A Good Gesture
He’d meant it as a good gesture, a way to honor the girl’s dying wish. He’d only wanted to make her smile and show her that the world could be a good place.
He said the words that tied her to him, and she repeated the words back to him.
Everyone in the room clapped, and the little girl laughed for the first time in a long while. But no one knew what a terrible mistake they were making.
Time’s Up
The doctor had assumed he was pretend-marrying the four-year-old girl. He’d thought it was what she and her family wanted. For months, he’d been watching over the girl.
He’d seen how courageous, brave, and resilient she was. He’d seen her beat the odds time and time again.
He’d never been prouder of a patient as he was of her. But sadly, her time had come.
The Perfect Suit
The doctor wore a perfect suit that day, one he only saved for special occasions. He even visited his barber and got his hair trimmed before driving to the hospital.
The girl’s mom had already informed him that everyone was waiting. The girl’s family was there, and the girl was already dressed in a beautiful gown.
The doctor had no clue what a terrible mistake he was making.
Backed Into A Corner
Arriving at the hospital, he first ran into one of his subordinates, who warned him against moving forward with the plans he had in mind.
“It doesn’t matter if you feel backed into a corner,” she said.
“This is wrong, doctor. With all due respect, of course.” If the doctor had been smart, he would have listened before he made this terrible mistake.
Honoring Her Last Wish
But the doctor didn’t listen. He knew the importance of honoring someone’s last wish. He’d made a promise to the little girl, a promise he’d keep no matter what.
He marched out of his office and through the hallway, finding himself in the childcare wing where the little girl and her family waited.
The doctor gently knocked on their room’s door. He had no idea there wouldn’t be any coming back from this.
A Beautiful Applause
The door swung open, and the doctor was met with a warm welcome. The girl, sickly in her dress, managed a smile. She waved at the doctor, and he found himself waving back as his heart broke.
Such a sweet soul only had a few weeks left, and there was nothing he and his colleagues could do.
He’d been taught not to get too attached. Throughout his long career, one of his biggest rules was staying objective. But today, he’d chosen to break this rule.
A Weak Grip
Gently taking the girl’s hand, the doctor said the few lines he’d rehearsed. He felt how weak the girl’s grip was, and a tear tipped his eyelashes.
She listened attentively as he recited the words, weakly grinning as he did so. Despite her young age, she’d written them herself, and they were among the purest and most beautiful words the doctor had ever read.
But all this beauty would come to haunt him sooner than expected.
Rings
The girl said her vows as well. Like the doctor’s words, hers were also short and to the point. Yet, they carried emotion like nothing he’d ever experienced before.
With the words said, the little girl slid the ring onto the doctor’s finger. The doctor did the same and leaned down to hug her.
Everyone cheered. It was official. There was no coming back from this again.
A Doctor And A Young Girl
Dr. Oliver Turner, a renowned cancer specialist and surgeon from Jackson, Wyoming, found himself entangled in an unusual request that stirred the quaint town of Lubbock, Texas.
Young Emilia, a terminally ill patient with a heart as pure as the West Texas sky, confided in Oliver about her wish – a pretend wedding before her time ran out.
A Good Doctor
Oliver had been a doctor at the Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas for ten years before relocating to Lubbock to carry on with his mission of helping people.
A hard worker with a heart of gold, the thirty-seven-year-old doctor and researcher always went above and beyond for his patients.
But he’d soon learn the consequences of getting too attached.
Meeting Emilia
Oliver met Emilia in his second year in Lubbock. He’d already made a name for himself there as one of the institution’s most caring and thorough doctors.
He’d been carrying out research in the hospital’s lab when one of his colleagues came to inform him of this sickly little girl who had just been admitted to the children’s wing.
Would the doctor be interested in looking at her?
Taking Center Stage
Since Oliver was one of the few doctors in the facility who had extensive knowledge of cancer, he took center stage in examining the little girl. At this point, she would drift in and out of sleep, barely being able to talk when Oliver first came in.
Talking to her parents, he learned the little girl’s name was Emilia Hutch.
She was only four years old and had been complaining about stomach pains for a while.
Their Last Hope
The parents revealed that they’d taken Emilia to many medical institutions all over town.
But no one could pinpoint what was wrong with their little angel. But one doctor had theorized that she might have a tumor in her belly and insisted she get tested.
And so, the worried parents were here, eager to know what was wrong with their child. Without wasting any second, Oliver got to work.
