I made a mad dash to the waiting room to collect Gran and Brynn's Dad knowing how eager they were to see Brynn again. They followed me up to her room. I showed them where it was, and told them I would be right back.

"You're not coming with us?" Mr. Shelby asked.

"I promised to let my Mom and my friend Tyler know about how things went. Everyone at school is praying for Brynn today. I just want to spread the good news. Besides this will give you her undivided attention, until I get back."

He shrugged and walked into Brynn's room. "What are you really up to?" Gran asks of me.

"I know, we're all here for her now but soon visiting hours will be over and she'll be all alone. I want to get a stuffed animal from the gift shop. So, she has a friend while I'm... we're away."

Gran pats my cheek. "You're a sweet boy, Finn."

"Thanks, tell her I'll be right back?"

"Will do."

I get on the elevator and I text Tyler first as I know it will still be a little while before he'll be able to respond. He texted me during lunch but I was with Brynn at the time and didn't respond.

Hey, sorry I missed your text. Brynn is out of surgery and doing great. Thanks again for the prayers. They really worked. Call you later.

I immediately get thumbs up on the message. He must be keeping his phone close waiting for me to text or call him back. I just hope he doesn't get caught using his phone in school or they'll confiscate it on him.

The elevator takes me to the main floor and I head to the gift shop I took note of on our way in. I call my mom first though before shopping.

"Finn?"

"Hey, Mom!"

"How's everything going? There aren't any complications with the surgery is there?"

"No, no... quite to the contrary. She's doing great. There were no complications with the surgery, she is through recovery and in a room. Sorry I didn't call you earlier, Mom. Brynn just got settled, this is the first chance I had to break away."

"It's okay, sweetheart. I'm just glad it's good news. When I didn't hear from you I just got a little worried."

"Well, throw those worries away. The surgery went great, they only had to remove one ovary and tube, and they expect the results for the biopsies will come back benign. She will have to go through radiation but it's targeted and only for a few short weeks."

"How long will everything take?"

I thought it interesting that Mr. Shelby and my Mom had the same question. Both of them are obviously looking to jump to the end game when it came to Brynn.

"Dr. Alterman said 2 months."

"That's wonderful. She may even be well enough to attend graduation."

"Possible but it's still a wait and see. Right now we need to concentrate on getting her through the next step."

"When did you get so grown up?" my mom asks me.

I laugh. "Guess there's nothing like the stresses of real life to speed up the process," I tell her.

She laughs. "I guess that's true. Well, I won't keep you. I know you want to get back to see Brynn. I'll make an announcement about Brynn and let your Dad know, he keeps texting me." She giggles. "I'm so glad this was the outcome, Finn."

"Me too, Mom. Me too."

"Love you!"

"Love you too. See you soon."

"Oh, I'll put a plate in the fridge for you. You can heat it up when you get home."

"Thanks, Mom. You're the best!"

I hang up and continue on my mission. I check out the flowers but Brynn never really struck me as a flower kind of girl. Wildflowers maybe... but I'm not likely to find something like that here. I wander through the cards but they all seemed so cheesy. I could pick out something funny but remembering how she winces in pain when she laughs I thought better of it.

I doubt she's allowed to eat anything solid just being out of surgery so chocolates or candy is out but might be a thought for future visits, although I think she'd prefer me to smuggle in a milkshake.

So that left me with my original idea of a stuffed animal, of which there was a wide variety, from pink flamingos to hedgehogs, dinosaurs, or cartoon characters but I went for the traditional bear. I found the perfect one almost immediately it was a medium-size, great for cuddling, it had pink stitched paws and nose and instead of fur, it was made out of the softest plush material I've ever felt, perfect for what I wanted.

I paid for it and made my way back up to the room. Gran and Mr. Shelby were sitting by her side. They were all in an animated conversation upon my return.

"There you are!" Brynn said spying me in the doorway. "I was being to wonder if you ditched out on me."

"Me? Never." I grin. "I just knew that we will need to go soon and I wanted you to have a friend while we were away," I said holding bear out to her.

She immediately makes that "Aww! -face" and immediately snuggles up with it. "This is the softest bear ever!" she exclaims still cuddling the bear.

