Chapter 21

Sharon came out of the doctor's office, holding her results in her hands. She still couldn't pass through the shock. As if her heart had stopped and a huge stone was stuck on her chest. "What will I do now? What will happen with my life now? How I will say that I have cancer?" she muttered softly to herself. Her pain was enormous. She could lose her life, her children and the man she loves. Anna - her youngest daughter, she was still too small to know about her illness.

Sharon walked slowly down the cold streets. She was like a ghost who wanders through the dark. She felt that she couldn't breathe. What she had learned about her life just, was too enough. She didn't know what to think. She didn't know what to do. Whether she had to say it to her family or just to be silent before the worst? The only thing she knew right now was that she was very sick and could lose her life. So early, so hasty ...

In fact, she knew very well that she should tell this bad news to all, especially to Andy, who is very worried about her. Yes, but she didn't know how to say it. It was so difficult. She got into her car and began to cry loudly, but quietly at the same time. She swallowed the lump in her throat and walked on the way home, knowing that probably Andy and Rusty waiting for her at home.

On the other hand, Andy, Rusty and Anna were already home. Rusty was decided to prepare a special dinner for his sister. While he was in the kitchen with Anna, Andy stood by the window looking at his watch constantly. "Why Sharon is delayed so much?" he murmured softly, looking out the window. At that moment, the door opened and Sharon threw the keys. Andy come to her, seeing that she was pale and crying. Anna immediately hugged her mother. Andy smiled softly. Apparently, Anna had already forgotten about the case with Jack.

Sharon hugged her daughter tightly, trying to hide her tears. Andy and Rusty smiled contentedly watching them without knowing anything. Sharon took Anna in her arms and kissed her cheek gently.

"What did today my princess at school?" Sharon asked with a sad smile. Anna smiled and replied, "It was wonderful. Today we prepared a costume for Halloween. Mom, can you help me? I want my costume to be the most beautiful." Sharon nodded and bit her lip.

Andy smiled and said, "Anna, your mother will help you, be confident. Besides, I promise you that your costume will be the most beautiful. Let's have dinner." He took Anna in his arms and made her sit on a chair. Sharon quickly walked to the bathroom. Andy was very worried about her. Her movements were quite strange.

"Rusty, you start with your dinner. Me and Sharon may be late." he warned and decided to talk to Sharon, knowing that she consulted a doctor. Rusty sighed and shrugged, sitting next to Anna.

"Well, I think that this dinner is for us Princess." he said, grinning. Anna smiled contentedly and kissed her brother's cheek.

Andy stood outside the door, waiting for Sharon. Had passed 15 minutes and she was still inside. His anxiety had begun to grow even more. He knocked on the door and asked, "Hey, Sharon, are you okay? We need to talk." But despite his constant questions, she didn't answer. He didn't want to go inside and decided to wait a little longer.

Sharon stood before the mirror, looking at her reflection carefully. She touched her face with her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks whenever she remembered the doctor's words. She couldn't believe that her fate has prepared such unpleasant surprises. The disputes with Andy, the problems with Jack ... And now ... This terrible disease ... As if her life was over and she was a living corpse. Her heart was tearing to pieces even more, when Andy was knocking on the door and asking questions that she couldn't answer. At least for now...

Andy, however, felt that his patience ends. He didn't want to wait any longer. He just didn't understand what was happening to her. He knocked on the door several times and finally decided to go inside. But when he went inside, his eyes widened, seeing Sharon, passed out on the floor unconscious and her nose was bleeding. In order not to cause panic, he quickly picked her up and took her into their bedroom. He hoped that Rusty and Anna will not learn about it - especially Anna.

About 20 minutes, Sharon lay unconscious. Andy sat close to her, clutching her hand and looking sadly at her. He could see drops of tears on her face. He gently stroked her face. Her nose had already stopped bleeding, but he was afraid. "Why don't you talk to me? What happens Sharon?" he muttered quietly. At this point, Sharon slowly opened her eyes and remembered that she had fainted in the bathroom. She looked at Andy and sighed wearily.

"Andy ..." she almost whispered his name. Andy shushed softly, stroking her hair.

"Sharon, are you okay? Why do you fainted? What's happening?" he asked anxiously and heatedly. Sharon sat up and motioned him to lock the door. She didn't want Rusty and Anna to hear. Andy immediately locked the door and sat beside her, looking at her bright green eyes that were filled with sadness.

"Sharon, please. Tell me the truth. What did the doctor say? It's okay, right?" he asked quietly with fear. Sharon took a deep breath and took her purse, getting out of bed. Andy stood before her, wondering what she was doing. She took her results and handed them to Andy. He looked at the results confused.

