Chapter 44

Ace


Cormac looks at me but I turn back to Ailee. “ What about the bone marrow transplant? Will that help save her?” Cormac asked. I don’t want to get my hopes up but I’m hanging on every word the doctors say next. “ It could, yes. But Cormac you know we have all done endless searches. There is none to be found.” Dr. Donovan said. “ How fast could you set it up if we did find a donor?” Cormac asks. “ Cormac you would need to find an exact match in thirty six hours before Ailee is too weak to survive the procedure.” Dr. Graves said. “ What if we find you one right now?” Lug asks. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. The look he is giving me says he will hold me down if he has to as long as it saves Ailee. What he doesn’t know is he won’t have to. I just need the doctors to confirm it isn’t too late.

“ Hypothetically speaking. We could have the results in an hour to confirm the match. Then we could both Ailee and the donor prepped shortly after. After high doses of radiation Ailee could receive the transplant in two days.” Dr. Donavan said. “ What if the donor is already a confirmed match?” I ask. “ I would need to see the reports. But if that was the case we could send Ailee down for radiation right now. I need the donor to fast for twelve hours so we can do their procedure.” Dr. Graves said. “ And it could save her?” I just need to hear them say it. I’m going to do the transplant anyway. But I need to know my little girl will survive. “ Absolutely it could save her. It will be hard on Ailee. She will get weaker before she gets better. The radiation will take a major toll on her body. But she is a fighter. If we act fast she could very well survive and go on to lead a healthy life.” That is all I need to hear.

I turned back to the doctors. “ I’m a confirmed match. I can have the papers to prove it faxed over after a phone call. Set everything up. Tell me what you need to save my daughter.” I see the shocked looks on the doctors faces but they pull it back to give me instructions. “ Make that call. I will give you the fax number. I need to stop eating or drinking right now. I will go over all the details of the process with you so you know what to expect.” Dr. Graves said. I nod and turn to Cormac. “ After I make the call I would like a few minutes alone with Ailee. Please. I know once they read the reports this will move quickly and I won’t get a chance to talk to her for a while. I won’t stress her out. You have my word.” Cormac stares at me for a minute checking my sincerity. “ Aye. I will grant it. But my men will be outside.” he said. “ I have no problem with that. Leave Finn or Callen if it would make you feel better. I’m going to step out and get those reports.”

I step out into the hall and pull out my phone. I dial Ryans. He picks up on the third ring “ Ryans.” “ Doc, it’s Ace. Do you still have papers that prove I’m a marrow match for Ailee?” I asked. “ Of course,” he said. I explain what is going on and give him the fax number to send the reports. He says he will send them over right away and will come over tomorrow to help get me ready for the procedure. I have other calls I need to make but they can’t wait. It is time for me to have a heart to heart with my daughter. I walk back in and look at the doctors. “ You should have it in ten minutes.” Dr. Graves leaves, heading to his office to wait. Lug comes to me. I expect him to punch me again, not that I would blame him. Instead he pulls me into a bear hug and says “ Thank you brother. Thank you for giving me my girl.” I pat him on the back. “ Don’t thank me for doing what I should have done long ago.” I told him. He pulls back and wipes his eyes. Cormac places his hand on my shoulder “ We will give you a few minutes.” All of them walk out so it is just Ailee and me.

I sit in a chair next to Ailee’s bed and grab the hand that isn’t laying on her kutte. She hasn’t moved it since Lug placed it on her. “ Ailee, it’s Ace.I know you are resting and that is fine. I just need you to listen.” I look at her peaceful face as I say the things I should have said long ago. I’m going to take Cormac’s advice and speak from the heart. “ Ailee, first I’m going to fix this. I am giving the marrow you need to make you better. Next, I need to tell you how sorry I am for the way I acted. I have no excuse. I should have chased after you. I wanted to call so many times to beg you to forgive me but I couldn’t find the words. I should have just picked up the phone and told you I was sorry. I would like another chance to get to know you, my beautiful girl.”

I take a deep breath to hold back the tears that want to come out. There will be time later. “ When all of this is over and you are better I hope you will give me a chance to earn your forgiveness. I want to earn the right for you to call me your father. I will do better from here on out. I’ll be the father that you deserve.” I close my eyes and let the tears fall. “ I just need you to fight a little longer. I need you to know that no matter what happens. I love you, Ailee. I have loved the moment you walked into my life. And I’m so proud of the woman you have grown to be. I’m proud to call you mine.” I sit for a minute in silence and let the tears fall. I feel a finger rub over mine and snap my eyes open. Ailee has her eyes open, tears coming down and she is looking at me. “ I forgive you da. I love you too.” she whispers. I lose it. I drop her hand, sit on the edge of the bed and carefully pull her in my arms.Ailee moves her arms as best as she can. I’m hugging my daughter for the first time and it is the best feeling in the world. I kiss the top of her head and lay her back down. “ Stay strong sweetheart. Daddy is going to make you better.” I told her. Ailee grabs my hand and smiles before she closes her eyes again.