Felicia:
The next morning I woke up around 7. I was still lying next to Nick. I smiled at him, sleeping. Then got up and went to the kitchen because I was hungry. I opened the fridge and looked for something to munch on. I found a small bag of dried fruit and orange juice. I took them out, got a glass and poured the juice into it. I sat on a stool at the island, opened the bag of fruit and started munching on them. I looked out the door to the pool and beach and just watched as the waves crashed against the shore.
I heard someone walk into the kitchen; I turned around and saw Nick standing at the door, looking at me.
"Hey, good morning." I smiled at him. He smiled back.
"Morning. Whatcha eating?"
"Dried fruit. I never though you of all people would have dried fruit."
"Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Just found it odd, that’s all."
"Well, it looked good, so I bought it. Is it any good?"
"Yeah, actually it is. Want some?"
"Sure." He walked over and sat next to me. I gave him the bag and he took some.
"So, what were you thinking about?"
"Nothing really. Well, what Jacob looks like and what he’ll think of me."
"Oh, well. I’m sure he’ll think you’re a great person for doing this for him."
"Maybe." I sighed a little.
"So, are you planning on having a relationship with your parents and Jacob?"
"Not with my parents. But maybe with Jacob. We’ll see."
"Yeah, well if you want any siblings you can have one of mine."
"Ok, I’ll adopt Aaron. He’s the cutest Carter."
"Fine, take him, but he’s not the cutest Carter."
"Are you sure? Angel is adorable, but Aaron is the cutest boy Carter. Besides your dad of course."
"I think you’re wrong."
"Oh, am I? Is there another Carter boy in your family?"
"Um, yeah. You’re looking at him right now."
"Hmm...No, I don’t think so. Aaron is the cutest."
"Fine, then I’m not talking to you ever again." He got up and began to walk out of the kitchen.
"I didn’t finish explaining, Carter. See Aaron is the cutest, but everyone in the world knows that the very famous Nick Carter is the hottest of the Carter bunch." I called after him. He turned around and grinned at me. "That make you feel better, now?"
"Yeah, a little."
"Just a little?" I pouted.
"Ok, a lot." He smiled.
"Great. Well, I’m gonna go take a shower and get ready."
Nick nodded in response. I got up and left the kitchen. I went upstairs and into my room. I went into the bathroom and got into the shower. 15 minutes later I finished climbed out and put a towel on. I walked into the room and opened my suitcase. I found my long khaki overalls and a white tank top. I got dresses, and towel dried my hair. I brushed my hair and put it up half way in a clip. I put my sandals on and walked out of my room, climbed down the stairs and into the living room where I heard music coming from. I saw Nick sitting on the couch, with a notebook in his lap, writing.
"Hey, whatcha writing?" I asked. He looked up and just stared at me. He didn’t say anything.
"Nick, are you ok?" I sat next to him. He shook his head a little
"Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine."
"You sure? You just kept looking at me and didn’t say anything. I just wanted to make sure."
"Oh, I just sorta spaced out."
"Ok, well are you going to go with me? You don’t have to, if you don’t want to."
"Yeah, I’ll go with you. I’ll go get dressed. I’ll be back." He got up and ran upstairs. The radio was still on, so I got up to turn it off.
I was about to push the stop button, when I realized who was singing. It was Westlife. Why was Nick listening to Westlife? I mean, he’s allowed to listen to whatever he wants, but why? And what was with that look he gave me earlier? What was he thinking about? I wish I knew what he was thinking sometimes.
My thoughts were jolted to a stop when I heard Nick running back downstairs. I stopped the CD and turned off the stereo.
"Ready?" He asked. I looked at him, he was wearing light khaki shorts, and a dark blue button up shirt with a wife beater underneath it. And sandals.
"Yep, ready as I’ll ever be."
I grabbed my purse and sunglasses and we went outside. I climbed into the passenger side of his Durango and he got in on the driver’s side. He started it and backed out of the drive way and towards All Children’s Hospital. 25 minutes later we arrived there. We went into the main lobby. I walked up to the front desk.
"Hello, may I help you?" The woman asked.
"Yes, could you please tell me which room Jacob Roberts is in?"
"Yeah, but can I ask how you’re related to him?"
"Sure, I’m his sister, Felicia Roberts."
"Ok, he’s in room 810, on the 8th floor."
"Ok, thank you."
Nick and I walked to the elevators and Nick pushed the button. A minute later the elevator got there, and we got on. I pushed the button for the 8th floor. And the doors began to close.
"Are you nervous?" Nick asked, looking at me.
"Yeah, a little. But I shouldn’t be."
"You’re allowed to be. It’s ok to be nervous."
