From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Gage shook his head, struggling for words. After a moment, he choked out, "The doctor said Tanya... Tanya might only have three months left."

"What?" Karan's face drained of color, and she stifled a sob with her hand.

Three months.

Only three months left...

Tears welled up in Gage's eyes too. "Hey, come on, don't cry. We don't want Tanya to see us like this. Who knows? With all the miracles in the world, maybe she'll beat this thing with the radiation therapy." Karan was inconsolable, sliding down against the wall to the floor, wishing it were her instead.

Why?

"Oh, Gage!" Karan embraced him tightly.

Gage was at a loss for words, not knowing how to comfort his wife.

The couple held each other, sobbing for what felt like an eternity.

Their grief went unnoticed.

Where were they?

In a hospital.

A place all too familiar with parting and loss.

Disease is merciless.

who see it often

Karan and Gage managed to compose

in pain, said, "Since it's come to this, we can't let Tanya leave this world with regrets. We need

nodded, "Yeah. Let's talk it over when Hank and Jane come

was no small

"Alright."

At dusk.

and Jane arrived, bringing some comfort food with

of Tanya's nap, Karan and Gage

Dad, you wanted to talk

let her leave with any regrets." Jane sensed the gravity behind his words, her brow furrowing, "Dad,

and Gage's biological

abandoned at

Gage who, longing for a daughter, had adopted

treated her as

"Yeah," Gage confirmed.

to invite Tanya's birth parents to see her. It's only right they know, and she knows the

voiced his concern, "But will they even

hearts," Karan sighed. "Facing this, as

"Little sis?!"

Suddenly, Jane gasped.

one expected Tanya

calm, not at all the emotional wreck they'd anticipated. Instead, she offered a serene

Don't bother

could abandon me once, they