Rachel was a strong woman. Amanda knew that. But this was unexpected. Rachel never was sick. Colds and the flu were foreign to her. Not that she took any special precautions, mind you. She was just always healthy.

There was a slight delay in their take off, the steward explained to Amanda. Something about air traffic ahead. She found her way back to her seat and that’s when she heard the obnoxious horn of the taxi outside. Leaning forward, she saw the cab door open and Cameron fly out. Amanda ordered the steward to have the plane stop, and had the stairs lowered.

"Cameron, what are you doing here?" Amanda mouthed, hugging him as he came onboard, slightly out of breath.

"I couldn’t let you go, not after I heard what happened to your mother. Is she ok? Have you found out any more?" They both sat down, after getting verbal instructions that they had been cleared for takeoff.

"I haven’t been able to get through. I’ve tried Matthew at home, at the office, on his cell phone and the static is awful. I’m worried. My mother’s never had a sick day in her life. What’s she going to do if they find out its’…." Her voice trailed off.

"Amanda, your mother will be fine. Matthew is there with her. And if I know anything about the Cory’s, I know that he’s already had the best doctors examining her. She’s in good hands. I believe that. You have to believe that too."

Shrugging her shoulders, Amanda wasn’t sure what to think anymore. Both she and Cameron sat back in their seats and buckled themselves in, preparing for the flight home.

Giovanni looked at the note for a long time before deciding to open it. He sat down on the edge of Stefani’s bed, under the glare of Stefani and read it.

"You blew it this time, didn’t you?" Stefani walked over to the windows and opened them just barely.

"It appears that I have."

"You just had to play games again. Will you ever learn?"

Giovanni had no answers this time. The man who could come up with a single word or phrase at any given moment had nothing to say. Stefani showed him to the door and slammed it in disapproval.

Giovanni rushed out of the hotel. Grabbing his cell phone, he knew he had to make things right. With Cameron. And with Amanda.

* * * * * * * *

Matthew had his secretary rearrange all his appointments for the next few days so he could be with Rachel. While she appreciated his presence, she missed Amanda. Rachel knew that somehow, another woman would understand what she was about to go through.

Matthew had found out more from Rachel’s doctor about the type of biopsy she was about to have and how she needed to prepare for it. Since his mother would be having general anesthesia, she could have a light meal the night before. Something like soup or salad. Rachel didn’t want anything.

He knew she couldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning of the biopsy. There had been no problems with this either, since Rachel found a night’s sleep hard to come by. Matthew heard her pacing in her room and in the hallway, but didn’t want to disturb her. He was sure her thoughts were private ones.

The morning of the procedure came and Matthew, although fighting the urgency to sleep, found time to rest. He awoke and found Rachel dressed and sitting in the living room, the family Bible resting in her lap. Her eyes were closed. Matthew startled her.

"Mom, I’m sorry I woke you. Have you been up long?"

"A few hours I think. I thought I needed to read for a bit. Do we have time?"

"Yes we do. I’m going to take a quick shower, and then we can leave. The doctor said we don’t have to be there until 9:30."

"That’s good. Don’t hurry son. I’m not going anywhere." Matthew gave her a hug, not wanting to let go.

"I love you Mom."

"I love you too, Matthew."

* * * * * * *

Plane rides had always fascinated Amanda and Matthew when they were young. Being able to travel to places they had ready about was a luxury for others, but not for the Cory family. When some parents would award their children for good grades by taking them to a movie or buying them a new outfit, Amanda could fly to Paris.

Today Amanda’s mind and heart were occupied with other matters. Even the steward preparing her favorite pasta salad was not enough to distract her. Cameron waved him off when he asked if they were ready to be served. Neither of them ate a bite.

She did not stir from her seat the entire flight home. She sat with her head resting against the window and her left hand clinging tightly to Cameron’s. He didn’t bother her with small talk. He knew she was worried about her mother.

When Amanda did manage to close her eyes and sleep for a few minutes, Cameron stood up, shook off the cramping in his legs from sitting so long, and questioned the steward.

