Build And Break novel Chapter 47

Angela followed Steven out. Upon reaching the elevator, Angela pulled Steven into the embrace of her arms, pecked his cheek as her tears watered.

"Don't cry. It's going to be fine. We're all going to be fine." He wiped the wetness under her eyes with his thumb.

"You were going to tell Daniel weren't you?' Steven remained silent, confirming her question. "But you didn't. Why?"

"I don't want him to accept me as his father just because of what I'm doing for him today. I want him to accept me because he truly wants to."

Angela nodded lightly, agreeing with him. "That's... That sounds perfect."

Steven turned to the elevator and stopped before his finger reached the button. "Can I... Can I ask you for one thing before I go?"

"Sure."

"Kiss me?"

Taken by surprise, Angela tilt her head not understanding his sudden question. "Is the mighty Steven Morris afraid?"

"I'm not afraid, no." Steven pronounced but the shiver in his voice was plain clear. "Maybe a little, yes. Crap, of course I am."

Angela reached for his hand. "It's going to be okay. We're all going to be fine."

They spoke the same words to each yet neither were truly believing it. The fear and anxiety they had wasn't allowing them to.

"You'll be okay and I'll kiss you later." Angela whispered, resting a hand at his cheek.

"Will you really?"

"Maybe." Angela managed a light chuckle through the whole tension she was feeling.

Steven, however, was as serious as ever. "Kiss me now, Angela."

It wasn't an order. It was a hypnotizing command. And she did. She kissed him like it was their last.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

When Steven woke from the anesthetic, he found Angela by his bed. For a long time he had wanted to wake up to Angela smiling wide at him like that. He never expected that to happen while he was sedated and drowsy in a hospital bed.

"Hi." Was all she said.

"Where's Daniel?" Steven managed.

Angela brought a glass of water and helped the straw to Steven's lips.

Luckily for her, a knock on the door interrupted her from getting redder. The doctor had come in to check on Steven.

Angela had stayed with him until he was released.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Soon, it was the afternoon and the time for Daniel's transplant.

For the first time since they had started the process to reach until that day, Daniel had been afraid and excited at the same time. It was after all Day Zero of his new life.

While the nurses prepped Daniel, Angela, Steven, Grace and Jimmy had gathered around his bed and stood silent. All of them were anxious about what's happening. All of them hated watching the nurse working the thin tubes to Daniel's catheter on his chest.

It was when the dark red liquid began passing down the tubes that they let out a breathe. Steven's cells were being infused into Daniel's body. A new life was passing through his veins.

"Hey Steven." Daniel called out, with a smile ever bright on his face. "Just because you helped me get better doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you in soccer."

Every adult in the room including the nurses laughed. Somehow the boy had sensed the thick air and spoke his remark to ease their nerves.

"You know what Daniel." Steven began as he walked to sit at his bed. "I've been watching a lot of soccer matches and I think I grasped the whole concept of the game. I'll show you." He found the TV remote and searched for a sport channel showing soccer game. "Uncle Jimmy, come here. You can judge my newfound knowledge with Daniel."