I’m glad everyone was there for Levi when I couldn’t be. We’re incredibly blessed to have such an amazing support system. Luke, Mia, Benny, Tyson, Harley and Mason have been there with us every step of the way, and Levi and I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends.
My eyes drift over to Levi, who is talking animatedly with his hands. Everyone is standing in a circle, hanging on his every word. My gaze slowly makes its way around the circle. Harley’s hand is rubbing circles around her swollen belly, and Tyson’s arm is wrapped firmly around her waist.
Benny and Mia . . . well, they’re Benny and Mia. They still fight all the time, but when they think no one is looking, they’re really quite sweet to each other. Mia finally got a place of her own, and Benny jumps at any chance he gets to go over there and help her out. I just know something is going on there, but I haven’t quite figured it out.
My baby brother is still a workaholic. I’ve tried to set him up with a few of the nurses from the treatment center, but he won’t have any part of it. It seems he’s forever the self-proclaimed bachelor.
Mason is standing next to Quinn. He thinks that no one notices, but we all see the way he looks at her. I met Quinn shortly after being released from the hospital. Harley introduced the two of us, and we became fast friends.
Speaking of the hospital, I never finished my last few chemo treatments. Once my body was stronger, I went straight into radiation, which was every day for six weeks straight. It was exhausting, but for me it didn’t hold a candle to the chemotherapy. I’m lucky, I guess, because I’ve heard some horror stories about the side effects people can have. It took a while for my body to feel normal again, but I eventually did get there.
I’ve started the process to get my breast reconstruction which is so much more than simply getting a breast implant. I’ve had to wear an expander for nearly a year to help stretch out my skin, and I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been painful. But the pain will be worth it. Levi has told me time and time again that he loves me no matter what, but I want i
t for me, not for him. I hate wearing mastectomy bras and I want to feel normal again. Well, as normal as I can feel. I’ve done my research, met with my doctors, and I know that it’ll never look perfect, but anything is better than this horrible scar over my sunken chest. At first I was worried about the cost of the surgery. I have better insurance now, but I didn’t want to get into money trouble like I was.
It wasn’t until several weeks after my release from the hospital that I realized Levi had paid off all my debts. I didn’t even have it in me to be mad, because I knew where he was coming from. I would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.
So, I did the only thing I could do . . . I thanked him and promised him sex anytime he wanted it. Let’s just say he’s been cashing in on that nearly every day, but I’m not complaining. In fact, you’ll never hear me complain again. Life is precious and I’ll never take it for granted, because I’ve learned just how fast it can all be taken away.
Closing my eyes, I tilt my face up to the sky, my bucket list clenched in my hand. I thank God for this second chance at life he’s given me, for my brother and the incredible friends I have, and for Levi.
Always for Levi.
THE END