Hello! This is my first post so be gentle with me! I've been writing for a few years though. Atfirst this story was a dream I had and a friend convinced me to start writing it out and then I realized its kind of been getting good so I thought I'd post it on here and see if anyone else agrees.

all characters and shows in this book are completely fictional despite any relevance to people alive today.

(Prologue)

I groaned feeling the sharp pain in my chest fan out. I tried to pry my eyes open at the sound of the machine beside me beeping to alert the nurses. Then the slightly more disturbing sound of the nurses opening my door.

"Hey honey, lean up for me?" Alexis asked as she aided me by lightly pushing my shoulder.

I winced and felt the shiver run over my body as it always did, then attempted to take a deep breath and nearly choked.

"Alright, I'm gonna give you some more morphine just stay like this, okay?"

I nodded slowly. After the first few months of having Heart failure you reach a point where any activity, is strenuous activity. I had no will power to keep trying or to get better. It didn't really help when they said it would be a miracle if I found a donor right now either. The only ones who haven't given up were my family. Believe it or not Alexis was family, she was my sister. She swore to take care of me because she knew my distrust with doctors.

Being in and out of hospitals as a kid didn't really help either, I had every issue under the stars back then. Now they figured out exactly what it was that was causing it all to happen over the years.

Now I'm sitting here, my heart feeling like at any second it could just stop or explode and I'd be done with everything. No more cat scans or MRI's. no more doctors feeling bad for me and always saying they're so sorry about my situation when they really don't give a rats ass.

Very few things give me hope anymore, and as sad as it may be- a television show is one of them.

I smiled half-heartedly at the television seeing the new episode of The Vampire Diaries was airing tonight at ten.

"..Alexis?.."

"Yeah?" She moved around the bed to face me after she stuck the morphine in my IV. I felt the burn crawl its way from up my arm and straight to my heart. It hurt at first but then went away and I was able to breath normally. Taking a deep breath I pushed the words out.

"Our show.. Is on tonight.." I looked up at her and saw her with her hand over her mouth and silent tears running down her cheeks. She laughed slightly and wiped her eyes taking a deep, uneasy breath.

"Can't wait.. Ten right?"

I smile and nod at her.

I have my good days and bad days just like anybody else. On Good days you'd hardly believe I was sick, but on bad days I look like at any second I could keel over. Alexis typically keeps me on my toes though, constantly asking questions to get answers so she can hear me- her own form of closure maybe?

"Alright you can lay back.."

I sighed and relaxed on my bed.

She turned the lights off and shut the shades before walking towards the door.

"Hey, Alexis?"

"Yeah?" She turned around.

"Can you stay.. For a bit", I grip the sheets and take a deep breath.

She looked down at her watch and back at the door where a doctor was waiting, "I can't right now, a patient needs me, but as soon as I'm done ill be right back. Should be an hour- if that" she smiled softly, "Get some rest okay?"

I nodded smiling back, "see you at three."

she closed the door behind her as i was already feeling the morphines effect on me. Closing my eyes I let myself revel in its effects.

Being awake hurt too much, but in my dreams everything was perfect.

In my dreams I wasn't sick.

Not soon after I feel asleep I felt someone taping my arm.

"Hey Bryce wake up, it's 10 and your show is on"

I pry my eyes open and sigh rubbing them, "you let me sleep all day? So much for 'ill be back in an hour' asshole"

"I thought you might need it.. Your food should be on its way up if your hungry" Alexis smirks and turns the tv on, pulling a chair up beside my bed.

I turn my head to the door hearing a quick knock.

" ?"

Alexis licks her lips, "Mmm must be the food"

"Do you ever stop eating?!" I smile and roll my eyes.

"Not when it's stake or anything like that, you get the good food, I get jello."

I shake my head at her and smile, "Come in!"

Alexis turns her attention back to the television and I get out of bed to go grab the trays.

Even though I'm in the hospital, I've been here long enough that they allow me to just wear pants and a T-shirt. I absolutely hate those open robes they give everyone. It makes me feel so naked. Plus your butt just hangs out and says hello to the world every time you walk.

I look over at the door again, confused that nobody has opened it.

"she said you could come in!" Alexis yelled and threw her arms in the air.

"Alexis! Chill.. Jeez.." I roll my eyes.

She pouts, "but I'm hungry, it's not my fault you never have a freaking appetite, you're like a skeleton!"

I touch my belly and sigh. She's right, I went from weighing an easy 230 all the way down to 170. Just because of this illness. I never really wanted to eat so my dinner was usually my IV and desert was some morphine.

