Cael stepped off the elevator, walking briskly down the hall toward Cindy’s room. His hand was clutched around a special scarf that he hoped she would like. He moved to the prep station, washing his hands and donning a paper gown and mask. Standing outside her door for a moment, he hesitated, swallowing deeply. Clearing the fear from his face, he knocked and entered.

The shock of seeing his niece, so different than she was mere days ago, caused his feet to stumble and he was thankful for the mask hiding half of his face. Her tiny body was buried under blankets. Dark circles underneath her eyes stood out in stark relief to her pale complexion. She had a light pink scarf tied around her head and the reality of her situation gripped his heart in a vise.

“Uncle Cael,” she smiled.

“Hey, Beautiful Cindy-Loo,” he called out, continuing into the room, dropping a kiss on Kathy’s head before leaning down to kiss Cindy’s cheek.

“Sweetie, I think Uncle Cael brought you something.”

She looked from her mother to him and grinned as he lifted his hand, holding a cute, stretchy turban covered in Disney princesses. She immediately reached for it, saying, “Mommy, put it on me.”

Kathy unwound the scarf, baring Cindy’s tiny, bald head. Keeping hold of his niece’s hand, he squeezed it in comfort, blinking at the stinging in his eyes. Kathy slipped the perfectly fitting turban over her head and handed her a mirror. Cindy squealed in delight, turning her head back and forth as she called out each princess’ name.

Kathy mouthed Thank You, but he waved her thanks away. Tom came in and expressed delight as Cindy showed off her new headdress to her dad.

“I wasn’t sure what size to get,” he admitted, “so I’m glad you like it. There are others I’ll get as well.”

Cindy looked up at him, her smile slipping slightly. “Mommy,” she turned to Kathy, “will I be bald for a long time?”

The three adults hesitated before Kathy, sitting on the bed with Cindy, kissed her and said, “I don’t know, baby. But, we’ll make sure you have fun hats for as long as you need them.”

Satisfied with that answer, she snuggled down under the covers once more as Cael sat nearby and pulled out his book.

“I want the Velveteen Rabbit, Uncle Cael. I want to hear about how he was loved.”

Nodding at Kathy and Tom who were going downstairs to the cafeteria, he reached over and placed his large hand on Cindy’s tiny one, rubbing it gently as he began to read.

“There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws, the effect was charming.”

Cindy smiled, her hand searching the bed through her various stuffed animals until coming upon the rabbit. Pulling it in close, she nodded for him to continue. As he read, he hesitated when he reached a certain part, stumbling over the words, having forgotten how the story took a sad turn.

“‘Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real….

“‘Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off…But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.’” 

Her wide eyes stared back at him, as she asked, “Is that what happened to me? My hair was loved off?”

Wishing Kathy had returned to answer Cindy’s difficult questions, he sighed heavily. “Sort of,” he improvised. “Some of the medicine you take makes you lose your hair, but you take the medicine because we love you so much and want you to get better. So, in a way, because you are so loved, your hair is loved off.”

She appeared to ponder his response before settling back into the bed and he wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans.

As he finished the story, he observed her eyes were closed and her breathing slow and even.

“When the Fairy kissed him that last time, she had changed him altogether…He was a Real rabbit at last, at home with the other rabbits.”

Swallowing hard, tears pricked his eyes and before he was able to stop it, one fell down his cheeks landing on his chest.

Sitting on the same red leather sofa in the lobby as the night before, Regina waited, but as the minutes ticked by, her heart began to sink. Fifteen minutes after five o’clock. She wiped imaginary lint from her dark pink blouse, once more ignoring the looks from other men as they walked by. The lobby was busy as guests moved between the elevators to the reception desk to the restaurant. Twenty minutes late. The tantalizing scents from the restaurant wafted by. Twenty-five minutes late.

Dropping her chin to her chest, she vowed that at five-thirty she would leave. It was a good run. A good time. Sighing, she repeated silently, no names and no regrets. But, she knew she had failed the second one. Hearing the large clock in the lobby chime the half-hour, she stood, slinging her purse onto her shoulder. Walking briskly to the door, she moved through it and onto the street. Turning to the right, she was determined to go to the park, even if it did bring back some memories. Crossing the street, she just made it to the entrance when she heard someone shout, “Red!”

Heart pounding, she turned and saw Titan jogging toward her.

Cael knew he was running late. Kathy and Tom ended up speaking to Cindy’s oncologist as they came back from their dinner. He had been glad for them to have the time but, at the same time, he had no way to contact Red. He had just turned the corner to enter the hotel lobby when he saw her crossing the street heading to the park. Taking off running, he called out her name, hoping she could hear him.

As he neared, he observed her face shining in the evening light, her lips curving into a smile as she recognized him. Stunned at the track of wet tears on her cheeks, he braced as she took off running toward him, jumping at the last second. He caught her easily and, holding her familiar body close, kissed her as she cupped his cheeks.

Regina did not know what was different, but his kiss seemed to pour his soul into her. Leaning back, she peered at him. “Are you okay?”