"I know right. I picked it up and couldn't put it back down." I chuckled as she peaks at me over the bear's ears, her eyes are sparkling and I blush, realizing I just admitted to cuddling the bear in front of not just her but her entire family.

It was too late I was in too deep so I just went with it. Especially, since it was making her smile. "Besides..." I shrug, "Cuddles needs a girlfriend. I'm not sharing you with anyone."

This made her giggle. "Smooth move, Wonderboy."

I laughed. "I thought so."

We all stayed until the nurse kicked us out. None of us wanted to go. The car ride home was pretty quiet, each of us either in our own thoughts or in Gran's case asleep.

"I know you really care about, Brynn. Just keep in mind, I won't be happy if she gets hurt."

Mr. Shelby's words broke me out of my daydream about Brynn and I living together. "Don't plan on it. I can't guarantee it. I said before she wouldn't get hurt, and she did. She hurt me too, but I don't plan on walking away ever, Mr. Shelby. I plan to, even when things get rough, sticking it out and fixing it. She may still walk away on me. As you said, there is a lot of obstacles to overcome in making Brynn believe I truly love her but I'm not going to ditch her. You have my word on that. This ends only if she ends it. It won't happen because of me."

"I really don't want to like you, Finn," he tells me his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror.

I smile. "But I'm growing on you," I taunt.

"Sad but true," he admits. "It's hard not to notice how she lights up when you're around. That she feels safe... with you. Don't ever change that."

"I won't," I tell him.

"You're certain I can't talk you into just being friends with her?"

I'm stunned to see him smiling and realize he's actually trying to joke with me.

"Definitely too late for that."

"Then I guess I'm stuck with you too. Just take good care of my baby girl. She's my whole world."

"She's mine, too."

He pulls up in front of my house and drops me off. "You going back to the hospital tomorrow?"

"I'll need to go after school is over. I've missed a lot of time already. I need to make up for it. I also want to pick up Brynn's assignments so she doesn't fall behind."

"Okay. Goodnight, Finn."

"Later, Mr. Shelby."

He drove off and I chuckle at his joke about me and Brynn becoming "just friends". We tried that and it failed miserably thank God. Who does he think I am... Adam?

The moment his name pops into my mind I swear. "Shit!" Adam! I never called, texted him, nothing. He would have known Brynn made it through surgery if my mom announced it. All hell...

I pull out my phone and call him. The instant he picks up a lead with, "Dude, I am so sorry."

"Can I call you back?" he states blandly.

"Yeah, sure." I hang up and unlock my front door, letting myself in. I check to see if my parents are still up. I don't see anyone around though and so go in search of that food my mom mentioned.

I zap the plate in the microwave and my phone rings.

"Hey."

"Hey. So you finally thought of me, huh?"

I feel guilty that he didn't cross my mind at all today. He must have been beside himself with worry over Brynn.

"Sorry, it was a busy day," I said lamely and hear a car door shut.

"Are you in driving somewhere?" I ask.

"Mr. Brock asked if I would cover deliveries tonight since you couldn't come in."

"Oh, right. That makes sense." I take my plate over the to kitchen table and shovel in a mouth full of food because I'm starving.

"So how's she doing?"

I take a sec. to swallow and then answer. "She's doing great, Adam. Better than expected. They believe they removed all of the cancerous material. They expect the results of biopsies they took to be benign."

"Does she need radiation or chemo?"

"Targeted radiation. It's just a safety precaution to be certain they didn't leave anything behind. When she's done she'll be officially cancer-free."

"That doesn't mean it can't come back or that she's not in danger of forming some other sort of cancer."

I sigh and swallow another fork full of food. "For once, can't you just try and be happy that she is doing well. It's good news, not doom and gloom."

"Her mom was cancer-free and when it came back it, it was way worse. Brynn lost her in a matter of months."

"You're making me regret calling you," I tell him, pushing my plate away having lost my appetite.

"Sorry, I'm a realist."

"No, you're a doomsayer," I corrected. "Reality is Brynn is doing great. She made it through the surgery. She will be cancer-free. That's reality, Adam. So if you're a realist then deal with the reality that Brynn is okay, and stop projecting what could happen in the future, which nobody knows."

My statement was met with silence on the other end of the phone. Until I get...

"It's not my way. My life has taught me differently."