The door slowly swings open revealing a tall man. Jet black hair, and a set of grey-blue eyes I could get lost in, "Sorry.. I didn't want to intrude, your conversation about food was very intriguing" he smiles and I felt my heart start racing. Sadly my pulse monitor began beeping, and I couldn't help the particularly bright shade of red that jumped into my face.

"Wow... I'd love to take a bite out of that.. Bryce why didn't you tell me your food came in the form of sexy-hunk-vampire-movie-stars?"

I slap her arm, "shush!"

Alexis shrugs and stands, "so, what brings you all the way out to this useless state?"

Ian leans against the wall and crosses his arms, "her" he nods to me and I felt my whole body tingle, still believing this was just a morphine induced dream or something.

My eyes widen, "Really..?! Why?"

Alexis nods, "Took the words outta my mouth Brycey"

"Why not?" He shrugs slightly.

"Because I'm just a regular person?" I start fiddling with my fingers feeling very nervous.

He laughs, "I'm a regular person too, at least I think of myself as one."

Alexis laughs loud, "honey-booboo, you far from regular. you're a very loved actor in some of our favorite movies and shows, Bryce is just.. Bryce.."

"Pretty much" I nod along with her.

He smirks, "Point is I'm here now." His eyes stare right into mine and I feel like my knees might give out. Luckily he averted his eyes just in time or they'd need to get a mop to clean up the puddle I'd soon melt into.

He walks closer and nods at the tv smirking. "Watching tv I see?"

I quickly grab the remote and shut the tv off trying desperately not to set my heart monitor off again.

Alexis walks past Ian and over to the door.

" Well, I've just been paged sadly. I'd stay but there's probably a guy dying and he needs me to save his life... Cause that's what I am.. Jesus in a woman's body..I'm a life saver.. And sometimes even occasional mystic matchmaker" She nods walking out of the room.

"Make some Aca babies for me, Brycey!" She yells back just as the door closes behind her and I turn my head wanting to bury my face in my pillow and die.

Someone knocks at the door and I sigh, "Alexis I'm gonna kill you.."

"Food is here.."

"Oh!" I start to walk around the bed and Ian steps towards the door.

"I got it" he smiles taking the tray from the man and letting the door close behind him.

"You should eat, it smells pretty good"

I scrunch my nose up as he places the tray on the table beside the bed, "not really hungry"

"I eat when Im not hungry" he shrugs.

"Yeah but I can't force food down"

"Why not, it'll taste good, just put it in ur mouth.." He reaches over and lifts the lid and all I can think is ha! It's chicken fingers and not steak.

"Oh my god ur persistent. Okay I'll eat. See?" I grab one and take a big bite out of it and he smiles in triumph.

"So..Your nurse?... She's um.. perky.." Ian's smile never leaving his face as he sits in what was Alexis's chair. "Is there anything you wanna talk about?"

I sit back on the edge of my bed swallowing, "yeah like why you're here when you should still be filming right now if I'm correct.."

He leans back in the chair, "well your parents, at least that's who I think Robert and Lisa are, sent me an email.. They didn't think I would get it but I always read my fan mail- even when I don't have time.. They told me about your situation, and how that show has been pretty much the only thing keeping a smile on your face these past few months.."

I nod as I take all this in, I have been very depressed lately. Alexis has helped me with a lot of it. Never leaving me alone, always trying to crack a joke.

He sighs, "I felt terrible that this would happen to someone that seems like my biggest fan.." His eyes fill with sympathy for a second.

"So poof, that's why I'm here"

"I'm sure you have bigger fans out there" I say rubbing my arm, trying not to feel so nervous and emotional when this should be the happiest moment of my life.

"So you just came to visit and say hi?" I look back at him and he suddenly leans forward in his chair.

"Nope, I'm gonna spend a day or two with you hopefully"

I thought my heart stopped hearing those words. "How?! You're a very busy man.. You can't just drop off the face of the earth for a few days.." I flail my arms like an idiot trying to emphasize and make my point.

He chuckles and tilts his head slightly, "yeah I can.. And after everything I've heard I want to.. It's the least I could do.."

He looks at the desk beside the bed and notices a water picture.

"Besides I need a break.. I'm getting sick of being told what to do..." Pouring himself a glass of water there's another knock at the door.

"Did you bring someone else with you?!"

He laughs, "no ma'am, just little ole' me" he looks at the door and sips his water. I can't help but admire how he just makes himself at home in less than an hour.

"Who is it?"

Alexis pokes her head in the door, "Mee! I was coming to see if any children popped out yet.. No? Darn.. Ill just come back later.."

