Chapter 18

To prove my love

Sorry it took me so long! But it's summer and my family and I took some great trips together for "family bonding" but on the trip I wrote some great chapters and now I finally have time to upload them before I leave again! Reviews are very important so please keep reviewing after you read! ENJOY!

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The days in the home came and went as the aids virus began taking its toll on Anna. She steadily grew weaker and weaker. As much as Derek tried to focus on his studies and school, his mind drifted back to Anna and her state. Due to her persistence, she began tutoring him after school and he kept on receiving good grades. This sudden turn around surprised practically everyone. On one night, Anna tutored Derek from the bed in her room since she was too weak to make it downstairs. At times she would find herself falling asleep and Derek nudging her awake to continue. After a few nudges, Derek could feel Anna getting sleepier.

"Hey, why don't we finish early tonight? I can do the rest of this myself and you need your rest."

He began to move to get up but Anna gently took his hand to stop him and placed her head on his shoulder.

"I love you Derek. And I'm sorry."

Placing a kiss on the top of her head, he gently squeezed her hand and noticed it had taken on a slightly paler color and practically transparent.

"And I love you, but what are you upset about?"

She lifted her head to look at him; her eyes glistened with new tears.

"I'm sorry that I can' show you how much I love you. To give you a piece of me, that no one else could ever have. Because I would never forgive myself if you got aids too."

He turned to face her fully and bent to kiss her passionately and she melted into it. Pulling away slightly, he wrapped her into his arms and she had never felt safer.

"You don't need to prove anything to me." He assured her.

"You're here with me and that's all I need."

She smiled and moved closer to him and soon, he could hear her steady breathing. He shifted and laid her head on the pillow, kissed her forehead, and left the room.

Outside playing cards in the hallway, Edwin and Lizzie looked up to see Derek there.

"Hey Derek, wanna play go fish?" asked Edwin shuffling the cards.

"Yeah, sure, why not?" he responded and took a seat on the floor with them.

The continued the game in virtual silence, only talking when the rules of the game made them. Lizzie finally broke the barrier.

"Derek, I know we never told you, but Edwin and I are really sorry about Anna and we're here if you need us. I just really needed to say that."

Derek looked up from his cards towards his younger siblings, "Thanks guys, that really means a lot to me."

They both smiled and nodded and Derek knew that their support somehow made him stronger.

Saturday was Valentines Day and Anna was feeling well enough to go out. At around 7'oclock, after dinner with the family, Derek and Anna drove to the dock. He stopped and parked the car then turned to Anna.

"Okay, close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you."

She nodded and shut her eyes tightly. She heard Derek open and shut his door and then heard hers open. She could vaguely feel the ocean breeze caress her cheek.

"Good, now give me your hand." She laughed softly and lifted her hand and felt Derek take it warmly into his.

With her eyes still shut, Derek helped her out of the car. Placing his other hand on her waist, he steered her towards the destination carefully. She felt her stomach flutter with excitement.

Several minutes had passed and each time, she could feel the breeze and the smell of the ocean strengthen. They came to an abrupt halt and she lifted the hand that wasn't holding Derek's to feel what was in front of her. A wooden handrail well worn from the years.

"Okay, you can open your eyes." He whispered.

She opened her eyes and gasped for they revealed the sun glowing in all it's glory, tie dyed orange, yellow and red. As it sank almost a quarter down, reflected in the ripples of the waves in the ocean in front of it. She then noticed the crystal blue, crescent shaped, waves lapping rhythmically against the boardwalk. The sky shone purple and pink without a storm cloud in sight, and all the birds soaring beyond the beautiful horizon.

Pristine, pure and calm. In everyway, a glimpse of heaven.

Peering around her, she couldn't think of anything else more entrancing.

"This is so beautiful. So calm and peaceful, and so perfect." She breathed in slowly taking everything in as Derek wrapped his arms around her and inhaled the scent of her hair, as if creating a memory to last forever.

"This reminded me of you, and the way you make me feel every time you are with me."

She could almost sense the smirk now playing across his face making her smile and feel like crying.

"Thank you for bringing me here Derek."

She could feel the tiredness overwhelm her but Derek stood strong and kept her steady, like the rock she always needed.

"I love you so much and I would do anything for you." He whispered in her ear.

"I love you too. Always remember that." She said as he hugged her closer to himself.

And they remained in comfortable silence, grateful in sharing this moment with each other.