Nodding, he replied, “I got held up at the hospital.”

“Your friend?”

“Uh…yeah.” With her still in his arms, he said, “You want to get some food before we go back to the hotel?”

“Of course,” she said with a smile. He started walking and she laughed. “Do you want to put me down?”

“Nope.”

Still grinning, she wiggled and he slowly set her feet onto the ground. They linked hands and walked to a little Italian restaurant down the street. Sitting at a checkered-cloth table near the front window, they sipped their wine and dined on pasta and shrimp.

At one point, she looked over and noticed him staring at her, a strange expression on his face. Tilting her head to the side, she said, “Hey, whatcha thinking?”

His hand reached out, touching her hair and he said, “Your hair was the first thing I noticed at the bar the night we met.”

She smiled and explained, “My grandmother had reddish hair. My father did too, but he lost his early.”

At the thought of losing hair, Cael blinked, his smile faltering. Recovering, he said, “It’s beautiful.”

That night at the hotel, Red lay under him, his weight resting on his muscular forearms as he moved in and out of her tight, slick sex. Slowly. Deliberately. His hands cupped her head and he rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. Kissing her, his tongue moved in time with his hips, thrusting in long, lazy strokes.

The friction built and Regina wrapped her legs around his waist, wanting to hold him as close as possible. Her body tightened and she fell over the edge. He came soon after, both of them gasping at the emotions that rocked them. He rolled to the side, taking her with him and pulling the covers up to keep them cocooned in warmth, holding her tight as they slept.

Determined to not be late, Cael raced through traffic to get to the hotel. This was officially the last night that he and Red had planned on seeing each other, but his heart wanted more. Tonight’s the night…I’ll ask her for her name.

Walking into the lobby, he made a beeline for the red sofa, not seeing her but knowing he was the one who was early for once. Sitting, he realized how nerve-racking it was being the one waiting. Grateful when she entered, he grinned at her wide-eyed surprise. Standing to kiss her, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Apologizing, he looked down at the screen and saw a text from his sister. Can you come? Cindy’s having a bad night and is asking for you.

Dragging his hand through his hair, he looked into Red’s face. “Jesus, babe, I’m so sorry, but I’m needed at the hospital.”

Concerned, she gushed, “Of course. Absolutely, you must go.”

“Come with me,” he said, impulsively.

Stunned, she shook her head as she stared into his pleading eyes. “But, I…we…”

“Please, come with me.”

The urgency with which he said those four words left Regina nodding before she consciously made the decision to go. Uncertain about the wisdom of her choice, she knew she wanted to be with him. He needed her, and she wanted to be there for him. Watching him visibly relax, she linked fingers with him and said, “Let’s go.”

He sent a quick text but they spoke very little on the way to the hospital. When they turned into the Children’s Hospital, she stared, surprised. As they entered, he walked her to the reception desk to receive her visitor’s badge.

Turning toward her, he confessed, “It’s my niece. She’s getting treatments here. I try to see her everyday but some days are better than others.” As they approached the hall, he said, “We have to get scrubbed here. I’ll let my sister know you’re here before we go in. I’m sure she would like to meet you.”

“No, I can just stay here—”

“I’d like you with me.” Cael squeezed Red’s hand, hoping she could feel how much he needed her. Smiling as she nodded again, he led her to the prep station. He showed her the routine and she completed it along with him. Donning a gown and mask, they walked down the hall.

At the door, Regina hung back, grateful when he explained the procedure for needing permission first—she wanted to give him and his family privacy. He walked into the room and she shifted her stance so she could see him.

Peeking through the window, his massive back was all she could see until he circled the bed and her eyes landed on a tiny, sweet-faced little girl. She was clad in a pink gown with several stuffed animals sharing the bed with her. Her pale face beamed as she peered up at her uncle. Her uncle. Jesus, I don’t even know his name. Blowing out a breath, she observed the child’s head was covered in a stretchy turban decorated with Disney princesses. Sucking in a shuddering breath, she wondered what she was doing here.

As he bent to hug his niece, her heart melted. She might not know his name, but she knew him. And liked what she knew.

A woman appeared in the doorway, her face tired, but she smiled. “Hey, I’m Kathy…Cindy’s mom.”

Startled, she jumped. “Oh, I’m just a friend of…of—”

Kathy laughed and said, “It’s okay. He sent a text saying he was bringing a special friend and I wasn’t allowed to ask questions.” She cocked her head to the side and asked, “Would you like to come in?”

Hesitating, she said, “Oh, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want to upset your daughter—”

“Don’t worry about it. Her room is a constant revolving door of people coming and going…most wanting to poke or prod her. She’d love to see someone new.”

Following Kathy into the room, she entered slowly, making her way to the side where Titan was sitting, holding Cindy’s hand. The little girl’s eyes instantly shot up to her, widening.

“Oh, you’re so pretty. You look like a princess,” Cindy said, her voice weak.

Cael turned and smiled over his shoulder at Red before standing. “Cindy, this is my friend. I call her Red because of her hair.”

