Medical Center.
Outside the Operating Room.
Rachel, the girl in red, paced anxiously. Not far off, Gilly's parents murmured prayers under their breath.
"That was fast!" Rachel jolted when Dr. Montgomery stepped out. "How's Gilly?"
"I'm sorry," Dr. Montgomery said, his voice heavy with regret. "Gilly's tumor has spread to her bladder. It's stage four—surgery's no longer an option."
"W-What does that mean?" Rachel asked, pale as if struck by lightning.
Dr. Montgomery glanced at Gilly's parents, who were watching desperately from a distance. "Her parents are still here. Taking her home might be the best choice."
"No!!!" Rachel's voice cracked, rejecting the idea outright.
Gilly's mom, watching the scene, pieced it together. Her prayers faltered, tears streaming down her face. Gilly's proud dad closed his eyes, his trembling frame betraying his pain.
Dr. Montgomery offered a few more explanations, but seeing Rachel collapse to the floor, sobbing into her hands, he shook his head and walked away. This kind of grief was for families to bear alone. Unless a miracle struck—unless those rampant cancer cells met a fiercer foe and just gave up—Rachel's best friend, the devout couple's daughter, didn't have much time left.
Adam finished stitching up and wrapping things up in the OR before stepping out.
"How's Gilly?" Rachel asked, wiping her tears. Her tone was calmer now. "When can I see her?"
"Soon," Adam said, pausing as he met her gaze. "She wants to go home."
"I know," Rachel nodded numbly.
"If you need it, I can introduce you to a friend of mine—someone amazing," Adam offered cautiously. "'Home is where the heart finds peace.' If she can help Gilly see that, and convince her parents too, you could all be with her till the end."
"Impossible," Rachel shook her head. "No one can pull that off."
"How do you know if you don't try?" Adam pressed. "This friend of mine—she's really persuasive."
"Why help us?" Rachel's eyes narrowed, wary.
"Because you remind me of her," Adam said, meeting her gaze with honesty. "Right now, Gilly's got two paths: stay and honor your pact—together from life to death—or go back with her parents, get baptized, and lose you forever. But I'm betting you'd let her go, even if it meant you'd suffer alone, unable to see her or be there at the end. Either way, it's a regret. I don't want someone like my friend to carry that kind of weight."
"How do you know I'd choose that?" Rachel's guard softened.
"Because you love her. You're real sisters," Adam sighed. "And she's already made her choice, hasn't she?"
"Can it really work?" Rachel's voice trembled after a long silence.
"There's a good chance," Adam said seriously. "If anyone in the world can do it, it's my friend Juno. She's the one."
"Thank you," Rachel said, gratitude softening her tone.
"No problem," Adam grinned. "Spreading truth, goodness, and beauty? That's my thing. I'll call Juno now—she's an intern at Mass General in Boston. She'll be here quick."
He dialed Juno, gave her the rundown, and hung up. "She's on her way."
"I'll go sit with Gilly," Rachel said, a faint smile breaking through as she headed to the room.
---
Inside the Ward.
"Hey," Gilly said, opening her eyes to see Rachel forcing a smile.
"Dr. Duncan's hooking us up with a friend," Rachel said, brightening up. "She's supposed to be super convincing. If she can sway your parents, we'll all stay with you. If not… you go home."
"Little Ray…" Gilly didn't know what to say.
It's what she wanted, but hearing it hurt too much.
"They're your parents," Rachel said, lips tight but smiling through it. "You love them, and they're still here. You know what flying here means for them… If it comes to that, go home. You're in this state—I doubt any devil would dare hurt you now. But if one does…" She turned, glaring at Gilly's parents by the door. "I swear I'll slaughter every demon and flatten hell for you. Tell the community that—say it's from me!"
Gilly's dad averted his eyes. Her mom, though, couldn't hold back. Breaking doctrine, she nodded and spoke. "I will, Rachel. You're a good girl. I'll tell your parents I saw you—that you're doing well, happy, and still the amazing girl you've always been."
Gilly's stiff dad stood silent, pretending not to see or hear. In that moment, human kindness trumped rigid faith. ✨
"But I can't leave you here," Gilly said, clutching Rachel's hand, her voice breaking.
"No, you can!" Rachel fought her tears, her tone firm. "You can go home, put on your bonnet, ride a carriage, get baptized in church, and leave this world as a Mennonite."
"No, I can't!" Gilly sobbed, unable to hold it in.
"Why not?" Rachel laughed through her tears. "Because you'd have to avoid me? Don't worry—you can't. I'm right here," she said, pointing to Gilly's heart, then her own. "And you're in mine. As long as we hold onto each other, our promise stands: from life to death, never apart."
"Wahhh…" Gilly burst into tears.
"Don't cry," Rachel said, pulling her into a hug with a shaky laugh. "When you're home, I'll snag your curling iron. No more fighting over the TV—your DVD stash is all mine. I'll think of you every day and live happily in the 21st century."
"Heh… heh…" Gilly giggled through her sobs.
"Hey! It's not set yet," Rachel teased. "If Dr. Duncan's friend convinces your parents, no bonnet, white dress, or carriage for you!"
"I just want you and Mom and Dad," Gilly choked out. "That's all I need!"
"Then let's hope," Rachel smiled. "If God's real, He'll make the right call. Say hi to your parents now."
She let go, stepping aside to the doorway, giving Gilly's parents the floor.
"Hi~" Gilly beamed through her tears as they approached, her smile radiant.
To reunite with her loving parents at life's end—what a gift.
"Hi, Gilly," her mom said, overjoyed, grasping her daughter's hands and kissing them softly.
Gilly's other hand reached for her dad instinctively. "Gilly," he said, still proud as ever, standing tall. He didn't bend to kiss her hand, but he gripped it tight, unwilling to let go.
"Don't worry," Adam said from outside, glancing at Rachel, who stood alone by the door, teary-eyed. "God'll make the right choice."
(End of Chapter) ❤️