Jace

Braydon filled me in with what's going on between Dallas and Darby. It wasn't what I was expecting.

"How did you find out?" I asked.

"Emerald told me," Braydon said.

"That could explain why Dallas is hell-bent on getting drafted to the Majors."

Braydon nodded in agreement. "What about you? Have you decided what you want to do about baseball?"

"I like baseball, but it's not what I want to do in the future."

"You want to follow in Dad's footsteps."

I nodded.

"You've always been close to Dad while we were growing up, while Dallas and I were closer to Mom. There's nothing wrong with it."

"Yeah, but it doesn't mean Dad loves me more than you and Dallas."

"Oh, Dallas, and I know that. Dad would never play favorites between us. It's not him." Braydon shrugged.

"No, it isn't."

Braydon and I hung out and talked for a while. Sometimes, you need brother time.

*******
Bradley

Hazel and I invited Troy and Carrie to dinner since our kids were away at school. It helped with missing them.

Hazel made lasagna, salad, and garlic bread. Troy and Carrie brought pop and dessert from the bakery. We sat around the kitchen table, ate dinner, and talked. Then, Troy and Carrie told us about Darby. Hazel and I furrowed our brows as our hearts ached for them.

"Are you sure?" Hazel asked them.

They nodded in response.

"The doctor thinks Darby's prognosis is good with treatment. He wants us to stay positive. Hope is all we have at the moment," Troy said.

"Then, we'll stay positive that Darby will get better," Hazel said.

"How are the girls handling the news?" I asked.

"Oh, you know the girls. Emerald is being reasonable while Charlie is keeping everyone's spirits up," Carrie said before a sob ripped through her throat. She grabbed a napkin and dabbed her eyes. "Sorry."

Hazel got up from her seat and comforted Carrie.

"Troy, let me show you what I've been working on in the garage," I said before getting up from my chair.

Troy nodded and followed me outside to the garage. Once I opened the garage door, Troy broke down. I wrapped my arms around him as he sobbed. As a father, our greatest fears are the kids getting sick or hurt. What do you do when a sickness rips them from you? There's not much but pray they survive.

Troy gripped my shirt and looked at the cement. "I can't lose one of the girls. It's not fair, Bradley. Why is God punishing us? What did we do? Did we not love them enough?"

"Troy, look at me."

Troy lifted his red-rimmed eyes to me as tears streaked his cheeks.

"God isn't punishing you. He wouldn't have given the girls you and Carrie as parents if he didn't think you were fit. He knew the girls needed strong people to love them. With you and Carrie's love and support, Darby will receive treatment and get through this rough time."

Troy nodded, sniffled, and wiped his eyes with his palms. I grabbed a paper towel and handed it to him while I sent a group text to a few people. Sometimes, we need support.

The back gate opened as Odin and Dexter entered the backyard. They walked toward us as Troy looked at them before crumbling. Odin and Dexter caught him and helped him sit in a chair. Sofie and Marla were in the house with Hazel and Carrie.

We pulled up chairs and sat down.

"What did the doctor say?" Odin asked Troy.

"The doctor diagnosed Darby with Leukemia when she was home for spring break," Troy said.

Odin and Dexter furrowed their brows.

"Leukemia is treatable, isn't it?" Dexter asked.

Troy sniffled and wiped his nose with the paper towel. "Yeah. The doctor said Darby's prognosis is good. But there's a chance the treatment won't work. He didn't want to give us false hope."

"What do you need from us?" Odin asked.

"I need you to tell me why God is punishing my daughter." Troy looked at Odin with glassy eyes.

Odin tried to reassure Troy, but it wasn't working. Troy was so angry. I couldn't blame him. I've been there myself. But sometimes, we need the proper perspective.

******
Oliver

I was working on a Sunday sermon when Conner knocked on my home office door. "What's up?"

"We need to head to Bradley's place."

I jitter my brows. "Is everything okay with the boys?"

"It's not the boys. It's Troy, Carrie, and their family. They received difficult news."

"Say no more." I got up, followed Conner out of the house, and headed to Bradley and Hazel's home.

It didn't take long for us to arrive at Bradley's place. Bradley met us when we exited the car and explained what was happening. Conner knitted his brows and shook his head in disbelief. Bradley led us to the backyard, where Troy sat in a chair with his head hung low. Odin moved from his chair so I could sit.

"Troy," I said.

Troy lifted his head as tears spilled down his cheeks.

"God doesn't hate you."

Troy broke into sobs as he buried his face into his palms. I leaned forward, wrapped my arms around him, and comforted him.

I've learned when people receive devastating news, they blame God. It's easier than facing the truth. But God understands people's anger. So, he sends people to help those who need it.

Bradley went and got Carrie for me. Hazel, Sofie, and Marla followed Carrie as she sat beside Troy. I sat with them and let them talk. While they try to be strong for their child, who's being strong for them?

******
Bradley

I listened to Oliver talk to Carrie and Troy. He listened to their fears while reassuring them. I can't imagine how they're feeling. It made me think about the boys.

While the others gathered around Carrie and Troy, I stepped away to call the boys. My first call was to Dallas.

He answered after the second ring. Hey, Dad.

"Hey, Dallas. Your mom and I had dinner with Carrie and Troy. They told us about Darby."

Yeah.

"I'm sorry, Dallas."

Why?

"You needed me while I was dealing with your brothers. It wasn't fair to you."

Dad, don't apologize. Bray and Jace needed you.

"But you needed me, too."

And I have you. I know you'll come when I need you. But Bray and Jace needed you more than I did. Right now, I'm focusing on Darby's needs. Isn't that what you stressed to us while growing up? Putting other's needs before our own?

"Yeah, but don't forget to take care of your needs."

I won't. If I need anything, you're just a call away.

"Always. I love you, Dallas."

Love you, too, Dad. Dallas ended the call.

I called Braydon next and checked in with him. Braydon reassured me he was taking his meds and seeing his therapist. Plus, Jace was keeping him distracted with his love life. I shook my head at Braydon's views.

Finally, I called Jace.

Hey, Dad.

"Hey, Jace. I spoke to Dallas and Braydon."

Yeah, they told me.

"I wish I could be there for you boys."

Dad, you are, even if we're hundreds of miles apart. We know we can call you, and you'll answer.

"It's not the same. Things were easier when you and your brothers were little. I could hug you and make things better."

Sometimes, a phone call helps. It lets us know you care.

"Have you given thought to what we discussed?"

Yeah, I have. You were right. I can't hide my friendship with Julia from girls. If they can't accept it, they're not for me. But it's not like it matters. No one could match Jules' place in my heart.

My lips curled into a slight smile when I realized who Jace dated didn't matter. They will never hold Jace's heart. Only one girl has his heart.

Once I ended the call, I yelled, "Yahoo!"

The others came running to the gate and stared at me in confusion.

I held my arms apart and walked toward them. "We're still on with the plan."

"What plan?" Odin asked.

"Jace just admitted his feelings for Julia to me," I said, smiling.

Everyone's brows lifted in surprise except Dexter, who sighed.

I looked at Carrie and Troy. "It doesn't diminish what's happening with Darby. Please don't think it does."

"Bradley, it's okay. You have the right to feel happy," Troy said.

"Troy's right. We know you care about our family. It's what makes us family," Carrie said.

I nodded in agreement.

I would never disregard Troy and Carrie's situation because I was happy for my son. I never wanted them to think I would. They have Hazel and my full support.

One day, they would need it more than ever. We would be there for them when that day arrives. It was a guarantee. That's what family does for each other.