Cindy’s eyes stayed wide as they traveled down the length of her hair. “My hair used to be just like that,” she said, “Same color and everything, but it had to all go away. Mom says it’ll grow back and be prettier than ever.”

“I’m sure it will, Cindy,” she said. Before she had a chance to say anything else, Cindy turned to him and confessed, “I was throwing up earlier. I wanted you to read me a story.”

“You got it, Cindy-Loo.” He settled into the chair again and motioned for Red to take a seat as well, but she declined.

“Go ahead. I’ll just stand back here.” Regina moved toward the door and leaned against the wall.

Kathy joined her and said, “If you’re okay here with them, I’m going to run to the parents’ lounge and take a quick shower.”

“Of course,” she assured, her heart aching for the young mother who had to sneak out to get something as simple as a shower. She watched as Kathy grabbed a small overnight bag and headed out the door.

“I want her to sit with me,” Cindy said, speaking to her uncle but with her eyes fixed on her.

He twisted around, his gaze imploring. Smiling, she walked forward and sat on the side of Cindy’s bed, taking the little girl’s hand in hers. Nodding toward him, she watched as he held his niece’s other hand while reading from a book, open in his lap.

“Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, fine as spun gold, and when she heard the voice of the enchantress she unfastened her braided tresses, wound them round one of the hooks of the window above, and then the hair fell twenty ells down, and the enchantress climbed up by it.”

“What’s an ell?” Cindy asked, interrupting the story.

Cael grinned because she always asked the same question when he read Grimm’s version of Rapunzel. “I think it’s probably a foot. So, I guess her hair was over twenty feet long.” Continuing the story, he watched her settle again.

“But the king's son began to talk to her quite like a friend, and told her that his heart had been so stirred that it had let him have no rest, and he had been forced to see her. Then Rapunzel lost her fear, and when he asked her if she would take him for her husband, and she saw that he was young and handsome, she thought, he will love me more than the old witch does. And she said yes, and laid her hand in his.”

At these words, he looked up at Red, his heart in his throat. Tight emotion coiled inside, warring with his head. She stared at him with wide-eyes, the rest of her face hidden behind the hospital mask.

“Keep going,” Cindy demanded, her face turned toward him.

He continued the story, but stumbled over the passage about Rapunzel’s hair.

“In her anger she clutched Rapunzel's beautiful tresses, wrapped them twice round her left hand, seized a pair of scissors with the right, and snip, snap, they were cut off, and the lovely braids lay on the ground. And she was so pitiless that she took poor Rapunzel into a desert where she had to live in great grief and misery.”

“I felt sad when Mommy cut my hair,” Cindy confessed, clutching her bear tightly.

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice cracking, his hand instinctively squeezing her tiny one.

She sighed, the blanket barely moving with the exertion. “You promised it would grow back.”

“I still promise that, sweetheart. One day, you will look in the mirror and see that your beautiful face will have beautiful hair framing it. And until then, you will always see your beautiful face.”

Still sitting on the bed, Regina grabbed the frame, afraid if she did not, she would collapse backward. Pressing her fingers to her mouth to still the sob wanting to escape, she blinked in a furious attempt to quell the tears forming. She forced herself to listen as Titan finished the story.

“The prince heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went towards it, and when he approached, Rapunzel knew him and fell on his neck and wept. Two of her tears wetted his eyes and they grew clear again, and he could see with them as before. He led her to his kingdom where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented.”

“Will I meet a handsome prince?” Cindy asked, a yawn following her question and her eyes barely open.

Cael bent over her body and kissed her forehead through his mask. “All princesses meet their princes and you are no different. Someday a prince, worthy of you, will come.”

She twisted around to look at Red before sliding her eyes back to him. “Are you her handsome prince?”

He opened and closed his mouth several times without speaking. “I’m…uh…not sure.”

Cindy looked back at Red, her nose scrunched and asked, “Will you come back and see me sometime?”

Without thinking, Regina nodded. “Yeah, baby. I’ll be with you.”

With that, they watched as she fell asleep.

Standing, Cael watched as Red stood as well and moved to the door, her eyes full of tears. Placing her hand on the frame, she turned back to him, locking eyes with his and exposing all the sorrow she felt. Emotions flooded him. Desire to comfort her warring with the responsibility he felt towards his niece. She needed his full attention right now, there wasn’t room in his life for anything else. Swallowing with difficulty, he walked toward Red but Kathy entered before he had a chance to say anything. As he said goodbye to his sister, Red slipped out of the door.

He found her a few minutes later in the waiting room by the elevators, her gown and mask removed. Her eyes were now dry, the mascara trails wiped clean.

Catching sight of him, Regina offered a gentle smile as she moved to him, wrapping her arms around his middle. She looked up into his face, but his expression was unreadable. Keeping quiet, she waited to see what he needed.

“Ready?” he said softly.

She wondered if he meant ready to leave the hospital and go their separate ways, or ready for more of them. Deciding either was fine with her, she just nodded. Once on the road, he kept his fingers linked with hers and she observed the city’s lights as they made their way back to the hotel, feeling in the air that something between them had changed.