Destiny's Wish by Marissa Dobson Page B

things don’t work out between Nora and me, I’ll still be there for Destiny as long as Nora allows it. There are stories I can tell her about her father that Nora can’t.”
    “You’re okay with being second?”
    “I’ve always been second.” Brian eyed his brother.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You’ve always been first when it came to our parents. They’ve been more proud of your accomplishments as a doctor than they ever were with me. I might be the oldest but they hold more pride that you’re a surgeon than they’ll ever have with me just being a doctor.” There was no disappointment in his words; it was a fact. Brian had accepted it long ago and though he was always striving to meet his goals, to accomplish things in his career, he no longer set out to please his parents, for that was one place he’d always fail. Now he lived life on his own terms, doing what made him happy and fulfilled him.
    When Jason remained quiet, Brian leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “I see you won’t deny it.”
    “Mom wanted us both to follow in her father’s footsteps. When you chose to become a pediatric cardiologist, she was disappointed, so there’s no reason to deny it. But to say I’ve always been the favorite isn’t true.”
    “Continue to live in the world of denial.” Brian slapped his hands on his thighs and stood. “I won’t stop you, but don’t expect me to join you.”
    “What are you going to tell Mom?” Jason asked before Brian could open the office door.
    “Nothing, at least not yet. This is my life and she wouldn’t approve anyway, so I’m not even going to try.” Brian took hold of the door handle. “She’ll find out soon enough. I’m bringing Nora and Destiny to Faith’s birthday celebration.”
    “Are you sure that’s such a good idea?”
    “Good idea or not, I’m doing it. They’re a part of my life, which means they’ll be in attendance for family events. Mom will have to understand that, and I don’t think she’ll make a fuss, not on Faith’s special day with everyone there.”
    “Let’s hope not.” Jason rubbed his temples.
    “If you’d prefer I not attend…”
    Jason shook his head. “No, we’re family. Dad will be there to keep Mom in check, so it shouldn’t be too bad, though I wish you’d tell them before the party.”
    “If it comes up.” He half-heartedly committed, and opened the door.
    His mother would still be a problem later, but right now he couldn’t worry about it. He needed to get downstairs to be with Nora and Destiny. That was his priority, not pleasing his parents. Those days were long gone. Thankfully.

Chapter Twelve

     
    The treatment had gone better than Nora could have hoped for. Destiny was showing some discomfort, mostly an upset stomach coupled with exhaustion, but it had been better than the previous treatments she had gone through. Still, all Nora could do was stand by and watch. Thankfully Brian had been by her side, holding Destiny’s hand as the procedure started. He’d massaged her back as they were forced to wait to see what happened, and the tension built within her. It had been more than she could have hoped for to have someone by her side.
    Now she was standing in the doorway to her daughter’s temporary room in Brian’s house, unable to take her eyes off Destiny’s sleeping form. Afraid that if she’d look away, even for a moment, things would get worse. The fear of the unknown was almost paralyzing, stealing the breath from her lungs, making her stomach roil.
    “You can’t stand there all night.” Brian laid a hand on the small of her back.
    “Just watch me.”
    “Nora, you know this is unreasonable. She’ll call for you if she doesn’t feel good.”
    She leaned back against him, sinking into his embrace. “I can’t help but feel that if I look away even for a moment, everything will go wrong.”
    “That’s not how this works. You’ve been through this before; you know the