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Post by fallingn2ct on Jul 29, 2010 9:16:08 GMT -5
The tour went on and the shows only seemed to get bigger and better. Shelby became more confident in herself and in her dance ability. She and Keith had started a routine after the night of the first show, and she had found that sleeping with out him was difficult. She had admittedly begun to grow tired easier, but she knew how to place a smile on her face and keep pushing herself through any pain or exhaustion. Don had made it to two of the shows and had promised that he would be at the tour finale in Atlantic City.
New Jersey in December was anything but warm. During the day the temperature was maybe into the fifties and at night dipped well into the twenties. The trip from inside the hall to the bus was enough to take your breath away before getting warm again.
"So Shels, your Dad's coming tonight right?", Paul said as they ate dinner in the kraft services area.
"Yeah, I can't wait for him to get here. Said he was bringing a guest too."
"Maybe a girlfriend?", Paul winked.
"What ever Paul", she laughed," If he did I would be happy for him, he's been single a long time."
"Who do you think he's bringing?", Keith asked.
"No idea," she shrugged,"Probably someone I know, but we'll see."
"Maybe your Mom?", he suggested as they got up to throw their plates away.
"Right, because she has been so interested before."
"You never know", he said taking her hand as they walked,"Can't believe this is the last show."
"I know, seems like I was just auditioning and now it's nearly over. I have to thank you for all of this," she turned to him.
"Why is that", he smiled.
"Because I would never have even given something like this a second thought. Plus, you have been about the best boyfriend a girl could ask for."
"Major brownie points on that one", he laughed wrapping his arms around her.
"And you just ruined it", she punched his shoulder playfully.
"Now the shows off, injured shoulder"
"You only wish!"
"Can I ask you something?", he took her hand as they went to sit in the seats near the stage.
"Sure can."
Kieth took a deep breath,"Well I bought you something, and it's a big something. and there's a question that goes along with that big something. So, that means I should ask you that question and then give you that big something."
"You just made hardly any sense at all, so where is the question in this whole big something thing that you are talking about."
"Will you marry me Shelby? I love you more than anything on this earth, and I want to marry you," he pulled out a princess cut diamond ring from his pocket.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jul 30, 2010 8:40:51 GMT -5
Shelby stared at Keith, she knew how ridiculous she must look,"Keith, I......I mean," she closed her eyes and took a quick in hale of air,"I want to marry you, I do, but I can't promise."
"Shelby, I meant what I said when I told you I would be by your side. No matter how bad, how hard, how sick. I will be there", he took her hand gently slipping the ring on her finger," and I mean it when I say I want to marry you."
Her eyes became blurred with tears," I can't promise you forever, because I don't know how long it will be," she struggled to compose herself," but yes, I will marry you."
"I love you", he smiled standing up and pulling her with him.
"I love you too", she said as their lips met slowly and softly. This moment felt complete for her. Being with Keith is what made her whole, despite being sick, or facing what she knew was terminal, he was the glue that held her steadfast against it all.
"You okay?", he cupped her face in his hands.
"Yeah", she nodded with a sniffle,"Ridiculously happy, that's all."
"Me too", he kissed her again,"Let's go see if your dad is here yet", he put an arm around her shoulders as they walked to the backstage area.
"Shelby!", Don called to his daughter with a wave.
"Hey Dad!", she said excitedly as he came down the hallway," I missed you!"
"The house has been so quiet", he laughed hugging her,"Keith, good to see you."
"You too sir", he grinned.
"Daddy, I have something to tell you", Shelby smiled.
"What's up?", he looked from her to Keith.
"Well, Keith asked me to marry him and I said yes", she held out her hand for him to see the ring.
"Congratulations", he hugged his daughter," he's a lucky man."
"I think so", Keith added.
"Well, when he called me a few days ago I told him that," Don laughed.
"You knew about this?", she looked at her father.
"I did, and I swore to keep the secret."
"Good job both of you", she laughed," So where is this mystery guest?"
"Oh, she is waiting in your dressing room."
"She?", Shelby asked as the three of them made their way to the girls dressing room.
"Yes a she", Don gave her a reassuring smile as he opened the door.
"Hi Shelby," the woman smiled.
