"Mia? Where are you?" Nicholas called as he and Joe entered the suite.
"In here, darling," she answered, her voice coming from the office.
Nicholas and Joe walked in to find her sitting in front of the television, clad in her pajamas with a pint of ice cream in hand.
"Mia...what are you eating?" Nicholas asked, a smile forming on his lips. He and Joe walked over and smiled down at the young woman.
"I was hungry! Hey, I'm eating for two now!" she said defensively, before a smile formed on her own lips. "Grandpa, I didn't expect you here. But, I am glad to see you."
She stood and kissed his cheek before walking over to her desk. She picked up a few papers and looked them over quickly.
"I was going to bring these down tomorrow but since you're here..." she said, walking over to him, "Could you give these to Grandma? She was asking for some information about what I would like at the ball. She can call these people. They're wonderful at making everything perfect. Do you know if she called about flowers yet?"
He took the papers and shook his head. "I'm afraid we have not spoken about the ball tonight so I do not know if she has called about the flowers."
"That's fine. When she gets to it, just have her let me know," she said cheerfully.
Joe nodded and then looked at Nicholas. "Mia, we have something to talk to you about," Nicholas said.
"Alright. What is it?" she asked. Nicholas took her by the arm and sat her back down in her chair. He turned off the television as he and Joe took a seat on the couch across from her.
"It's very serious, Mia. And Joe and I want you to keep calm, alright? It is very important for your health and the baby's health. Do you promise?"
"I will do my best," she said, her voice getting smaller. She feared what she was about to hear. Seeing the looks on both her husband's and grandfather's faces was not helping her remain calm.
"Mia, your Grandmother promised that she would share the news of her Doctor's appointment with you. Unfortunately, she is very tired and needs her rest tonight. That is why we are here to explain the situation," Joe said.
"Situation?" Mia asked, the fear now evident in her voice.
Nicholas reached over and took her hand. "Mia, Grandma got the test results back today from Dr. Hoskins. They weren't what we had planned on."
"What's wrong? Tell me what's wrong," Mia said forcefully.
"We will tell you, my dear, as long as you are calm," Joe said.
Mia took a few deep breaths and then looked back at Joe. "I'm calm. Now, what is wrong?"
"Your Grandmother's test results show that there is a small tumor in her brain. That is why the headaches have been getting worse," Joe said, trying to keep his composure.
"A tumor!" Mia cried, tears spilling on to her cheeks. "She can't...no!"
Nicholas quickly kneeled in front of her and pulled her into his arms. He quieted her cries with soft words. "It's not as bad as it seems."
Mia pulled away from him and stared at him. "How can it not be as bad as it seems? My Grandmother has a brain tumor!"
"But Mia, it can be removed! And it may not even be cancerous. If the tumor is benign, all the physicians have to do is remove it. She will make a full recovery!" Nicholas explained, hoping to calm her down.
"What if it is malignant?" Mia asked, looking over at Joe.
"We are trying to think positive right now. The Doctor believes that the tumor is benign because the only real effect so far has been the headaches. If it was malignant, your Grandmother could have had many more symptoms," Joe said, walking over to take her other hand.
She looked between her husband and her grandfather. "I want to see her."
Nicholas looked at Joe and then back at Mia. "Tomorrow morning, Mia. She needs her rest tonight...as do you. It has been a very stressful night with this information. I think we all need some time to think it over and then we will see everything clearly in the morning. Alright?"
Mia was not happy, but had to agree with her husband. She knew her Grandmother would need time to herself. "Fine. But I will be in your room very early, Grandpa."
Joe smiled for the first time since he and Clarisse had spoken in the garden. "I think I can handle that. I better get back to your Grandmother."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "We both love you, Mia. Remember that."
"I will. I love you both too. Tell her for me."
"Of course. Goodnight," he said, shaking Nicholas' hand. He let himself out of the suite. Nicholas turned back to Mia as she stood.
"Nicholas?" she said quietly. Her voice was so small it sounded as though she was only five years old.
"Yes, my Mia?"
"Hold me," she whispered. He gathered her in his arms and soothed her cries well into the night. He himself could not help but shed a tear at the thought of losing someone so special.
Joe quietly walked into his bedroom after he saw the lights out and Clarisse in bed. He changed and climbed in next to her, turning over to go to sleep.
"Joseph?"
He quickly turned back over and looked down at her. "Clarisse, you startled me. I thought you were sleeping."
"No...I wasn't sleeping," she replied quietly. She looked up at him, reaching a hand up to touch his cheek. "How is Mia?"
"She said to tell you she loves you and that she will be in here bright and early."
"I thought so," Clarisse said. She dropped her hand and sighed. "I don't want her to worry."
"Clarisse, she is allowed to worry. She is your granddaughter."
"She has too many other things on her mind right now, especially with the new baby."
Joe laid down and took her in his arms. "She and the baby will be fine as long as you get the nessecary treatment to cure you. We are all here to help you through this. And if you do not let Mia in, she will find a way to get through your walls. Clarisse, let her worry, let her help. She's only going to anyway, whether you want her to or not."
"But..."
He put a finger over her lips and stopped her. "Think about it. We can discuss it in the morning."
He leaned down to kiss her. He could feel her trembling beneath him, knowing how scared she really was. But, she would never show it.
Holding her close, he whispered softly, "I won't let you go, Clarisse."
A tear escaped as she whispered back, "I love you, Joseph."
"And I love you, my dear. Get some rest." He kissed her forehead softly and watched as she closed her eyes. Neither slept, only thought about what the next few days would bring.
