Ok, so I was going to start to work on the sequel to Changes, when an idea popped into my head. And when that happens you gotta run with it. So here we go….
Summary: Kristen DiBiase was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 15. Now ten years later she is in remission and loving life with her husband, Ted. One night, she flies half way across the country, with nothing but the clothes on her back and a tear stained face.
Kristen POV
Maybe I'm being a little rash. I just didn't know what else to do. With my history it's hard not to think or act a little rash. When I was 15 I started to notice some of the signs. I was tired all of the time. Excessive bruising, weight loss, and constant fevers. I missed so much school that my mom decided it was time to see the doctor. I can't even honestly remember how many damned tests I had to do before we finally got an answer.
Leukemia.
I just kept asking, why me? What did I ever do? I spent so much time in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices , I might as well have lived there! When I was 18, things started to get a little better. Treatments were working and some of my strength was coming back. Oh yeah, and I met Ted too. He was absolutely amazing and wonderful through everything. It didn't take long for us to become and item. Soon he was coming to all my appointments and holding my hair back when I was puking.
I never expected hime to stay with some sick girl. I didn't want to hold him back, especially if there was a chance that I didn't survive this. It wasn't fair to him. Ted didn't care. He promised he would always be there, and he has.
I finally went into remission when I was 22. Ted and I married the next year. He is currently on the road, wrestling with the WWE and I couldn't be more proud of him. It was hard not having him home all the time but be stuck with me through the Leukemia so I stuck by him when he decided to get into wrestling.
I still have to go to my doctor once a year and have more tests done to ensure that I'm still in remission. That is the most stressfull and terrifying time of the year. Ted always makes sure that he's home for the tests. It's getting to be that time of the year once again. With every passing year you would think that it would get easier. Wrong. Every year it feels more difficult then the previous. The Leukemia can find it's way back at any time. Next month is my appointment. I always try to be open about the possibility of a relapse, but he tends to not want to even think about it.
I felt my phone vibrate next to me on the couch, I set my book aside and saw Ted's face come across the screen. I smiled and answered, "Hello?"
"Hey, baby." His voice sounds heavenly.
"Hey. It's good to hear your voice." I closed my eyes and pictured him sitting next to me. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Exhausted, but good. Just got in from a workout. How about you? How are you feeling?" the worry in his voice was always there.
"I'm alright, tired as well. But I feel fine." Sometimes for his sake I wouldn't tell him when I wasn't feeling fine. But in truth, today I was just a little tired.
"You wouldn't tell me if there was something wrong, would you?"
Busted. I guess my secrets out. "Ted…"
"Baby, look, I know you better than I know myself. Its not hard to tell when you're lying."
"Are you mad?"
He sighed, "No. I understand."
"Ted, I just didn't want you to worry." I heard him sigh again.
"You can't stop me from worrying about you. Especially with me being so far away, I can't help it, babe."
"I know. And I'm sorry." I looked over to our wedding photo sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. I wished he was home now. After our phone calls I always missed him more.
"Don't be, you were just doing what you thought was best. But all things aside, how are you really?"
"I'm fine, really. I just miss you." I could feel my eyes start to water.
"I miss you too, baby. I'll be home in a few of weeks for your tests." That made me smile. It was something to look forward to, something to make me feel better about the tests.
"I can't wait." I said slightly sarcastically. Of course I was excited about Ted coming home, but I certainly was not excited about the tests.
"Honey, I need to get going. I'll call you tomorrow, ok?" as much as I loved our nightly phone calls, I hated when they ended.
"Ok, I love you. Be safe."
"I love you too, bye sweetie." We hung up. I went back to my book, but I couldn't get myself back into it. The possibility of a relapse was too clear in my mind. When I could get Ted to talk about the Leukemia, we never actually discussed what we would do if it did come back. I try not to think about it, but sometimes you just can't help it.
It was 2 weeks after that phone call with Ted when I noticed the bruises.
I woke up and went into the bathroom for my morning shower. As I got undressed, there was a purpleish mark on my stomach.
"Oh no." I whispered, as the tears fell. "No, not again." I don't think I even finished my shower. I stepped on the scale, "What? That can't be right! I lost 3 pounds?" When did that happen? My head was swimming. Bruises, weight loss, that can only mean one thing, I was relapsing.
