Summary

A few days before, Gracie had a bad reaction to sedatives she was given to prepare for an MRI. Brian flies back to be with the family. Her liver looks good and she will be admitted to the hospital the day after Christmas, as planned.

The New York Post, instrumental in helping the family raise funds for Gracie, contacts Heather for a photoshoot in the hospital. As Brian and Heather lay in bed on Christmas night, he fantasizes about returning to New York with two healthy children in the next year.

Gracie packs all of her toys for her impending hospital stay. Gracie never asked her parents “What am I doing here? She only wanted to know how long it would last” (209). Gracie maintains an air of cheerfulness as Gabe is also excited to pass through the hospital hallways.

Gracie’s primary nurse...