Page 56 of Awakening
“Y—Yes, I’m still here.”
“We got your results back. Great news, you’re a match!”
My knees gave out as I sat hard on the edge of the couch, mouth open, eyes wide, not even breathing. “I’m… I’m a match?”
“Yes. A full match, which makes you an ideal donor candidate. If you’re still willing, we’d like to begin the process for the next steps.”
I didn’t even let them finish before whispering, “Yes, count me in. I want to do it, but I’d like to be the one to let my family know,” I said, the words catching in my throat. Family, I had family outside of Dro.
When I hung up, the room spun. Knox was in the kitchen, drying his hands with a towel, a curious look on his face.
I swallowed, my voice trembling, “Knox.”
He crossed the room in two long strides. “Yea, Baby, wassup?”
“I’m a match for Lena.”
His eyes softened, then widened. “The baby sister you’ve never met, right?”
I nodded. Knox and Maverick have proven time after time that they listen and remember every detail about me, no matter how minor or significant.
“I’ve never met her, but I’m the one who can help her and will help her.”
Knox pulled me into his arms without hesitation, his grip fierce and protective. “You’re incredible,” he whispered into my hair, “Incredible as fuck.”
I let the tears fall as they soaked into his shirt, while he held me, rubbing my back and kissing my head.
“Let’s go tell them,” he said after a while.
“What?” I sniffled.
“Let’s drive down. Two hours, right? I’ll go with you. We’ll look your mother in the eye, tell her what you’ve decided, and make sure your sister knows what kind of woman’s fighting for her.”
I stared at him, overwhelmed. “You’d really come?”
“I wouldn’t let you do this alone.”
Something shifted in me right then, deeper than gratitude. It was love, adoration, and admiration all rolled into one.
He kissed my forehead and pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. “After we deliver that news, I’ve got plans for you.”
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, managing a watery smile.
“Yep, one week from today, pack a bag, bring something sexy, something comfortable, and maybe something I can take off slowly, but I’m not telling you where we’re going.”
“You’re serious?”
He grinned, brushing his thumb along my jaw, “Deadass, Baby. You’re mine for a whole weekend, and I’m gonna make sure you remember it for the rest of your life.”
And just like that, I felt a little lighter. Between being a match for a baby sister I never met, a mother I can’t stand, and mystery dates I was anxious to go on, life was a lot. But Knox? He made the weight feel a little easier to carry.
The drive to my mother’s house was quiet at first. Knox had his hand on my thigh, thumb stroking a slow rhythm against my jeans, comforting me while my heart ran marathons. My stomach twisted in ways I couldn’t name. I hadn’t seen Kimberly since the day of my panic attack, and now I was showing up with the news that I was a match for the baby sister I’d never even met.
When we pulled up to the house, I sat still for a long moment, just staring.
“They’re gonna love you,” Knox whispered.
Before I could respond, there was a knock on my window. I jumped, startled, and looked to my right. Standing there, I see Caleb, Maverick, Yanna, Ahmir, and Dana. Tears rushed to my eyes as I opened the car door.
