February 1st - 8:00 AM - Breakfast
The bustling of the IHOP kitchen behind her hardly pulled Pidge from her trance of staring out the window, being swarmed with her thoughts. Outside snow swirled through the sky in a dance of their own. This morning she had received a call while Lance was in the shower. It was from the Clinic Lance went to for his treatments following up to confirm his appointment. Pidge knew that Lance had said he didn't want to continue with the treatments, but what if he changed his mind? What if there was a small part of him that wanted to fight for a chance?
Pidge sighed, turning from the window, wrapping her hands around her coffee mug, the warmth seeping into her skin. She looked across the table at Lance who donned a hoodie and beanie. His winter coat folded into a ball between him and the wall. He returned her gaze flashing her a smile before grabbing his glass and proceeding to chug his chocolate milk.
"Lance!" She cried a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Be careful! You could choke!"
Lance set the cup down with a dull thud grinning at her triumphantly, his blue eyes shining brighter than they had been the past few days. Pidge chuckled, raising her mug to her lips. Her eyes flicked between his eyes and the milk mustache decorating his upper lip.
Their server approached the table steaming plates of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. "Would you like some more milk?" The server asked, noticing Lance's empty cup.
"Yes, Thank you!" Lance thanked the waiter again, grinning at him before turning to his plate. The server flashed Pidge an amused look before departing with a promise of more chocolate milk to be delivered.
Lance took a bite of bacon, glancing up as he did so. Across from him Pidge had her head in her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Pidge?"
She lifted her head to the sound of her laughter finally escaping. Tears glistened in her eyes as she observed Lance.
"W-what's so funny?" Lance asked, baffled but also on the verge of laughing himself.
"I'm sorry, it's not that funny, but I just can't!" Pidge said, gesturing to his mouth. Then Lance felt it, cold liquid resting against his upper lip.
He reached for a napkin, but before he could wipe it off he lost it as well. "Oh my god, I talked to our server like that! I can only imagine what they thought!"
"It was quite amusing actually," Their server replied. They placed a glass of milk in front of Lance as well as some napkins. "Just in case, yeah?" They said with a wink.
"Thanks," Lance said, chuckling softly.
After their server departed Lance and Pidge sat in content silence enjoying their breakfast. Lance hummed softly to himself, and Pidge suddenly found herself watching him, her scrambled eggs forgotten.
Days like this. The ones full of laughter and jokes…..They're numbered, and now I have one less day to be with him.
The thoughts came to her daily and she had a hard time pushing them away herself. But when Lance smiled or said something to her she was reminded that while she may have one less day with him, at least she got to spend that day with him.
February 13th - 6:00 pm - Movie Night
Rather than spend the night out on the town with their friends Lance and Pidge had decided to stay in. In the weeks before, the former group of paladins had gone out to eat, done an escape room, and just simply walked around town.
The movie was still being debated. Pidge scrolled through the options offering a suggestion, only for it to be shot down by Lance. He was currently in the kitchen making the popcorn and drinks.
"We are not watching The MEG," Lance yelled from the kitchen.
"Why not?" Pidge asked, falling back onto the couch, "It's fascinating. And besides the megalodon actually existed several thousand years ago, and with more than eighty percent of the ocean explored..who knows maybe it still does exist." She said the last part with a mysterious tone in her voice.
"Exactly why I don't want to watch it." Lance came into the living room, the popcorn bowl and drinks balanced precariously in his hands. He handed her the bowl before setting the drinks on the coffee table. "What about A Quiet Place Part II?" He asked, settling himself onto the couch next to her.
Pidge popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth. "The first one was okay." She ate another piece, considering.
"We could always do Escape Room?"
"Now that sounds interesting."
Lance rolled his eyes as he started the movie. "Now don't work your brain too hard, you could blow a gasket." He said with a wink as he took a couple of pieces of popcorn.
But as the movie started Pidge found herself not able to focus on the movie. Instead she was thinking about the phone call she received today to confirm Lance's appointment for tomorrow. She hadn't told him yet, knowing the reaction that he would give. He had told her no more, but she couldn't give up that easily, she wanted him to fight. She wanted him to give her hope that he would live through this, but no matter how much she tried to convince himself she found herself feeling more guilty for not heeding Lance's wishes.
Before she knew it the movie had ended. Lance immediately turned to her brows furrowed together. "Are you feeling alright?" He asked, reaching for her forehead.
She swatted his hand away, "Fine, why?"
"Not once during the entire movie did I hear you analyze it. Not a single comment on what they should've done or even that some twist was entirely predictable."
"Can I not just enjoy the movie?" She couldn't bring herself to tell him. Maybe she didn't have to just not go to his appointment and continue the day as any other.
"I'm not saying you can't, but it's not you." Lance's gaze softened, "Katie whatever it is bothering you, you can tell me."
Pidge set the bowl on the coffee table, sighing. "There's an appointment for your treatments tomorrow." She thought she said it too fast from the silence that followed, but when she turned to look at Lance, disbelief covered every inch of his face.
"I told you-"
"I know. I know."
"And you still-"
"Yes." The word was a whisper. Pidge gripped the blanket covering her legs. "I'm scared okay. Lance, I don't want to lose you."
Lance stood a hand running through his hair. "You ignored my wishes. You know how selfish that is?"
"Lance, I'm so sorry."
"You're not the one who's dying here." His voice rose.
"Lance-" tears pricked Pidge's eyes.
"I'm the one who's got a tumor in my damn brain." He took a shaky breath, "Let me live life while I still have the ability to." He said with a bite in his tone.
Pidge didn't get a chance to respond before he stormed out of the room. A few seconds later the door to their bedroom slammed shut.
She didn't move from the couch, the tears finally breaking free as Lance's words rang in her ears.
