CHAPTER 6

Rachel and Paulina look on to the doctor with concern "Worse?" Rachel chocked out.

"Yes, look why don't we step out and go into my office." Rachel leaned over and kissed Amanda, and followed the doctor out of her room. Once they were in his office, Paulina and Rachel sat down in some chairs, and waited for the doctor to continue.

The doctor shook his head "Miss Cory seems to have developed an infection in her left kidney, causing it to shut down."

Rachel gasps and grabs onto Paulina.

The doctor continues "This would explain the abnormally high white blood cell count. This can get serious if we don't take some action now."

"Wait a mintue" Paulina cut in "We have 2 kidneys right? And we can live with only one. I mean why can't you just remove the bad one and let the other one make up for it?"

"That's the problem" the doctor began

Rachel whiped a tear falling from her face.

"Most people are born with 2 kidneys, however once in awhile, someone is either born without one, or the kidney doesn't develop and therfore cannot do it's job properly." the doctor explained

"Are you saying..." Rachel started

"Yes, Miss Cory was one who was born without 2 kidneys. Somehow, the right kidney didn't form. She's been able to survive since you can live with only 1 kidney."

"Well how did she develop an infection?" Paulina wondered

The doctor shifted uncomfortably "That's our fault"

"Your fault!" Rachel shouted

"You see when Miss Cory was first brought in, she had internal bleeding. We noticed her splen had ruptured, and repaired that. We however, did not notice that her kidney had been punctured. Since we did not close up the open wound on her kidney, it developed an infection."

"Oh my God!" Rachel shouted "How in the hell do you NOT realize a kidney's been split open?"

"That night was very intence in the ER. She had massive injuries, including swelling on the brain. We just didn't pay close enough attention. I know that it's 100% our fault. We should have checked things out much more carefully. But believe me, I will make sure each and every one of the nurses and doctors in the ER that night fills out an incident report and sends it in."

"Your taking responsibitly for you screw up by filling out some report? What about my daughter? What are we going to do about her?"

"Well first thing we need to do is put her on a doner list. In the mean time She will need to start dialisis, ASAP."

"What?" Paulina asked

"Kidney dialisis. Patients are hooked up to a machine that filters their blood since their kidneys no longer can." The doctor explained

"Oh poor Amanda!" Paulina said and shook her head

"For how long?" Rachel asked

"Paitents need to come in 3 times a week for about 3 hours."

Rachel shot her head up and stared at the doctor "3 times a week for 3 hours? That cannot be possible. She has a life. A job. A daughter!"

"I'm sorry ma'am. A normal kidney filters your blood daily. This machine only does it 3 times a week."

Paulina stepped in "What about donating one of our kidneys?" she said looking at Rachel.

Rachel looked to the doctor with hope.

"That's a possiblity, and since your family you have the best chance of being a match. However if your kidney were to ever shut down, your done. It's over. You'll be where Amanda is."

"I don't care!" Rachel said "All I want is to save my daughter. So just tell us what to do."

"You'll need to go down to the lab. They'll need draw some blood. The first step is to find out if your blood types are compatiable. If they are, we'll just go from there."

"If not?" Paulina asked

"Let's not worry about that just yet." The doctor said, and led Paulina and Rachel out the door.

(A few hours later)

Cameron sat outside Carlinos watching people walk by.

Just then he saw Matt walk by, and he jumped up and asked "Hey, how's Amanda?"

"No offense but you would be the last person I would tell. Just stay away from my family, and especially my sister." Matt's cell phone rang, and he exused himself.

Cameron went back to sit down. He heard Matt rambling off all sorts of questions. He knew it had to do with Amanda. He watched as Matt ran off toward the hosptial. "I wonder what happened?" Cameron followed Matt to the hospital, by was stopped by a security officer just outside Amanda's room. "I'm sorry your not allowed in there"

"What?"

"Miss Cory's family said no one but family was allowed within 50 feet of her room. Now I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." The security officer watched as Cameron walked out of the hospital.

