Chapter 10 : Kimmy gets engaged to DJ's ex-boyfriend

The next morning, DJ arose out of bed. Her sister, Stephanie, was getting ready for school. She said, "G'morning, Steph. Ready for school?"

Stephanie smiled, "Yup. All set. It's my last day of school too."

Now, her sister was just waiting for Steph Jr. to meet her. Back in Steph Jr.'s room, she hurriedly got ready. Before she left, she gave Ana a kiss and hugged her two brothers and parents. Steph Jr. happily joined Stephanie and they proceeded on their walk to school. Steph Jr. has really grown accustomed to her new friends and school seems to be a good place for her too. Well, anyway, Michelle woke up groaning and complained she was sick so she stayed home from school. Danny and Becky were early birds and left to be on Wake up, San Francisco, Jesse left to rehearse with his band, and Joey stayed home with Michelle, Ana, Chris, and Jeff. DJ got dressed and called Steve. When he finally picked up, she said, "Hi sweetheart. What are you doing today?"

Steve whispered, "Oh. Nothing much. I gotta go though. Bye."

Just then, Kimmy phoned and asked, "Deej, guess what?"

DJ asked, "What?"

Kimmy said, "I'm dating your ex-boyfriend, Steve Hale."

DJ shocked, "WHAT! How could you?"

Kimmy added, "He's such a babe. Do you want to go on a double date for lunch today? It'll be on me."

DJ relunctantly agreed, "I guess."

The girls both hung up, and DJ called Steve again to tell him the news. Steve picked up grumpily, "Deej, is it you? What do u want now?"

DJ upset, "What's the matter with you?"

Steve said, "Oh nothing. Never mind."

DJ hung up, got dressed, and decided to go to Steve's house because something was up to no good. As she knocked on his front door, his mom answered and smiled, "Oh, it's a good thing you're here. Steve has a really bad headache and isn't feeling too well."

DJ looked concerned, "Oh, may I go see him?"

She proceeded up to his room. In his room, she saw Steve in bed and Madeline was by the window standing. DJ angrily protested, "Why are you here, Madeline? You have no right being here so get out now!"

Madeline laughed, "You can't stop me!"

Steve whispered, "Stop yelling you two!"

DJ went and shoved Madeline to the door. It took all her strength but she managed. Madeline's long nails cut right through DJ's skin and her right arm began to bleed a lot. She didn't feel the pain that much until her strength started to cave in. Meanwhile, Steve had dialed the police. A few seconds later, the police came and arrested Madeline. Steve looked down at his fiancé sprawled on the floor, "Oh, what has she done to you? Are you ok?"

DJ was in too much pain and didn't have enough strength to reply. Meanwhile, Steve hurriedly dressed and carried DJ out to his car. He proceed to the ER and she was immediately taken care of. Apparently, her arm was in pretty bad shape. Besides the nonstop bleeding, the doctor detected she had leukemia. The doctor asked, "Is there anyone at home in which we can phone?"

Steve replied, "Um...call my mom."

The doctor phoned Steve's mom to come to the ER right away. DJ was admitted to the hospital and brought into her own hospital room. With Steve beside her holding her hand, DJ smiled and made an effort to kiss him. And she succeeded! Then, she said, "It's all my fault. I should never have come to see you today, Steve. Why didn't you tell me Madeline was there?"

Steve said looking down, "I wanted too but Madeline had all my calls screened for that short time. I'm really sorry I was being rude to you earlier."

DJ whispered, "It's ok, baby. So, did the doctor find out if I'm ok?"

With a deep breath, Steve quietly stated, "Deej, your arm won't stop bleeding and they've detected that you have leukemia. My mom's on her way here too, by the way."

With tears in her eyes, she cried, "I do? Oh, it's awful to be me. You probably hate me now, don't you?"

Steve smiled, "No, I don't hate you. I love you with all my heart and soul. You will be the one I am to marry and that is final."

Just then, the doctor came in, "We have detected the problem, Miss Tanner. Your right arm has finally stopped bleeding but you do have to get treated for leukemia. Leukemia is when you have cancer in the blood. Your case isn't as severe as others, but you still need to be treated for it. Everyday, you are instructed to use this machine to take a sample of blood from your finger. And these pills are to be used twice a day...it'll help cure you from this disease. For the next two weeks, it's wise to refrain from sexual activity, sweets, overexert yourself, and too much exercise/chores. Well, you are discharged now from the hospital. Call me if you need any more help."

Steve graciously said, "Thank you, doctor. You've been a great help to her."

Feeling more like a brother, he assisted DJ from the bed and carried her out of the hospital to his car. Ever since she heard the news that she has leukemia, she hasn't felt the same. In fact, she's still numb from the doctor's words. Steve's mom was told not to come to the hospital so she remained at home until the couple returned. She asked when the entered, "How did everything go?"