The Tests
The doctor started with blood and urine samples, followed by an ultrasound. For the latter, he moved a small wand around Emilia’s skin.
The gadget gave off sound waves, picking up the sounds’ echoes as they bounced off tissues.
The echoes translated into a picture on a computer screen in real-time, and what the doctor saw made his brows furrow.
What Is It?
Emilia’s parents knew something was wrong the moment the doctor’s face was leached of color. They saw how rigid his frame had turned and noted that he’d stopped talking to them completely.
“What is it?” Mrs. Cicilia Hutch, Emilia’s mom, asked. Tears already dripped down her cheeks.
“Is she alright, doctor?” But even Oliver couldn’t speak.
It’s Not Looking Good
“Please, doctor,” Mrs. Hutch continued. “It’s still too early to say,” Oliver finally answered. Even he wished he had different, less saddening news. He’d never enjoyed telling people that their lives were in danger.
“I still have a few different tests to run, Mrs. Hutch,” he said. ‘But it’s not looking good,’ he said internally.
The woman broke, “I can tell it’s bad. Look at you. You can’t even look me in the eye!”
A Few More Tests
Emilia’s dad had to cut in. He apologized for his wife’s behavior, even though he, too, was in tears.
But Oliver assured him it was okay. “As I said, I still have to run a few more tests to ascertain what’s happening before we make a clear-cut verdict,” he said.
The next week saw him run several tests on Emilia. After CAT and MRI scans and a thorough upper endoscopy with biopsy, Dr. Oliver finally understood what was happening to Emilia.
The Results
“Acute gastric MALT lymphoma or stomach cancer,” Oliver shared solemnly. A few days had passed since he and his team started the tests, and he was heartbroken to have to share the results with the Hutchs. “The cancer stemmed from a chronic infection of the mucosal layer of her stomach with H. pylori.”
He explained that for Emilia to develop stomach cancer, she had the infection for a while.
It ate away at her stomach lining, leading to inflammations that resulted in severe changes in her stomach linings, thus the cancer. Her parents were beyond devastated.
Getting To Know Her
Oliver started Emilia’s treatment right away. Since her cancer had already graduated to a dangerous state, he and his team had little time to try and curb it. It was during this time that he got to know Emilia.
At first, the girl was quiet. She rarely spoke whenever Oliver was in the room. She’d greet him, then take her medicine and sleep.
But one day, all this changed. Emilia would do something unexpected.
Talking More
Emilia began talking a bit more to Oliver. Even though she was very weak and her speech was labored, she always tried her best to have a good conversation with the doctor.
Oliver was thoroughly impressed with her, and he hoped that this was because of the treatments that she was receiving.
He could see that she was an intelligent little girl.
Not Fair
At this point, all Oliver wanted to do was make sure that she would recover from this horrible disease.
He worked with a lot of cancer patients in all his years of being a doctor, but what hurt him the most was seeing children suffering in this way.
Why was life so cruel, he would ask himself. How was it fair that someone so young had to deal with this?
Looking Forward To It
He was taking a liking to his little patient, and before long, the two of them struck up daily conversations, ranging from cartoons to Barbie dolls.
It was something that the doctor looked forward to every day, and he could see that young Emilia was enjoying it, too.
At least it put a smile on her face and made her forget about the horrors of the disease that was consuming her little body.
A Special Bond
As the days passed, a special bond formed between Oliver and Emilia.
Despite the dire circumstances, they found moments of joy in their conversations and shared interests. Oliver found solace in their talks, a break from the grim reality of the hospital.
Emilia, too, seemed to brighten up whenever Oliver entered her room. Her eyes would light up, and her smile would momentarily chase away the shadows of pain and fear that lingered. Regardless, darker days were yet to come.
Chemotherapy
It all began with the grueling round of chemotherapy–the next step on Emilia’s road to recovery.
Oliver knew how painful and taxing the whole process was. He’d long dreaded the side effects it would have on her.
Just as he had predicted, Emilia had lost her spark and was back to being tired and very weak as soon as the chemo sessions began. But things were about to get worse.
The Remedy
Emilia had been in the hospital for two months now. Oliver had almost forgotten her laughter. That day, he was in with Emilia’s injections since stomach cancer necessitated him to administer the medicine straight into her veins.
Before, he and his team had considered surgery, which is usually the best bet against stomach cancer. But Emilia’s condition had progressed too much.