"These are my results," she explained and continued, "Perhaps it would be better to read because I'll not be able to talk." Andy looked at her more confused than ever. He took the results. But reading every word of the sheets as if his heart stopped. He couldn't believe it. Suddenly, Andy threw the sheets on the bed and looked at Sharon, who was crying softly.

"No, this ... This can't be true. Sharon, this is a joke? It says here that you're ... Tell me it's just a bad joke, please." He looked at her pleadingly, denying that she could be so seriously ill.

"I'm dying, Andy!" she shouted loudly. Andy's eyes widened and he fell into shock. He didn't know what to think. If he had heard correctly? Or was it some kind of joke? He wasn't sure. Heavy, awkward silence has filled the bedroom. Sharon and Andy looked at each other. Andy swallowed the lump in his throat and approached her.

"No, Sharon, that ... This can't be true." He said reliable. He could see the emptiness in her eyes.

"But it's true Andy. You can't believe how I feel since I realized that I needed a bone marrow transplant because only this can save me. You don't know how I feel at the thought that I could ..." Sharon couldn't finish her thoughts and began to cry. Andy hugged her comfortingly, but something inside him snapped into pieces. He couldn't believe it. This bitter truth ...

On the other hand, Anna sat in the kitchen, frowning. Rusty felt that he couldn't handle.

"I want my mom and dad!" Anna said firmly and pulled back Rusty's hand. Rusty sighed wearily and shook his head.

"Anna, mom and dad talk something important. Let's not worry them. Believe me, they'll be with us every moment." He tried to calm his sister, but the little girl was stubborn and refused to hear his words. Anna runs to the nursery, crying. Rusty sat back and sighed wearily. However, he also wondered what talk Sharon and Andy for so long.

Sharon stood frozen in place, staring at the floor. Andy was still trying to understand the situation. He simply couldn't and wouldn't believe that his beloved wife is seriously ill.

"How do I tell this to my children? How will I tell to my team? What will happen to my life from now on?" Sharon said quietly, biting her lip, wiping her tears. Andy came up to her and squeezed her shoulder, as if he would also cry.

"Sharon, calm down. Tomorrow we'll go to the hospital and talk to the doctor. Everything will be all right. But you have to be strong because we should say it all. Sharon, we can't hide it. But believe me, I'll always be there. At every step of the way, I'll be there. I'll not let anything happen to you. " he assured her. Sharon stroked his face and hugged him tightly. She was grateful that someone like Andy is in her life. They can no longer think of Jack. Sharon didn't want to part with her children and with Andy. It was too early for that.

At this point, Rusty came into their bedroom, saying, "Mom, Andy, please help me. Anna didn't want to sleep. She keeps saying she wants her mother and her father." Sharon wiped her tears. Andy nodded slightly.

"We'll go to her immediately, don't worry Rusty." Rusty smiled slightly and went into his room thoughtfully. "Why Mom and Andy behave this way? Why did Mom cry?" he murmured quietly. When Sharon overcame her initial shock, she and Andy went to Anna's nursery. She was still crying and they make her calmed down - but it was difficult. Anna was a stubborn child.

"Mom, please don't leave me alone anymore." Anna said softly and hugged her mother. Sharon looked at Andy sadly and kissed her daughter on the forehead, rubbing her back soothingly.

"I promise my Princess, I'll not leave you never, never." Sharon said with difficulty and swallowed the lump in her throat. When finally Anna slept, Sharon and Andy went back into the bedroom. They sat on the bed next to each other in silence. Andy didn't want to lose Sharon. She was the love of his life. He couldn't lose her now, not this way ... Sharon took a deep breath and shook her head.

"I never imagined that my life will change radically and so quickly in this terrible way ... You know, Andy, I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose my children. I can't even think I can lose you. " she said softly, looking into his brown eyes.

Andy looked at her in silence. He didn't know what to say in such a difficult time. It was a difficult time for everyone. Both knew that this would be a great challenge. He sat close to her and took her in his arms, kissing her forehead gently. Sharon huddled in his warm, comforting embrace. But if she felt that nothing could give her consolation this time - even Andy.

The next morning, Sharon and Andy had gone to the hospital. Rusty had taken Anna to school and had gone to the department as Sharon and Andy had told him. The strange thing was that absolutely everyone was there. Rusty didn't know what was happening as everyone else. Sharon and Andy talked with the doctor about Sharon's disease.

"Doctor, what will happen now?" Sharon asked with fear, squeezing Andy's hand.