Shelby gulped and felt as if she was looking in a mirror,"Mom?"
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 6, 2010 22:43:45 GMT -5
"How are you?", Siobhan smiled at her daughter.
"Are you serious right now?", Shelby looked from her mother to Keith and her father,"Why are you here?"
"Shelby, don't be angry", Don said quietly.
"I want to know why my mother who hasn't seen me since the age of three is now suddenly in my dressing room."
"Shelby, you're father told me about everything and I wanted to meet Keith in person and see you," Siobhan began," You are engaged now and you have every right to be angry with me, but I wanted to see my baby girl."
"You're baby girl", Shelby scoffed,"You haven't been to a single birthday, Christmas, recital, graduation, or any other part of my life. What makes this time any different? You're going to watch me and then what? Leave again?"
Siobhan stood quietly,"I thought maybe we could have some coffee, and get to know each other. I know I have a lot of making up to do."
"Under statement of the year", she answered crossing her arms,"I need to start getting ready, can I please be left alone?"
"I'll find my way out", Siobhan nodded pulling her purse onto her shoulder.
"How could you Dad?", she looked to Don.
"Honey, she is your mother, she asked about you. I didn't want to lie and besides I thought it would make you happy."
"I was happy, and now I'm just," she sighed,"I don't know what to feel."
"Shels", Keith said taking her hand gently,"Maybe she wants to talk about giving you one of her kidneys. I mean you should really talk to her."
She looked at him and felt the weight of the ring on her hand and then on her heart,"Can I have some time alone please?"
"I have to get ready", Keith said kissing her cheek and leaving.
"Just think about it okay?", Don said before leaving.
As the door closed Shelby sat in front of the mirror her eyes clouded with tears. She had wanted her mother so many different times, she had needed her many different and times and never once had she been there. Suddenly here she was now, in front of her and all she could was argue,"What am I doing?", she allowed her head to fall into her heads as the tears began to flow.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 9, 2010 18:26:14 GMT -5
"She hates me" Siobhan said as she took her seat with Don in the third row of the audience.
"Honestly, do you blame her?", he answered quietly.
"She has every right to be upset," she agreed,"but I thought she would at least talk to me."
"Look, we'll talk more after the show," he said as the lights began to lower and the audience erupted into cheers and shouts.
Keith stood next to Shelby, she hadn't spoken since emerging from the dressing room,"Shels, you okay?', he asked quietly.
"Yes," she nodded watching Damian sing.
"Don't let this throw you off, it's that last show", he put his arm around her.
"I am fine", she looked at him,"If anything I am more focused."
"Promise?", he said kissing her gently.
"Promise", she replied unable to prevent herself from smiling.
"See you in a bit", he made his way to take his place.
When he had turned away Shelby took a deep breath and held her side. The pain had started to spread as she got ready for the show. She grit her teeth and prepared to take the stage. The lights and the crowd now had a different effect on her, it was dizzying and pounding. After the number she made it backstage and sank into a chair.
"Shelby", Ryan said coming to her side,"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, really", she sat trying to catch her breath,"You want some water?"
She nodded and fought against the searing pain that was spreading through her entire body,"Not tonight, please not tonight," she tried to calm herself before Ryan returned with a cup of water.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 10, 2010 8:06:14 GMT -5
"Are you sure you're okay?", Ryan asked handing Shelby the water.
"Yes", she nodded,"I just lost my breath is all. Guess my nerves just got the better of me."
"I'll have Keith come over when he's done."
"No," she said quickly placing a hand on his arm,"This is the finale show, I am fine, there is no need to make him worry."
"If you say so", he finally agreed.
"Really Ryan, I am perfectly fine. We're on again in a bit." Shelby pushed her self off the chair and towards the stage, the pain pulsed from her left side and across her stomach. She kept telling herself that she only had a bit more to go before she could sleep. Sleep would help the pain, it usually did,"Just make it through", she whispered to herself. She danced through the next few numbers and finally it was time for their final bows. The smiled that she had mastered was firmly planted on her face as she took Ryan's hand and tooke her bow to the loud applause from the crowd. She left the stage and made her way back to the dressing room. Pain and exhaustion had her curling up on to the small couch. She could still feel the room spinning as she closed her eyes.