(The next day)

Cameron was sitting in his apartment, munching on some pretzels, listening to the news. He wasn't really listening to what the news achor was saying until something grabbed at his attention. "A local family is pleading with local residents to go and have their blood checked. They are hoping someone out there is compatiable, and would be willing to donate a kidney in order to save a life." The voice trailed off. "What a great idea!" He shouted not realizing it was Amanda. "What a great way to show the Cory's, that I'm not a total loser. That I can do something right." He grabbed his coat and headed to the hospital.

Matt, Paulina, Rachel, and Joe were all standing around Amanda's room. They were hoping someone had heard their plea and would be willing to come get their blood checked.

"I can't believe, none of us were a match" Matt said

"Well, the doctor said sometimes it just works out that way.

Hopefully someone out there can help Amanda" Paulina said.

"Can I help you?" A nurse asked

"Yes, I'd like to have my blood checked for that possible kidney donation."

"Oh great. Follow me." And he lead Cameron to chair, and asked him to push up his sleeve.

"If I'm a match, and help save that person's life, maybe you'll forgive me Amanda" he said pleading to himself. He watched as the blood flowed from his arm into a small tube. "This just may change your mind about me."

CHAPTER 7

(THE NEXT DAY)

Cameron sat in a booth at Carlino's waiting for the phone call that would tell him whether or not he was a match for that kidney donation. "I just hope this will prove to the Cory's that I'm not really a bad guy." His cell phone rang. His shanking hand reached over and grabbed the phone "Hello?"

"Mr. Sinclair?"

"Yes" he said, he's voice shaking

"This is Bay City University Hospital. We have the results of your tests. Please get down here ASAP"

"I'll be right there" and he jumped up, threw a few dollars on the table and ran out the door.

(At the hospital)

"I just hope, someone listened to our plea last night, and someone is a match" Rachel said,

"Me too" Matt said hugging his mom "I'm SURE someone did. Someone will be a match, and save Amanda's life. I'm sure of it."

"Let's hope so." Paulina said

Cameron ran into the hospital and up to the nurse's desk and yelled "So! Am I a match?"

"You must be, Mr. Sinclair. Follow me" A peite nurse said chuckling

She lead him into a small office, where the doctor that had talked to Rachel and Paulina the other day sat behind a desk. "Dr. Cramer?"

"Ah, Connie." the man said as he looked up

"This is Mr. Sinclair, he's here for the results of his possilbe kidney donation."

"Mr. Sincliar have a seat." He said motioning to a chair at the front of his desk

"Ok, let's just get this over with. Am I a match? Can I give my kidney?"

The doctor sat back in his chair "Exuse me for asking, but what's the big rush? Why is this so important to you?"

Cameron took a big deep breath "I have to be a match. I have to show everyone that I'm not what they all think I am."

"Do you understand what giving up your kidney could mean?"

Cameron shook his head "Well no but"

"It means weeks of pain after surgery, multiple tests, and if you were to ever have kidney failure. That's it. You wouldn't have another one." the doctor explained

"Ok, fine. I understand. But you haven't even told me if I even can yet."

The doctor leaned forward "Your blood is compadible."

"That means I'm a match, right?" Cameron said excited

"Well, yes, but this is only the beginning. There are endless tests to be run first."

"But I can donate my kidney!"

"Well your the best we have so far." the doctor said smiling

"Who am I donating to? Is it someone in Bay City?"

There was a knock on the door, "Dr. Cramer?" said a familar voice "I hope you didn't..." but the voice stopped

"Cameron, what in the hell are you doing here?"

"Rachel! Cass!" Cameron said jumping up

"I could say the same for you!" he said back

"Mrs. Hutchins. What can I do for you?" the doctor asked interrupting

"This is our family's lawyer, Cass"

The doctor's face fell "Mrs. Hutchins, I really don't think this is necessiary."

"Like hell it is. You didn't think I would let you just walk away scott free for nearly killing my daughter, now did you?"

"What did he did do..." Cameron's voice trailed off

"I'm just going to make sure my client's rights are protected and you don't do anything to steer the blame away from this hospital." Cass said placing his briefcase on the desk and sitting down.

"Would someone please tell me what's happening!" Cameron said now totally clueless

"I'll leave the rest to you Cass" Rachel said totally ignoring Cameron. He followed Rachel out to the hall.

