She leaned her head against his. “I love you, more.” She smiled and glanced over his shoulder to the nurse who was smiling at them. “Come on, I’ll go with you.” She laced her fingers with his and squeezed his hand.
He smiled at her adoringly. He took in a deep breath he glanced down at their hands, and stared at their bands of strength. Here he was walking into his first treatment, fighting stage four Cancer and at that very moment, he felt like the luckiest man in the world. Ready, to face any obstacle with the love of his life by his side, together they stepped into the hospital room hand in hand.
Cara sat in the chair beside the hospital bed Jake laid in. It had been three hours since they had hooked him up to an IV and filtered the chemo through his veins. He was sleeping as she watched the chemicals drip slowly into the IV. He looked so calm and relaxed, as he rested. His hands were on his stomach, clutching the hat she bought him. She smiled sadly as she looked at it. She had bought it for him, so when he lost his hair he wouldn’t be self-conscious. Hell she would shave her head, if it helped him get through this. She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that Jake was suffering from Cancer.
She knew there wasn’t an age bracket that anyone could get it, but she had just never expected it. No one was invincible, she supposed not even the strongest of warriors. She was scared, she’d never admit. Not to anyone. He needed her to be strong, and to stand by him. She wanted him to know that no matter what, she would never desert him in this fight. She wouldn’t let her fears, enable her to care for the man she loved. But when she laid her head on her pillow each night, she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d make it. It was one thing to believe, to will him to fight, but all the fighting in the world may not help. She may still lose him, and the mere thought ripped her heart out of her chest, and crumbled it. One thing she did know, that if that was the case, they were going to live each and every day of this life with no regrets. And when all this was over, if God still called for Jake, only then would she allow herself to break.
She lifted her eyes as the door opened and Deb’s head popped in. “How’s he doing?” She whispered, slipping as quietly as possible into the room.
“He dozed off about an hour ago. So far his only complaint was he was tired. Up until he fell asleep he was joking around with the nurses. I think he may have set Luke up on a couple of dates.” She laughed slightly and watched as Deb smiled down at her sleeping son.
Her eyes turned and studied Cara. “Why don’t you go stretch your legs a bit? Nick just came and he brought everyone coffee.”
Cara looked at Deb, and nodded. She really didn’t want to leave his side, but the coffee sounded mouthwatering. Besides, Deb probably wanted to sit with her son, which Cara completely understood. “That sounds good. Will you get me if he wakes up?”
“Of course, sweetie.” Deb smiled at her and watched as Cara leaned down and pressed her lips ever so lightly against Jake’s forehead. “Cara?”
“Yeah?” She said, standing to her full height.
“Thank you.” She let out a breath and fanned her eyes with her hand to stop her tears. “Without you, I don’t know if any of us would have found the strength to put our fears behind us and concentrate on Jake’s treatment.”
Cara stared at Deb for a moment before she spoke. “Jake is my world, and you guys are right up there with him. After all you’ve done for me, strength is the least I can do.” She glanced at Jake and then back at her. “You’ve both held me up through my weakest times. So really, no thanks are ever required.”
Deb walked around the bed and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly. “I love you Cara and I’m so happy you and my son found one another all these years ago.”
Cara gave her a tight squeeze, before she untangled herself from Deb’s death grip. She laughed slightly, and nodded for her to sit in the chair she had occupied for the last three hours. She stepped out of the room quietly, and leaned against the door. She took a deep breath, gathered her strength and her bravery, before making her way to the rest of the family.
It was easy to spot them, they were all wearing the black and lime green shirts she had bought them, as they sat around the tiny waiting room. Sam and Joe were huddled together, playing with Joe’s new I Phone. Luke and Nick sat across from them; both of them looked at the father and daughter amused. She stepped towards them.
“What’s going on?” She asked Luke and Nick, motioning to Sam and Joe, who were completely oblivious to their surroundings. Joe’s glasses were on and he was still squinting at the screen.
“Well, my darling sister thought it would be a good idea to set my father up with a Twitter account.” Jake said blandly.
Cara looked at him incredulously, then back to Sam and Joe. Joe didn’t know the first thing about electronics, never mind social media. He had gone to half a dozen classes, just to learn the simple basics in working the phone.