“Yes, stop being so stubborn and let us care for you. Is it wrong of me and your dad to worry about you?” He murmurs quietly, his voice low and serious.
He’s right. I can’t stop them worrying about me, but I can stop them from making decisions for me. “I want to go home when this is over. We should take the private plane back to LA and try to sort out this PR nightmare. Tayla can’t handle it alone.”
“No, you’re supposed to get treatment, if you need it. Once we have the go ahead from your doctor, then we’ll talk about going home.” His tone is adamant, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s to never back down from what you want. Even though I pushed Ryan away, avoiding a relationship with him, when it was the only thing I wanted, I had my reasons. It seems now however, those reasons were moot. The man wants me and I want him.
“If I need any treatment I’ll get it in LA with the doctor that’s been monitoring me while I’ve lived there. The only reason I came back here was to see my doctor who did the procedure when I was nineteen and has my eggs stored away. He’s the only one who knows my family history well enough to do the tests to see if it’s safe to have a baby. He can give me the advice I need to make the choice.”
“Okay, then you’ll get the advice you need from him, get the tests done and I’ll be right there beside you. It’s time you stop pushing me away Kiki, I’m not going anywhere.”
Sighing, I can’t help loving this man. “So you’re going to throw me over your shoulder and carry me back to LA caveman style?” I question on a giggle.
“If that’s what it takes, then yes.” There’s no doubt in my mind that Ryan will do just that. If there’s one thing I learned about Ryan over the past decade, it’s that he doesn’t take no for an answer. With the amount of times I’ve pushed him away, he’s never given up.
As soon as we pull up to the hospital, dread fills me. It’s been a long time coming and now as I sit here knowing I’m about to find out if I’ll be able to have kids I can’t stop my heart racing.
“Look at me,” Ryan’s tone pulls me out of the darkness I want to hide away in. Turning my attention to him, I meet his dark eyes. “We will get through this.” His voice is filled with promise. With a vow to be by my side.
“Thank you, Ryan.”
“No need to thank me. I just wish you’d told me sooner what was going on with you. You’ve pushed me away for long enough. No more. I’m not going to stand for it.”
Once again, he’s right. I haven’t been able to let him in for so long, I can’t understand how he just wouldn’t relent. Most men would have given up. Not Ryan.
Smiling, I nod. “Yes, Mr. Callahan. You’re stuck with me now.” He chuckles, nodding as he lifts my hand, planting a soft kiss on my wrist.
“Now, let’s go in there and face this.”
I inhale a deep breath as we exit the car and make our way, hand in hand, to the office of Dr. Horton. The man who was there for my mother through her treatments, and who then later spoke to me, giving me advice about my options.
As we walk into the reception area, we’re met by one of the nurses. “Hello, how can I help you?”
“I’ve got an appointment with Dr. Horton at midday.” She nods, rounding the desk, she settles in the chair and taps away at the computer.
“Kierra Thorne?”
“Yes.” With a smile, she nods again, taps at the keys again and then she’s rising to her feet.
“Come with me.” I thought there’d be a waiting time, but it seems I’m ready to go to the slaughter. Shuddering, I glance at Ryan whose hand is holding onto mine tightly.
The long white hallway is stark. I’ve always hated hospitals. Even before my mum got sick, it was a place that filled me with dread.
“Here you are.” The nurse pushes open a door, as we step inside I’m met with the sterile smell of medicine and cleaning products. “He’ll be with you in a moment.”
With that, we’re left alone. The room itself has a desk, a large cabinet with glass shielded the boxes of medicines. The examination bed is in the far right corner with two chests of drawers with what I’m guessing to be medical equipment—needles, tubes, and whatever else I’d rather not think about.
“Hello Kierra.” The doctor’s deep voice comes from behind me as the door opens. He’s dressed in the standard white coat. His graying hair is the only indication of how much older he is since the last time I saw him. The thin rimmed glasses perched on his nose are modern, but he peeks at me from above them.
“Hello, Doctor. It’s good to see you again. This is Ryan Callahan, my boyfriend.” The words are foreign on my lips, but the smile that I get from the man I love is like a light in the dark.
“And you as well. Hello, I’m Dr. Horton.” He offers Ryan a smile and they shake hands, but the hand on my shoulder never strays as the man I love offers all the support I need in one simple touch. “I’ll need to see Kierra alone, there are a few tests I want to perform. You’re welcome to sit outside and wait. She won’t be long.” The older man offers with a smile, but the way Ryan’s hand squeezes my shoulder tells me he isn’t happy with being sent outside.
“It’s okay,” I turn to face him. Assuring him that I’m in safe hands. I’ve known Dr. Horton since I was a child, so there’s no need for him to worry. Endless brown orbs meet my steel gray ones. He’s at war with himself, wanting to stay, yet knowing it will be okay if he doesn’t.
He leans in after a moment, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be outside.” With that he turns to leave. Ryan’s been the joker of the group, the one who always makes everyone else laugh, but when he shows his serious side it stills my heart. He’s a rock, a boulder in my life holding down everything threatening to blow away.
“Looks like a good man.” I turn to face the doctor with a smile and nod.
“He is.” My affirmation earns me a satisfied grin. “What do I have to do first?”
“Blood and saliva samples and I’ll have to send those off for testing. I don’t want you to worry, Kierra. We’ll figure this out.” Nodding, I inhale a deep breath and hope he’s right.