A week into the New Year and it was already looking more promising. Cheyenne’s second round of chemo finished and after another painful round of testing, their happy ending was finally here. All the cancer cells were gone from Cheyenne’s body, her treatment was a success and it was time for her to have her transplant.
On the day of the harvest everyone was in and out to wish Justin good luck, but Lynn, Paul and Cameron stayed for the duration of the procedure.
Arriving before the scheduled appointment, they sat around Cheyenne’s room talking - Lynn, Paul and Kiki using the chance to get to know Cameron better. When she first showed up, there was some awkwardness, especially considering she walked in to find Justin and Kiki sitting together in the hospital bed as they played with Cheyenne. She was thrown by the picture they made, but she pushed the moment of insecurity back before anyone could notice. Justin’s relationship with his daughter made Kiki apart of the equation so she would just have to get used to witnessing moments like this between the three. It wouldn’t be too hard to do, Kiki was always very nice to her and it was obvious her only interest in Justin had to do with raising their daughter together. She had nothing to worry about.
For the time that they sat around chatting, Kiki learned that she had nothing to be concerned about either. Cameron seemed very easy going about the situation, but most importantly she was making an effort with Cheyenne, taking the time to interact and get to know her a little. Cheyenne was receptive like she was with anyone else, but given her age she paid no real mind to the identity of the new person in her vicinity. Still for Justin it was a relief to see Cameron and his baby girl could coexist peacefully, it boded well for the future.
On the other hand, now that Lynn and Paul could get a real feel for the type of person Cameron was, they could find nothing negative about her that would give them cause to dislike her. She appeared to be their son’s exact type “ cute, polite, confident and very down to Earth. Coincidently, very much like the other young woman in the room - the mother of his child who he was bonded to for the rest of his life and shared with, some unfinished business. And there lied Paul’s and in particular, Lynn’s concern. While the young ones were naively seeing an eventually easy future with the predicament that their relationships created, Lynn saw a breeding ground for a lot of complications between her son and all the women in his life. They were all adults and unless it caused problems for their grandchild, she and Paul would stay out of it and hope for the best.
The time for Justin’s appointment had come and a nurse came to escort him to the adult oncology department one floor up. Cameron, Lynn and Paul were going to wait upstairs with him so they collected themselves and made their way to the exit.
Justin got up from his seat on the edge of Cheyenne’s bed, taking a deep cleansing breath in the process. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little nervous, but he honestly could careless. Looking down at his little girl as she scribbled away on one of her Christmas gifts, a Magna Doodle, he smiled. This was all for her, no matter what the cost.
Kiki saw his moment of nervousness be replaced by a bright smile as he leaned down to gently kiss the top of Cheyenne’s head and she encouraged him with a “good luck”.
“Thanks.”
“Cheyenne tell daddy good luck and say bye.” She persuaded when she saw their daughter was lost in her art project and hadn’t responded to her father.
Hearing about his departure, Cheyenne looked up at Justin anxiously. “You come back?”
“Of course. Always baby.” He assured her.
“Okay!” She beamed and excitedly followed at least part of her mother’s instruction, adding her own surprising twist. “Bye, bye Daddy. Kisses!” She covered her mouth and dramatically blew him a kiss.
Her grandparents stood by the doorway with Cameron chuckling at her theatrics, but Kiki and Justin were staring at each other in awe.
“Did she just-“ Justin stuttered, too overcome with joy at the chance that what he heard was really what she said.
With a big smile, Kiki nodded excitedly. “Yeah she did.”
It was the very first time Cheyenne called Justin Daddy. Prior to this she usually referred to her father as “you” or “him”. When Kiki called him daddy she obviously knew who her mother was talking about, but for her to call him that herself, it was as if she was waiting to see if he proved himself worthy of that title. Looks like he had finally done that.
Overwhelmed with happiness, Justin lifted her up and held her close. “I love you Cheyenne.” He murmured into her ear, trying to keep his tears of joy at bay so they wouldn’t scare her.
“Love you too.” She answered and pulled back to assert. “Good luck.”
