Three Wishes (Dreams Come True #3) (21 page)

“I don’t want to go.” Ollie panted as tears streamed down her face.

“Why not, Ollie?” Gabriel frowned. “I know it’s not because you’re scared. You’re the bravest six year old girl I know.”

Her tears slowed at his compliment. “I’m not scared. I just don’t want to do this anymore. It hurts.”

“I understand, but sometimes you have to suffer a little hurt to have a big reward.” Gabriel gazed at her lovingly.

Ollie turned to look at us. “I don’t know…”

“You’re so close to being done, Olls,” I pleaded. “I need you to do this so we can be a family.”

Her head tilted to the side. “Mama, you have Ben,” she whispered.

“Without you, squirt, we’re a couple. We need you,” Ben pleaded.

“You’ll have the new baby.” She set her chin down on the table.

“What about me?” Becca sniffled. “You’re my very best friend in the whole wide world. I need you.” She threw her arms around Ollie’s neck. “You have to get better so we can go on more adventures.” Becca leaned back and her eyes brightened. “We should plan some.”

Ollie sat up and studied her friend. “I might consider treatment for adventures.”

“It’s bigger than that, Olls. You know everything you’ve been missing?” Ben leaned against the table as he spoke. “When you’re well, you can do it.” 

I jumped into the conversation. “You want to learn ballet?”

Ollie looked at us like it was a trick. “Yeah…”

“We’ll set you up with lessons.” I nodded.

Becca squealed. “Maybe we could take them together!”

My daughter’s face brightened. “Swimming?”

“We’ll teach you,” Ben assured her.

“I suppose I could make more movies.” Ollie tapped on her chin as she considered.

“And the new baby is going to need a big sister. You’ll make an awesome sister, Ollie.” As I spoke, Ben held my hand under the table.

“So, you’ll be at the hospital for a week, which is really five days. They mean Monday through Friday,” Ben explained. “And by the time we get home, we’ll know if you have a match from the donor drive.”

For a moment, Ollie’s enthusiasm faltered. “What if I don’t?”

He squeezed my hand tighter. “I asked that.” Ben took a breath. “If not, as long as you’re healthy, you can qualify for cord blood. It doesn’t have to be a perfect match like marrow does.”

“You’re saying I can really get better and be done?” Her brow furrowed and I knew why.

“Sweet girl, I know this has been a long journey. I know it seemed like it would never end and the pain and sickness would last forever, but this is the home stretch.” I nodded at her. “Then we just have to be together and be happy.”

“And get married.” Ben nudged me.

“Yup. Married,” I agreed.

“You can be the flower girl.” He smiled. “We’re going to have such an amazing life if you get the treatment.”

“Promise?” Ollie held out her pinky.

I watched as Ben held out his pinky without hesitation. “I can absolutely promise you an amazing life.” He hooked her pinky and squeezed. Then he held out a pinky to me. “And you too.”

“Okay.” Ollie shrugged. “I’ll do it.

Apparently at some point, I had stopped breathing because when she agreed to the treatment, my lungs finally filled with air. My heart felt full. And for once, my eyes were dry.

Epilogue

Ben

“Gabriel, I’m so glad you convinced us to get away for a long weekend. We really needed this.” I threw an arm around my ridiculously pregnant Charlie, who seemed distracted. “Hey, what are you thinking?”

“This place is beautiful.” She sighed happily from her seat on the porch of the bed and breakfast overlooking Lake Champlain.

The wistful look in her eye had me holding my breath. “Beautiful enough to get married?”

“Yes.” She nodded happily.

“Great. I think we’ve waited long enough. Let’s do this.” I stood and held out my hands to haul her to a standing position.

Charlie hesitated. “Wait. Did I just agree to something?”

“Yeah.” I frowned as I stared down at her. “We’re getting married.”

She held a hand to her chest. “We can’t get married now.”

“Why not?” I threw my hands up in frustration while our friends watched and chuckled.

“Who does that? Just runs off and gets married.” She scowled.

Marisa raised one hand while cradling her son in her other arm. I pointed. “Them. They did.”

With a laugh, Sebastian nodded. “We sure did. Best Vegas wedding ever. Now look at us. Two healthy baby boys.”

Marisa patted her stomach. “And another one on the way.”

Charlie stared at her in wonder. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant again. This has to be some kind of record.”

“What can I say? He can’t keep his hands off me.” Marisa snickered.

“I don’t think his hands are the problem,” Charlie teased.

Suddenly, the little one Sebastian held began to whimper and Sebastian expertly rolled him over and began to pat his bottom. “Watch and learn, Ben. You’re next.”

“Please. We have three weeks until Charlie’s due date. I can’t wait.” I grinned. “Of course, I rather thought we might be married first.” I looked at Charlie pointedly.

“I’m huge. I want to feel beautiful when we get married. I’m only doing this once.” She frowned at me. “Please try to understand.”

“I might, if you hadn’t made me ask you to marry me three times before you agreed.” I shrugged and turned away, pretending to be more upset than I actually was.

