AN: Sorry for not posting any updates the last several days. Work has been crazy but I have 2 chapters to post today so I hope that makes up for it. Thanks again for all the feedback. I'm so glad you all are enjoying the story. I've spent a few days working on these chapters to try to get them right...hopefully I don't come back tomorrow and hate them but I wanted to post them before tonight's episode :)


"So, I was supposed to start chemo today but I saw a fertility doctor instead. Add that to things I didn't think I would say until I was at least 40." I couldn't help but sigh. "I don't even know how I'm going to afford it…or even if I'll live long enough to have kids. Which is probably why my mom doesn't want me to do it but I mean, I have to at least try. What am I fighting for if all of the things I was looking forward to in life can't happen anymore? Now that this is a possibility, I feel like there's some hope. You know, like a lifeline to my future or, something."

I couldn't help but laugh at what I had just said. I never used to say things like 'lifeline to my future' before I got cancer. It felt good to come to these meetings. It felt good to talk and laugh and just be surrounded by people who understood what it was like to go through all of this. It scared me a little to know that there were ulterior motives for attending these meetings though. I knew Leo would be there and I wasn't quite sure what type of relationship the two of us had just yet. I also felt bad because I felt like I was always trying to get a scoop from him…and today wasn't any different.

I cornered him at the beverage table after the meeting was over.

"Hey, I, uh, need to talk to you."

"No, April, I will not father your child. I'm really flattered, thanks."

"It's a work thing."

"You're wasting precious time on work seize the day already, or in my case seize in the middle of the day. Hah, a little seizure humor for you."

"So, I just spent all day reading about the Saint Christopher Society. They've been getting into a lot of trouble lately at a chapter in North Carolina. The members cyber-bullied a girl on campus until she had a total nervous breakdown."

"Ah, Saint Christopher's," he replied as he began eating his snack.

"You're dad's one of the founding members."

"And you want to do a story on him."

"Only if you're okay with it. I mean I know you have issues with your dad but he's still…"

"Look," Leo interrupted. "Bruce has done plenty of things that I find morally questionable and the voting public has a right to know."

"So…can I have your blessing?"

"Yes, you have my blessing," he replied with a smirk. "Go and right your big story. I hope it makes it into the paper."

"Thanks," I said with a smile.

As I turned away he finished his thought. "And I hope that it makes you as happy as you think it will because if not…well, then what?"


Despite Leo's parting comment I planned on pitching my story at the staff meeting the next morning. I was bound and determined to get out from under Raquel. The bitch was bound and determined to hold me back at every step. With Leo's blessing I felt like I really had a chance of getting my first byline. I did all of the research and I felt like I had a solid chance. I was so anxious for the next day to come that I could hardly sleep, which surprised me since my body felt so worn down.

I learned my lesson already about sleeping through my alarm clock so I've grown accustomed to setting the one on my phone and bought an additional one for my bedside table to make sure I couldn't sleep through them. I had to get this byline before I started chemo. I just need to know that I've got what it takes to be a reporter. I may not beat my cancer and if I do, I'd like to know that I have something I'm good at to pull me through.

When morning finally came I got ready quickly so I could get to work. I was anxious to make my pitch so I could either write the story or feel like a failure. The meeting couldn't start soon enough. I was nervous about sitting across from Dominic though. We haven't talked since we broke up and I was nervous that word would go around the office that I was sick. I was not ready to deal with that.

I just needed to get through this staff meeting, make my pitch, and hopefully catch a break. I entered the conference room at the last possible minute and I thought the meeting would last for hours. I had listened to the last awful pitch when I finally spoke up about the one I had. Lawrence seemed pretty thrilled about it which made me feel good since he'd been pretty irritable the entire meeting. Just before he released us he said he had an announcement to make. "I wanted to congratulate Dominic. He's been offered a rare opportunity to tour with the band Daft Punk as they tour Europe. He'll be leaving the day after tomorrow so I hope everyone sees him off with warm wishes."

I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest. I didn't want him to leave but maybe it was best that he wouldn't be around while I was going through chemo. It would give me a chance to sort through all my feelings between him and Leo, a chance to really focus on what I need to do to survive. The first step I was taking now and that was to write my story on Bruce Hendrie. I could tell Raquel was pissed when I pitched my piece but I was determined to one-up her. I sat down at my desk and began writing. It was a great distraction from everything else going on in my life.

Around three o'clock I finished my piece and submitted it to Raquel. I was nervously tapping my fingers on my desk as I waited for a response. I knew it could very well be my last shot of getting a story out there before I started chemo and I needed this. When she finally returned to my desk around four she looked smug and I knew I hadn't succeeded.

"What'd you right this on the train this morning?" Raquel said harshly.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Your lead-in was weak, there were tons of run-on sentences, and the piece didn't quite have…how do I phrase this?"

"Just say it, Raquel."

"It has now point. You don't even get to the Saint Christopher's info until page two."

"Okay. Well, I can fix this, just give me some time."

"The story won't make it to print unless I have it by five. It's already for so…good luck with that."

I sighed in frustration. After Raquel's critiques I was determined to get the edited copy back to her by five so it could make it to press. Danny lent me an interesting mix cd of tribal music and though I was skeptical at first I was willing to try anything if it mean that I could finish on time and throw it in that bitches face. At a quarter 'til five I had the final draft saved, printed, and handed in to Raquel. For the following half hour Danny and I waited nervously to see if it would make the cut as they watched Raquel discuss it with Lawrence through the glass walls of her office.

I quickly stood when Lawrence walked out. I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

"You look nervous," he said with a smirk.

"Uhh, I can't even pretend that I'm not. Just…just rip of the band aid."

"But this part's so fun," he replied with a smile. He was silent for a few moments before he finished. "Congratulations."

"Haha, oh my God! Thank you!"

I was so psyched. I texted Beth to tell her then decided to text Leo.

"Thank you for letting me write that piece. You'll be able to find it in print soon!"

A few moments later I got a response. "Congratulations, cancer friend. We should celebrate tonight."

"Sounds good! What do you want to do?" I asked.

"I'll pick you up around 7. Wear something comfortable." He sent a little winky face that made me laugh. Maybe things were finally starting to turn around for me.