She was also weak, and they weren’t sure she’d survive the procedure. The doctor should have known that this would end in tears.
A Question
Lately, Oliver had been coming in, administering his tests or remedies, and leaving. He’d noted that Emilia wasn’t much of a talker since the chemo treatments. But that day, she smiled at him when he entered the room.
“I have a question for you,” she said meekly, her smile still holding fast. By now, the side effects of the chemo drugs in her system had taken root, and she looked like a former husk of herself.
Still, there was life in her bright eyes. “Yes?” Oliver answered.
Do You Think He Was Wrong
“Tai Lung,” she said. “Do you think he was wrong?” “What?” Oliver asked with furrowed brows.
“Tai Lung, the tiger from the first Kung Fu Panda movie,” the girl said brightly. “Do you think he was wrong?”
“Wrong, how?” the doctor asked, setting the medicine aside. He was happy to see his best patient fighting through the pain and finding her voice again.
An Odd Question
“Well, his master promised him he was the chosen one,” Emilia continued. “He built him up and did nothing when Oogway tore him down. Do you think he was wrong to be a bad person?”
Oliver was taken aback by the question. He’d never watched the movie the girl was talking about. But telling her that made the situation worse.
“We’re watching it when you are free!” she declared, her hands folded over her chest.
A Fiery Soul
Oliver had never been one to get too close to patients. But Emilia’s personality had resonated with him.
He’d never met someone with such fire, especially in the face of such heartbreaking adversity.
He agreed to watch the movie with her, and that evening, after he’d taken off his white coat and stethoscope, he joined Emilia and one of her nurses in her room for the movie. He was in for a treat!
A Unique Perspective
The movie was a beautiful piece of art. But more interesting was the time Oliver had spent with Emilia. He could see how happy she was that he’d decided to share this masterpiece with her.
Afterward, he became astounded by her take on it. He was surprised when she applied the villain’s situation to herself, asking why the world had promised her life just to snuff it away.
“But I’m not angry about it,” she said. “I got to experience it, though briefly. I’m thankful.”
An Unlikely Friendship
Oliver and Emilia struck an unlikely friendship, and as the months counted, they would spend time watching movies, playing games, and discussing Emilia’s interests.
For a four-year-old, she displayed critical thinking way beyond her age and would always leave Oliver stumped with the way her mind worked.
But although her friendship with Oliver blossomed, her health continued declining. The cancer wasn’t responding to the drugs Oliver and his team were administering. Slowly and gradually, the light in her eyes started fading.
Heartbreaking News
It was eleven months after Emilia’s diagnosis that Oliver shared the terrible news with her parents.
The treatment had taken a toll on the little girl’s body. But worse than that, the cancer had grown, graduating to its worst state. “She only has a few weeks left,” Oliver said.
The family cried that night, and Oliver joined them. But he was surprised to see Emilia nod understandingly when her mom told her what was happening. But that wasn’t the most heartbreaking part.
I Knew It
The most heartbreaking part came when Emilia, weak and fragile as she was, turned to Oliver with a smile and said, “I knew this day would come, Dr. Oliver. Thank you for being my friend.”
Oliver felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. How could such a young soul be so accepting of her fate?
He struggled to maintain his composure, blinking back tears as he hugged Emilia tightly.
Couldn’t Deal With The Pain
Oliver couldn’t believe that it had come to this. He had tried his utmost to make sure that she was getting all the best care, and he hoped and prayed that the treatments would help.
But now, there was only sorrow. This brave little girl showed so much strength and dignity.
She seemed mature beyond her years. Oliver couldn’t deal with the pain.
Not Prepared
One minute, they were laughing and watching movies together, and the next, it was only heartache and pain.
Oliver didn’t want to deal with this. He was not prepared to lose this little girl.
She had become a part of his life now, and he couldn’t imagine coming to work and not seeing her and hearing her infectious laughter.
Attached
He had become so attached to her. At this point, their friendship meant the absolute world to him, and he didn’t know how he was going to cope if he lost her.
Emilia taught him a lot about life and how to live it to the fullest.
He once again questioned how and why life could be so cruel, even though he experienced the cruelty of losing someone on a daily basis.
Resilient
Her parents couldn’t be consoled at all. They were beyond devastated. But still, this brave little girl’s resilience never faltered. Oliver was astounded at how strong in heart and spirit she really was.