"I know, it’s just strange. I guess."
Before Nick could speak, we arrived at the 8th floor. We walked off the elevator and walked down the hall. I saw Melinda standing outside a door, waiting. Nick and I walked up to her.
"Morning Melinda." I said, smiling a little.
"Hi, Felicia. You’re just on time. Come in and you can meet Jacob. Tom is in there with him right now."
Tom, my father. Wow, I haven’t seen him in forever. And I wasn’t planning on that either.
Melinda began walking into the room. Nick was behind me, so he had to push me a little so I could move. I followed Melinda into the room, and Nick followed behind me. The room was blue, with balloons painted on the walls, along with little smiley faces. It was a cheerful room, although I know no one was feeling really cheerful....or maybe they were. If I could help, anyway.
I looked up and saw a man that used to look like my father, standing at the foot of the bed.
"Felicia, this is Tom, your father." Melinda said.
"Wow, you look great. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. What are you now, 22, 23?"
"22. Just turned 22 two months ago."
"Oh, thought so."
‘Yeah, sure. Whatever.’ I thought to myself.
"And this is Jacob, your brother." She moved out of the way and in the hospital bed, was a 9 year old sick little boy. He looked a little like me at that age. I wanted to cry, because no one that young deserved to be sick.
"Hi Jacob. I’m your big sister, Felicia." I walked up to him and sat on the very edge of his bed.
"Hi Felicia. I have a sister?" He asked Melinda.
"Yep, you do. And she loves you very much." Melinda answered. I was holding in tears, and didn’t know how long I could hold them in.
"Jacob, she’s gonna see if she’s a match for your bone marrow. And if she is, she’s going to transfer some of her bone marrow to you, so that you can get better." Tom said.
His little pale face lightened up and a huge smile appeared on it.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. We want you to get all better. And I’m gonna help you."
"Thank you so much, Felicia." I lightly hugged him.
"Ok, we’ll be right back Jake. We’re going to take her to get tested, ok?" Melinda asked.
"Ok."
"Nick, you can go tot he waiting room if you like, or stay here and keep Jacob company."
"I think I’ll stay here and keep Jacob company."
"Ok, thanks."
Melinda, Tom, and I left the room and walked to the lab where I’d get tested.
Nick:
"So, Jacob. How old are you?"
"I’m 9 and 3 quarters. I’ll be 10 in April."
"Wow, that’s very cool."
"Are you Felicia’s boyfriend?"
"Nope, I’m just her good friend. She wanted me to come with her for support."
"Oh, ok. Why didn’t I know I had a sister ‘til today?"
"I’m not sure. But I know that your mommy, daddy and Felicia didn’t get along very well."
"Why?"
"That I don’t know either."
"Oh. How old are you?"
"I’m 22, same age as Felicia."
"That’s cool. Is Felicia gonna be able to save me?"
"I won’t make any promises, but I’m sure that she’s your match and she’ll be able to."
"I hope so. I’m tired of being sick."
"I’m sure that you are."
"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Yeah, I have 4 younger sisters and a brother. I’m the oldest."
"Cool, what are their names?"
"BJ, Leslie, Angel, and Aaron. Angel and Aaron are twins."
"Twins, that’s so cool. Hey, how I can tell all my friends that I have a big sister." I smiled at him.
"That’s right. You can brag about her all you want to your friends or whoever you want."
"I can’t wait to get started." He laughed a little and I laughed with him. I knew this would make Felicia happy, to know that he little brother wanted her and wanted to brag about her to his friends. I knew this was going to help her get through so much.
A few minutes later Felicia, Melinda, Tom, and a doctor came into the room.
"Well, Jacob we have some news for you. Looks like on Thursday you’ll be having surgery for a bone marrow transplant. Your sister is your match. What do you think about that?"
I looked at him and his face lit up and he had a huge smile on his face.
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Melinda said.
"That’s awesome! Thank you Felicia, for doing this."
I looked over at Felicia and saw she was starting to cry.
"You’re welcome, Jacob. I’m really sorry that I made you wait so long. But you’ll be better soon, I promise." Her tears began to fall.
Jacob opened his small arms for a hug. She walked over to him and hugged him. For someone who was sick, he hugged her tight. He let go and she kissed him on the cheek as she pulled away. He smiled and she smiled back at him. I looked at Tom and Melinda and they had tears in their eyes. I walked over to Felicia, and hugged her.
"I’m gonna go out into the waiting room to give y’all some privacy."
"Ok, thank you Nick."
I hugged her again and left the room. I went into the waiting room and sat down, picking up a magazine and flipping through the pages. Waiting...