"Well then maybe you should start teaching yourself a new way."

"You're starting to sound a lot like Paris."

I grinned at that. I should have known little miss pixie dust wouldn't tolerate a little black rain cloud to rain on her parade every day. If anyone could whip Adam into shape it be her.

"Good, I'm glad that I'm not the only one telling you you're being a jerk."

"She told you I'm being a jerk?"

I was just kidding with him but it surprised me that there was a note of concern in Adam's voice.

"No. That was an assumption on my part."

"Very funny," he said in that nearly monotone voice of his letting me know just how not funny he finds me.

"Do you want to go with me to visit Brynn tomorrow? I'll take you after school," I offer.

"I want too but I got to work tomorrow."

"You're working an awful lot at the pizza shop, you sure there isn't more than just Paris finding you annoying going on," I tease.

"She said I was annoying?" he asks and there is that note of concern again. I'm starting to think Adam may have some feelings after all.

"NO, Adam, she didn't but if you like her you should just ask her out already."

"Like? Who said anything about anyone liking somebody? I just need the money."

"Huh, huh. Sure, how about I check to see if Brynn can have a milkshake tomorrow and if she can I'll order one and you can deliver it to her."

"Yeah, that would work."

He actually sounded excited about the idea or at least as excited as Adam can get. "Alright then. I'll call you."

"Thanks. And Finn, even though it was late... really late... thanks for calling."

I smile. "Yeah, no problem. And if you need tips on how to ask Paris out you can always give me a call."

"Screw you, Nash."

I chuckle. "Later, Adam."

He didn't even say good-bye just hung up the phone. I know I'll get the low down from Paris the next time I'm at work. That girl can't keep a secret to save her soul.

I pull my plate back over and finish eating before heading off to bed. As I'm about to put my phone on the charger it pings. I find a text from Brynn. It's a selfie picture of her and smooshed next to her, her bear's face with the message-

Sweet dreams, Cuddles. We love you!

Seriously?! I look at Cuddles sitting on my bed. "Don't get too excited. I'm still not sharing Brynn."

Cuddle's just stared back at me blankly, but I'd swear he had a smug look to his eye. I snatch him up and take a close up of him with me photobombing him in the background. I send the photo back to her with the message...

Looking forward to cuddling you both. Sweet dreams! P.S. Ignore the guy in the background he's just starved for attention.

I knew it was mean of me because I knew that would probably hurt... just a little.

A second later my phone pings again with...

Owww... jerk!

I couldn't help cracking up laughing as I lie on the bed. Served her right. I text her back.

Do you want me to bring Cuddles tomorrow so they can officially meet?

She writes back.

So long as you know you may not be allowed to bring him home with you when you leave.

Uh-huh. Cheating on me already?

No, I just don't know if Snuggles would want to be separated from him if she really likes him.

I grin.

Snuggles?

Yes, that's her name.

Of course, it is.

I pause a moment before adding.

I'm not sure it's a good idea they sleep together this soon in their relationship. It may send the wrong kind of message.

She writes back...

Are you saying Cuddles can't commit?

No way. Cuddles is as stalwart as they come. It's Snuggles I'm worried about. How do I know she isn't going to break poor Cuddles heart the first time she sees all the other options out there?

Brynn answers with...

Snuggles is highly offended. She is not that kind of bear.

Well, what kind of guarantee do I have? For Cuddles, of course. - I add for clarification.

Snuggles is a single-minded ball of fluff and once she's made up her mind about something there is no changing it, no matter what.

I laugh at that.

Sounds a bit like her owner.

Are you calling me single-minded?

Are you saying you haven't made your mind up about me? - I inquire.

I see those three little dots (... ) blinking at me, stopping and blinking again and then...

You are the first thing I think of when I open my eyes. You're the last thing I think of before I go to sleep and every moment in-between I wish was spent with you because I can't stop thinking about you when you aren't here. So I guess you're right. When it comes to you... I am definitely single-minded.

Cuddles and I will be there the moment school lets out. Think of me fondly, Brynn until we meet again and one day, I promise to be your everyday. Sweet Dreams! Love - me and Cuddles.

Be dreaming of you! Love – me and Snuggles

She sends me another pic of the two of them snuggled up in bed with her eyes closed. God, I love this girl.