A/n: Well world, seems as though this journey, this wonderful experience is coming to an end. This isn't any where close to my last story, but it's always going to be one that I hold close to my heart. It's just this, then the epilog folks; lets make the best of it.

Chapter 35:

Disclaimer: Nope nothing, sadly.

Miley's POV:

Stepping out of the car today took all of my strength and the help of Nick. I was exhausted, weak, and as pale as a sheet. Picture perfect, right? Well the paparazzi sure thought so.

"Miley! Miley! Is it true that this is all a PR stunt?"

"Do you actually have cancer?"

"Are you lying to all of us?"

"Are you only using Nick for fame?"

"I bet this is all just a sham!"

"Smile pretty Miley!"

They don't stop, ever, the voices of the paparazzi and the endless flashes coming from their cameras. I knew that once I told the world what I was going through, that I'd be bombarded with this type of stuff, but it doesn't mean I like it.

"Look, please get out of the way." Nick said wrapping an arm protectively around my shoulder. He was starting to lose his temper.

"What's that Nick?" They all shouted swarming like vultures.

"You have got to be kidding me if you think Miley is faking! What type of person fakes Cancer? Do you really have nothing else better to do then to ruin someone else's life?" Nick's face color became increasingly redder.

"Nick, come on. It's ok, lets just get in there." I urged using my famous puppy dog eyes. He never lets the paparazzi get to him. I can only imagine where his head is, that allowed him to snap like this.

Nick sighed taking a deep breath; I knew he wouldn't push on after that. I hated using his fear of spending what might be the small amount of time we have left fighting, but this moment called for it.

"Fine, come on, I'll feel better once you're safely inside."

I leaned into his chest as we made our way across the hospital parking lot. The hospital was quickly becoming my second home, but this would be the first time back since the concert.

"Come on Miles, sit." Nick said pulling out a wheel chair from the corner.

I opened my mouth the protest, but under Nick's glare, I changed my mind. I knew that I was too weak to do much anymore. I also knew that getting all the way to the twelfth floor would take a lot out of me. But that didn't change how much I hated the feeling of having to be wheeled around. And I know that Nick didn't mean anything by it. He's just being his usual over protective self. But I still didn't like it.

"Fine." I said giving up and sitting down softly into the chair.

"Good girl." Nick said smiling and kissing my forehead.

Nick's POV:

Is it wrong of me to be so overprotective? I can't help it, every time I look at her, I see myself in pieces due to the loss of her. It's not fair, out of all the people in the world, all of the sinners, the terrorist, the racists, the cold blooded, God chooses a girl who's soul mission in life is to make others happy. It's almost enough to make me lose my faith, but if I don't have my faith, then I hardly have anything anymore.

"Hello Miss Stewart, Mr. Gray."

"Hey Patty!" Miley says slapping on a bright smile. Miley's taken to Patty the receptionist quite a bit. Patty's always been so nice to the too of us.

Patty laughs at Miley's enthusiasm. "Wow, I wish more people would be as happy as you when going in for another round of Chemo."

"Well you know how I do." Miley says jokingly flipping her hair over one shoulder.

"Yes, yes that I do. The room's all ready and Dr. Curtis will be in to hook you up right after he comes out off his break."

"Thanks Patty. See you when we come out." I say as I wheel Miley into room 261 and shut the door behind us.

It takes me a minute to realize why Miley's lower jaw is now on the floor, but as I glance around the room, my eyes take in hundreds of flowers and get well soon cards. Everything you could imagine. "Wow." Was all I could say.

Miley's POV:

You could no longer see the white walls; they were now covered in cards and pictures drawn by little girls and boys. Every shelf was covered with flowers in every color. It was mind blowing.

"Is this all for me?" I asked unsure of myself.

"Indeed it is. We've been getting thousands of cards for you since was week." Dr. Curtis said walking into the hospital room.

"Wow."

"Yeah, you're a well loved person Miss Miley." Dr. Curtis said, causing me to blush.

"Thanks. This is just, wow, amazing."

"Yeah, yeah it is." Nick said speaking for the first time since we've walked in.

Dr. Curtis looked around before saying, "Do you guys just want to get started?"

"Might as well." I said carefully moving onto the hospital bed with Nick's help.

Dr. Curtis placed the IV into my arm and adjusted the machine, making sure all of the medicine would make its way into my blood stream. All I could do was look around astonished at how much everyone cared.

"All set, I'll be back in an hour and a half." Dr. Curtis said leaving the room.

"Do you want to read one?" Nick suggested as we sat.

He then passed me a small pink card which had words written in blue crayon. "Dear Miley. I'm six years old and my mommy said that you were very sick and that you needed a card. I wanted to say thank you, I look up to you and I love your music. My sister Chelsea said that it was 'a shame' that someone as talented as you would be sick. I hope you get better real soon Miley. Love Erica."

I was almost in tears as I reached for another one. "Dear Miley, I'm the parent of two daughters who are nothing short of obsessed with you. I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for my girls. We don't have much, but your music makes it easier for them. I draw strength from the confidence you've shown. I'm so sorry that something so awful has befallen you and your family, and I have high hopes that you'll make it though. I'll be praying for you. Thanks again, Debbie."