"Where's Shelby?", Keith asked as he towled his face off.
"Don't know", Paul answered,"Maybe she is getting changed."
"Her Mom and Dad wanted to see her," he grabbed his clothes out of a nearby suitcase.
""Want me to go check?", Paul asked.
"Do you mind?", he called back.
"Not in the least", he left their dressing room and went to find Shelby. He knocked on the dressing room door and didn't get an answer,"Shels, it's Paul", he knocked again. Still no answer, he opened the door carefully and saw her on the couch,"He sleepy head", he laughed walking over to where she was lying, he gently shook her shoulder,"Shels, your parents want to see you," he tried waking her again. He stopped suddenly realizing that she was not moving," Shelby," he knelt next to her," Shelby, open your eyes," he took her face in his hands, her skin was cold and slightly clammy, she was extremely pale,"Help!", he yelled suddenly, he placed his ear near her mouth and faintly heard a small breath leave her,"Somebody, get in here!", he ran to the open door.
"What's going on?", George came running.
"Shelby, something's wrong", he led the way into the room.
"Paul, call 911 and get Sharon now," he instructed,"Keep Keith out of the room."
"Done", Paul said pulling out his cell phone and dialing the emergency number. He gave the dispatcher as much information as possible before ending the call,"Ambulance is on its way", he said to George quickly.
"Did you find Shelby?," Keith said looking to Paul as he walked out of the room.
"George is with her", Paul said softly.
"What happened?", he asked worriedly.
"Keith, she's not doing well. We have an ambulance in route."
"No!", he cried out pushing past Paul.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 11, 2010 22:14:38 GMT -5
"Keith wait", Paul said trying to grab his arm.
"Don't!", Keith shook him off,"Let me go in Paul."
"Mate, they paramedics are on their way, you don't need to see her like this."
"I need to be with her", Keith pushed his way to the room. George, Don, and Siobhan were around the small couch. They had covered Shelby and were trying to talk to her,"What happened?"
"I don't know", George looked at him,"Paul found her like this."
"Shelby", Keith knelt next to the small couch,"Baby, please wake up," he stroked her cheek gently,"Please, please open your eyes."
"Paramedics are here", Sharon came into the room followed by two uniformed paramedics.
"Please clear some space", the dark haired man said.
"I need to be with her", Keith said quickly.
"Keith", Don said placing a hand on his shoulder,"Let them work."
"I'm not going far", he whispered kissing her cheek.
The paramedics worked quickly starting and IV and oxygen,"Pulse is faint," the same dark haired man said.
"BP is 80 over 50", his partner said,"What happened?"
"I found her like this", Paul spoke up,"She was pale and barely breathing."
"She danced during the show?"
"Yes,"Keith answered,"She's got a tumor on her left kidney, she's been on medication."
"We need to get her to the hospital, one person can ride with us."
"Go ahead Keith," Don said,"We will meet you there."
"Us too", Paul said.
The paramedics strapped Shelby to the gurney and wheeled her quickly out to the waiting ambulance. Keith followed them and climbed in sitting in a small bench along the side. He held Shelby's cold, limp hand as the paramedic continued work on her. Suddenly the small monitor She was hooked up began to beep loudly.
"She's coding", the paramedic shouted to his partner driving.
"Help her please", Keith said eyed. He sat staring as the paramedic began cpr and chest compressions on Shelby,"Shels, fight this thing. Baby, please fight," after what seemed like an eternity the machine began to beep with a pulse.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 12, 2010 23:24:38 GMT -5
"How is she?", Don asked as he and the others came into the emergency room waiting area.
"She flatlined on the ride here, but they got her back. They are working on stabilizing her."
"How did this even happen?", Siobhan asked.
"How can you ask that?", Keith looked at her, uncaring of who he was surrounded by or where he was,"Your daughter has been fighting cancer in her only kidney that is any good. Not that you have cared at all."
"Slow down mate,"Ryan said taking hold of Keith's arm,"This is not the right time."
"Keith, she is my only daughter and I know I have not done right by her. I came here to fix it tonight," Siobhan answered.
"Then fix it", he barely choked through the on slaught of tears,"Don't let her die."
"Come on Keith, let's go out side", Paul helped Ryan get Keith outside to the cold night air.