He laughed at the confidence behind her declaration. As if it alone would guarantee his procedure was a success. He and Kiki definitely had quite the character for a daughter. “Why thank you.” He joked back and kissed her nose before putting her back on her bed. “You have fun with Mommy while I’m gone okay?”
“Okay.” She replied vaguely, her attention back on the magnetic picture she was creating.
Turning his gaze to Kiki, he told both of them. “I’ll be back.”
“Be safe.” It was a pretty low risk procedure, but Kiki still sent him off with a prayer to protect him.
They shared one last victorious smile, knowing that after this their little Pixie could finally began to heal and then he turned to join his awaiting family. He was probably about to be subjected to some serious pain, but Justin had a mile wide smile on his face, visibly perplexing his family, so he enlightened them. “She called me Daddy.”
Paul gave him a congratulatory pat on the back, Cameron smiled - happy for the progress he was making with his daughter, and Lynn’s heart melted for her son. Today was shaping up to be a day of healing for everyone.
Saying one more goodbye, the group left the room and made their way to their destination.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~
Almost two hours had gone by before Kiki and Cheyenne’s game of Memory was interrupted by Justin’s return. Paul led the way, clearing the path through the doorway for him while Lynn and Cameron took up the rear, hovering and instructing him to watch his step.
“Ma I’m fine.” He chuckled at her over protectiveness as he painfully limped into the room.
Just as Dr. Sabine had warned the harvest was probably the most painful experience he had ever gone through even with the anesthetic. With a death grip on the exam table the whole time, the only reason he didn’t call it quits was sitting in her hospital bed watching him wearily.
Slowly moving over towards her, he smiled to help put her at ease. “Hey Pixie face.”
“Hi Daddy.”
His smile got even brighter. God that’s the best medicine.
Watching him closely and seeing his limp, Cheyenne added. “You hurt?”
“It’s just a little boo-boo. I’m okay.” He explained tenderly so she wouldn’t be frightened.
Reaching the side of the bed where Kiki now stood, he took a deep breath to let the pain from walking fade.
“Are you okay?” Kiki rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah I’m cool.”
She knew he was putting on a brave front because the pain was still written all over his face. She didn’t push, but simply made a suggestion. “Maybe you should lie down.” She encouraged him to sit on the bed and he didn't protest.
Cheyenne scooted over to make room as he stretched out beside her. Kiki propped some pillows up behind him to help get him comfortable and once he was settled Cheyenne put the cherry on top with a kiss on the cheek for his boo-boo.
To Lynn and Paul it was a very endearing picture of a family that they made and both couldn’t help, but wish deep down that one day it would be a reality.
Cameron’s point of view of the scene wasn’t so heartwarming. Once again she felt that twinge of jealousy and discomfort from earlier, but she refused to let it grow and fester. Instead as soon as Kiki moved to Cheyenne’s side to put away the game for another time, Cameron took her place at Justin’s side. Leaning down to kiss his cheek, she asked. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m perfect.” He happily professed with his arm wrapped around Cheyenne who was cuddled at his side waiting for Kiki to queue the movie she just asked to watch. “You hear that Ma “ perfect.” He looked around Cameron to his mother who sat at the sofa with Paul.
“Mmhmm.” She blew him off. “You won’t be getting rid of me that easily.” She certainly trusted Kiki to look after her son when she left, but that time wasn’t now. She knew his procedure was known for being very painful, his whole posture confirmed that and no matter what he said she wasn’t leaving until she knew he was really okay. “Now your Dad is going to get you some lunch “ soup and a sandwich from the deli down the block. Anyone want anything?” The finality in her words barred no arguing so Justin and everyone else, with the exception of voicing there order, zipped it.
The reminder of the afternoon was spent eating lunch and chatting until both Justin and Cheyenne conked out for a little nap. Lynn, Paul, and Cameron quietly left the room, asking Kiki to have Justin call them when he woke so they could see how he was holding up. The only one left awake and not the least bit tired, Kiki used the quiet time to catch up on some paperwork for the club while she kept an eye on the patients.
