Demi opened the door trying not to make much noise, She was coming back home from her friend, Selena's birthday party which she went to straight from school. She tried to be extra quiet so she didn't have to wake up at mid night because of Demi.

Demi walked in to the kitchen to put her keys on the counter when she saw her mom sitting on one of the stools behind the counter. The dim light from the backyard was enough for Demi to see that her mom was staring into space, thinking.

"Mom?" Demi asked.

"Demi….I need to talk to you"

Demi's mind started thinking of what her mom wanted to talk about that it was so important that it had to be done right now at twelve in the morning. Her mind started going through all the things she had done wrong that would make her mom mad.

"I'm sorry about your scarf. I didn't realize my pen was broken until I had already gotten a few drops of ink on it."

"It's not about the Scarf, Demi. This is something serious.''

The nervousness on Demi's face was taken over by confusion now. She reached for her Mother's hand.

"What happened, Mom?"

Demi's Mom handed her the paper from under her right elbow which Demi hadn't noticed. She switched on the lights and started reading it. Her face was now turning more and more white by every passing second. By the time she finishes reading it she was so pale that it looked as if the girl had seen a ghost except she now had tears forming in her eyes.

"What is this mom?"

"My reports…..It's a tumor. The doctors said I'll need surgery as soon as possible but there's only a fifty percent chance I'll make it through. If the surgery is successful I'll be okay If it doesn't ….."

Demi's mother didn't want to finish the sentence. Not because she was terrified herself but she couldn't imagine what would happen to Demi if she died. There was No one to care for her.

Demi hugged her mother tightly and cried in her arms who were also silently crying. They both stayed like that for quite a while until around 4 am when Demi's Mom told her to go to bed.

The Next morning Demi woke up not wanting to get of her bed until the events from last night replayed in her head and made a few tears slide down her cheeks. She got up eventually. Took a shower and threw on a pair of sweat pants. She sighed as she looked at the dark circles under her eyes from the continuous crying from last night. She wore her matching hoodie and went downstairs to find her mom sitting in the same position as last night except now she wasn't dressed in a night gown.

"Demi!" Her mom said as she saw her coming towards her.''

"I love you Mom." Demi said as she wrapped her hands around her mother.

"I love you too baby and I need you to do something for me.''

''What?'' Demi said as she took a seat on the stool next to her mother.

"My surgery's next week. If something happens to me you can't stay alone. I've talked to my friend Denise and we came up with something…..Her son, Joe just got finishes college and started working in the family business. He's young and I trust Denise with you…"

"What are you talking about Mom?" Demi said interrupting her Mother.

"I want you guys to get married, He agreed and I really think they'll take care of you. I've known them for years. I trust them."

"What?" Demi said extremely shocked. That's all she could say. She was trying to take in everything her mother just said to her.

"Please, Demi…Consider it my last wish."

"Consider it my last wish" These words made Demi look at the situation differently. She could see why her mother said that. She thought of everything for a few minutes and then nodded her head tears threatening to leave her eyes. If that was Her mother's last wish was Demi was going to do it even if it meant never getting to fall in love or marry someone she loved. Her mother was more important than any of that.

…...

Demi was getting dressed in her bedroom with Selena. She had spent the past 2 hours bawling

And finally started getting ready. She was going to meet her "future husband" today. She wasn't excited at all. In fact she was the exact opposite. Sad, Nervous and scared. She was feeling nauseous all day long and it was getting worse. Selena did Demi's makeup and her hair and by the time she was ready it was 8:49. Selena hugged Demi and told her she would call her later.

The door bell rang shortly after Selena left. Demi's Mother opened the door for their guests and led them into the living room. She saw a couple in their mid-forties and two handsome guys who were dressed nicely in dress shirts and black pants. One of them was wearing a black lose tie. Demi was relieved she wasn't over dressed like she thought she was in her red knee length dress and matching red sandals. Demi's thoughts were interrupted by the women who she guessed was her mother's friend.

"You must be Demi." She said as she hugged Demi.

"Yeah. Nice to meet you" Demi said nervously.

It's nice to meet you too sweetie, you were only 5 when I last saw you. You've grown into a beautiful young lady."

Demi shyly smiled at her in return. She introduced Demi to her husband, Paul and Her sons, Joe and Nick. The elders were talking while Nick, Joe and Demi sat in awkward silence. Demi thinking about her what was happening made her even more sad…..If that was even possible.

"Let's go to the dining room." Said Demi's mother.

Demi wasn't eating. She was just playing with the food in her plate contributing to the conversation only when asked a question and even that she answered with a "yes" or "no".

When everyone had finished dinner Dianna asked Demi to show Joe her room and to try to
"get to know each other."

Demi let out a sigh and without arguing she got up and started walking to her room making sure Joe was following her.

Demi sat on her bed ad Joe took a seat opposite her. After a few seconds Joe called someone.

"I know, but it's not my fault Taylor! My dad would only give me the company if I get married to someone he picked for me." Joe tried to whisper the last part but Demi still heard it.

Demi didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She was thinking about what he just said. He was marrying her because his dad was making him but that was pretty much the same reason Demi was getting married to her.

"So…..How old are you?" Joe asked.

"umm I'm 19. You?''

"23"

After a few more minutes of silence Demi decided to speak. She sighed heavily and started her sentence

"Look..I heard what you said on the phone and I don't really have a problem with that, I mean we're both doing this because we have to. We can get married and go back to living like we are now." Demi said not sure if she should've said what she just did.

"I Agree…..except you do know we have to live together right?''

''Yeah but I was hoping I wouldn't have to all the time."

"Can we be friends? I mean we are helping out so…"

"Yeah" Demi said with a smile. The first one since her mother told her about her surgery.

"Joe" he said as he extended his hand towards Demi.

"Demi"' she said shaking his extended hand.

Joe looked at his phone from his other hand. "My mom's going home. Bye…..and Thank you for understanding" He said looking from his phone to Demi.

"You're welcome." Demi replied as they made their way downstairs.

Demi said goodbye to Joe's mother Denise, Paul and the two brothers as they left the house.

I'll post the next chapter soon. x