I don't own Monk or any of his sister characters
Leland loved his wife. There was no doubt about that. They didn't have a perfect relationship of course. No couple ever does… and in many ways that made their family stronger. Even after their divorce they remained great friends. She had the boys during the school year. He got them during the summer. One day she was terribly late bringing them back home. He confronted her on it when she got back.
"Not now Leland," she snapped, "I just found out I have stomach cancer. Punishment enough I would say."
He gave her a weird look.
"You just found out you have stomach cancer," he asked, "at 2 in the morning?"
"I couldn't stop throwing up and I was doubled over in pain. My sister watched the boys while I went to the ER."
She handed him a copy of the x-ray that showed the tumor
"Oh GOD! Karen honey…"
Tear welled up in her eyes and in his eyes at the same time.
"This thing is going to kill me," she said, "maybe not physically though that's very likely but I'm going to need all these medications that are going to make me so sick and-"
"We'll beat this thing together," Leland said, "and one more thing"
"What?"
"We're moving back in with you"
Karen sniffled a little bit feeling very loved.
"Are you sure? I mean the side effects-"
"There's no such thing as side effects-"
"Fine the effects of the medications are pretty serious. Mood-swings, getting mad, nausea-"
"I have dealt with all of that before all 3 times you were pregnant. You couldn't be any worse then you were when you were pregnant with Jennifer.
"Well she was the first. I didn't know what to expect. When I was pregnant with Jarred I was prepared because I knew what was coming. With Max it was even easier because it was time number 3. I miss Jennifer"
They had recently had their child stolen from them.
"Karen honey I miss her too… you have to fight this disease. You can't give up"
"I'll make you a deal Leland," Karen said, "I won't give up if you don't give up"
He knew exactly what she was talking about.
"You've got yourself a deal," he said, "but I wouldn't even know where to start"
"Yes you do," she said, "you start with the one who knows where to start"
He thought for a minute and he to agree that she was right.
"I'll take care of that tomorrow," he promised her.
She nodded.
"Okay," she said, "see you tomorrow-"
"The hell you will," he said, "you're staying here tonight. I'm not going to let you be alone and going through this right now any more then… well-"
"Leland she interrupted, "it's okay. You don't have to say it. I know"
He paused a minute and then he continued.
"So since we're getting back together I think we need to agree on some basic stuff that will make sure we get it right this time"
"Sure… how about we trust each other," she said
"Yes… I completely agree."
"And no negativity"
"What does that even mean," he asked.
"No yelling, no aggressive behavior… certainly no blah blah blah"
He nodded.
"What about we listen to each other and respect each other," he offered as a suggestion.
"Yes and we don't make fun of each other's ideas"
"Agreed"
