He rolled over onto his back, careful not to awake the sleeping form next to him. He tried stretching his arms as much as he could, but something within him just didn't feel quite right. He was sore more than normal and the stiffness was an understatement. He wished there was another word entirely to better describe the feeling.

As he rose from the bed, he looked at the time on his phone before placing it back on the nightstand. They had gone to bed earlier than normal that night, but sleep was becoming harder and harder for him as the week was going on. He wasn't sure if the road and traveling was getting to him or if it was something else entirely.

The last time he was diagnosed with this God-awful, retched disease he wasn't taking a pill as a treatment; it was just straight up chemotherapy. This time around, with only needing a pill, he thought it meant everything would be easier, more manageable and with barely any symptoms. For the past few days, that wasn't the case. He was feeling more of the symptoms that he was warned may return; some new, some old.

Maybe he had rushed into returning to the road, even if he wasn't wrestling or even training. Maybe his body did need a little more rest than what he thought. Maybe seeing as he was out of the loop and wasn't accustomed to what once was his normal life, he needed a little more ease and not as much go as he was displaying now.

He sighed heavily in the silent room as he made his way over to the large display window and stared into the moonlit night. He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer, praying for everything to somehow work itself out and that this time wouldn't be the end for him. He prayed for an eventual return to the career he loved so much. He prayed for better understanding to help him cope with the anger he held within. He knew having that type of attitude wasn't conducive or really getting him anywhere but depression.

"Babe, you okay?" came a small voice from behind him before he felt her small hands inching around his bare waist, her cheek coming to rest in the middle of his back.

Her voice startled him somewhat and as his breathing came to even itself out once more, his fingers found hers, his eyes closing slowly allowing his mind to take in the moment and store it. He slowly turned to face her, his hands cupping her face gently, offering her a small smile.

"What are you doing up?" he asked as he kissed her cheek gently and offering her a small smile.

"I could ask you the same thing. Everything ok?" she asked, her eyes searching his own for some sort of answer.

"Yeah, yeah." he stammered, clearing his throat. "I'm fine, just a few things on my mind I guess."

"About?" she asked, not wanting to press him too much but desperately wanting to know what had Joe up and down half the night.

"Just…." he sighed, not wanting to actually hear himself say what was bothering him but wanting to confide in her.

"Joe?"

"It's just… I'm a little achy and stiff and I guess my mind got the best of me. I don't wanna have to take any other meds if I don't have to, but… I'm just worried and wondering if I came on the road too soon or if this is how it's gonna be from now on. I mean, this is a lifelong medication. So, what if this affects me in-ring wise. What do I do then?" he asked, finally letting his thoughts be spoken aloud.

"Joe, what did you tell me?" she asked, grabbing his hands trying to offer some sort of peace and comfort.

"I'm… not following." he answered, clearly confused.

"You…." she began, before shaking her head. "….we have to take this one day at a time, babe. That applies with you and me and it applies with your career and you traveling and your diagnosis. Yes, you have to take this medicine for the rest of your life, but this does not in any way define you."

Joe sighed heavily before bringing her closer to him, enveloping her close to his chest. He rested his chin atop her head and closed his eyes. Every thing she said resignated within him and he had to admit, she was absolutely right.

"How did I get so damn lucky?" he asked her, his eyes once again locked with hers.

"I've found myself asking the same question." she said, smiling brightly.

"You're right." he said. "I can't get ahead of myself. I guess I'm just antsy to get back into the swing of things and I have to remind myself that I can't rush this."

"No, you can't baby. But, in the meantime, we have a lot we can focus on in between you resting and building your strength up." she said.

"Like what?" Joe asked, intrigued.

"Well, we can focus on meeting each other's kid and letting the kids meet each other. We can focus on the rest of the week we have left with each other. We can focus on you and me." she answered.

"Darlin', you have no idea." Joe said, his voice falling to a husky growl. "I could and do focus on you all day and night. Probably more than you know."

Before any more words could be said, he captured her lips with his own, their bodies flush against one another. She moaned softly against his lips as his tongue traced a small line across her bottom lip, almost sending her over the edge. His hands feel to her rear, lifting her with her legs wrapped securely around his waist. She found herself deepening the kiss once more, not sure how much more she was going to be able to withstand. He carried her to the bed and laid her down gently, before pulling on the strings of her robe, releasing the fabric from around her now naked body.

"I could definitely focus on this all night and day." he moaned, his lips crashing against hers once more.