"All I can tell you Mr. Turner, is to keep him safe, just keep things real. What will help him is normalcy, and love. What that young man needs right now is love. He may have this with Angela, make sure the two of them stay together. She could be the key to his ultimate survival, she breaks up with him again, Shawn may not make it through this. Shawn will need her in the coming months more than ever."

Chapter 8 – Angela's Birthday Gift

Angela woke early February 14th, with plans to surprise Shawn. She was still in love with him, and couldn't stand seeing him as sick as he was. His Birthday was July 27th, and that meant she'd have a little more than four months for her plan. She was writing Shawn a special song, but first, getting back together with him. She walked with him to school from Turner's place, and Cory and Topanga were in front of them, as always.

"Shawn, I'm so sorry about the Leukaemia. Truly, I'll be here. I can't stand being with Jack, he's not who I thought he was. But you are. You are my friend. Thank you for being that for me Shawn." Angela said quietly, almost shyly, as if she was afraid he would hurt her.

"Umm, sure, thanks, it was no problem. I love you Angela, I don't want to see you hurt." Shawn said, thinking about what would happen when he died, he hated leaving her. "We shouldn't get back together though,…"

"Why not, Shawn? You deserve to be happy at least once in your life. I hated being away from you, you're the best person I've met in a long time, why can't you see that?" Angela pleaded with him.

"Because I will be dead by the end of this Angela! I'm dying, you'll only be hurt by that if you get closer to me." Shawn's eyes teared as he spoke this.

"I'm already close to you Shawn. Just like Cory and Topanga are to you. Just the fact that you care enough not to hurt me makes me see that you are a good person, and you deserve this." Angela kissed Shawn lightly. "If you don't come out of this alive Shawn, I will bring you back just to kill you again. I don't expect to be hurt again, so let me help you survive." Angela said stepping up to Shawn defiantly. "Don't you leave."

SASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASASAS

Later that same day, Angela and Shawn exchanged Valentine gifts, Angela gave Shawn a Heart shaped box of chocolates, and Shawn, he gave her a Teddy Bear that said "Always my Love, my light, and my life." The two spent the day swimming in the town pool, then playing darts and pool at Chubbie's. Mr. Turner didn't spy on them, he just left them alone at his apartment. He trusted Angela enough to stop Shawn going too far, and he trusted Shawn to listen. It was the least he could do for the kid.

I could stay awake,

Just to you breathing,

Watch you smily while you are sleeping, while you're far away and dreaming…

I could spend my life in this sweet surrender..

I could stay lost in this moment forever…

The weeks slipped by slowly, as Shawn got worse, and Jon grew more worried. He rarely let the young boy out of his sight for fear that he wouldn't be there should Shawn relapse. Shawn was in and out of the hospital every week like clockwork. Mr. Feeny made sure Shawn was able to get his work done, and it being senior year, the group wanted to see Shawn graduate, so Cory, Topanga, Angela, Jonathan, and even Mr. Feeny would help him when he wasn't able to finish the work. Shawn was truly a smart young man, and everyone would be sad if he died.

When every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure!

As far as his health went, it was a roller coaster, up one minute, and declining the next. Doctors said if he was starting to cough a lot of blood, or felt extremely sick, Jon should just give him natural meds and minerals to help him rest and sleep it off. Shawn was given chemo treatments twice a week, on Tuesday and Saturday, but was cheerful. Jonathan grew closer to Shawn, and soon, it was a week before Shawn's birthday, on July 27th, and Jon had tickets set for July 14th, to Paris, France. He surprised Shawn with the five tickets on July 1st, saying they all could go as a special treat. He could bring Cory, Topanga, and Angela along. "Jon.. I don't know what to say, no one's ever done something like this for me…" Shawn choked out after about a minute of staring at them. He threw his arms around Jon's neck and pulled him into a fierce hug. He wanted to be here, he wanted to be a part of Jon's family. Jon was more of a father than he could ever ask for.

