*~Chapter Ten~*

Todd had gone with Marty to see Dr. Larry Wolek at the hospital. "What's wrong with my leg?" Marty asked after the doctor had given her an examination and all the necessary tests.

Dr. Wolek looked at Marty with a haggard expression. "The biopsy results are back for the bump on your knee, Marty. I am afraid the news is not good," Dr. Larry replied.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense, Doc. What's going on with Marty's knee?" Todd demanded.

"I'm afraid the tumor is malignant. Marty, you're suffering from osteosarcoma," explained Dr. Wolek.

"What?!" Todd suddenly gasped. "Osteosarcoma? What the fuck IS that?"

"Todd, calm down," Marty said as she soothingly caressed his arm. "Let's just listen to Dr. Wolek..."

"Marty has bone cancer," said Dr. Wolek. "I am afraid that at this time... there is no cure."

"What?! No!" Todd exclaimed as he ran a tender caress over the bump on Marty's knee. "There's gotta be something we can do."

"I am afraid our only option right now would be amputation," Dr. Wolek answered. "But even with that, there is very little guarantee. Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive form of cancer. Marty doesn't have much time... and sadly, she has very little options."

"Then we will do what it is we have to do. Marty, you'll have the amputation," Todd insisted.

"No!" Marty cried out. "I don't want to be mutilated! How would I ever take care of Michelle? We don't even know if it would work... if the cancer would be gone!"

"Marty!" Todd gasped. "What other choice do you have?"

"I don't know... but I won't lose my leg," Marty told him.

"I'm so sorry," Dr. Wolek spoke. He patted Marty's hand before he left the exam room. He would give Marty and Todd time to digest the news. He had known Marty since she was a teen and he had delivered her baby girl. He hated imparting such devastating news. Marty was far too young to be facing such a tragedy.

"Todd, I'm scared," Marty said as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Don't be scared," Todd said as he stroked her hair. "You're going to be alright. I'd never let anything happen to you."

As her tears soaked his shirt, she wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe she'd be there to see her little Michelle grow up. She wanted to believe there was hope for their future.

"Wh- what are we going to do?" she eventually asked after had stopped crying in his arms.

"We'll find a specialist," Todd stated. "We'll do whatever it takes so we can save your life."

"And... what if - if that's not enough?"

"It HAS to be," Todd said as he placed his fingers under her chin and raised her face so that their gazes collided. "I love you, Marty... and I am NOT going to lose you."