"Guess they all know", Siobhan looked at Don.
"Because they love Shelby, she has become a part of their families. All she has wanted is for you to be here for her, to be proud of her, to see your abilities through her. She has been dancing since she could walk, she reminds me of you so much."
"Don, what I did was wrong and I know it was. I just wasn't ready for it all yet. Being a wife, a mother, to stop my career and just begin a life like that. It was a lot for me, but I am different now. I know & understand the mistakes I made. I want to have a relationship with my daughter & to have our friendship back."
Don looked at Siobhan, she looked so much like Shelby, and yet completely different,"Then do what Keith said, save her life. If she doesn't get this transplant she will die, our daughter, the little girl that you brought into this world will die before she has truly lived."
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 14, 2010 12:50:18 GMT -5
"Keith, we understand you being upset, but you can't just attack Shelby's mum like that", Paul said as they stood outside.
"Why? She's done nothing but cause Shelby pain and she wonders how all this happened," he sat hunched on a bench.
"Look mate, you're angry,"Ryan sat next to him,"Why don't we go back to the hotel? You can get Shelby a few things, she probably will be with the doctors for a while."
"She will need clothes and probably something to read or listen", he sighed,"We'll go tell Mr.McConnell." the three men made their way back into the building,"Anything yet?"
"Not yet", Don shook his head,"Siobhan went to talk to the nurses, they are going to test her to see if she is a positive match. If so, then possibly in a few days or so they could do the transplant."
"That would be wonderful", Keith nodded,"I am going to go back to the hotel with the lads to get some of Shelby's things. We'll be back before long."
"Thank you", Don looked at him,"My daughter has had the time of her life because of you and I cannot ask anymore than that."
"I love Shelby with every fiber and I promised her we would go through this together."
"I don't doubt that", he smiled,"Take your time, she will be asleep after coming out from all the testing and everything."
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 15, 2010 12:59:28 GMT -5
Keith walked into Shelby's hotel room and looked around. The bed had been remade by the room service personel, but her suitcase and duffel bag lay open with clothes strewn about, her laptop and a notebook sat on a small table by the window. He could see that her small music player was still plugged in and charging. He picked up the notebook off the table, it was a thick bound black book that had an S on the cover, this was something he had not seen before. He flipped past the first few pages selecting what to look at randomly, there were pictures of he and Shelby together that had been cut out and pasted into the book, he smiled at the stickers she had placed around them. Small hearts, happy faces, flowers, and other small characters. Tears filled his eyes as her smiling face looked back at him through the glossy photo paper. Healthy, happy and in love, both of them reflected the same emotions in the photo. He flipped to the next page and saw writing;
"I was listening to some new music today and I found a song that made me think of Keith, seems everything in some way reminds me of him. This song is called "Crazy" and after listening to it several times on repeat, I decided that one day, if we get married, this will be our song. "Crazy"- Stars Go Dim
Isn't it crazy How life slips right into your life Forces everything else to the side Fall in love at a glance, and that's alright
Isn't it crazy How we never felt so alive Until your world collided with mine Trade love for a chance, that's alright
I knew I wanted you the first time that I saw you walk by That I need you forever when your eyes met mine I loved you the first time I heard you speak my name You'd be the beauty in my life, always
I never knew I could love someone Never knew I could feel so complete After all is said and done, our love will still be holding up strong I'd give all I have for love, that's alright
I knew I wanted you the first time that I saw you walk by That I need you forever when your eyes met mine I loved you the first time I heard you speak my name You'd be the beauty in my life, always
After all we have each other Nothing can hold us back from all that this life has put in our path We will survive
I knew I wanted you the first time that I saw you walk by That I need you forever when your eyes met mine I loved you the first time I heard you speak my name You'd be the beauty in my life, always
Now, I just have to wait for him to ask me."
*All Credit for the Song & Lyrics to Joey Avalos & Chris Cleveland from Stars Go Dim*
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 15, 2010 16:46:57 GMT -5
By the time that Keith and the others returned to the hospital it was after midnight and Shelby had finally been admitted into a room. Keith walked into the small room and swallowed the lump in his throat. Shelby was hooked up to a machine that monitored her heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. IV bags hung from a pole and liquid dripped into the tubes connected to the needles in her arm. Don sat at his daughter's side, his head bowed and one hand on hers. Keith ignored the sudden feeling of intrusion and stepped forward,"Mr.McConnell?", he said touching his shoulder lightly.
