Hi Dearies, So I originally wasn't planning on doing another Mary Kate chapter this soon, but I'm still kind of stuck on how to move forward on my Ryley storyline, so I thought I would show Mary Kate's family and their relationship with Stephen as well. Sorry if this dissappoints you, but I'm completely stuck on Ryley. I do really hope you enjoy this chapter though!

Love, Love, Love,

MiggieMoo2014

Chapter 9

Mary Kate POV

"How was school, dear?" My mom asks when she enters the kitchen.

"It was okay… I guess." I answer, trying to distract myself with my math homework… that's not working though.

"What is that supposed to mean? Did you get sick? What happened?" My dad asks from his spot on the couch.

"Can you guys calm down!? No, I did not get sick! I just got a headache during glee club after Stephen helped me tell them about the cancer… that's all." I explained, trying to stay calm.

"How is Stephen, dear? I haven't seen him around here that much recently." Mom says as she digs into the fridge.

"He's good, I guess… he's actually been really great recently, with my cancer, and all that."

"Mary Kate, what else would you expect him to be? He's always been here through everything; I can't imagine any reason why that would change." Dad tells me, getting up off the couch and sitting next to me on a stool by the island. "He's not going to leave you- or us- in the dust just because you're a itty, bitty, teeny, tiny bit sick."

I laughed and dad gave me a confused look. "Stephen said the same thing this afternoon…" I explained.

"Well, he's a very smart boy." Dad laughed before getting up and going to his office.

"Yeah… he is." I agree. Stephen really was amazing.

"why don't you call him and see if he'd like to come to dinner? You're brother will be finished with practice soon… maybe you can even get him to pick James up when he's on his way?" Mom suggests a small smile on her face… she loves when Stephen and James hang out.

"You just don't want to have to go pick James up, darling." Dad yells from the office.

"I do not!" I give her a look. "Okay, maybe only a little bit…"

"Okay! I'll be right back." I walk up stairs and lie on my bed as the dial tone rings on my phone.

"Hey Love, what's up?" Stephen asks when he answers.

"Mom wants to know if you'd like to come to dinner, but dad and I think she just doesn't want to have to pick James up." I tell him.

"Of course she doesn't… he smells horribly after practice… but of course I'll come over, and pick up James." He says, laughing softly.

"Okay! See you soon then?" I ask.

"Of course… I love you."

"I love you too!" I say before hanging up and running back downstairs, Mom smiles at my giddy mood.

"So, I guess the look on your face means he's coming over?"

"Yupp!" I say. Mom smiles broadly and starts preparing dinner faster. She loves when Stephen comes to dinner, and he hasn't in a while because we've been so busy lately.

"MOM! I'm home! MARY KATE! Stephen is here!" James yells as he walks up the stairs toward his room, banging unnecessarily on my bedroom door, where dad sent me when I got a headache while doing homework. He runs to the bathroom to next door to shower before dinner as someone knocks softly on the door.

"Come in." I say quietly, but I know it's Stephen and he can hear me.

"Hey, baby… you feeling okay?" I nod.

"Just a little headache… I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" He asks, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside me, running his fingers through my hair.

"Yeah… that feels really good…" I say, leaning my head further into his hand as he laughs.

"MK! JAMES! STEPHEN! DINNER IS READY!" Mom yells from downstairs. Stephen helps me up and together we go downstairs.

"So, Stephen, how's everything been recently?" Mom asks once everyone is seated and eating.

"Everything has been pretty great, actually." Stephen tells her giving James and I strange looks as if asking us why she would think anything differently. "I really can't imagine why it would be anything but."

"I think what Eleanor is trying to ask is how you've been handling –"James sees the stressed look on my face an interrupts Dad.

"He said he's doing great Dad- I don't see what's so confusing about that." He says shortly and coldly.

"James! That is no way for you to talk to your father!" Mom scolds him.

"No Mom! I'm sick and tired of everyone treating Mary Kate like she's going to break any second! She hasn't been shot! She's not laying a hospital bed! She's here and she's got cancer… big deal!" James stands up and continues. "Dad, you were the one who said the other night that she's just an 'itty bitty, tiny bit sick'… why does that change when Stephen walks in the door?"

"James… stop…" I say softly, my head is beginning to hurt again, and I feel like I'm going to throw up the little food I've eaten. Stephen notices my tone and grabs my hand.

"James. Stop. Now." Stephen repeats, stronger and louder than I did. He then looks at me. "Are you okay, Mary Kate?" I shake my head. He picks me up just like he did earlier today and takes me to the couch before looking at me. "How's th- Mrs. Eleanor? Can you get me a wet cloth?" He asks Mom, quickly.

"Of course dear… what for?" Mom asks from the sink.

"She's got a nose bleed… Why does she have a nose bleed?" Stephen questions.

"That happens with leukemia dear…" Mom explains.

"Why?" James asks with a look of confusion on his face.

"MK's blood can't clot as easily as ours, so when she gets cut or has a nosebleed, it could last for a while. Why don't you take her upstairs, Stephen?" Dad tells him. Stephen nods, hands me the wet ccloth to hold to my nose myself and picks me up.

"How do you feel?" He asks once we're sitting on the floor in my bedroom. My nosebleed stop ten minutes ago, but Stephen's still watching me cautiously.

"Okay… I guess, actually, I'm feeling kind of dizzy…" He doesn't say anything, just picks me up once more, setting me on my bed.

"Get some rest… you've got an appointment with your doctor tomorrow… you'll need your strength." He tells me, kissing my forehead. I close my eyes and fist my hands into his t- shirt, my sign that I don't want him to leave yet. He grabs them and holds them tightly, his sign that he's not going anywhere until Dad comes to kick him out.

"I don't want to go…" I whisper… I hate this… I hate feeling weak like this. He just lays down next to me and holds me close. "Stephen?"

"Hmmmm?"

"Will you come tomorrow?" I ask in a whisper.

"I don't know, Mary Kate… do you really think your parents want me to be there?"

"Dad can't go because he can't get out of a meeting… just tell Mom I asked… Please?"

"Of course I'll go with you… I want to be there every step of the way, love."

"Stephen! You should go now if you don't want to be caught out after curfew again!" Dad yells up the stairs.

"Hmmmm… I don't want you to leave…" I tell him as he puts on his shoes.

"I'll be back in the morning… I promise." He says, kissing me and then my forhead again. "Now, seriously get some sleep. I love you."

"I love you too." I reply as he turns my light off.