The guys immediately picked up on it. “So, how many times have you asked her to set a date?” Sebastian teased.

I held out my hand and began to tick off the various occasions. “Well, I started in Toronto, tried again in Montreal. Then there was our Florida Keys trip last June.” I was prepared to list them all, but Charlie stopped me.

“Will you ease up if we get a license?” She narrowed her eyes at me.

“Here? In Burlington?” I tried to hide my excitement, but I was doing a poor job of it.

Charlie nodded. “Yes. We’ll get married here after the baby is born. We’ll have to check and see how long it’s good for first.”

“Sixty days,” Isabella announced.

We turned to stare at her and realized she had her phone open researching for us. “Thank you, Isabella.” I beamed.

“Yeah. Traitor.” Charlie smirked.

“Okay. Let’s go do this. Then I’ll finally feel like you genuinely want to be with me forever.” I stood and held out my hands once more.

“Well, since you put it that way.” She pretended to yank her hands back, but I simply scooped her up in my arms.

“We’ll be back!” I called out as I carried my would-be bride to the car. “Oh, can Ollie stay with you?”

“Absolutely! Have fun!” Gabriel grinned and waved as I set her in the passenger seat.

Getting the license took almost no time whatsoever. I kept hoping Charlie would get in the wedding spirit like most brides, but every time I glanced her way, she had a pained look on her face. “Babe,” I moaned, “you’re sucking the joy out of this experience for me.”

She exhaled and gripped the armrest on our ride back to the bed and breakfast. “Sorry. Just some Braxton-Hicks contractions. I started having them a little bit ago.” Charlie shrugged. “I really am looking forward to being your wife. Any doubts I might’ve had about our compatibility and whether this truly was love dissipated long ago.” She relaxed some and I could tell the contraction had ended.

“I’m glad. You’ve had plenty of time for that to happen.” I winked at her.

We pulled back into the driveway and found the kids playing outside. Ollie was just beginning to grow her hair again. It was this sandy brown fuzz covering her head. Her cheeks were finally pink and had lost the puffiness associated with some of her meds. “Look at her. She’s so happy.”

“I know,” Charlie agreed. “You’ve kept your promise.”

“Which one?” I tilted my head as thought of all the many promises I’ve made to my girls.

“We’re having an amazing life.” She sighed happily.

“Well, you have to admit, the inheritance helps.” I laughed. “We can travel…”

“We bought a house outright and furnished it.” Charlie added.

“Yeah. And look at all the good we’re doing with the foundation. I think I’m proudest of that.” I reached over the console to rub her neck.

Charlie smirked. “I can’t believe you named it Ollie Ollie Oxen Free.”

“Well, Make-A-Wish was already taken. And after all our little girl went through, she deserves to have a charity named after her. She’s a survivor, just like her mother.” This time, I kissed her. I couldn’t help myself. I hopped out of the vehicle and walked over to open her door. When I held out my hand, she squeezed it and shut her eyes, but didn’t move. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

Marisa wandered over with little Liam in her arms. Thank goodness he had a bib with his name on it. “Did you get the license?” She called out while still several feet away.

I nodded and stood there helplessly, hoping Charlie would soon answer me. “She’s not getting out of the car.” I gestured with my free hand.

Rushing over, Marisa studied Charlie a moment. “Yeah. I recognize that face.” She squatted down so they were at the same eye level. “How long have you been having contractions?”

“Braxton Hicks,” Charlie panted.

“Right.” Marisa stood and turned to me. “This would be a fantastic time to drive her to the hospital.”

“You’re kidding, right?” My mouth gaped open. “We’re not ready. We have three more weeks.”

“The baby will be fine. And if you need anything, you have all of us to turn to.” Marisa pulled my hand from Charlie’s grasp and walked me around to my side of the vehicle. “We’ll take care of Ollie. You’re on Charlie duty.” She winked as she opened my door and shoved me inside. “Later, dude!” Then she raced toward the bed and breakfast shouting, “Ben’s taking Charlie to the hospital. She’s in labor!”

As I backed out, all of my friends had rushed to the porch and began to wave us off. “That’s nice,” Charlie whispered. “I really love them.”

I laid a hand on her thigh. “They’re our family. Not a day goes by that I don’t treasure having them in our life.”  Shaking my head, I tried to calm down. This was an unexpected turn of events.

“Where are we going?” Charlie asked as she stared out the window.

“The hospital. We need to get you checked out.” I drove as fast as I dared.

She glanced at me. “Do you even know where you’re going?”

I bit my lip. “I may have memorized the route to the hospital for such an occasion.” I shrugged like it was no big deal. The last thing I wanted was for my future wife to think I was some sort of crazy. When she didn’t say anything, I peeked at her.

“You amazing man. God, I love you, Ben.” She inhaled deeply. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

It was a short drive from Grand Isle, where our bed and breakfast was, to the hospital in Burlington. Through it all, Charlie sat there calmly. We pulled up and I left her to be wheeled in while I parked. When we met up in Labor and Delivery, she was a completely different woman.