"Wait!" he called after her

Rachel stopped, and turned around.

"How's Amanda? I've been worried sick about her, for days now. I can't sleep at night..." But Rachel interjected

"You can't sleep at night? Your worried about Amanda? That's funny." Rachel paused "Did you think about Amanda the night you drove drunk and hit her nearly killing her."

"Don't you think I know what I did? I have to live with that every single day. I have to wake up in the morning and look at myself in the mirror, and think about what I did. I made a huge mistake, something I'll regret till the day I die."

"If your asking for me to forgive you" Rachel started

"No. I'm not. I know you need time. I can understand the pain, your going through."

"NO, I don't think you do. I don't you get what it's like to see your daughter lying in a hospital bed grasping at string just to stay alive. You don't know what it's like to see her not be able to open her eyes, or smile, or hug you." Rachel paused to wipe the tears streaming down her face "You don't understand what it's like to sit day after day at her bedside just praying she'll wake up, and blink her eyes or maybe if your lucky even smile at you. You don't get the pain that digs at my soul to see my daughter hooked up to machines, that keep her alive. Cameron you have no idea!"

"Your right I don't. I have no clue what's it like, but I'm not made of stone you know. I love Amanda, whether you believe it or not. I love her."

"Your right Cameron, I don't believe you. I don't believe you love Amanda. Because if you did, you wouldn't have slept with Josie, gotten her pregnant, drove drunk, hit my daughter, and nearly killed her. My daughter wouldn't be sitting in that hospital room, fighting for her life."

"I don't understand I thought Amanda was getting better." Cameron said

"She was, but due to the so called doctors around here, an infection started in her kidney, causing it to shut down, and unfortunetly she doesn't have another one."

Cameron thought for a second, "Wait a second, did you guys put out a plea on the news last night?"

"Yeah why?" Rachel asked

"Because I heard it, got myself tested, and I'm a match. Rachel, I can donate one of my kidney's to Amanda."

CHAPTER 8

"YOU!" Rachel gasped

Cameron shook his head "Yeah."

"Are you sure, I mean no one else?" Rachel asked

"No, I'm sure. I came in for the ad on TV, and they told me I was a match."

"I guess what can I say? What choice do I really have?" Rachel questioned

"Then it's a go?" Cameron wondered

Rachel wiped a tear from her eye "If you can save my daughter, then how can I refuse."

Nearly a month later

(Amanda had a successful operation, and is recovering well. Cameron has tried for weeks to talk to Amanda, but she refuses, and he's losing hope. Rachel insists her daughter forget Cameron, and concentrate on getting her daughter home for the holidays)

"What are you doing?" Rachel asked walking into the living room. Amanda is wearing raggy jeans, a sweatshirt and her hair is pulled back into a loose bun. She is hauling boxes and boxes of Christams decorations into the house from the garage.

"HI Mom!" Amanda smiled happily

"Amanda? What are you doing?"

"Well it's so close to Christmas, and no one has bothered to decorate, so I thought I should."

"But" Rachel began, but stopped "You should have asked for help, darling"

"Mom, please" Amanda frowned "I'm pefectly fine now. You heard the doctors tell me, that I was recovering well, and my body is accepting the new kidney really well."

"I know, I just worry" Rachel said laughing

Amanda smiled "I understand" she started digging around in the boxes and pulled out a few stockings. She started hanging them up, when she stopped on one smaller red one. ALI was marked in big bold letter across the top.

Rachel smiled knowing what Amanda was thinking about, "Why don't you invite her home for Christmas?

"What?" Amanda said staring into space, but quickly snapped out of it "Ali? Yeah maybe I will." And she took the stocking out and stuck it to the mantel, next to Amanda's, and Rachel's. Next she hung Matt's, and then she pulled out Carl's. She almost put it back, but stopped.

"Did you want to hang this up?" Amanda asked softly

Rachel saw it, and walked over to it and grabbed it from her hands "It's going up right here" She sputtered "Right next to Cory and Elizabeth." and she tried fasenting the stocking to the wood.

"Mom?" Amanda began worried "Are you ok?" noticing tears welling up in her eyes, when the stocking wouldn't stay up.