"Keith", Don said quietly,"I didn't hear you come in."
"I didn't want to disturb you," he placed the bag on his shoulder next to the bed,"What did the doctor say?"
Don took a deep breath,"Apparently, she has been getting worse for a while, and just not telling anyone. Which I don't doubt in the least, my daughter is stubborn. Her kidney is fully enveloped by the tumor, and without the kidney functioning correctly it caused an infection which her body was unable to fight off. They have her medicated and are pumping her with antibiotics to try to clear up the infection."
"What about Siobhan's test results? Did they say anything?", he asked hopeful.
Don smiled slightly,"She is a match for her."
"That's great!"
"She is a match, but with the infection, it could be a bit before Shelby's body is ready for the transplant."
"But they can do the transplant right?"
"It depends on Shelby now, as long as she is strong enough to fight this thing and get better. They are monitoring her carefully."
"Could I sit with her for a bit?"
"Of course", Don said patting his shoulder,"I am going to take Siobhan back to the hotel to get some sleep and then I will be back."
Keith resumed Don's place next to Shelby's bedside. The room was cool and quiet as the machines made small sounds monitoring the person to which they were connected. He pulled the chair closer to the bed and took Shelby's hand in his,"You are so stubborn Shelby, you should have told me," he sniffed and took a deep breath,"You're mother's a match for you. You just have to fight Shels, you have to fight. If you win this fight that means you have a second chance, and if you have that chance it means that we can get married. We can have any type of wedding you want. Big, small, on the beach, in a church, doesn't matter," he reached down and pulled the book out of her bag,"I found you're book, never knew you kept anything like this, you may hate me because I went through some of it,"he opened the book to the page with the song lyrics,"I think this song is absolutely perfect Shelby, because from the moment I saw you I loved you and that has never stopped."
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 18, 2010 18:10:06 GMT -5
Shelby wasn't sure how long it had been, all she knew was that her throat was horribly dry and her body was stiff. She attempted to open her eyes which nearly felt glued shut. She could feel pressure on her hand, but couldn't tell what or who it might be. Her body felt like it weighed a ton as she tried to move.
"Shelby?", she heard a familiar voice say,"Can you hear me?"
She could hear the voice, she wanted to tell him that she could hear him, but her body wasn't cooperating with her.
"Shelby, it's Keith",the voice said,"Squeeze my hand if you can hear me."
Squeeze his hand, that should be an easy task, she focused her mind on pulling enough strength to her hand that held the pressure and squeezed with what force she had.
"You're getting there", he said smoothing her hair back and kissing her forehead,"We just need to see those gorgeous green eyes."
Shelby felt the warm breath against her face and the gentle hand, she wanted to see his face, she needed to see it. She needed to know he was real and was there with her. She finally pulled her eyes open, things were blurry, and the small light from a dim lamp stung them. They finally rested on the aqua colored eyes of the voice, on the one person she wanted to see, to feel,more than anyone else.
"Welcome back", Keith smiled wiping away tears that had started slide down his cheeks.
She opened her mouth and discovered that her voice sounded like sandpaper had been rubbed across her vocal chords,"How long?", she tried to speak.
"It's been nearly three days," he answered,"Don't try too much, I can get the doctor."
"Water," she whispered,"No doctors yet", she allowed her eyes to close.
"Here we go", Keith helped her to take small sips from a cup,"Better?"
"Yes", she looked at him, his eyes were red rimmed, his face was unshaven by several days, dark circles plagued the skin under his eyes,"You haven't slept much."
"I couldn't risk not being here when you came around", he said gently sitting on the edge of the bed,"How are you feeling?"
"Stiff, and very medicated."
"Why don't I get the doctor? They should come check you out."
"Okay", she agreed closing her eyes.