"Let me live life while I still have the ability too."
February 14th - 10:00 AM - Valentine's Day
Lance had hardly slept the night before. He was too worked up over finding out Pidge had disregarded his wishes, but the anger for that faded quickly and in its place was regret. He shouldn't have raised his voice at her. He could still see the tears glistening in her eyes just before he stormed out of the room.
She never came to bed last night so he could only assume that she slept out in the living room. Guilt once again clawed at his stomach as he opened the door to their bedroom. Making his way out to the living room he found Pidge asleep on the couch. She was sitting with her legs stretched out on the couch, her head leaning against the back. On her legs rested her laptop, the screen had gone black. Resting against her chest with her hands protectively over it was his leather bound journal.
He gently took her laptop, but when he picked it up the screen turned on. His eyes widened as he read the confirmation of two plane tickets to Paris, France. Shutting the computer he reached for his journal. Pidge's hands fell away easily enough as he picked it up. The page she had it opened to was the list of places he wanted to visit. Paris was at the top of the list with a date placed next to it.
February 17th.
Three days from now.
Lance was at a complete loss for words. This was the last thing he had expected from her. Overwhelmed with emotions he placed a kiss on her temple, the action stirring her from slumber.
"Hey sleepy head," he whispered. He set his journal on top of Pidge's laptop.
In response to his greeting she groaned, stretching. "Morning."
"I really should not have lost it on you last night," he started. "It's just-This is just a really stressful situation. Knowing you're going to die one day is something anyone can handle, but knowing the exact number of days you have left…"
Pidge took his hands, "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have kept that appointment."
"Hey, no harm done right?"
"No harm done." Pidge repeated the corners of her mouth tugging upward.
"Good. Now should we get ready for our flight?"
"Oh you saw that?"
"Was I not supposed to?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows.
"Well it was kinda going to be a surprise tonight."
"Tonight?"
"We're getting together with the others?"
It had completely slipped his mind, but now that she mentioned it he did remember the plans being made. "Well I guess I'll just have to be surprised again." He said before pressing a kiss to her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lips.
February 18th - Noon - Paris, France - Lunch at La Table de Colette
Pidge set her wineglass down, her eyes following the cars and mopeds traveling down the street. Around them sat other couples talking and eating and drinking.
Adorned in a lime green summer dress Pidge raised her glass towards Lance who in turn clinked his glass with hers. He was dressed in an admiral blue short sleeve polo shirt. He donned black jeans and a tan belt matched his shoes.
"To the future." Lance said
"To the future." Pidge echoed.
As they continued to dine thunder clouds could be seen forming in the distance. The guests around them quickly finished their meals and hurried home so as not to be caught in the storm. Lance and Pidge on the other hand stayed until the sky above them was dark, and the wind picked up, nearly taking the table's umbrella.
By the time they returned to their hotel room they were soaked through, but they were laughing. Pidge took her shower first upon Lance's insistence, and then he took his.
"We could go to The Louvre tomorrow." Pidge suggested when Lance emerged from the bathroom. She was leaning against the headboard with her legs stretched out in front of her.
"Sounds good." Lance said. He climbed onto the bed crawling between Pidge's legs and placing his head on her chest. His arms slipped beneath her back squeezing slightly.
Pidge lowered her arms again once he was settled, her free hand running through his hair. "Do we want to do the one p.m. tour?"
"Mhm." Lance mumbled.
Pidge looked down at Lance. His eyes were closed and his brown locks fell away from his face. Pidge smiled at the peaceful picture before her. Turning off her phone she set it on the nightstand. She shifted slightly and Lance loosened his grip on her enough for her to settle down on the pillows. Once she was settled Lance once again set his head on her chest and slept almost immediately.
Pidge was awake a few minutes longer simply breathing in his scent. Just before she allowed herself to succumb to sleep she placed a kiss against the top of his head. "I love you." She whispered into his hair.
In response Lance tightened his arms around her in a squeeze before going limp once more.
February 24th - 9:00 PM - Paris France - A lover's walk
The rest of their trip was spent walking through Paris checking out all different kinds of shops. At one point Lance had convinced Pidge to rent a moped and together they drove to different sightseeing spots that were too far to walk.
But tonight being their last night they decided to go for the popular attraction. The Eiffel Tower. Lance had encouraged her to wear a nice summer dress. Stuck between two options Lance had chosen the white dress for her. It ended just above the knee and a portrait neckline. Lance himself, put on a navy blue suit Pidge wasn't aware he had packed. The white dress shirt beneath had it's top two buttons undone.
As they walked beneath the Eiffel Tower music could be heard playing just beside the structure. As if on reflex Lance took one hand, leaving his other tucked into his pocket and spun Pidge around. She giggled and in turn Lance smiled at her. The other couples watched them fondly.
Pulling her back into his arms, Lance held her close with one hand on the small of her back. Taking his other free hand he took her left hand and pressed it to his lips. Once on the back of her hand, once on her palm, then turning her hand back over he pressed a kiss to her ring. Then he leaned in close, their eyes locked. Deep blue against hazel. Their lips mere inches apart.
"I can't wait to marry you." He murmured.
And then he was kissing her. It was a sweet electrifying kiss that had Pidge wanting more when he pulled away. The salty taste of the ocean fresh on her lips, the smell of his cologne fading from her nose. Then he was leading her in a simple sway, keeping pace with the music.
"Lance, what are you doing?" Pidge asked, glancing around them. "People are staring."
"Just trust me." He said with a wink.
After a few minutes other couples began to join. And there beneath the Eiffel Tower they danced the night away with about a dozen other couples.
But to Lance and Pidge none of them existed. It was just them, the music, and the Eiffel Tower twinkling brighter than any star they had ever seen.