"How much longer will we be?" Cameron wondered, never taking his eyes off of Amanda.

" Another hour sir. We should be landing at Bay City shortly."

Cameron noticed Amanda stirring in her seat and took his place besides her, covering her with a small blanket. She turned and rested her head on his shoulder, locking her hand with his once more.

"Soon Amanda. You’ll be home soon."

* * * * * * *

Matthew and Rachel found the ride to the airport silent. They arrived and within a short time, the nurses had Rachel in her room and preparing for the biopsy. Once that was done, they allowed Matthew some private moments with her, before the procedure.

Rachel was subdued, due to the medication her doctor had prescribed. She was still lucid, however.

"Mom, you’ll be fine. You’ll be back at home, telling Claudia what to serve for breakfast tomorrow. I promise. Nothing’s going to happen to you."

"Son, I know you mean well. I also know this is serious. Please don’t downplay that fact.………Did you….reach……Amanda?" She was finding it more and more difficult to stay awake.

"She’s on her way, Mom. She’ll be here."

Her doctor came to check on Rachel, and after seeing her relaxed and asleep, explained more of what was going to happen. The procedure would not last long, and once Rachel recovered from the anesthesia, she would be back in her room. She would be kept under observation for a few hours. The analysis of the lump may come back during this time, and if it did, he would be able to explain to the Cory’s what the lump probably is.

When he was finished with Matthew, the doctor left and within a few minutes, so did Rachel. Matthew took his seat in the waiting room, along with other families anxious for word on their loved ones. They paged through magazines, drank vending machine coffee. And waited.

* * * * * * *

Amanda woke up from her well-needed rest right before the jet landed in Bay City. She half smiled at Cameron and let her hand rest in his for a minute more, before slowly moving it away.

"I hope she’s OK."

"She will be Amanda. She’s a Cory. If she’s anything like you, her stubbornness will get her through anything. That and the love of her family."

"Cameron, I never thanked you enough for coming back with me. The ride home would have been unbearable without you."

"But you would have survived, Amanda. I know that. So do you. You’re strong."

"Don’t ever leave me."

"Never!"

* * * * * * * * 

Matthew paced. Waiting was never one of his strong suits. Any Cory could have told you that.

An older gentleman sat next to Matthew when he did find time to actually remain still for more than a minute. He introduced himself as Mr. Martin. His wife was also in the hospital, but for a catherization.

"She’s too young to have problems like these, son. She’s only 53. One day at work, she started to have pain in her chest. Her co-worker went to alert the manager. When they got back to my wife’s desk, she was on the floor."

Matthew held up his hand, and angrily stopped him from continuing. "Look, mister. I’m not your son. And I really don’t have time for all this small talk." He attempted to stand but the kindly older man stopped him.

"I know that, son. But everyone here needs someone to talk to. See that young lady over by the soda machine? Her boyfriend was hit by a car, walking across the street. He had her engagement ring with him. …………and that young man and those children over by the water fountain? They’re waiting for some good news. His wife is having another baby. Everyone here needs someone son, including you. But I’m sorry if I intruded on you. I needed someone too."

Mr. Martin stood up and limped over to the coffee machine. Digging in his pocket for change, he soon discovered a hand, passing him .40.

"Thank you son."

"No problem sir. I hope you’re wife is OK." Shaking hands with the man, Matthew hoped he would hear some good news also.

Just then the entrance doors opened and in walked Amanda and Cameron.

"How is she Matthew? Have you heard anything?"

"Not yet Amanda. It’s only been 45 minutes or so. I guess we have to be patient."

"But you know how you are with that."

"I know. But I’m trying. I’ve had a very good teacher." Matthew glanced over in Mr. Martin’s direction. He was getting some news about his wife. Some very good news.

* * * * * * *  

After the visitors in the waiting room dwindled down to just a few, the doctor appeared with some news for Rachel’s children.

"How is she doctor?" Matthew didn’t wait for the doctor to even speak before asking his question.