"Be right back", he kissed her forehead before leaving the room
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 24, 2010 6:28:50 GMT -5
Keith went out into the hall way, the sterile smell pungent compared to the warm sweet air that they created in Shelby's room. He took a deep breath to calm the need to yell at the top of his lungs that she was awake. He walked to the nurse's station and informed them that Shelby was awake. The woman assured his that they would have a doctor right away, he nodded, thanked her and made his way back to Shelby's room.
"The doctor will be here soon", he said standing next to her bed.
"I'm sorry", she said taking his hand.
"Why are you sorry?", he sat on the edge of the bed.
"For all this", she sighed," I should have said something when it got worse."
"Don't Shelby," he squeezed her hand,"the important thing is that you are here and getting the care you need. I have some other news for you too."
"What?", she stared at him.
"Your mom", he grinned,"she's a perfect match for you, and she's going to give you her kidney."
Shelby felt the hot tears prick her eyes and covered her face with her hand as her body began to shake uncontrollably with the rolling sobs.
"It's okay", Keith took her in his arms,"You are going to be okay Shels."
"I was so hateful to her and she was just trying to talk to me", she said through her tears.
"You had every right to feel that way, none of us knew why she showed up", he looked up as the door opened.
"Sorry to intrude," a young man bearing a name tag that read Doctor Austin said,"Came to check on our patient."
"Shels, I'm going to get some coffee and make some calls", Keith said kissing her cheek.
"Okay", she nodded wiping her tears.
"How are you feeling?", Dr. Austin asked coming to the bed side and pulling a small pen shaped object from his pocket.
"Awake now", she said,"I want to be able to get up though."
He checked her eyes and looked at the monitors,"I will have the nurses come in to help remove some of the tubing and from there we can allow you up into a wheelchair," he listened to her heart and her breathing,"Would you mind if I checked your stomach?"
"That's fine", she stretched out some as he pulled the sheet back.
"Let me know if anything hurts or if I press too hard", he gently pressed around her stomach and then near her left side.
"It's tender", she winced.
"To be expected," he said lowering her gown back down,"I am going to order some testing and we want to asess the infection, but if all goes planned you and your mother will be going into surgery within the next few days."
"Do you think the transplant will work?"
"I do indeed", he smiled.
"Thank you", she shook his hand before he left.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Sept 5, 2010 13:29:27 GMT -5
A week passed and every day it seemed as if Shelby got stronger. Keith had stayed in New Jersey to be with Shelby while the other guys had flown back to Ireland to be with their families after a long stint on the road. Siobhan had been to visit her daughter many times and was enjoying the reconnection they seemed to be making. Don often times would simply sit and listen to the two women talk. Most conversation had become about Shelby and Keith's wedding. Small details about colors, cake, and food were debated and discussed.
"So I have to confess something", Keith said as he and Shelby sat side by side on her hospital bed.
"What is that?", she asked munching on a few grapes.
"I found a book of yours", he reached down producing the black bound journal.
"Did you read it?", she looked at him.
"A bit of it yes", he grinned.
"That is not fair at all", she attempted to take the book from his hand.
"Not so fast", he held it out of her reach,"I thought it was really cute, everything you have in here."
"Don't patronize me Harkin", she said making another grab for the book.
"Seriously", he opened the book pushing her hand away,"But I am curious about this song "Crazy", I want to hear it. Because apparently we are going to dance to it at the wedding."
"I don't like you right now", she said finally pulling the book from his grasp,"We don't have to dance to it, it was just something I found and it reminded me of you."
"I didn't say I didn't want to, I just want to hear the song", he smiled at her,"Because the lyrics are quite accurate," he said kissing her softly.
"You don't play fair", she murmured against his lips.
"Never said I did", he said wrapping his arms around her.
"Sorry to interrupt", the doctor said clearing his throat.
"It's okay", Shelby said feeling herself blush as Keith stood up.
"I just wanted to let you all know that tomorrow we are going to proceed with the transplant."
"Everything looks well enough then?", Keith asked as Shelby quickly grabbed his hand.
"It does indeed", Dr. Austin smiled,"the infection is gone. Shelby all your vitals are right where they need to be. Tomorrow morning we will start your pre-op about six a.m."
"Thank you Doctor," she smiled as he left the room.
"I'm getting a new kidney", Shelby beamed as Keith's eyes met hers.
