Joe-
Getting dressed for dinner that night. Danny chuckled.
"Where are you going dressed like that?", he asked.
"Dinner with Chris and her parents, mine too", I said nervous.
"Oh wow. Nervous?", he asked.
I gave him a, 'do you really need to ask look'. He chuckled.
"Relax Joe, its not like you're marrying the girl", he said.
I nodded.
"Hey, you think you can cover for me Thursday at practice?", I asked.
"Sure, I need to know why though", he said.
"I'm taking Chris to Disney World. She's never been and I want to do it before she starts her treatment", I said.
He smiled and nodded.
"I will definitely cover for you man", he said.
"Thanks", I said, patting his back before leaving.
Getting in my car, I texted my mom that I would meet them at Chris's home. I was running a little late, coach made us run a mile before we could go. I didn't park my car at my house. Parking it in Chris's driveway. The front door opened before I reached it.
"I'm so sorry I'm late baby girl, coach made us run", I said
"Its ok. You're here now", she said with a smile.
I leaned down and kissed her. Her dad cleared his throat. Chris and I looking away from them. I shook her dad's hand.
"Ready?", he asked.
"As I'll ever be sir", I said.
I took Chris's hand in mine. Her body close to mine. We sat down and I leaned near her ear.
"I have a surprise for you", I whispered.
"Really? What?", she asked.
Her hands in mine.
"I can't tell you. You have to wait till Thursday. I know you're going to love it though", I said.
"Ok you two, no more whispering", my mom said with a smile.
I kissed her cheek, before pulling away from her. Her parents sat down, along with mine. We ate and I waited till the questions started.
"So, we know you've known each other since kindergarten, but this whole relationship is new to the both of you. Don't you feel like you're moving a little fast", her mom said.
I looked at Chris then back at them.
"I don't. I have never felt this way and I know we're just kids", her mom stopped me.
"Yes you're kids. You have your entire lives to find the one", she said.
"I don't know if Joe's the one. I don't know if I'll even live to see my eighteenth birthday or any birthday", Chris said.
We all made a noise of discomfort when she said that. She sighed, letting my hand go.
"Stop, I need you all to understand and be ok with whatever happens, I am. The first time around, I was afraid, I knew the possibility of me not making it was slim. I was ready to die, I wanted to die. I know that's hard to hear, but I needed to say it", she said.
I groaned. She looked at me. Shaking her head.
"I want to be with Joe, even if in the end we don't end up together or I", I stopped her by taking her hand.
She gripped my hand. They nodded. Her mom looked at me.
"I'm worried about you Joe", she said to me.
I waited for her to continue.
"It's hard to see her like that. You're going to want to break down and scream at everyone, even at yourself. Sleepless nights, worry, and anger. You're a kid", she said in tears.
"I love this sweet girl just as much as you, but you have to understand where we are coming from. Will you be strong enough to make it through the hard times", my mom said.
"They're right", I heard Chris say.
I looked at her.
"You have football, school, and parties, your friends. I can't ask you and I won't ask you to give that all up for me", she said, getting up and running to her room in tears.
I sat there. I looked at them.
"This is what you all wanted right? I'm not leaving her, I understand what I'm giving up", I said, getting up.
I went to Chris's room and walked in, shutting the door behind me. She was laying in her bed. I went over and laid next to her, pulling her back into my chest and wrapping my arms around her. I kissed her shoulder.
"I'm going with you on Friday, no buts about it", I said.
I don't know how long we laid there asleep. I woke up to someone shaking me lightly. I opened my eyes to see her dad. I got up fast and wiped my face.
"I'm so sorry sir", I said.
"Its ok. Nothing happened. Come on, your parents are waiting for you", he said.
I nodded, before leaving I leaned over and kissed her on her cheek. Still asleep. She shifted a little. Walking out, I smiled to myself. My parents were waiting by the front door.
"Ready?", my mom asked.
I nodded.
"I'm guessing we will see you tomorrow morning", her mom said.
I nodded.
"Ok", she said with a smile.
I left my car at Chris's house. Walking home with my parents.
"Joe are you sure about this? You're giving up a lot", my dad said.
"We just don't want you to regret anything. We want you to really think about this. She's going to have her good days and her bad. Can you sit there and watch her sick", my mom said.
I sighed. I knew they were just looking out for me, but I did know what I was doing. She's going to need me.
"I'd give up everything for her. I'm going to be her strength mom, she's going to need it", I said.