"I'm fine!" Rachel shouted

Amanda backed away "I was just worried. That's all. Here why don't I help you?" she said, reaching for the stocking

"I can do it by myself thank you." And pulled away

"Are you sure you even want to hang that?" Amanda asked

"Well, why not? We still put up Mac's and he's gone. Why can't Cory and Elizabeth have their father's up as well?" Rachel noticed Amanda's eyes widend "For God's sakes Amanda he's gone. Let's leave him rest in peace. He has just the same right to have his stocking hung up as you or I."

Amanda nodded and left her mother to finish handing the stockings. She opened another box and pulled out some more decorations.

Cameron was at his apartment staring at a pathetic looking tree. He laughed in spite of himself.

"Look at that thing." He said outloud "I think Charlie Brown's tree tops this one." He heard a knock on the door. He walked over and answered it. "Gary!"

"Hey Cameron, mind if I come in?"

"No not at all." He moved aside to let Gary in

"I know we haven't exactly been on speaking terms, but I told you I wanted to try and get past this, so I was wondering if" But he stopped and started laughing.

Cameron smiled "What's so funny?" he chekced his pants "Is my zipper down? Or do I have something stuck to my forehead?" grabbing his forehead to check and see.

"NO!" Gary gasped out, laughing uncontroblly "That, that thing" but he gave up and pointed to the tree, Cameron set up.

"Very funny Gary"

"What in the hell is that thing?" Gary said finally able to catch his breath "It was the only one left on the lot. I wasn't going to get one, but I thought I probably better."

"Ok, sorry," Gary said taking deep breaths "Sorry! It's your tree" But Gary laughed again "But man that thing is ugly!"

"Gary I know you didn't come over here to laugh at my tree, so what is it that you want?"

"Right, sorry. Ok, would you be willing to help me with Josie's Christmas suprise?"

"You guys are back together?" Cameron asked suprised

"Well, yeah sorta. We are working on it, like I hope you and Amanda are."

Cameron shifted uncomfortably "I'm happy for you and Josie, but Amanda has made it very clear that I'm no longer part of her life."

Gary nodded, "Sorry man, but listen do you want to help me out or not?"

"Of course!" Cameron said smiling again

"Good, now here's the plan." And Gary began to discuss his big suprise with Cameron.

(A few hours later)

Cameron was putting the last ornament on the tree when there was another knock at the door. He opened it to find a paper bag on his doorstep. He opened the bag to find it stuffed full with kidney beans, Cameron laughed "Amanda. She hasn't changed has she?" and he began to read the note "Meet me in 30 mintues. You know the place. Amanda"

"Amanda." Cameron repeated softly, and grabbed his coat and gloves and the bag and headed to the park. He ran all the way and saw Amanda sitting on the park bench, and smiled at her. He walked over to her. She stood up, and stared into his eyes.

CHAPTER 9

Amanda slowly gets up. "Hello Cameron."

Cameron steps toward Amanda "Hello."

There is an umcomfortable silence. The only noise made is from the wind howling and the ruslting of the trees.

"I see you got your gift" Amanda said pointing to the bag in Cameron's hand.

"Oh yeah." he responded not realling knowing what to say or do. He didn't even know what Amanda wanted.

"It's my way of saying Thank You and Merry Christmas." she repiled

"With Kidney Beans?" Cameron said with a question in his eye

"I wanted to thank you for donating your kidney to me. Without it" she paused "Well, I don't really know what I would be doing."

Cameron shook his head "Don't thank me, I don't deserve it."

"Maybe not, but you deserve the kidney beans!" Amanda said smiling "I'll be sure to feed them to the stray dog near my apartment building" Cameron replied laughing

"You mean you don't like kidney beans?" Amanda asked pretending not to know

"Nope." Cameron shook his head "And I suppose you do."

"Heck no!" Amanda smiled "When I was little my mom would force me to eat them. I swore I would never make my child or anyone eat kidney beans!"

Cameron smiled "So you gave them to me?"

"Well, why not? You donated your kidney, you need to replace it." she smiled "Besides I never said you HAD to eat them."

