6 Months Later

I moaned exhaustively, my body depleted of all energy.

"Remind me again why I'm joining you for your pre-tour workouts," I asked.

Demi chuckled as she watched me lay on my back, punching out of the circuits prematurely. For all she knew I could have been doing an opposite plank.

"Because you love spending time with me and so that we can be healthy and fit and live long full lives," Demi reasoned.

"Ahh…I knew it was something," I mused out loud.

I had to admit this whole exercise thing did have its benefits. My girlfriend of now about seven months had some nice what she called exercise outfits. I called them interfering garments. Nevertheless, they did cling to her body nicely. Her black sports bra pushed up her already very sumptuous breasts and there was a beautiful display of her taut abs since her tight leggings clutched at her hips and not an inch higher. Demi did always have gorgeously smooth skin and the droplets of sweat that collected on her clavicle only seemed to heighten the sense of heat in the room.

Demi came and sat down, her knees brushing against my side as I continued to recoup my normal breathing. Her nails traced patterns up and down my forearms and I sighed into the glorious feeling. Even though some months had passed, and we had certainly both fell into the routines of long work days, I still felt we were very much in our honeymoon stage. Her touch still set my skin alight in a way no one's previously had.

"How are you feeling about the tour?"

"Believe it or not I still get nervous after all this time. I know once I am out on the road and back on the stage the adrenaline and love of my fans will hit me but when I just sit here and ponder the unknown of what is to come, well I kind of get in my head."

"Well you have nothing to worry about," I tried to assure her. "Your voice is as stunning and strong as ever and I see how hard you've been working to prepare. Plus you'll have the world's most devoted roadie along to cheer you up whenever you may need!"

"That I do," Demi said smiling. She reached down and planted a sweet, chaste kiss on my lips.

"What do you want to do with the rest of the…" I began to ask. I was interrupted by the ringing of my phone.

"It's my Mom," I said, which was a dead giveaway to Demi that I would be taking the call.

"Hey Mom," I began, half laughing because Demi was poking at my sides teasing me.

My demeanour instantly changed though as I heard the words no child or loved one ever wants to hear. Demi sensed the shift and immediately stopped and instead craned her head to hear as she looked at me with great concern. I couldn't see her though. I couldn't see or think or feel. All I felt was an impending darkness.

Demi POV

I immediately knew something was wrong. Grace and her Mom, Penny (as she has asked me to call her), have a great relationship and their conversations are usually spent laughing and chatting away about everything the other has been up to. This talk was the complete opposite. I couldn't hear much as the voice on the other end was uncharacteristically soft and melancholic. At some point the call clicked off and I took the phone from Grace's shaking hand. My poor babe looked like a lost puppy. I waited for her to speak.

"She….she," but Grace just burst into more tears instead of finishing her sentence.

I pulled her into a hug and held her as tightly as I could. I felt her body shake against mine as the sobs continued. I was heartbroken to see her like this but I knew whatever she was facing was much worse. This was about Grace, and Penny, and it was my job to be patient and wait and see what I could do to help. In time the sobs slowed and Grace pulled back from the hug. Her face was red and the tears had left marks as they trailed down her cheeks.

"She has cancer," Grace finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh babe," I began, not really sure what else to say in the moment. "I am so sorry."

Grace just nodded knowingly.

"What do they know?"

"Breast Cancer. Stage 2."

"Stage 2, that means they caught it early enough right?" I asked hopefully.

"They haven't talked odds yet. Supposedly the doctors are worried about the size of some of the lumps and say she'll need to be started on an aggressive treatment plan right away."

I watched on as my girl zoned out once more. There must be so many thoughts going through her head. So many questions that no one could answer about the future. I studied her face, trying to read her mind. I was usually so good at it but now I just couldn't see beyond her tears and fragile state.

"You need to go," I heard myself say out loud before I'd really even processed the thought.

Grace looked up at me, our eyes truly connecting for the first time since she got the call. She went to speak but stopped herself.

"You need to go see her," I repeated. "Your Mom needs you."

I didn't want to see Grace go but I knew there was no decision to be made. I hoped and prayed Penny would be ok but, in the event that she was facing a terminal battle, then Grace had to spend as much time with her as she could. I could tour alone, keep busy while Grace spent time with her Mom and the rest of the family. Hopefully we wouldn't be apart too long and then we could be back together…right?