer was going down.
“So, Friday?” he asked, knowing she would understand.
“Friday,” she confirmed. “We can leave as soon as you get off work.”
“You’re in luck. I’m off all weekend.”
Eric smiled encouragingly at Camden’s worried gaze.
"Come here.” He snuggled against her once again, grabbed the remote, and the two lost themselves in Camden’s kid show. Yep, Eric thought, smiling at Camden’s focused expression. She’s going to be the best mom ever. And Eric was going to make sure she was around for just that.
***
Chapter 14
Stella stepped warily into the dark bar. Usually, the place was pretty packed on Friday nights, but the pub was practically empty. Stella braced herself for an uncomfortable evening with Tiffany and her boyfriend. Stella’s stomach flip-flopped in distress. Her gaze scanned the empty bar, finally coming to rest on the attractive couple in the corner. She rearranged her frown into what she hoped passed for a pleasant expression and crossed the floor to her personal nightmare.
Sliding into the empty side of the booth, Stella cringed at Tiffany’s naughty laughter, while Brody whispered something intimate into Tiffany’s ear.
“What is with the music?” Stella commented, feeling no guilt for interrupting their private moment. This relationship’s length was a record for Tiffany. Stella couldn’t believe Tiffany had stayed with the same guy for almost four months. Too bad that guy was Brody Shepherd.
Brody hardly spared Stella a glance as he answered. “Shane’s in a funk tonight. It’s worse than usual.” He played with one of Tiffany’s blonde curls and forced himself to focus on his girlfriend.
Stella never would have guessed that his heart sped when she approached the booth, or that he had a disturbing sense of fondness for her when she showed concern for Shane. Stella
was a smart girl, and he knew it hadn’t slipped her notice that something was bothering Shane since the camping trip.
Brody finally looked up to see Stella’s concerned expression. God, he wished sometimes that he was a better man. A man that deserved someone as amazing as Stella.
“Should someone tell him that his current playlist is going to put him out of business?” Stella tried to lighten the mood and rolled her eyes playfully. Her playful expression transformed into one of concern as Gary Jules’ cover of Mad World transitioned into The Smiths’ Asleep.
“Seriously,” Tiffany whined. “I am so over this mood of his.” She turned to Brody. “I know he’s your best friend or something, but can’t we go somewhere more fun tonight? We can come back when he’s ready to have a good time. He's kind of a mood killer these days.”
At that moment, the trio heard the crash of something from the kitchen. Javier came stomping out, cursing in Spanish, and heading toward Brody.
"Man, if somebody doesn’t do something fast, that bitch is going to sink her claws into him!”
“What bitch?” Tiffany asked, at the same time Stella said, “Sink her claws into whom?”
Javier sighed and ran his hands through his dark locks in frustration.
“Melia, the waitress that is SUPPOSED to be serving you tonight.” He growled in frustration. “Instead, her blood-thirsty instincts know something is depressing Shane, and she’s set to pounce.”
"Blood-thirsty instincts?” Stella’s laugh was musical. “Any idiot could spend thirty seconds in this bar and know something was up with Shane.”
As if conjured by magic at the mention of his name, Shane came stumbling out of the kitchen at that exact moment. While he was a pro at handling his liquor, it was obvious that he was slightly inebriated and on his way to completely shit-faced. A mere two paces behind him was a cute little brunette spitfire.
“Let me make it better, Shaney. You and me could be good together.” Javier's, Stella's, and Brody’s faces met each other, disgust mirrored in each expression. Tiffany was in her own little world, texting someone and giggling, as if a train wreck wasn't occurring mere yards from them.
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