CH 8

“Peyton it’s time to go see Dr. Lizzie.” Bette walked into Peyton’s room. Peyton was curled up in a ball on the bed clinging tight to her binky and a worn brown teddy. 

“ok.” She said. Angie waddled into the room holding a stuffed rabbit. 

“Bette!” Tina yelled coming up the stairs. 

“Shh. Brent’s sleeping.” Bette said sticking her head around the door. 

“What! We have to be at the hospital in 30 minutes.” Tina said. 

“He’s in the carrier he can sleep in the car. I’ll get Angie you get Peyton.” Bette scooped Angie up and went down the hall. 

“Nene.” Peyton mumbled as Tina walked into the room. 

“I’m here baby. How do feel?’” Tina rubbed Peyton’s stomach. 

“I’m sleepy.” Peyton rubbed her eyes. 

“I know baby, but we have to go see Dr. Lizzie.” Tina picked Peyton up and carried her out to the car where Bette was buckling Angie into her seat. 

Bette and Tina had to buy another car before Bret was born so they would have room for the three car seats. After much disagreements they decided that they should have two of them. Tina wanted a Jeep commander and Bette had to have a luxury vehicle so she got a cadillac Escalade. They both were making six and seven figures a year. Alice had said it was about time. 

“I thought you guys were going to be in the car waiting when I got home.” Tina said. 

“Please Tina don’t start.” Bette said. Tina rolled her eyes. 

Dr Watson walked into children’s waiting room. Bette, Tina and the kids were alone in the room.  Angie was standing at a table playing with blocks. Brent was still asleep in his carrier. Peyton sat in the chair next to Tina. 

“You’re smiling I hope its good news.” Bette said. 

“It’s very good news. Peyton is still in remission. Everything looks good. She’s still a little anemic, but that will go away as time passes.” She said with a huge grin on her face. Bette and TIna cried happy tears. 

“I can’t believe it.” Bette said. 

“Believe it Bette. Peyton is going to be okay. She going to be able to do all the things she used to do. We’ll check again in 6 months to make sure she’s still in remission.” Dr Watson smiled. 

Bette and Tina were speechless. The past 15 months had been the worst in there lives. The leukemia had taken toll on the whole family. When they found out that Angie wasn’t a match it was devastating. When Brent was born and tested he was a perfect match for Peyton. 

Though neither of them would ever say it out loud they had blamed themselves for not being able to bond with Bret as they had with Angie and Peyton. They hated themselves for letting Angie get closer to Kit, Shane and Alice than she was with either of them. After starting chemo Peyton had become a shell of the child she was before. They were willing to do anything to see her come back to that.

“Did you hear that baby?” Tina pulled Peyton into her life.

“No what?” Peyton asked. 

“You’re not sick anymore.” Tina said. 

“I don’t feel any different.” Peyton said. 

“You will honey.” Dr. Lizzie said. 

“What do we do from here?” Bette asked. Brent was beginning to stir. 

“Well for the anemia we’ll give her a prescription. We will continue to test her every 6 months for awhile just to make sure she doesn’t relapse but other than that she can do all the other things normal 6 year olds do.” She stood. Bette stood and hugged her. 

“Thank you for everything.” Bette said. 

“You’re welcome now take your family home and get back to a normal life.” Dr Lizzie smiled at them and walked away. 

Tears streamed down Tina’s face as she held Peyton tightly. 

“Let’s go somewhere and celebrate. Peyton where do you want to go?” Bette asked.