Angela, soon ready to put her plan into action, awoke Cory, Topanga, and Mr. Turner at midnight on July 27th. They crept into the room's "kitchen" area, and began to decorate. Angela set up the piano, along with her song on the piano. As Shawn came into the room, but baring the tell-tale dark circles of sleep-less nights under his eyes, Angela started playing.

"Amethyst"

When you cannot find yourself

Don't let the fire fade

From the waters,

From the water…

Just let the storm clouds pass us by

On wings of change,

On wings of change…

Keep the howls silent in the night

And don't let the water bathe in our gaze

Don't let the fire fade

Blow the clouds away

With winds of time

Like a jewel in the night

Keep it shining with the light

Sapphire don't let the fire fade…

Rebecca don't let the fire fade…

Keep the howls silent in the night

And don't let the water bathe in our gaze

Don't let the fire fade

Violet visage in this violence

Holding onto love's dear light

Keep the green in your blue-eyed sight

Keep the howls silent in the night

Keep it shining with the light

Don't let the fire fade from your sight.

Angela's voice faded into the background as Shawn fell asleep. He never told anyone of the pain he felt, nor of the gift he had for Angela. The next morning, before any of the others got up, Shawn crept into his Angel's room. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he woke her up holding a cup of hot chocolate, and a small box in the other.

"Angela, I'm sorry I wasn't the best boyfriend over the last few months. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my cancer either, I was just really afraid of leaving you alone." Shawn spoke, with tears in his eyes.

Since he knew he couldn't be with her all the time, he had wanted to give her something to remember them. He had chosen an Amethyst necklace, as it was her birth stone. The love he still felt for Angela shone in his eyes as she opened the velvet box. Shawn slipped the clear purple stone around her neck, kissing her softly, and whispered, "Will you marry me?"

Shawn had closed his eyes tightly, expecting rejection. His hands trembled and shook, but Angela kissed him softly, and wiped his tears away. "Shawn…" she started to complain, but one look in Shawn's eyes told her to say "Yes, I will marry you, on the condition that it be here, at Notre Dame." She said quietly, taking hold of his hand. "But in return, you have to get through this, Hunter! You won't leave, not yet." Angela said glaring.

Shawn nodded, and smiled the cute smile, "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Shawn and Angela walked downstairs with the rest of the group, and Shawn told Cory, Jon, and Topanga that he had proposed to Angela. "Way to go, Hunter." Jon said, hugging him around the shoulders. "Oh that's really sweet Shawn." Topanga exclaimed excitedly when Angela told her the way he proposed to her.

Jon hailed a cab, and the five climbed in, going to the cathedral. As they approached, Jon pointed out a sign outside Shawn's side of the window. He had called a friend in Paris, and had gotten Shawn a dedication, in the form of one of the most beautiful windows on the famed Cathedral. The sign read "To a wonderful and beloved son, from his proud father."

"I couldn't be prouder of your bravery, Shawn." Jon whispered as Shawn could do nothing but gape at the heartfelt dedication that Jon meant with all his heart.

Topanga and Angela lit a candle for Shawn, and Shawn lit one for all those suffering from Leukaemia. Cory stood by with Jon and asked him, "So, you think he'll be okay? Would you do it all again?"

"I love him, Cor, I wouldn't miss knowing Shawnie for anything. But I'm glad he's still with us. I just pray the next few months will be as blessed and real as these have been, without the drama and worry. Though, I'd worry about him every day, I couldn't do anything less because every day could be his last, and I just can't stand to lose him, Matthews." Mr. Turner replied solemnly. He knew things wouldn't be the same, but he hoped Shawn would get into college, and that they would be the family that he always needed.

"Oh yes. They'll love. Truly, they'll live." Jon whispered as he walked along, watching his new son. As they left the cathedral to explore the magnificent city, Shawn leaned in close to Jonathan and sighed, "Thank you, Father…" And finally, Shawn and Jon could rest, they could heal, be at peace, as a family…