“I can’t do this!” She shrieked when she saw me.

Rushing over to her, I kissed her temple and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Of course you can! This is what we took those childbirth classes for. They were the practice. This is the big game.” I grinned and hoped to comfort her.

“No. I can’t bring another baby into this world without a father.” Charlie shook her head adamantly as tears streamed down her face.

“Babe, I’m right here. I’m not leaving you.” I paused. “Wait, unless you’re trying to tell me this isn’t my baby, in which case, I may need a minute, but I’m still not leaving you.” I looked at her evenly.

She burst out laughing. “Seriously? Who else would it be?” She laid a hand on her stomach and shook her head at me like I was the crazy one. “No, I mean, I’m sorry I waited to get married. I should’ve done it. It’s shouldn’t be about me feeling beautiful. It’s all about giving this baby a home and family. I’m sorry!”

The last sorry came out as more of a wail that lasted for about sixteen syllables and twelve solid seconds. I reached for a tissue from the box on the tray table. “Dry those tears, Charlie.” I watched as she dutifully wiped her eyes and swabbed her nose. “Let me talk to the doctor. If you’re serious, we have the license and I’ll find someone to marry us.”

With a few hiccups, Charlie nodded frantically. “Please, Ben. Please.”

I feared she would start sobbing again, so I held her close a moment. “Okay.” I shrugged. “We’re doing this. We’re getting married.” Then I kissed her a few more times before I backed toward the door. “I’m not leaving you. I’d never leave you. I just need to make a few phone calls, okay?”

Charlie smiled, her eyes red and glassy. “Thank you, Ben.”

I was almost out the door when she stopped me.

“Wait!”

“What is it, babe?” I grinned at her even as my mind raced.

“Can Ollie please be here? I want Ollie to be part of our wedding.” She wore this pleading look, as if I would ever deny her such an important request.

“Already on it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Be right back.” I blew her a kiss and ducked out the door. It was time to rally the troops.

***

Charlie

Ben was gone forever. I mean, I knew he would be back, but while I was in labor, his absence was acutely felt. Roughly four hundred years later, or thirty-five minutes in normal people time, he returned wearing the biggest smile and carrying a bouquet for me.

“They had red roses,” he began, “but I associate them with death, so I hope you can handle these.” Ben seemed afraid of disappointing me.

“Are you serious? These are gorgeous. I love yellow roses.” I held out my arms to him. “Come here. I missed you.”

He laughed and walked into my arms. “So, we need to wheel you down the hall for a little bit.”

A moment later, a nurse walked in pushing a wheelchair. “Listen, I do Mary Kay on the side and I had a bunch of makeup in my trunk, so we’re going to do your makeup. Oh, and before this, I went to cosmetology school, so I can put your hair up, if you want.”

“Thank you so much.” Charlie squeezed my hand. “You’re amazing.”

“Only for you.” Ben shrugged. “And when you return, I have a few more surprises up my sleeve.” He rubbed his hands together then waved me off as I slid into the wheelchair.

Roughly twenty minutes later, I returned feeling so much prettier. The nurse had done a phenomenal job given her limited resources. The final touch had been adding the jeweled clip to my hair. “This is your something borrowed.” She beamed. “I’ll pick it up after the wedding.”

She pushed me through the door and Ollie raced to greet me in a pretty pale blue satin flower girl dress. “Olls! You made it. And you look beautiful.”

Ollie stepped back and twirled for me. “Ben said I can be your something blue.” She giggled. “I don’t know what that means.”

“Aw, it’s for luck, sweet girl. He’s right. You’ve always been lucky for me. You’re the reason we have Ben.” I carefully stood just as another contraction hit. “Whew.” I glanced at the nurse. “Did you time this one?”

“Yes, you’re still about eight minutes apart. We’ll have time to get you married before this baby makes an appearance.” She parked the wheelchair close to the door. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. We have to get you to the ceremony.” She winked, then disappeared.

Isabella and Marisa were sitting on my bed and quickly stood for me. “Nah. I’m good. I’d love a robe so I don’t literally show my ass at the wedding, but otherwise, I’m good.” I shrugged. “It’s my own fault for waiting so long.” I sighed.

Isabella came to give me a hug, her daughter asleep in the Snugli she wore. “Charlie, do you really think Ben would let you get married in a hospital gown?” She gestured to Ollie. “He managed to get her a flower girl dress. Did you think he’d forget the bride?” She chuckled as she walked me to the bathroom. On the hook behind the door was a huge garment bag.

“For me?” My words came out a whisper. “I can’t believe it.” Then I hesitated. “I might hate this, but at least my butt won’t be showing.

“Girl, you should know by now, these men of ours are damn near perfect,” Marisa commented as she stood just outside the bathroom. “I would never tell them that because then they wouldn’t be fit to live with, but it can be our little secret. We picked it up on the way in and if you don’t like it, I’ll be shocked. And disappointed. And I won’t sit by you at the reception.” She giggled.