Chapter 16

"I'm afraid it's cancerous. You've got several months left to live."

The words spun in Noodle's mind. She couldn't believe what she'd just been told. She had a loving family, a beautiful daughter and a caring boyfriend- and she was going to die. Noodle stared at the off-white walls of her private room in the hospital. Several months ago she wanted to die. Now she realised she didn't want to die fate stood in her way. She gulped a breath of air and started sobbing again. The doctors had told her there was nothing but chemotherapy, and that would make her really ill. But if she didn't have the treatment, she wouldn't live to see Troy's first Christmas. It broke her heart.

The guys sat in silence around the room. They felt awkward- no-one knew what to say. 2-D cradled Troy in his arms and thought of a future without Noodle. He too, began to cry. She'd been through so much, and this is how she gets repaid. He looked at his beautiful Noodle crying her eyes out, covered in wires and machines and at his daughter. How would he cope? He couldn't raise her by himself. He was hopeless.

"2-D-san. Could you come here a minute?"

2-D wiped his eyes and knelt by Noodle's bedside. She slithered a hand through the wires and took hold of 2-D's hand.

"I can understand if you want to leave me."

She breathed deeply.

"I've caused you nothing but trouble, and you don't deserve that."

She stared at 2-D and wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Love. I could never, ever leave you."

Since he couldn't hug her he planted a soft kiss on her lips. She returned the kiss weakly.

Troy began to cry. It was as if she knew what was going on. 2-D picked her up and placed her on Noodle's stomach. Noodle placed one of her skinny fingers into Troy's hand and cooed softly as her daughter closed her hand into a fist.

"I'm going to miss you sweetheart."

She kissed Troy softly on the forehead and breathed in her scent.

"I don't know how much more waiting I can take."

She passed Troy back to 2-D how put her in the basket on his chair.

"I hate waiting. Time goes so much slower, and painful."

2-D stroked her face delicately. He didn't care how slow time went. He couldn't lose her so soon. Noodle yawned and closed her eyes. 2-D grabbed her shoulders and lowered her down onto the bed.

"I love you Noodle. Don't ever forget that."

Noodle didn't respond but squeezed his fingers lightly. 2-D looked at Murdoc and Russel and the tears fell again.