I was in tears now, never have I felt so strong, so amazing. To know that I was giving hope to so many, gave me hope. I drew strength from the word written by parents, six year olds, and everyone in between.

I felt, for the first time since I discover that I was once again a cancer patient that there was a light at the end of this dark tunnel and I was going to make it through. I was going to come out on the other side ten times stronger and a thousand times better of a person. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't fighting a battle that was already lost. I felt like I was going to win.

-XoxoX-

One Week Later…

Nick's POV:

We were back in the hospital, Miley wasn't responding well to the last round of chemo. She is now twenty times weaker then before, and hasn't been able to eat anything that hasn't come through an IV since last week.

Miley was pale, ghostly, translucent type pale. She developed a nosebleed last night and a bad one at that. The doctor said it was just a symptom of her leukemia, but it got Miley at least another few days in the hospital.

I'm not going to lie; I'm scared to death. I feel terrible thinking it, but I feel like I'm going to lose her. We all do. Mr. Stewart never left Miley's side. Trace stayed at the hospital but only made it into Miley's room once a day. The image of his little sister dying is just too much for him. Chase and Eric found some way to be strong for all of us. They made sure we ate, and kept a positive outlook even when we were all falling apart. My parents even stopped by, and now come by when ever they can, and are taking care of the Stewart's house and such for them. Joe and Kevin called off the tour for the time being, deciding that it wasn't worth it. Right here is where they needed to be.

Joe did everything he possibly could to lighten the mood, but I could tell he was barely holding it together on the inside. Kevin resorted to going almost mute. It was his way of dealing and trying to be strong for Joe and I. But he was just as cut up as the rest of it and we all knew it.

Miley was the only one who ever seemed happy. She admitted that she was afraid, but she didn't want to waste time being afraid. It was crazy how no matter how much you just want to break down and cry, after one visit with Miley, you found yourself some how happy. She's just amazing like that. She just is.

-XoxoX-

Two weeks later…

Nick's POV:

It's been two weeks and Miley's only gotten worse. We've all continued to deal with the situation the same way. Trace was in with her now as I sat with my head in my hands in the waiting room.

"Nick, Mr. Stewart?" Dr. Curtis emerged from his office pulling me out of my trance.

"Yes Doctor." Mr. Stewart said as we all circled up around Dr. Curtis.

"Well I believe I have some bad news. I've been looking over Miley's charts, and I see no improvement. She's only getting worse, and I'm not sure how much longer she can keep fighting this."

"What does that mean?" Chase asked. We all knew the answer but hearing it out loud would make it real.

"I'm afraid that Miley doesn't have that much time left." Dr. Curtis looked desolate, but that answer wasn't enough.

"How long, and don't sugar coat it doctor?" Joe demanded.

"A week, maybe less."

My whole world fell apart. My knees felt weak, as they started to wobble. Fresh tears stained my eyes. I wasn't the only one; there wasn't a dry eye in the waiting room as we all fell into pieces together. I heard fait cries of 'no' coming from Mr. Stewart, and muffled sobs coming from my brothers. Nothing was right about this, nothing.

-XoxoX-

Three days later…

Miley's POV:

I stared intently at the white wall of the hospital room. I was just given the news that the fight was almost over. I'd be making my journey away from this earth some time soon.

I don't know what to feel. I don't know what to think. I'm no longer scared of dying; I'm just scared of what will happen to those I love once I'm gone.

Nick then walked in. He mad his way across the room and sat on the other side of my bed. His eyes were bloodshot red and puffy. It broke my heart to see him that way, to know t was my entire fault.

"Mile-" Nick started, but I cut him off.

"Nick, I need you to promise me something, something for real." I said no trace of humor, or anything but pure seriousness in my voice.

"Anything." Nick stated grabbing my hands in his. His voice has horse from crying, I could tell. That's the way most people sounded when they came for a visit these days.

"I need you to promise me that when I go, that you'll be ok. That you wont do anything stupid, that you wont cut off those who love you. I need you to promise me you'll continue to live, and I mean really live. I want you to marry some one wonderful. I want you to have kids, and to be happy. I want you to continue sharing music with the world, music from your heart. I want you to be happy. More then anything I want you to be able to be happy, to live out the portion of life that I wont get to, and have fun while doing it. I'll never forgive you or myself if you give up on your dreams because of me. I want you to move on and allow your self to be happy. You better promise me." I pleaded as the tears welled in my eyes.

"I-I promise." Nick's voice broke, and we cried together. No words needed to be spoken at that point, everything was already said all that was left was our love for each other, the love that no one thought could be achieved at age sixteen. But it was possible, Nick and I were proof, now all that was left to do was to hope for the best, and let come what comes.

Voice Over:

Well readers, cling to the hope, but embrace the reality. Learn anything from this journey, learn that life owes you nothing, there are no guarantees, no promises on the future, there's not past. There's only right here, right now. Take a deep breath, and Live.

A/n: there we go readers, the final chapter. I'm writing a long epilog, this isn't goodbye yet. You'll find out Miley's fate next time. Until then, cherish every minute. 86, 400 seconds in each day, make every single one count.

Until next time,

Xoxo

TheHeartNeverLies442