Chapter 24

"Well, things seem to be going alright. I think you can stop those chemo treatments now." said the doctor smiling.

"Oh thank you!" cried Mariah. She got up and hugged the doctor. "I needed some good news. Thank you so much!"

The doctor got up and smiled. "You're welcome. Just take good care of yourself. We don't need another one of those incidents like a couple of days ago.

Mariah smiled. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself, I promise!

"Then I'll see you next month for your next checkup."

Mariah nodded with a big smile on her face. She thanked the doctor once more and left. While she was driving home, she thought she would burst with happiness. She thought this day would never come and it finally did. She was so overjoyed. When she got home, her phone was ringing.

"Hello?" said Mariah answering the phone.

"Hey, it's me!" came a familiar voice.

"Oh hey Brian, what's up?" she said, unable to hide the happiness in her voice.

Brian smiled. "Why do you sound so bubbly?"

Mariah laughed. "Bubbly?"

"Well, it's the best word I can think of."

"I just got back from my checkup today. They said I could stop my chemo treatments and I'm in complete remission! I'm finally free!"

"Congratulations!" cried Brian. "That's great!"

"Thank you! I'm so happy I feel like doing something."

"Well, remember we're having dinner tonight."

"Oh right," replied Mariah. "So where are we going?"

"Well, actually, could you meet me at my house? Say, around 8?"

Mariah agreed and they talked a little while longer. When they did hang up, Mariah was still overjoyed. She went and got ready for the evening. Brian had said it would be pretty fancy. She smiled and turned up the radio, singing along with it, while she was getting ready.

* * *

"Calm down Brian, she'll be here soon." reassured Nick. "Everything will be fine."

"Okay," said Brian taking a deep breath. "I'm calm. Well, what if she doesn't like it?"

"Calm down!" cried AJ. "It will be fine. Trust me!" The others nodded their head. Then AJ sniffed the air. "Is something burning?"

Kevin came out of the kitchen. "Sorry about that."

"Kevin!" cried Brian.

"It'll be alright!" said Kevin. "Don't worry, I've got it under control." He walked back into the kitchen and they all heard, "Damn it!"

Then the doorbell rang.