I walked back into the bedroom in a haze. I pulled on some jeans and one of Ted's hoodies. I slipped on my tennis shoes and grabbed my purse and walked out the door. I only had one place in mind when I got into the car.
The Airport. I had to get to the airport. I honestly can't say that I even remember the car ride to the airport, or even getting out of the car and going in. I just remember standing at the counter.
"I need one non stop flight to San Diego." I told the lady. She looked at me funny, it was then that I realized how hysterical I was. My voice was catching as a talked and I was shaking something awful. She didn't ask any questions as she handed me my ticket.
"They are about to board in about 5 minutes so you better hurry." I nodded and headed to the gate. I didn't have any luggage, just the clothes on my back and my purse. I boarded the plane, took my seat and stared out the window. I know this is a little crazy, to fly half way across the country over a suspicion, but I was terrified.
Ted POV
"She's still not answering." I muttered to Randy. We were sitting in the arena after a script run through, I decided to give Kristen a quick call but she hasn't picked up. She always picks up, always.
"Dude, chill. She's probably just out with her mom or something." Randy suggested.
"She still always answers."
"Teddy, just calm down, I'm sure there is a good reason why she isn't answering." Randy stood up and put one hand on either side of my shoulders. "Maybe she went to a movie."
"Yeah, maybe." I wasn't convinced. Kristen and I had an agreement. No matter where we were or what we were doing, with the exception of me doing a show, we'd always have our phones on us. This was making me nervous. I knew her schedule inside out and I knew that right now she was normally home.
"Ok, then we have a about 2 hours before the meeting. You wanna get something to eat?" Randy asked, picking up his bag with his gear in it.
I shook my head, "No, I'm gonna go over to the hotel, I forgot my extra knee pads in my suitcase." He nodded and headed out the door. I picked up my bag and phone and went out to my rental and back to the hotel.
I dialed Kristen's number one more time, it rang and rang. "Hey it's Kristen, I can't get to my phone right now. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!" her voicemail message always brought a smile to my face, she was always so chipper.
"Baby, give me a call as soon as you get this, I'm starting to get worried, I love you." I hung up as I pulled into the hotel parking lot.
I kept my phone clutched in my hand, hoping that it would ring any minute. Hoping that it would be Kristen telling me she's fine and I'm just over reacting.
Still nothing, as I made my way to the elevator. Still nothing, as I came to my door. I opened the door and didn't bother to look around, but I swear there was something in the corner of my eye, so I looked over to the bed.
"Kris?" There she was, on the bed, crying her eyes out. She looked up at me, let out a sob, and jumped off the bed and into my arms. I was so shocked that the tiny force that was my wife amost knocked me over. "Baby, what are you doing here?"
She burried her head deep in my neck and her body wracked with sobs. I squeezed her and rubbed her back soothingly. I finally had to pull her away from me to get her to look at me. She looked like a wreck, her eyes were damn near swollen shut and I think she'd been crying so long that now her breath was catching in her throat.
"I-I'm sorry for j-just showing u-up l-like this. I-I just didn't kn-know what else to d-do."
"You don't ever have to apologize for just showing up." I told her as I kissed her forehead. "What's going on?"
"It's back, Ted." I never knew that 3 little words could cut a hole for deep in my heart than those 3 words. It was at this point that I finally noticed a slight weight loss on her. I closed my eyed and gently lefted up the front of her shirt, there were the bruises.
"Fuck…" I muttered. She closed her eyes and let out another sob. "You went in for tests already?" They weren't supposed to be for another two weeks.
"No, I just woke up this morning, covered in these bruises. I can feel it, Ted, it's back." She rested her head back on my chest. "I went right to the airport and got a non stop flight here."
"You flew all the way here this morning? Why didn't you call me? I would have come and got you or something. Why didn't you answer your phone?"
"My phone? I don't even think I have it with me. I litteraly got dressed and left the house this morning."
"What did we promise, baby? To always have our phones. I was worried sick when you didn't answer." I felt kind of bad for throwing that in her face right now, but damnit I was so worried about her!
"I'm sorry, I didn't even bring any clothes. I didn't bring anything." She looked into my eyes and all I could think was how greatful I am that she's standing here in front of me right now, safe. "I was just so scared that the only thing on my mind was getting to you."
I pulled her to me and kissed the top of her head. "Don't apologize. Look we are going to figure this out, ok? Everything will be fine."
I'm not sure if I said that to convince her, or me.