He still hoped and prayed that there was something that he could do to help her in some way.
This couldn’t be the end. He had no idea about the request that was about to come his way.
It’s Okay
Emilia smiled and wiped her mom’s tears. “It’s fine,” she said. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll be an angel now and get big white wings. I’ll watch over and protect all of you, and I can meet Grandpa George and Grandpa Lenny!”
Watching her talk made Oliver realize he needed to do anything to save her life.
But hadn’t his team worked tirelessly to reverse Emilia’s condition? Could they have missed something?
Too Late
The team had exhausted everything. Throughout the next week, Oliver spent sleepless nights looking for ways to save Emilia.
He talked to colleagues back in Houston, even reaching out to experts all over the world, from Europe to Asia and Africa. But the verdict was the same. It was too late.
One night, while he was busy researching, he got a call from Emilia’s mom. She told him about Emilia’s last wish. “Emilia confided in me about how much she loves you,” she said. “She desires to marry you someday.”
A Puzzling Request
That’s when Emilia’s mother asked Oliver for a considerable favor. Would he be willing to marry her daughter in a mock wedding?
Initially taken aback by the unusual proposition, Oliver couldn’t deny the sincerity in the mother’s voice.
He understood the significance of granting this final wish to bring comfort to both Emilia and her family. Despite feeling uncertain about the idea, he couldn’t refuse.
An Unlikely Promise
With a heavy heart, Oliver agreed to partake in the pretend wedding, though he couldn’t shake the sense of unease that lingered within him.
It felt like he was doing something terribly wrong.
Nevertheless, he resolved to do whatever he could to bring solace to Emilia in her final days, even if it meant stepping into a role he never imagined.
Preparations
The following day, Oliver found himself making unusual preparations for the pretend wedding. He visited the barber for a trim, donned his finest attire, and ensured every detail was in place for the ceremony.
Though it felt surreal, he remained committed to seeing it through. Even though she was young, Emilia had become a close friend.
He’d give her this last wish if it were the last thing he did.
Gathering At The Hospital
Arriving at the hospital early on the designated day, Oliver was greeted by the sight of Emilia’s family gathered in the waiting room. But he had an encounter with one of his colleagues who called him out on giving up too fast.
But Oliver couldn’t focus on that now. Emilia’s parents had invited friends, relatives, and hospital staff who had supported Emilia throughout her journey.
The atmosphere was one of bittersweet anticipation. Oliver needed to live in the moment for now.
An Unexpected Celebration
As Oliver entered the room, he was met with smiles and warm embraces. Emilia’s family had prepared a small celebration, complete with a cake and soda, to mark the occasion.
Emilia looked radiant in a yellow sundress she’d picked on her own, thankful to have such a good doctor.
Despite the somber circumstances, there was a palpable sense of joy in the air.
The Pretend Ceremony
With everyone gathered around, Oliver and Emilia exchanged vows in a simple yet heartfelt ceremony.
Like her yellow dress, Emilia had chosen everything else, from the vows she and Oliver exchanged to the flavor of the cake.
Though it was merely a charade, the emotion in the room was genuine. Even Emilia, weakened by illness, radiated happiness as she clung to Oliver’s hand.
A Moment of Joy
As the ceremony concluded, tears of both sorrow and joy flowed freely. Emilia’s family expressed their gratitude to Oliver for granting their daughter’s final wish, knowing that it had brought her immense happiness in her final days.
They also thanked him for all he’d done. Without failure, he’d shown up every day of the many months their little girl was hospitalized.
He’d helped a lot. In that moment, Oliver realized the true power of compassion and empathy.
Creating Memories
Following the ceremony, Oliver spent precious moments with Emilia and her family, cherishing the time they had together. They laughed, shared stories, and created memories that would last a lifetime.
Despite the looming shadow of loss, there was an undeniable sense of love and togetherness in the room.
Oliver knew the end was near, and he hated every bit of that terrible truth.
Facing Reality
As the day wore on, reality began to set in once more.
Emilia’s condition continued to deteriorate, and Oliver knew that their time together was far past limited.
Though he wished he could do more, he found solace in the knowledge that he had brought some measure of comfort to her in her final days.
A Doctor’s Reflection
In the quiet moments that followed, he found himself reflecting on his role as a doctor and the profound impact it had on his life.
He realized that medicine wasn’t just about treating illnesses; it was about providing comfort, compassion, and dignity to those in need, especially in their darkest hours.