Steve spoke, "DJ has to rest. A lot happened to her in such a short amount of time."

They proceeded to his room and laid DJ in his warm bed. Steve's mom made tea and brought it up to them. As she was relaxing in bed, Steve sat on the bed next to her holding her hand. His mom, with her tea in hand, asked, "What happened?"

Steve quietly stated, "She has leukemia."

His mom almost lost her composition but regained herself, "Oh my God. Are you feeling ok, DJ?"

DJ opened her eyes and whispered, "I am alright, I guess. My arm's still a little sore because it wouldn't stop bleeding at the hospital."

Steve asked, "Mom, can you phone Joey at the Tanner home and just tell them."

She smiled and left the room alone to the couple. Steve kissed DJ, "I'll still love you, even though we can't make love anymore."

DJ grinned, "Oh, we will after two weeks is over."

Steve asked, "So, how's Kimmy?"

DJ totally forgot about the double date she had planned for lunch. So, Steve gave her the cordless phone and dialed over Kimmy's. Luckily, Kimmy answered, "Hello?"

DJ whispered, "Hi. It's me. I won't be able to go with you two for lunch."

Kimmy understood, "I understand. Where are you?"

DJ said, "Steve's house."

Kimmy smiled, "We'll meet you there and bring lunch for the four of us. Bye."

Steve inquired, "What did she want?"

DJ answered, "She and... are bring lunch for the four of us. I don't want her to come though. Stay right by my side when they're here. Ok?"

When they arrived, Kimmy and Steve Hale proceeded to Steve's room and walked right in. Kimmy was first, "Hi you two. DJ, why are you in bed resting? Are you ok?"

Steve put in, "She's sick, not feeling too well. Who's that you brought along with you?"

Kimmy introduced, her new boyfriend, Steve Hale. Steve Hale wondered, "DJ, is that you? Oh my God. I haven't seen you in ages...how have you been?"

DJ sternly, "I'm fine. And you?"

Steve Hale put in, I'm good."

Steve interupted, "Wait...how do you two know each other?"

DJ whispered to him, "He's my ex-boyfriend."

Steve was angry, "Deej, how could you bring him along to my house? We got rid of Madeline for a reason; now we have to deal with Steve Hale."

DJ reasoned, "He's still a good friend, Steve. Please be understanding with me for today."

Kimmy finally put in, "So, I brought some chinese food. Who wants first dibs?" They all devoured the food and then they each talked about their lives. Steve still remained on the bed with Deej and the other couple sat at the foot of the bed. Steve spoke coolly with Steve Hale though, DJ noticed too. As DJ tightened her squeeze on Steve's hand, she said, "So, what have you been up to lately, Steve? Still working for the post office?"

Steve Hale smiled, "Yeah. My father was the manager there, but he passed away three months ago. So, I just live with my mom and younger sister now."

DJ felt sorry, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. It's hard to lose someone that you're so close too."

Steve spatted, "Kimmy, are there anymore chicken wings?"

Quite perturbed, Steve added, "I think my fiancé here wants to rest so can you please leave?"

DJ turned sharply and said, "No. I enjoy their company. I like being with my friends, Steve. You have to be more understanding with that. Say, do you want to go sit in the backyard and get some fresh air?"

Everyone thought that was a good idea.. Steve, DJ's fiancé, wasn't fond at all of DJ's ex-boyfriend, Steve Hale. It's like he found the need for a wrestling match, but the ladies kept the conversation running smoothly. Kimmy spoke up, "So, I think we'd better go now before guys start a fight."

DJ agreed. She stood up and hugged Steve Hale and Kimmy and said a proper goodbye to them. After they left, Steve looked down at the ground, "Why were you so nice to them?"

DJ reasoned, "Those are my friends, Steve. Can't you be nice to them? I'm always nice to your friends."

Steve hugged her, "I just want to feel like I'm protecting you. With your ex-boyfriend here, it felt like you were out of reach of me."

DJ kissed him, "Oh, baby. I didn't mean for you to feel that way. I'm sorry. Next time I'll tell you first before I invite people over. Ok?"

Steve asked, "So, do you want me to take you home now?"

DJ smiled and they piled into his car. At the Tanner home, the four children were in the attic and Joey in the living room doing some paperwork. DJ and Steve walked in. Steve said, "Hi Joey."

The two men shook hands and Steve said, "There's something that happened to DJ today. To make a long story short, she has leukemia."

Joey said, "You should phone Danny and tell him. I'm sure he'd want to know too."

DJ stopped him from picking up the phone, "NO. I'm waiting until tonight when he gets home. Right now, I need to go rest."

The couple proceeded up to DJ's room and they both rested for the night.