Ian rolls his eyes and smirks, "don't worry we'll get to that sooner or later.." He set his water down and griped his stomach laughing.

I could barely breathe at his statement and Alexis was rendered speechless for once.

She closed the door leaving Ian and I alone once again, the awkwardness was slowly eating at me because I truly didn't know what to say or talk about.

"So.. Have they found anything new?" He glances at the remote for a second before grabbing it and turning the tv back on.

I shake my head slowly, huffing. "Nope... They're supposed to run tests later tonight or tomorrow morning to get a better reading on how long I have left.." I start fiddling with my blanket, not looking at him.

Ian reaches over and places a hand on my knee, "hey... Don't worry... You'll get through this..."

I shake my head closing my eyes finally allowing my emotions to come out. My fear.. Sadness and longing to fulfill all my dreams.. Realizing ill never have a family or get married.

Silent tears stream down my cheeks and Ian thinks for just a second before he gets up and sits on the bed beside me.

"Shh... It's gonna be alright.." He cooed as he pulled me into his lap and rocked me slowly.

I was so overwhelmed with emotions that it didn't dawn on me who he was. Right now, in this moment, he was just a regular guy.

He shrugged his leather jacket off and tossed it onto the chair, allowing me to cling to his T-shirt for dear life, letting everything out. He rested his chin on my head and sighed, beginning to understand how this was really effecting me and how hard this was.

"..There's no time for tears.. I'm on television.. You don't wanna miss this episode do you..? I think I take my shirt off.." He whispered into my hair and I sniffled.

"You could just tell me everything that's going to happen..or take ur shirt off right now.. I'm sure it will have the same effect.." I mumbled and His laugh reverberated through me and I couldn't help but laugh as well.

"..you're gonna be a little handful arnt you.."

Hearing the smile in his voice I nodded and leaned up wiping my eyes.

"I'm so sorry... I shouldn't be crying all over you, Nina will probably kill me.."

Ian's brow furrowed at that last bit, "why would she do that..?"

"Because you guys are a thing? It's all over twitter and google and everything..."

He shakes his head and shifts his position slightly, "nope, it didn't work. We went on a few dates, but we eventually realized it just wasn't going to work out" he shrugged.

"Oh.. I'm sorry to hear that.."

I gripped the blanket and pulled it closer, just noticing how cold the room really was, I hated hospitals. Ian scooted forward and laid back, pulling me against him.

"Are you sure you're okay with this? It doesn't feel weird letting some strange unknown girl lay on you?" looking up at him I try my best not to bury my face in his shirt.

He nods, pulling me snug against him not taking his eyes off the tv, "yep.."

I turn my head and press my ear to his chest, listening to his breathing and his heart. It feels amazing to be this close to someone. To have and feel their touch.

And just like that it can be taken away..

"Hey Bryce, time for your CT scan.." Alexis pops her head in and blinks a few times taking in the sight, "I can't wait to have little people running around.. Mini Damon babies.." She smiles and nods, "but seriously, lets go Girly.. Get off the sexy vampire please, times a' wasting"

I groan into his side and he smiles.

"Will you be here when I get back..?"

He smiles and nods, "where else am I gonna go?"

"I could give you a million different replies to that but I won't because I don't wanna hear Alexis again.."

Sitting up I get off the bed and walk towards the door.

"Hey Ian?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." I smile and walk out with my nurses.

He smiles softly watching the door close behind me, "You're welcome"

I return around 45 minutes later to a sprawled out sleeping Ian. One arm behind his head, the other half off the bed. His legs going completely different directions and I cant believe he's actually comfortable like that. I creep to the side of the bed and wonder if I should wake him, all of that is shot to hell when he grabs my hand and lightly tugs me into the bed, I oblige making it so much easier on myself because it didn't feel like he was letting go and I curl up into my previous position. Before I know it I'm completely relaxed at his side. This time without the help of narcotics. Unless Ian is a drug. In which case ill be addicted very quickly.

"Welcome back" he mumbles in a gruff sleepy tone that sends shivers down my spine.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to wake you... It's kind of Alexis's fault it took so long anyways, she wanted to play wheelchair bumper cars..."

Ian smiles and turns on his side so he's facing me, his eyes still closed. I shift slightly so my head is resting on his bicep.

"So.. What do you wanna do.." He tries to fight a yawn and I smile.

"How bout sleep?"

"Psh, are you crazy? New idea please.." He runs a hand through his hair.

"Really, you need sleep, god knows when you last slept, you've dealt with crazy New Englanders all day, just rest okay?"

He sighs, "I'm not gonna win this am I?" He opens his eyes and looks down at me and my breath gets caught in my throat, so I just nod no.