"You'll be good as new", he said kissing her hand.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Sept 5, 2010 16:38:21 GMT -5
Shelby did not sleep through the night as the thought of the looming surgery coursed through her mind. Would it work? How long before she would dance again? How long before she and Keith could be married? Her mind simply swam and the voices of the people visiting her seemed to intermingle incessantly until she was nearly ready to scream. Around 4:30 a.m. she felt the weight on the bed shift and she molded her body against Keith's as he gently stroked her hair.
"Not too much longer now", he said quietly.
"I would rather it already be done with", she sighed inhaling his scent of shaving cream and soap. He had never been one to over do the cologne or heavy scents. It was one thing she had always loved about him. He was simple, and he complimented the high stress that she always placed on herself.
"What are you thinking?", he asked.
"Far too much to burden you with", she answered.
"Try me", he said gazing into her eyes.
"I just......I just want this surgery to be over, I want to be able to dance again. I want to get married. I just want a life again", she closed her eyes as tears unexpectedly trickled down her cheeks.
"Shels, it will all come in time. I am not going any where, so getting married. We will do that when you're well. Dancing, it will take time, but you will be able too. You should be thinking about taking care of yourself right now. Everything else will fall into place."
"I know, I just think about things in the future and I think about you and well", she stopped for a moment,"I don't know if I will ever be able to have kids. I don't know what it will do to my body."
"Now you are way ahead of yourself," he laughed giving her a squeeze,"We are still young and not even married yet. Kids, they are a ways off, not because I don't want them or want them with you, but because we have a whole world in front of us. For right now, just relax."
"I love you", she smiled kissing him softly. She rested her head against his chest as they lay in the quiet dimly lit room. Shortly before six am the nurses came in to prep her for the operation.
"See you on the other side", Keith smiled kissing her forehead before they wheeled her out of the room. He stood and watched as Don said a few words to Shelby. He could only imagine how hard it was on him. After they took her to the elevator Keith and Don made their way to the surgical floor waiting room.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Sept 8, 2010 7:41:18 GMT -5
Two years had passed since Shelby received the kidney transplant from her mother. The surgery had gone better than even the doctors had forseen. After therapy and medications Shelby was cleared of having any remaining cancer cells. She went for check ups every six months and each time was a small triumph. She and Keith planned their wedding to be held in Arizona and their honeymoon would be spent moving her things to Donegal.
A November sunset splayed its golden fingers across the backyard as Shelby sat on the small swing that adorned the porch. A cool breeze gently ruffled the leaves on the trees and caused the flowers woven through the archway to tremble. She took a deep breath inhaling every scent and breath of fragrance. In just a few shorts days she would be leaving it all behhind to start her new life with Keith. She smiled ot herself as she thought of him. He had been away for the last few days on business with Celtic Thunder, but was due in late in the evening. He had kept his word staying by her side even through the most difficult portion of her recovery. Even when she could not get out of bed or barely walk, he had been there for her and now they were going to be married.
"Hey sweetheart", Don said sitting on the swing next to her.
"Hey daddy", she smiled,"When did you get home?"
"Few minutes ago, figured by all the open windows in the house that I would find you out here."
"Hey, I turned the heat off", she laughed laying her head on his shoulder.
"Feeling okay?", he asked patting her knee.
"Perfectly fine", she answered,"Just soaking it all in before I leave. I have lived here for so long, it's surreal so to speak."
"Try having your only child moving to another country," he laughed.
"Yeah, but now that mom is back in the picture", she teased.
"We're still working on that", he said giving her a squeeze,"When is Keith due in?"
"Picking him up at eight o'clock and then we're going for dinner."
"Then I'll cook for one."
"Make that two", Siobhan said stepping through the sliding glass doors.
"Hey Mom!", Shelby said standing up to give her mother a hug,"This party just keeps growing."
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by to see who wanted to get dinner, but it seems I am too late for that."
"Why don't you and dad go? I have to get ready to pick up my fiancee from the airport."
"We could do that", Don said standing up as well.
"Have fun", Shelby kissed his cheek before disppearing into the house.
"Scarey that she is getting married", he shook his head.
"She's not so little anymore," she said,"I missed so much with her."
"The important things is what you have done for her over the last few years. So, how about going out for chinese?"
"Sounds perfect!"
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