"Look, I know it's quite difficult for you, but I assure you that we'll do everything possible to save your life. We'll take samples from you and look for bone marrow donor, and by then you'll be on chemotherapy." the doctor explained.

"How fast can you find such a donor?" asked Andy immediately.

"I can't clarify, but sometimes just go weeks, months, but may take longer." the doctor said.

"My hair?" Sharon immediately interrupted, "What about my hair? My hair will fall off, right?" The doctor sighed and shook his head. Sharon took a deep breath to calm herself and bit her lip. Andy squeezed her hand even stronger. He wanted to give her courage, but it wasn't possible.

On the other hand, the team wondered why Sharon and Andy have gathered all in the interview room. What did they say? Was it important? Andrea began to pace nervously around the room, looking at her watch.

"I just can't understand. What do want to tell us Sharon and Andy? Why are all here?" she said heatedly. Provenza sighed and shook his head.

"We have no idea. I hope it is not anything serious, though." Just then, Sharon and Andy came in, hand in hand. All paid attention to them. They looked pale and exhausted.

"Sorry for the delay, but we had to think about what we'll explain, before we came here." Andy began. All looked at each other.

"It's so serious?" Provenza asked. Sharon took a deep breath and said, "Lieutenant, please, from now on, don't interrupt me because I'll not be able to say what I want again." She looked at Andy for courage and continued, "I know you don't expect me to tell you bad news, but I have to do it. Yesterday I learned that I'm seriously ill. I need a bone marrow transplant because only it can save my life. I don't know what to say, because I can't find the right words. The truth is that I am seriously sick today I called you here to tell you that." Sharon said softly, wiping her tears. Rusty couldn't believe it. He went to his mother and hugged her. Everyone was shocked.

"Captain, how is this possible?" Provenza asked sadly.

"Sharon, tell me that this is a lie." Andrea couldn't believe it.

"Andrea, this is true. It is quite difficult, but we'll save Sharon's life. At all costs." Andy answers and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Tomorrow I'll begin chemotherapy, so Lieutenant Provenza, I want you to take my place." she asked softly. Provenza approached her and nodded slightly.

"Captain, don't worry. It is important that you be well." Sharon smiled sadly and said, "Thank you." Rusty still couldn't believe it.

"Mom, I can't believe it. What about Anna? '"

"Anna doesn't know anything. She's too small to understand that." Rusty nodded and hugged her tightly. He couldn't think of losing his mother. He couldn't lose her.

In the evening, Sharon was home with Rusty expecting Andy and Anna. On the other hand, Provenza sat at his desk thoughtfully.

"I can't believe that the captain is so seriously ill." Amy sighed and added, "I also. She suffered a lot and now this. This is not fair. ''

"Obviously another unpleasant surprise of destiny." Mike said and sat down. Julio and Buzz looked at each other.

"I'm convinced that the captain will overcome this. She's a strong woman." Julio told reliably.

"I agree with you. You'll see, the captain will come back strong." Buzz agreed. Provenza sighed wearily and leaned back.

Later, Anna didn't stop to talk about the upcoming Halloween party. Sharon tried to smile and hide everything from her little daughter, but it wasn't so easy. Fortunately, Andy and Rusty were here to help her. Sharon didn't want to inform Emily and Ricky now, knowing that they are currently traveling for their work.

During the night Sharon was nestled in Andy's arms. Andy tried to calm her, because he knew that she was afraid of chemotherapy. But most of all, she was afraid that they'll not be able to find a suitable donor.

"What do you think Sharon?" he asked anxiously. Sharon took a deep breath and replied softly, "We can find a suitable donor? '"

"Calm down, Sharon. Believe me, we'll find a suitable donor." he said encouragingly. Sharon nodded with a smile and continued, "You know Andy ... I'll confess something. This morning when we went to the hospital I thought of everything I've achieved in my life. I said to myself: Sharon, you marry the man of your life, you have wonderful children and succeeded in your career despite all the difficulties. Now you can die in peace. " Andy hushed quietly.

"Stop Sharon. Don't talk nonsense. You'll be with us, you'll not die." he said firmly. Sharon smiled, looking into his brown eyes and stroked his face.

"Don't worry. I said it before going to the hospital. But now I have hope. I will live for my favorite people. For my family." she said softly. Andy hugged her tightly. He couldn't consider life without her. Sharon had to undergo an ordeal, but she was calm, knowing that she had Andy's help. And what about the problems with Jack? The problems began only now. ... Jack didn't think to stop to take his daughter Anna, whatever happens ... He's just waiting for the right moment...

~~~ TBC ~~~