Thanks for the reviews.

This chapter may seem rushed.. Because I just want to get on with this story okay? And get it done.

Chapter 21

9 1/2 Years Later

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up" Laura said interrupting me "why the big time skip?"

"Because nothing really happened that was exciting in them 9 years.. Plus this all leads up to now," I said "like... 3 - 4 months ago."

"Err," Laura said "so.. Me and Riker getting married and having Brandon, Rydel and Titus getting married and having their baby as well as Rocky getting together with someone isn't exciting?"

"Does it have anything to do with the 'great love story' of me and Ratliff?" I asked.

"No.."

"Then let me continue."

9 years. Seems a very long time, and it is a very long time. But a lot of things have changed over them years. Riker and Laura had finally got married about a year after me and Ratliff did, then about another year later they finally had their first child "Brandon", he's about 11 now. Callie and Connor are almost 14. Time flies a lot. Haha.

After a long while of Rydel and Titus denying any feelings and that they were dating, they finally came out and admitted they were dating. Needless to say, me, Rocky and Laura had a very pissed Riker Lynch on our hands. But he learnt to get use to it in the end, we didn't know why he was so mad. But he's a big brother and all big brothers get pissed when their baby sister starts dating their bestfriend.

As for me, Ratliff, Callie and Connor everything's.. perfect.

That's a lie actually.

"Ross! Ross! Ross!" Callie kept on chorusing as I heard her come running down the stairs "Ross! Ross! Ross! Ross! Ross!"

I came out of the kitchen looking at her coming through the livingroom door "Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie! Callie!" I chorused "what?" I asked.

I saw she looked panicked, so I could tell something was wrong. She may be only 13 but that doesn't mean she can't panic right? My face dropped "Callie what's wrong?" I asked.

"Dad.." She said worried.

I basically pushed Callie out of the way before running upstairs. Ratliff has been getting treatment for his cancer over the past 9 years to get it calm down, but in all honesty I don't think it was working. At first it was starting to work, but then about a month ago it just seemed like it had stopped working for him.

I ran into the bedroom before looking over to the bed where I saw Ratliff in it, he wasn't awake. Which was what panicked me. I ran over to the bed and began to shake him. Gently at first, but then I got more rougher "Ratliff.." I said shaking him gently "get up.." I said as my voice cracked "please wake up!"

I heard Callie standing at the door, I didn't want to do anything that would scare her. But I had to "GOD DAMMIT RATLIFF WAKE UP!" I shouted.

Like some miracle shone over us, Ratliff's eyes slowly opened up "Ross?" He said groggily, he began to sit up slowly but failed a little bit. I wrapped my arms around him and helped him sit up and lean against the head rest.

I looked over to Callie who was stood by the door with worry across her face, I didn't want to have this next conversation with Ratliff infront of her "Callie.. Can you leave us to talk for a moment please?" I asked. Callie nodded before leaving the room, shutting it behind her.

I looked at Ratliff "You don't look good man.." I said.

Ratliff let out a small laugh "Thanks.." He said sarcastically.

I sighed before sitting on the edge of the bed beside him looking at him in the face "You don't look good at all Ell," I said to him being honest. Something wasn't right with him "you've been like this for a month.. It's almost as if the treatments stopped working.." I said.

Ratliff sighed "That's because..." Ratliff said pausing before beginning to speak again "It did stop.. But.. That's cause I asked them too because it wasn't working very well."

My face dropped, I felt anger and sadness rise up inside me but it was more anger than anything else if I was honest. Tears literally pricked at my eyes "Y-you stopped the treatment without even talking to me about it first?"

"Look.. Ross. I'm sorry. I am.. But, when I went they told me it wasn't working they talked to me about it and eventually I just gave in and said yes to them stopping it," Ratliff said explaining "you know.. At first I was reluctant about it because I don't wanna die... But at the same time... These things happen for a reason right?" I nodded "plus.. Maybe it's for the best anyway.."

I nodded wiping my eyes preventing tears from falling "The good thing is.. You have years until you pass." I said with a small smile. Ratliff shook his head. "A year?"

"6 months.." Ratliff said. My face dropped.

I took a deep breath "Okay, when exactly did all the treatment stop?" I asked, trying to keep myself together and not break down.

"2, 3 months ago."

I shook my head, it didn't stop a tear coming out of my eye rolling down my cheek "Y-you should of told me before you decided to do it instead of going behind our backs.." I said, trying not to break down in tears.

Ratliff frowned "I'm sorry, I've been trying to tell you.. I just haven't found the right moment.."

"Oh so you thought 2 or 3 months down the line is!" I said before just loosing it. I just fell onto my knees on the floor putting my head on the bed next to him, letting tears rapidly fall.