He hoped he’d done just that today.
Desperation
Emilia’s condition worsened as the night progressed, and Oliver had to put her on life support. Her laughter and constant bright eyes were now a thing of the past. But Oliver was working overtime, looking for a way to help the girl. Driven to desperation, he decided to try out the one thing he and his team had ruled out.
“Surgery,” he suggested. His subordinate was warning him against this, saying it would end badly. But Oliver had no other choice.
He discussed it with Emilia’s parents, even footing a massive chunk of the bill. Would they accept?
Surgery
Emilia’s dad, an officer of the law, pulled him to the side to talk. Although grateful for everything, he shared that Oliver’s mistake since this ordeal began was trying to take shortcuts. “We bobbed and weaved, and here we are, at the start. Surgery.”
For most cancers, surgery is often used to take out the tumor and a margin or edge of the healthy tissue around it. Since Emilia’s tumor had grown exponentially, Oliver wondered if it would be possible.
“We have nothing else to lose,” Emilia’s dad said. “A chance, though small… a saving hand… With your help, doctor, we can do it.”
Fighting
Oliver commenced the surgery as soon as possible. Throughout the dreaded procedure, Emilia’s pulse was low, and her breath was almost non-existent. But each would spike occasionally, telling the good doctor that she was also fighting from the other side.
After hours in the theater, the doctor and his surgeons finished the procedure. Now, all they had to do was wait and see.
Before, Oliver and his team had been sure that Emilia would not survive the procedure. She was too weak. But she’d proved them wrong, and they couldn’t be happier.
Out Of The Reaper’s Grasp
Emilia had done the impossible, fighting her way from the clutches of death itself. The doctors watched her for days, still on life support. They were speechless when her vitals started improving, with the cancer all but gone!
The little angel was still warring her way out of the Reaper’s grasp!
Three weeks later, she opened her eyes, stared around, and drowsily asked her mom, “Did I just get married?”
A Miracle
It was nothing short of a miracle. Emilia’s recovery stunned not only Oliver and his team but the entire medical community.
She went from being on the brink of death to showing signs of life and vitality.
Oliver couldn’t contain his joy when he saw Emilia waking up from her coma. Tears filled his eyes as he witnessed her small victory over the ruthless disease that had threatened to take her away.
A Second Chance
Emilia’s recovery brought a sense of hope and inspiration to everyone involved in her care.
It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unwavering determination.
For Oliver, it was a reaffirmation of why he became a doctor in the first place—to make a difference in people’s lives, to offer them hope, and to fight for them until the very end. Emilia’s second chance at life became his driving force.
A Celebration
The hospital staff celebrated Emilia’s recovery as if it were their own victory. Balloons adorned her room, and nurses brought in cakes and treats to share with her.
But amidst the jubilation, Oliver couldn’t shake off the feeling of gratitude and humility.
He knew that Emilia’s recovery was nothing short of a miracle, and he was grateful to have been a part of it.
Moving Forward
As Emilia continued her recovery journey, Oliver made a vow to himself to cherish every moment and to never take life for granted. He knew that he had been given a second chance as well—to continue making a difference in the lives of his patients and to always strive for excellence in his profession.
With Emilia’s strength and determination as his inspiration, Oliver faced each day with renewed purpose and dedication.
And as he looked into the bright eyes of his young patient, he knew that their bond would forever be etched in his heart, serving as a constant reminder of the power of love, hope, and resilience.
A New Lease on Life
Emilia’s recovery brought not just relief but a renewed sense of purpose to Oliver’s life. He realized that despite the challenges and heartaches of his profession, moments like these made it all worthwhile.
Every day, he greeted Emilia with a smile, grateful for the opportunity to witness her miraculous journey firsthand.
Her resilience inspired him to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity.
A Lasting Bond
As Emilia’s strength grew, so did the bond between her and Oliver. They shared laughter, stories, and dreams for the future.
Through it all, Oliver remained by her side, offering support and encouragement every step of the way.
Their friendship blossomed into something truly special, a connection forged in the fires of adversity and strengthened by the power of hope and love.
A Bright Future
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, Emilia continued to defy the odds.
With Oliver’s unwavering support and the love of her family, she emerged stronger than ever before.
Together, they faced the challenges that lay ahead with courage and determination, knowing that no matter what obstacles they encountered, they would overcome them together.