Why are you being so nice to me?" Cameron asked

Amanda paused to look around the park. "I don't know. Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"

"I can think of a few."

"Let's not go back, ok Cameron?"

"You have a right to know what" Cameron began

Amanda cut in "I don't really need an explianation. I just want you to know that I don't hate you."

Cameron shook his head "Well you should"

"Ok, let's not talk about this." Amanda said looking frustrated "It's probably time I get back to the house. I just thought you should know how I felt. Don't be a stranger, I hope we can be friends if nothing else."

"Friends" Cameron repeated softly not really knowing how to react.

Light fluffy snow started to come down and cover the barley noticable grass. "It's snowing" Cameron smiled and held out his hands to try and catch snowflakes.

"When I was little I used to try and catch them on my tongue" Amanda said, sticking out her tongue "Hey I got one!" She yelled, and Cameron tried to do the same.

They heard the chruch bell tower strike 11 times.

"I should go. I have to get ready for midnight mass." Amanda said suddenly turning serious.

Amanda and Cameron looked at one another and snow was falling down around them. "Merry Christmas, Amanda" he said finally

"Merry Christmas." Amanda replied and turned and walked off.

Cameron stayed at the park. He put his gloved hands into his pocket, and looked up at the sky at all the stars. "Well here goes nothing" he muttered under his breath "Ok, so I've really never done this sort of thing before, wishing on stars. I don't exactly understand this whole mythology that if I wish on a star, it's supposed to come true, but I have nothing to lose." he let out a deep breath "You see, I want to win back Amanda's love. I've hurt her so much, and I don't deserve her, so maybe I should move on, but I can't. I know that sounds totally selfish, and well maybe it is, ok it is, but what am I supposed to do? I love her with all of my heart. I want her to take me back, and smile at me the way she used to. I want to smell her shampoo, and breath in her perfume. So this is it. I don't want anything for Christmas but Amanda's love back. I want her back, I want to hold her in my arms again, so if this star thing really works, then I'm wishing Amanda will come back and give me another chance." And with that he turned and walked out of the park, the snow still falling and a Christmas carol playing softly in the background.

(Christmas mid-morning)

Rachel is walking around picking up the empty boxes, wrapping paper, and moving some of the presents from the floor to the table. She stops to settle a little arguement that started between the twins. "Mom, I'm going to go out for a bit." Amanda yelled bouncing down the stairs

"Where are you going?" Rachel called out

"I'll be back in a little while. I just need to get out of here."

And with that she opened the door and ran right into Cameron.

"Cameron, what are you doing here?"

"I had to stop by and give you your present." and he handed her a small box with a bow.

"Amanda grabbed the box "You know you really didn't have to do this." she said ripping into the box.

"I know, but I think you'll like it" And she opened the box to reveal a tiny charm heart on a necklace. Cameron smiled as Amanda's face brightened.

"Cameron, it's beautiful" she replied "But" she didn't finish. She kept staring at the necklace.

"Here let me help you put it on" And he reached out and grabbed the necklace and helped her fasten it around her neck.

"Why did you do this Cameron, you know that we aren't, I mean you and I can't be" But she couldn't spit the words out.

"Consider it a gift from a friend then, ok?" he said hoping she won't give back the gift.

Amanda extended her hand and Cameron grabbed it and they shook hands "Thank you Cameron" She said gratefully and staring deep into his eyes.

"Your welcome" he repiled staring back

She let go of his hand and grabbed on to the tiny heart that hung from her neck. Cameron smiled "Do you know where you are standing?" he asked

"Outside my door?" Amanda said not realizing what he ment

"No" he said playfully "Look up" Amanda looked up to reveal a piece of mistletoe hanging from the doorway. She smiled.

"Don't worry, I won't hold you to this tradition." he said "However, I do want to wish you a Merry Christmas. So Merry Christmas Amanda. I hope you got everything you wanted."

Amanda didn't do anything for a moment, but finally she broke the silence "This is against everything my whole body says, but heart tells me it's right, so what the hell?" And she grabbed Cameron squarly by the shoulders and gave him a passionate yet tender kiss on the lips.

By Sumer CONTINUE