"SUPRISE!!!"

The ever familiar voice of Benjamin causes Liam and I to quickly look up from our game of Chutes and Ladders.

"Was it meant to be a surprise? Michelle told me you were coming," I giggle.

"She did?" Mom asks, seeming extremely disappointed.

Ben rolls his eyes.

"Always ruining surprises, that Michelle," he says, laughing

"BENNY!" Liam yells running towards him.

"Hey, bud!" Ben exclaims, gathering Liam in his muscular arms and tossing him in the air. I stand up and make my way towards him to greet him with a hug.

"Hey, Benn-yyyyy," I tease.

"Hey, Bridge," he says, flipping my ponytail into my face before walking me in a one armed hug.

Then his eyes scan as much of the house as is visible.

"Where are the twins?" he asks.

"Somewhere doing something with basketballs," I say dismissively.

Dad lets out a chuckle and Ben full out laughs, puts Liam down, and starts heading deeper into the house mumbling,

"Somewhere doing something with basketballs...."

Wow, I'm just a comical genius aren't I?

Just then Megan and Michelle open the door and sneak inside with their fingers to their lips. Liam covers his mouth in an attempt to stifle his giggles.

The twins race towards Ben and jump on him causing him to fall onto the living room floor while all three erupt into hysterical laughter.

Dad laughs and taunts Ben saying,

"You just got tackled by a couple girls."

"Oh please, I could take him any day," Michelle insists punching the air while Megan gave her a look that said You're crazy.

"Ohhh really...? Ben says mischievously, standing back up to his full height of six foot- four.

Michelle gets a nervous look on her face as Ben stalks over to her.

He then flips Michelle over his shoulder while she squeals, cackles, and beats on his back with her fists.

"This is too easy," Ben says. Then he flips her onto the couch and Michelle lets out a long,

"Ahhhhhhh."

"Alright, enough games, where are you hiding my Lacy?" Ben asks, a wide grin across his face.

Liam, the twins, and I all turn to look at Mom and Dad.

"You didn't tell him???" Megan asks in shock.

Ben's smile fades.

"Tell me what?"

All the color drains from Mom's face and Dad looks at his hands.

"Guys, where is she?" Ben asks sounding desperate.

"Mom, dad, when were you planning on telling him?" Michelle demands.

Ben look around at all of us. Liam's the first to make an effort to answer him.

"Lacy's sick," he says.

"What do you... Mean?" Ben asks hesitantly.

Mom slowly walks toward him, then grabs his hands.

"She has leukemia, dear," she replies.

I can't believe he wasn't already told this. I wanted him to come home and be happy! What were mom and dad thinking???

Ben sits on the couch and rubs his forehead.

"She always did seem to get sick easier than other people..." He trails off.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He whispers, more hurt than angry.

Dad sighs.

Mom looks at him and says,

"I'm sorry... You were just so happy when we told you that we found her and... I didn't have the heart..."

Michelle looks about ready to explode.

"So you just... Re-break all of our hearts right now??? He was going to learn sooner or later Mom, why...???"

"Michelle, calm down," Ben begs.

"She's still the happy girl she was, if not... Happier somehow," I say, hoping to lessen the tension.

Ben smiles.

"That's good to hear," he says.

Then he stands up, claps his hands, and blows air through his lips.

"When can we see her?" he asks.

"Well, we're going right now of course!" he exclaims.

"Sounds good!" Ben agrees.

So, we all hop in the car, each of us wanting to see her as much as possible; lest the silent fear of each of us, become true all too soon.