"You mean she knows she is going to die?
"Yes she does and she has accepted it. Now, with her condition and all, I do not think she will ever accept that she has a son rather than a daughter, her belief is far too well ingrained. I think the kindest and only way is to allow her to carry on believing that she has a daughter for a few weeks that she has remaining... can you do it? Would you be prepared to make that sacrifice, allow your mother a few months of happiness? I know how much I am asking but with our help, and that of your lady friend here... if she is willing, you can do it, it's not as if we are asking a long time here."
Stephen was too stunned to respond immediately, his tortured mind was in turmoil. Veronica gripped his arm. "Of course I will help him doctor. I will do all that I can."
"I... I didn't know, she had so little time, nobody told me."
...
"If you are prepared to spend the next two months as Stephanie while you are indoors, then I may have an idea. Come into my office and I will tell you."