Trigger warning: This chapter includes descriptions of a person dying of cancer. It is based partially on research I've done and partially on my personal experience with my cousin who passed away from cancer. I understand this might be triggering for some people, so feel free to avoid this chapter. Generally speaking, this story will get darker as the chapters progress.

Andy caught Lacey mid-air as she lost her balance for the third time that evening. He sat her down on the couch in the living room and put her feet up on one of Sharon's throw pillows. She's been running a high fever for the last 24 hours, and even though Andy and Sharon have been trying to take it down, it remained higher than usual.

In the month that has passed since Lacey's first meeting with Julio, her condition has gradually but rapidly deteriorated. Her oncologist increased her oxygen flow, which resulted in frequent replacement of her oxygen tanks. Sharon has found herself scrubbing blood off the floor almost once a day, as Lacey had begun to bleed from her mouth and nose, and coughing up blood on a daily basis. Her oncologist confirmed that the bruises that formed all over her body and the hemorrhaging were a sign of internal bleeding, and possibly metathesis of her cancer. Even though Lacey tried to appear brave, it was easy for Andy and Sharon to see the amount of pain she was in. Her mobility gradually became limited, and she needed Sharon's help in the shower. Since she couldn't be with her 24/7, Sharon had hired a daytime nurse who helped Lacey while she and Andy were at work. The nurse was also responsible for administering Lacey's pain management drugs during the day, while Sharon has learned how to administer them and could do so at nighttime.
When the antispasmodic drugs that helped Lacey keep her food down have stopped affecting her, the doctors recommended the option of a nasogastric tube, but she has rejected it. To make eating easier for her, Sharon has begun grinding the food for her and mixing it with water, then filling empty syringes with the food so Lacey could suck it out of them drop by drop. It seemed to make Lacey's digestion a bit easier, and also made it possible to measure the amount of food Lacey was able to eat. In the last couple of days, most of the syringes remained full, and any feeding attempt caused Lacey to vomit.
After consulting with Lacey's nurse, Sharon and Andy decided that if they weren't able to get her fever down by the end of the day, they would take her to the hospital where someone better qualified than them would be able to assist her, even though they knew that was not what she wanted. Seeing her suffering was far worse, and it was emotionally taxing for Sharon, Andy, and Rusty. Remaining strong in the face of Lacey's declining health has not been easy on any of them, and Andy started attending more AA meetings, while Sharon's confessions to her priest have become more frequent. Rusty also seemed to attend more sessions with Dr. Joe than usual, and he often stayed with Gus, to avoid sleeping on the couch, as Lacey now occupied his bed.
Taking Lacey to the hospital was now necessary, Andy realized as he watched the numbers dangerously climbing on the thermometer he shoved into the girl's mouth. Sharon was out, and Andy enlisted Rusty's help in moving Lacey and her oxygen tank to the car.

Sharon's face was pale when she walked to the oncology ward and met Andy and Rusty at the hall outside Lacey's room. Her red-rimmed eyes were an evidence of her emotional distress that she couldn't hide. Andy knew that she had developed maternal feelings towards Lacey. The girl's dependence on Sharon's care was definitely the main reason for the quick attachment. Andy could understand. He also had paternal feelings towards Lacey, and her condition worried him greatly.

"What's going on?" Sharon asked, her voice tense.

"The doctors think it's an infection. They said that her immune system is very weak, if it even still exists," Andy explained. "She's awake, receiving fluids and antibiotics."

"What about the baby?" Sharon wondered.

"The doctors are consulting with a neonatal surgeon. They said they might need to perform a C-section." Sharon buried her face in her palms and Andy wrapped his arms around her. There was nothing either of them could do to improve the situation.

"Excuse me, can you please move aside?" they heard an unfamiliar voice and pulled away from each other to move out of a nurse's way. The nurse walked past them and into Lacey's room and was quickly followed by another nurse and a doctor. Sharon and Andy exchanged worried gazes before following them into the room.

"What's going on?" Sharon inquired.

"Sharon," Lacey seemed relieved to see her. "They think I should have the baby now."

"Lacey's test results have come back. Her immune system is in collapse. This pregnancy poses a threat to her and the baby's life. If we don't deliver the baby now, she might lose it."

"Will it survive out of the womb?" Lacey asked the doctor.

"At 26 weeks of gestation, your baby has a chance of 80 percent to survive in the NICU," the doctor replied.

"Will I be able to see it?" Lacey's eyes were full of tears. Sharon could see by the expression on her face that she knew the answer to the question even before it was given. A micro-preemie baby would be more sensitive to infections, and Lacey's neutropenia would not make it possible for her to go near the baby. She knew it, and so did Sharon. But she was still hoping for a different answer. The doctor shook his head. "Can I have Sharon with me in the delivery room?" The doctor seemed confused as to who Lacey was referring to. Sharon lifted her hand.

"Unfortunately not," the doctor said. Lacey burst out crying.

"Sweetie, I know this is not what you'd hoped for, but you're such a courageous girl. I know you can do this on your own, and I'm so proud of you," Sharon barely held back her tears.

"You have to call Julio," Lacey said. "And I've read about skin to skin contact. I think my baby will need a lot of that, and…"

"We'll do it, Lacey. Julio, Andy and I will do whatever we can help your baby grow up and develop normally. All you need to do is stay strong, okay?" Sharon took her hand.

"I love you, Sharon. I know we don't know each other for a long time, but I do. And you too, Andy."

"We love you too, kiddo," Andy replied and put his hand on Lacey's shoulder just as the nurse motioned for them to leave the room. They threw one last look at Lacey and walked out of the room. Andy looked at Sharon and wrapped his arms around her. He wanted to tell her that everything will be okay, but he knew that was not true. Watching a person they both developed feelings for dying was agonizing. Every day has brought new struggles and every moment that passed carried more despair than the previous one. The knowledge that everything could change forever in a split second was unnerving. As they watched the nurses wheel Lacey's bed to her surgery, Andy could feel the tremor that went through Sharon's body. The paleness of her face and the devastated expression that spread across it told him that she was only seconds away from breaking apart. "It's okay for you to cry, Sharon," he said and tightened his arms around her as she let go of her self-control and burst into miserable tears.

-To Be Continued-

I'm working on the next chapters, and in the meantime, I'd love to know what you thought about this chapter, so feel free to leave a review or send me a PM.