30: Sing Loudly/Obnoxiously: Lindsay and Tyler

Tyler fell for Lindsay the day he met her. It wasn't because she was particularly bright or did anything interesting. She didn't have to be any of those things. And yeah, she was attractive, but her blonde hair-blue eyes didn't seal the deal for him. The fact that she trusted so easily, loved to have fun, and was a genuine person made him want to be with her for the rest of his days.

Perhaps starting a relationship on reality TV wasn't his best move. With cameras watching their every move, being hounded by the press, and all sorts of other things that caused strain on their relationship, it was a miracle they made it this far. One of the reasons they had was because Tyler was stubborn. He refused to give up on something, even if it was doomed to fail. He didn't see being with Lindsay as failure though. He saw it as an opportunity to be completely happy. They were each other's rocks. When he was gone off for a gymnastics tournament or for a track meet, he didn't feel balanced. His center was with Lindsay and if she wasn't there, nothing felt right. He knew people said that all the time, but with them, it was literal. Without Lindsay, he was pretty sure he wouldn't last long without her.

When she was diagnosed with dementia, Tyler had no idea what to do. He wasn't going to leave, that was clear, but this new issue they had to deal with was unexpected. Tyler stayed the night with Lindsay's family, but once she cried herself to sleep, he went online and researched her disease. By morning, he knew everything about it, or so he thought at least. He went to doctor's appointments, drug tests, blood work, all those things, and helped explain it to Lindsay. He wrote out instructions, made sure she was taking her medications, all without being asked.

Most people, especially his parents, thought it was too much for him. There was no obligation to do all these things for Lindsay. She had parents to help her, didn't she? Tyler didn't really care what they said though. Yeah, she had parents, but parents work. At nineteen, Lindsay was applying for colleges and working out her disease. She shouldn't have to go through those stresses alone. Yet Tyler was twenty and working as a furniture mover for a moving company. He was young. He had his whole life of him. He shouldn't have to deal with her "baggage" either.

So it wasn't fair on either end, but the young man didn't care. His parents always taught him that life wasn't about fairness, but dealing with what you were dealt. Well, Tyler was dealt this card, and he was going to keep it close to his heart for as long as he could.

It was after Christmas, a few days at least, and Lindsay had the house to herself. She called Tyler over and he walked in to music blasting and his girlfriend nowhere in sight. The brunette looked around the living room, wondering where she was, and also pondering why she was playing Christmas music this loudly. He heard rustling in the kitchen and decided that was a good place to start. Besides, he was hungry. He'd gotten up late and skipped breakfast to get over and see Lindsay. He missed her like crazy.

Tyler went into the warm room and found Lindsay dancing around in her pyjamas as something baked in the oven. Her blonde hair swished as she spun in circles, the flannel shirt exposing a touch of skin as it rode up and he was in awe of her. Despite the trials she faced in the future, she was happy right now and he was so glad for that. He would never see her as a girl with dementia, always Lindsay, the girl with the bubbliest personality and the brightest eyes who always knew how to make him smile.

On one of her spins, she caught sight of him, and stopped. Cheeks flushed, chest heaving, she looked like she'd just gone for a run.

"Hi Tyler! I'm making brownies, want some?"

Tyler walked over to her and nodded. "Yeah, sure. What are you playing?"

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Sing it with me!"

While he wasn't the best of singers, apparently talent was not required because as soon as she started belting out the tunes, it wasn't the best either, not that either of them cared.

He spent his day singing and baking with Lindsay, and while it might not have been the most memorable day they'd spend together, he would never let her forget it, or him. He'd always be there. Always.