TOM

You hear Jane come into the kitchen, she pulls out a stool and sits down at the counter. You turn to her with a grin, holding a plate of one of her favorites. Pancakes topped with peanut butter and bananas and a side of bacon. She is looking down at her lap, something was wrong. You walk to the stool beside her and sit down, setting her plate in front of her. That seemed to snap her out of whatever trance she was in, and she turns to you with a weak smile.

"Mmmm my favorite. Thank you, Tom." She grabs the bottle of syrup and pours some on her pancakes. You lay a hand on her back, and she turns to you. Tears in her eyes. You wrap your arms around her, pulling her into your chest.

"Darling? What's the matter?"

She sniffles into your shirt. She was shaking, whatever was the matter, it was bad. Each second that passed without her saying something made you more and more worried. You pull her away, looking into her eyes. "Tell me." She took a deep breath before she spoke. "Something is wrong, Tom. I've lost weight...alot." You feel your stomach drop. She couldn't afford to lose anything. "How much?" Tears rolling down her face, she whispers. "I weigh 84 pounds." It felt like you were just punched in the gut. How did that happen? Were you not cooking her the right meals? You were always careful to cook her extra fatty meals. Especially recently. You pull her back into your arms, stroking the back of her hair, trying to calm her down. You sit like that for awhile, once she's calm, she is the first one that speaks.

"I have to call Dr. S tomorrow to find out what to do. I may have to go in sooner than I'd like." You nod, and look to her plate of dinner that was now cold.

"I think that's a good idea. Well, dinner is cold, so how about we order in?" She agrees and you tell her to go and rest while you cleaned up and called to place an order. She looked positively drained. You notice she was asleep on the couch, but the knock of the delivery man at the door woke her up. You bring her supper and put in a movie. Not long after, she falls asleep in your arms. You turn off the movie and carry her to bed, shocked at how light she feels. She doesn't even stir once you lie her down. You go change and crawl into bed next to her, pulling her in close. Realizing she could be admitted tomorrow afternoon, you enjoy your possible last night together for the next two weeks. Falling asleep with her cradled gently in your arms.

JANE

You wake up in bed, Tom must have brought you in here last night. You lay there a moment before rolling out of bed. You shuffle down the hall, feeling a chill despite your layers. You see a note on the counter from, Tom.

"Good morning love,

In case you wake before I return, I've gone for my morning run. I've started the wash with some of your favorite hospital pajamas and sweats in case Dr. S wishes for you to come in today. I will make breakfast when I get back.

Lot's of love,

Tom."

You smile at the note, wondering how you got so lucky. You realize you might as well just call Dr. S and get it over with. You dial his number while preparing your morning nebulizer.

"Hello this is Trish, Dr. Smolders nurse, how can I help you?"

"Hi Trish, it's Jane. If Dr. S isn't busy, I kind of need to speak with him. It's somewhat urgent." "Hold please."

You loved Trish, she would move mountains to make sure you got what you needed. Only a moment passed before Dr. S was on the phone.

"Hello this is Dr. Smolders."

"Hey Dr. S, it's Jane."

Tom walks in, sees you're on the phone, and gives you a kiss on the cheek before getting in the shower.

"Jane! How can I help you, dear?"

Dr. S was hands down the nicest Dr. you've ever met. You trusted him most out of the rest of your Dr.'s.

"Well, uuumm.. I haven't been feeling well, and was going to call next week to setup an admission because Tom and I are going to London in a few weeks and I wanted to feel better for that. However, I've experienced some pretty serious weight loss. I'm down about 11 pounds...So I'm calling to see if I should come in sooner than next week?"

There's a moment of silence on the phone.

"Jane, can you get here this afternoon?"

You knew it..

"Yes I can be there shortly."

"I'm going to have a room ready for you by two o'clock. I will see you soon."

"Thank you, see you later."

You sat in the kitchen, determined not to cry. You grab your neb and head over to your chair where you nubulizer machine was and get started on your morning routine. You finish with your nebs and inhalers right as Tom was out of the shower. He was already walking in with a load of laundry to fold. A worried look came across his face. "What did the Dr. say?" You walk over and start helping him fold. "He will have a bed ready by two. That was all he said." He just nods as he picks up a pair of sweatpants to fold. "Well, I'll make us some breakfast and then I'll help you to pack." You stay in the den and fold and he goes to the kitchen to cook a big breakfast. You could see he was upset and scared. The fact Dr. S wanted you there this afternoon wasn't good. You walk up behind him and wrap your arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry, Tom." You hadn't realized but you were crying, and it was clear in your voice. He spins around and looks at you with a serious look in his eyes. "Jane. Do not apologize to me. I am not the one who needs comfort. I do not like to watch you suffer, but you do not need to apologize. I love you and I will be with you the whole way." You can't help but tell him what you're feeling. You have to let him go.

"Tom, this is only the beginning... I'm going to get worse. I don't know when, but eventually I'm not going to lose my independence, I'm going to be on oxygen 24/7, I'm going to need a wheelchair, I'm going to need surgeries, one of them a double lung transplant. I can't ask you to go through all of that for me. It's not fair." You were sobbing now. Tom looked at you, it almost looked like he was hurt. Pain was evident on his face. "Jane... You are the love of my life. I can't bare the thought of leaving you, let alone leaving you when you are struggling. I'm going to be with you every step of the way darling." And then he slid down onto one knee. You felt like you were going to faint.

"I was going to propose in London, but I can't wait anymore. I have to let you know you'll never be alone. I want to be here for all of the good times, all of the bad times, all the accomplishments and all the losses, I want to pick you up when you're down, I want to hold your hand when you need it, and I want you to hold mine back. I want you for the rest of my life, Jane. So long as you'll have me."

You just stared at him for awhile, a large nervous smile on his face. You couldn't believe it. After a moment of staring in shock, you fling yourself forward, wrapping your arms around his neck and sob into his shoulder. He hugs you tight, your feet lift from the floor once he stands. "I'll take that as a yes?" he says into your hair. You nod, tears still falling. "Yes! Yes!" He sets you down, placing a hand on your cheek, leaning down to kiss you. You kiss him back. Harder. He sweeps you off your feet and heads into the bedroom.