The day after the wedding, the Ludwig family gathered at the hospital.
Ivy had already checked in and changed into her hospital gown.
When Floyd and Denis walked in and saw their mother wearing the same outfit as their father, their curiosity peaked. "Mom, why are you wearing dad's clothes?"
Ivy smiled and explained gently, "Because Mom is going to fight alongside Dad. We're going to team up to defeat the sickness, so we have to wear matching uniforms."
"Oh, like how we have to wear uniforms to kindergarten?"
Hearing her youngest son's innocent logic, Ivy let out a soft laugh. "Yes, exactly like that."
The rest of the family stood anxiously by.
Seeing Ivy in the patient gown and knowing she was about to enter the operating room to have half of her perfectly healthy liver removed made everyone's stomachs knot with dread.
No matter how much the doctors explained the science, it did nothing to ease their fears.
Especially since this fear was doubled.
After talking to the kids, Ivy looked around the room.
Noticing the grim, tense faces of everyone present, she offered a relaxed smile. "Danny, Adela, you should take the kids home. Having Thad and Davina stay here is more than enough."
The entire process, from extracting the liver to the transplant itself, would take at least seven or eight hours.
The two octogenarians wouldn't be able to handle waiting that long.
Adela was reluctant. "I want to wait until the surgery is over."
Jamison knew exactly how to handle his mother. He spoke up instantly. "Seven or eight hours? You won't last. When you collapse from exhaustion, the doctors are going to have to resuscitate you too."
Mr. Ludwig's razor-sharp tongue remained as reliable as ever.
Danny looked displeased at the remark, glaring at his son, but didn't actually lose his temper.
The words were harsh, but they were true.
"Alright, let's head back and wait for the news. No need to cause trouble here," Danny waved his hand, turning to take his wife's arm.
Ivy hugged her boys, kissing them affectionately. "Be good, sweethearts. Go home with Grandpa and Grandma. As soon as Mom and Dad beat the sickness, we'll come right home to be with you."
The three-year-olds somewhat understood.
Realizing that their parents were about to go through something major, their little lips trembled, and they began to cry. "Mom, you and Dad have to come back."
"You have to come back..."
"We promise we won't get into trouble or be naughty ever again. Please don't leave Floyd behind..."
Ivy had been trying to keep things light, but hearing the kids say that brought a flood of tears to her eyes.
"Okay, Mom and Dad will definitely come back."
The two boys extended their tiny hands to make a pinky promise with her.

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