"She’s doing very well. She’ll be in her room soon. We’ll keep her under observation for a few hours."

"And the lump, doctor?"

"I can’t be positive, but everything looks good. We’ll know more when the lab tests come back, but I don’t think Rachel has anything to worry about. And you two, relax. Go out and enjoy some real food. Cafeteria food is nothing to write home about."

"THANK YOU!! Thank you so much!" Matthew shook the doctor’s hand and Amanda almost gave him a bear hug, but turned to Cameron instead.

"See, I told you she’s be OK. She’s a Cory. Now Cory’s may not be patient…like Matthew…"

"What?" Even Matthew caught that.

"But she’s a fighter. She’d never give up. She has too much to live for. To love."

"Thanks man. Thanks for being there for my sister. Now that we all have a chance to breathe, how did your trip go? Did you see much of Italy?"

Cameron nodded." Some. But most of it was work. I met up with an old acquaintance of mine. "

"Two old acquaintances. Don’t forget Stefani."

"Ahh…how could I? Giovanni wouldn’t let me."

A nurse came up and tapped Amanda on the shoulder. She handed her a note.

"Cameron, I believe this is for you. Who knows you’re here?"

"I have no idea." Opening the note, his eyes traveled downwards. Then he saw Giovanni’s name.

Cameron crumpled up the paper and tossed it in the trash. Noticing Amanda and the questions in her face, he spoke first.

"It’s nothing important. Junk mail."

"Junk mail….at a hospital?"

"Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you go visit your mom? I’ll give Gary a call and see what’s going on here."

"You sure you’ll be fine?"

"I’ll be OK. Now that I have you."

"Lets’ go Amanda. Mom’s waiting."

After hugging Cameron tightly, Amanda grabbed Matthew’s hand and left. Cameron let out a deep breath, took some change out of his pocket and bought himself a stale sandwich out of the machine.

"This is the life!"

* * * * * *

Rachel slept for 2 hours after her biopsy. She woke up to both her children close by. Amanda was sitting in a chair beside her bed and Matthew had taken a warm spot hear the window, where the sun was shining brightly.

"Amanda….Matthew…" Rachel began to wake up slowly and just like other patients do, asked for some water. Matthew held a cup of ice chips close to Rachel’s lips, and fed her a few.

"How are you feeling Mom? Does it hurt?"

"A little bit, darling, but I’ll be fine. We Cory’s are a strong bunch, you know."

"That’s exactly what Cameron said about you. He’s with me, you know. In the waiting room."

"He’s a nice young man, Amanda."

"I know Mom. And it took me a long time and a trip to a continent or two away from here to discover that."

Matthew noticed Rachel’s eyes were showing more tiredness than before and motioned for he and Amanda to leave. Amanda wanted to stay put.

* * * * * * *  

"I’ll be fine, my dear. I’m just a little tired. You go be with that young man of yours. "

"I love you Mom."

Rachel didn’t hear a thing. Her children left just as the nurse came in to check and bandages, and to close the blinds.

* * * * * * *

Matthew and Amanda held each other close as they left Rachel’s room and found their way back into the waiting room. Cameron wasn’t there. A nurse’s aid informed Amanda he had asked where the chapel was. She followed him there.

She pushed the wooden doors open and found him sitting by himself, quietly in the front pew. Not wanting to disturb him, she took a seat in the back, waiting.

Ten minutes passed before Cameron arose, wiping his eyes with his sleeve and turning around, only to be greeted by Amanda.

"How did you know I was here?" Cameron asked, composing himself.

"The aide told me. I think she took a fancy to you. When I mentioned your name, you should have seen the smile on her face!!"

"There’s only one woman I need and she’s standing right here in front of me. In fact, I was just talking to my mom about you, and the sparkle in your eyes, especially when you think you’re right and I’m wrong."

"Most of the time you mean?"

"That’s just what I thought. Another stubborn person in my life. Just what I need."

"What we both need." Amanda smiled. Taking Cameron’s hand in hers, they both left the chapel in peace, knowing that for now, everything was right in their world.