Joe-
I didn't know what to say.
"Joe, this is her one chance to be freed from this. She needs to do this, even if that means letting her go", her mom said.
"You have always wanted to do what's best for her. This is what's best son", her dad said.
"She won't go without me, you know she won't. So why don't you just say it", I said angry.
Her dad rubbed his face with his hand. They didn't want to say it. Her grandpa spoke next.
"You seem like a good kid and from what Chris has said, I can tell how much you love her. You need to end it, and now, before its too late for her", he said.
"You're asking me to break her heart and in the process break mine", I said softly.
Her dad looked away.
"Joe, I can't lose my baby", her mom cried, taking a hold of my hand.
"Can it wait a few days? I want, I want to spend the little time I have left with her. Just a few days", I whispered.
Her dad nodded.
"We can only give you five. My parents are taking her when they leave", he said.
I nodded. Getting up, I walked back into the living room. I sat next to Chris and pulled her as close as I could. Kissing the side of her head.
"Everything ok? Did they grill you with questions?", she asked happily.
"Yeah babe, nothing I can't handle", I chuckled.
I was trying to act normal. Kissing her lips softly.
"I love you", I said softly.
"I love you too", she replied.
Elvis was in her lap. He looked at me sadly, like he knew what I knew. I petted him.
"He's such a good puppy", she said.
"That he is", I whispered.
Christina-
It had been three days since my parents told me they had good news. I couldn't wait any longer. Early morning, I knocked on my mom's door.
"Hey babe, come on in. Want to lay with me?", she asked, patting the empty side next to her.
I joined her. She hugged me close.
"Mom, what did the doctors say?", I asked.
She sighed.
"Is it bad? I thought you and dad", she stopped me.
"It's not bad, its really good news", she said.
"So then tell me", I said.
My dad came in and closed the door. My mom and I sat up in her bed.
"You're going to Seattle with your grandparents, the day after tomorrow", he said.
I shook my head.
"No. What about Joe? I just can't leave. I don't know how long I'll be gone", I said.
"We know sweetheart but you just have to understand, it won't be forever", my dad said.
"Yes it will. They'll do the surgery and then I'll have to do rehabilitation. I'll be stuck in a hospital with no one, far away from Joe. I'm not doing it", I said, jumping out of their bed and running to my room.
I slammed my door, locking it. I cried. Elvis by my side, he curled up next to me and whimpered. Licking my hand. Now I knew why my grandparents had waited to leave, since they lived in Seattle. There was a soft knock on my door.
"Go away", I yelled.
"Baby, its me", Joe's voice said.
I got up and unlocked the door. Opening it, he cupped my face, wiping the tears. I closed my door again. He pulled me to my bed and sat me down. He took a deep breath.
"I need you to go to Seattle", he said, voice low.
I shook my head.
"You don't understand, I'll be gone for months and I can't do that. I want to stay here with you", I said.
"I want you with me too. Keeping you here with me would be selfish of me though. This is your chance baby, to live. I will not take that from you", he said.
"This is my choice", he stopped me.
"I love you, but I can't do this anymore", he said.
I was confused.
Joe-
"I don't understand", she said.
I made the mistake of looking at her. She bit her lip. I brushed my thumb against her cheek. This was breaking me.
"It's, its over Chris. I can't", I stopped, taking a deep breath.
I could feel the tears in my eyes, ready to fall.
"I don't want to be with you anymore", I said.
"But you said you loved me", she whispered.
I got up. Not being able to look at her. I had to convince her I didn't.
"I lied. I just felt sorry for you. Call it my charity for the week", I said.
She shook her head no. She didn't believe me.
"You're lying. Joe, please, you're the only positive light I have left", she cried.
Still not facing her, I closed my eyes as the tears finally fell.
"Joe", I felt her hand tug on my arm.
I pulled away roughly. I had to get out of here.
"Go to Seattle", I yelled at her, before leaving her room.
I closed the door behind me. Willing myself to keep walking or I would just go back to her. Her family watched as I was leaving.
"Thank you", her dad said.
I rolled my eyes and left. My cousins outside my house. They didn't say anything, I had told them what was going to happen. I walked into my house and went straight to my room. I finally broke down. My mom came in and hugged me tight.
"I love her", I said.
"I know, this is for the best. If its meant to be baby, you'll find each other again", she said.
"She needs me", I cried.