"K-Keith?" Natalie's voice wavered, and her eyes fell on his wide-open ones.

He smirked his classic lopsided grin. "The one and only." He replied meekly.

Natalie laughed out a sob that she had been suppressing and fell beside his bed in one quick motion. Wrapping her arms as best she could around his chest, she held him close.

"Keith, you're awake." She looked up into his eyes once more; his emerald green orbs sparkled with love. "I thought I was going to lose you, I-"

"-I heard you." He whispered. "I heard you talking to me, the whole time."

"I just wanted you to wake-up…I tried to tell you things that would make you happy."

"You remember the play?" he asked softly, excitement and disbelief flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, Keith, of course."

"It took you long enough." He joked, before coughing roughly.

"Keith," she grasped his hand in her own. "you scared me so badly."

He smiled. "I figured the pranks were getting old; this relationship needed a little adrenaline."

"I believe there are two parties involved in this relationship, partner, and this party thinks this relationship needs a little relaxation for awhile."

Keith let his smile fade, but adopted an air of seriousness that Natalie found incredibly comforting. "I didn't mean to scare you, Natalie," he scratched the back of his neck. "it's not like I could really control all of this." He finished lamely.

Natalie's heart broke for him when she saw his face now. Looking down at his lap, she caught a glimpse of the sadness lingering in his eyes. Resting her hand under his chin, she bore her eyes into his as she lifted his face.

"Keith, you don't have to be upset-"

"-I'm not-"

"-upset? Yes, you are. Keith, you don't have to feel vulnerable, or weak, or any fear, okay? I'm here with you, and I know you had no control- I don't blame you for this, and you don't deserve it."

As his eyes stared directly into hers, his body relaxed. Natalie could tell he took those words as a comfort, as much as he would never admit it, and smiled.

Henry barged in then, the doctor behind him. Upon seeing Keith's face lit up in a smile, Henry and the doctor smiled brightly.

"Keith," Henry beamed, coming to stand by his son's bed quickly. "you're awake!"

"So I've been told." He glanced at Natalie. She grinned back in reply and stood to give the doctor and Keith's father more room.

After a long while talking about Keith's coma, his chemo, and the cancer itself, the doctor promised that if Keith gave him his word that he would rest and stay hydrated, he could be released the next morning. The three of them were immensely happy about this, and Natalie bent down to give Keith a quick kiss on the cheek after hearing that. Joy overcame Keith as he rested his head back against his pillows and thought of being out of this hospital once more.

Natalie helped Keith into a recliner in the living room as Henry ran to check on the stir-fry. Since being released, Keith had a stricter diet to help maintain his strength and immune system, and Henry was willing to put forth the effort instead of Natalie to cook the food. Normally, stir-fry could be quite the health mix, but Natalie's eyes were wary as she watched Henry cut a chunk of butter to melt in with the vegetables.

"Partner," Keith began, but Natalie kept her gaze on Henry. "can you please go help my Dad with dinner and get rid of the 'I'm going to use that knife to kill him' face?" he asked, grinning. Now, Natalie turned to glare at him. Keith just laughed and she rolled her eyes before hurrying into the kitchen.

Keith watched from afar as she gently took the butter out of his hands, and grabbed the low-calorie, dried onions from the cabinet. She was talking to him about something Keith couldn't hear, and his Dad was paying attention with strong interest. Keith smiled at the scene that was unfolding before him. His father laughed heartily at something Natalie said as grease splashed out of the pain, and he rushed to get her an old apron, (the only one they owned) out of the pantry. He tied it around her frame for her and she laughed again, a little bit softer, seeing as she was moving the pan back and forth now, flipping over the string beans, carrots, peppers, and onions. Keith breathed in the smell, and pulled the trigger so the foot rest popped out the bottom of the old recliner.

Henry turned to glance at his son in the living room, then, and smiled as she caught him already staring at them. "Keith, do you want to come help?" He called out.

Keith smiled, and nodded, standing slowly. Henry backed away from Natalie then, allowing Keith to slip into the spot he had just been in. Seeing how close he placed himself to her, Henry smiled and walked out quickly, claiming he had to go finish some laundry. Keith grinned and watched him leave, before turning back to Natalie. Abruptly, he crashed his lips against hers, pulling her close to him. Falling into his embrace, she thanked God for having him in front of her. Natalie could never handle the fear of almost losing him again; not being that un-prepared again. As she grabbed his shirt-front, pulling him even closer, (if that was possible), she vowed to not take any of the time she had with him for granted, whether it was for a short while, or for infinity.

After all, the sky was the limit, and she wasn't going to settle for anything less.

a\n: Ehh, not sure I really liked this chapter too much; the end anyways. Thoughts? I enjoyed it as I wrote, but looking back, I don't know if it seemed rushed or not? If anyone has a little extra push for this story, I would greatly appreciate it!

Blessings,

Sarah