He huffs and glances at the tv, "Jesus, is this the Vampire Diaries Network or something?"

I try to stifle a laugh seeing that its a replay of an episode from season four.

"Relax, they're just getting ready for the season finale.. The one you're supposed to be filming.. like right now..."

I poke his chest and he grabs my hand holding it firm against him.

I can't help myself from thinking about how big of a flirt he is. Either that or he's just normally this touchy- Or he doesn't know what he's doing before he does it. Regardless, I'd never tell him to stop.

"Knock-Knock..." My doctor opens the door and walks in. I lean up and grip the blankets.

"Good news?" I hold my breath and wait, silently praying.

My doctor sighs and looks down and I feel everything in me just melt away. All the happiness Ian had brought. The laughs Alexis and I have shared over the last few weeks. Everything- just gone.

My doctor sets a folder down on the nightstand and Ian immediately sits up, his legs on either side of me.

"...it's gotten worse.." He sighs.

Ian wraps his arms around my waist as I bury my face in my hands shaking my head.

He looks up at the doctor, "how long.."

The doctor shrugs, "it's very unpredictable.. But as of right now she has until the end of the week.."

Ian closes his eyes tightly whispering, "..four days..." He rests his forehead on my shoulder.

"There's nothing you can do.."

The doctor runs a hand through his salt and pepper hair, "a heart transplant would save her, But there are no donors right now. At least none that would get to her soon enough. It takes weeks- if not months.. I'm sorry" he walks towards the door. "All we can do now is make her comfortable.."

He nods and exits the room.

Ian holds me tight against him as my body is wracked with pain and tears. I do the only thing i can do, I cry. I turn my body slightly so I can lean into his warm embrace, hoping it will bring me comfort but all I can think of is everything ill never get the chance to do.

Alexis barges in, tears in her eyes and she hurries towards me, wrapping her arms around me as well, which just makes me cry harder now that I think about how ill never get to meet my nieces or nephews.

"I'm so sorry.." She manages to choke out and all I can do is nod.

I do my best to listen to Ian's heartbeat again to calm me except its everything but calming. His heart races as fast as my own. Arms slightly shaking as he takes shallow breaths to try and keep the tears from his eyes. I run my hand up his chest and neck to his hair and I entangle my fingers in his thick dark locks. He buries his face in my neck and I feel his jaw tense. Taking deep breaths I blink away my tears, "I'm sorry you came here and heard the bad news.." I felt him grunt.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this.. You're so young..." He whispers. I bite my lip to stop myself from crying again and he runs his hand up my back.

Alexis sniffles and wipes her face, feeling her pager buzz.

"Really?!" She shakes her head and closes her eyes.

I turn and pull her into a hug. "It's okay.. Go save lives lady Jesus.." I wipe the stray tears and she smiles slightly.

"I'll be back in the morning.."

I nod, "see you soon.. Ill be making Aca babies while ur gone.." I smile half-heartedly and she nods wiping her eyes.

" you better..ill give mom and dad a call.. They'll want to know..." She fixes her hair and walks out of my room taking a deep breath.

Ian's forehead is against my shoulder again until I turn back around and face him. His deep glossy ocean blue eyes starring right into mine. All I can think of right in this moment is I need to do everything I've ever wanted to do before I died, but all I wanted to do was lay with Ian and pretend I was important.

He sighed and pulled me against him again. I gripped my chest as I felt a sharp pain shoot through me and I cried out.

"Bryce!?", Immediately he put me down in his lap and reached for the red call button beside the bed.

"Are you okay?! Talk to me.. " he looked over my body.

My breathing was shallow as I looked up at him and waited for the nurses. I nodded, "My heart.. Is swelling.."

He kept clicking the button hoping they'd get there faster.

"Hold on they'll be here in a second." He leaned up, "can we get a god damn doctor in here please?!" He yelled.

I take a slow deep breath, "can I.. ask you ...for something?"

"Anything" he leaned closer so I didn't have to talk as loud.

"I'm sure you don't.. Usually do this.. For fans.." I take another deep breath, "but could I have.. A kiss-"

I barely got the word out before he leaned down and kissed me softly. His lips were tender and rough, he leaned up soon after hearing the nurses barge in. They cradled my head and he helped lift me onto the gurney.

"Where are you taking her?"

"Emergency surgery, she has a clot forming in her main artery and its completely restricting blood flow."

Ian held my hand as long as he could until they told him he had to leave.

I didn't see or hear him again after that. The only thing I heard was my heart monitor flatline before the darkness swept over and claimed me.