Ratliff slowly and hesitantly put his hand on my head stroking it. He bent down and kissed my head before resuming to stroke it "It'll be okay, I promise," He said "Just... Got to make the most of it I guess."

I looked up at him before kissing him on the lips softly, still letting a couple of tears fall. This isn't how it was suppose to be.

I then wrapped my arms around him, hugging him pulling away from the kiss "I love you okay," I said "please... Please just hold on for longer.."

"Dude, I have ages left, I'll be okay."

"Excuse me," me and Laura looked to the door where we saw the Doctor "Could you two leave the room in about 5 - 10 minutes?" She asked.

Both of us nodded before she left.

Laura looked at me "Okay, your going to have to speed the story up a little."

I nodded before beginning to continue.

2 Months Later

I got home from going to see Riker and Laura for a little while with Connor and Callie. Ratliff didn't come with us cause I kinda made him stay home with him seeming to get worse as time goes on.

We got into the house before going into the livingroom "Couldn't we of stopped on the way home to get some ice cream?!" Connor asked "we literally stopped outside at a red light."

"We did?" I asked. I'm not playing them about, I didn't know we did otherwise I would of let them. I guess my mind is just so focused on Ratliff lately that I've forgot about a lot of things.

Me, Riker, Rydel and Rocky know that once Ratliff is gone, that R5 may not be able to continue. I mean, its so hard to find a good drummer these days and I don't think we could replace Ratliff just like that. I don't think I'd be able to do that, neither could Rocky with them being bestfriends and all.

Callie nodded "Yeah we did," Callie said "what? Were you focused on the red light or something?" She asked.

I shook my head "No," I said "I was just distracted," I then reached into my pocket before pulling out some money for them both "go knock yourselves out." I said handing them it "not literally though! I don't want another trip to the hospital, Connor."

"Hey! It's not my fault!"

"Well maybe you should learn how to defend yourself against a girl," I said "especially one who's younger." I said looking at Callie who was just grinning in triumph. I swear that Connor has a thing with getting head injuries when it comes to fighting and having accidents.

"Go," I said "I'll call you when you guys need to be back okay?"

Connor and Callie nodded before leaving.

I sighed as they left and shut the door behind them, I looked towards the stairs and up them before letting out another sigh. Cause that's where Ratliff would be probably resting or sleeping. Or struggling. I made my way upstairs to see if he needed anything.

I walked into our bedroom, which is probably soon to be just mine, to see him laid on the bed with his eyes shut. He looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb him. But I know he's going to be wanting something to eat or drink, he can't just sit up here and basically starve himself. Then he will die.

I made my way over to the bed and sat on the edge of it before shaking him gently "Ratliff," I said quietly "I'm gonna make something to eat and drink, what do you want?" I asked. Nothing came from him, not a sound. Not even movement "Ratliff.."

"Ross!" I heard a voice call from downstairs.

I then heard two pairs of footsteps come upstairs, which soon came into the bedroom. I looked to see Riker and Laura there. "Hey, we thought we'd come see you and Ratliff for abit." Riker said.

Laura hissed "Is he sleeping?" Laura asked quietly "we can come back later.."

"NO I was just about to wake him for something to eat," I said before looking down at him "Ratliff.. Wake up." I said. Still nothing "Ratliff please wake up." I said getting louder.

Riker came over to me and stood beside me looking down at him "How long have you been trying to get him to wake?" Riker asked.

"About 5 seconds ago." I said.

Laura came over to have a look as well whilst me and Riker tried to wake him up, she then gasped almost in horror and worry, me and Riker looked at Laura concerned. "He's.. He's not breathing.." She said "his chest... It's not rising and falling."

Riker then grabbed Ratliff before laying him flat out on the bed to check if he was actually breathing, when I looked it looked like his chest wasn't rising or falling over. Tears came to my eyes almost instantly. Laura then came round to the side of the bed before putting an arm around me.

Riker put his hand on Ratliff's neck to check his pulse "Shit.." Riker said "his pulse is weak.. But.. He's not breathing properly, look!" He said stepping away for us to look.

I shook my head "No, no, no," I said as more tears threatened my eyes "the doctors said he had longer than this.. No.."

Riker sighed, I could tell he was just as sad I was "I know you don't want to believe it or this Ross but.." Riker said taking a pause "it might be his time.."

Laura sighed "I'm going to go call an ambulance." She said before leaving the room, I know Laura wasn't going to give up like me. I know she wants Ratliff to live just as much as i do. Them two are close, like brother and sister close.

Rushed? yes. I know -_-/ Sorry.

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