It wasn’t until the following morning that Dr. Sabine himself connected the first dose of Justin’s bone marrow to Cheyenne’s IV. With the whole family there to finally see all their prayers answered, it was a very emotional moment “ all eyes misted with tears or in Kiki’s case, running down her face. The relief and joy was palpable in the room. The healing process could finally come full circle and in a few more weeks, Cheyenne would get to go home.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A few weeks went by before Cheyenne was deemed dischargeable. Thankfully, her body hadn’t rejected the transplant and her WBC was back to a stable and normal level. Cheyenne was no longer considered to be in treatment and after meeting Dr. Sabine’s requirements for discharge, the little pixie was set free.
“Bye, bye.” Cheyenne waved from the wheelchair she didn’t need, but wanted to ride in as Justin pushed her down the hall with Kiki at his side.
“Bye Cheyenne.” The three nurses at the front desk collectively replied.
“You take care honey.” One of them spoke out.
“Tank you.” She repeated what her mother had instructed to tell the nurses when she saw them.
They all gushed at the adorable little girl that they fell in love with, but were happy to see leaving as a survivor.
“Thank you all for everything.” Kiki spoke for herself and Justin.
“You’re welcome”, “no problem” and “take care” followed them as they moved along to the elevator, that much closer to freedom.
But there was one last person that had to see them off, waiting at the exit.
“Well you’ve finally graduated Ms. Lewis. Congratulations.” Dr. Sabine said as he revealed the Dora the Explorer balloon and bright pink hula hoop that he’d been hiding behind his back.
“Oooh. Tank you.” Cheyenne beamed at her gifts as he tied the balloon around her wrist and passed the hoop to Kiki.
“You’re welcome Cheyenne and it was a pleasure to meet you. To meet all of you.” He smiled at Kiki and Justin. “I am very happy to see you all walking out of here with a happy ending.”
“Thanks to you doctor.” Justin smiled gratefully and for the hundredth time since she met him, Kiki hugged him.
“Thank you for everything you did to save our daughter.”
“You’re very welcome.” He patted her back before releasing her and then shook hands with Justin. “Well.” He started, pushing the call button before he continued. “You have all my contact numbers. Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns.” Both parents nodded agreeably and looking towards the elevator when it dinged, signaling the car’s arrival, Dr. Sabine moved out of the way so they could climb abroad. “You all take care and I’ll see you next week.”
For her first few weeks out of the hospital Cheyenne would have to have regular check ups to see if her immune system was holding up. And even after those initial exams, she would still be one of Dr. Sabine’s patients until she made it through her first year of recover in case she, God forbids, relapsed.
The elevator doors opened and the trio climbed abroad. The doors began to close and Cheyenne happily waved goodbye to the entire staff that was watching their departure. Their smiling faces were the last thing they saw of the fourth floor of Cedars Sinai.
Reaching the lobby, Justin had flipped his hoodie up and put on a pair of sunglasses as the doors were opening. And just as planned Lonnie and Eric were on the other side waiting for them. Dropping the wheelchair off at the nearby information desk, Justin, Kiki and Cheyenne were quickly escorted away from the main entrance to the back garage exit. With the help of Justin’s minor disgust and the guys’ expertise, they made it to the idling black tinted Expedition without being noticed.
“Well I guess that was a previous of times to come.” Kiki quipped once they were all strapped in the back of the truck and moving out on to the streets of LA.
Justin frowned regretfully. “Sorry.”
“Hey. No. No sorrys especially today.” She stated firmly. “Yeah I have no idea what’s to come, but after everything we’ve just been through “ we will be fine.” Kiki wasn’t naïve about the scandal that could only try to consume them. It wasn’t going to be a joy ride, but it wasn’t going to bring them down. They’d overcome too much to let petty rumors and gossip cause anymore stress in their lives. Kiki was aware of the approaching drama, but today of all days she refused to waste any of her energy on it.
Justin smiled at her reassurance and her confidence. Looking at her, himself and Cheyenne, asleep in her seat between them, he knew she was right. They stuck together for the past 7 weeks “ the hardest 7 weeks of all their lives “ and they prevail. Nothing would stop them from surviving the awaiting media circus.
“We'll be fine.” He agreed.
