“Sugar.” He attempted a smile but stopped short. “Don’t cry, sugar.” His voice was raspy and sounded shallow. “Come.” He was out of breath with just a few words. I rushed to his side, being mindful of the medical equipment.

“Oh, God, Dylan.” I reached out to touch him only to stop and hover over the top of him unsure where I could touch him or if I could at all. “I- I don’t know where I can—” I moved my hands back and he reached one of his own out slightly to grasp me. “I love you,” I told him through my sobs. “I was so scared. I love you so much, Dylan.”

“It’s okay, sugar.” His eyelids closed and he took a stuttered breath. “I’m here.” He loosened his grip on my hand slightly and panic hit me like a semi-truck all over again. I hit the little red call button and a nurse rushed in a second later.

“He— I—” My words were lost in an abyss of fear, grief and terror.

“He’s okay, dear,” the nurse assured me, scanning the monitors around us. “He’ll be very drowsy right now.” She came closer and patted me on the shoulder kindly. “You’ll find he’ll fall asleep often. His body is trying to recover a little.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I panicked,” I apologized to the plump older lady who smelled of musk and disinfectant.

“It’s quite all right, sweet girl. Anytime you are worried, you just call out and we’ll be right over.” She smiled sadly at me. Something in her eyes said she’d seen this same situation before and it had stolen a little piece of her own heart.

I looked down at Dylan and closed my eyes. He was going and I was powerless to stop it. I wasn’t sure my heart could handle what was to come.

Jude

Sitting around the living room at Mace’s house, I was torn in two. Not moments ago, Teeny’s cellphone had rung. The news that followed had everyone in a silent sorrow.

“What did she say exactly?” Scarlett asked Teeny.

“She said Dylan was sick and they were at the hospital,” Teeny explained woefully. “She asked if we can meet her at her apartment in half an hour. She needs our help.” Teeny blinked and a looked right at me.

“Jude…I um. I don’t know if it’s such a good idea if you come.” Her words stung; though I knew she was right. I didn’t want to cause any discomfort or awkwardness, but every part of my being was screaming at me to go to her. To hold her and make whatever hurt better again.

“I’ll watch the kids here,” I told her, feeling everyone’s eyes on me. “Just make sure she’s all right.” I nodded and excused myself from the room, poking my head out the back to make sure Jaxson and Jordan weren’t up to no good.

“Jude?” Teeny came into the room and quietly spoke behind me. “I’ll message you as soon as we find out what’s going on. Are you sure you’re okay with the kids?”

I spun around and faked a half-assed smile. “Course I am. Javerio will be fine. Go.”

“He should stay asleep for another half an hour at least.” Teeny walked up to me and laid a caring kiss on my cheek. “We’ll be back soon.”

I nodded and watched from the corner of my eye as everyone clambered out the front door. “It has to stop hurting soon.” I aimlessly rubbed a hand across my chest, trying in vain to sooth the pain that never seemed to leave.

I glanced down at the cellphone in my hand and threw it back onto the kitchen bench. “Come on already,” I grouched at the empty room. It had been three hours and I’d still heard nothing. The twins were in the front room watching a movie about robots or some crap like that. I heard Javerio’s giggle as I walked past the playpen where he sat playing with his toys.

I paced a few times and picked him up. “You ready to eat, little dude?” He smiled and shoved his fist in his mouth, coating it in drool. “It’ll keep me distracted and I’m sure mommy won’t mind missing the mess you’ll make.” I scrunched up my face remembering the mess the twins used to make at that age with a small bowl or pureed food.

“Here comes the plane. Brrrrr.” I soared his spoon through the air making plane sounds in the hopes he’d open his mouth and let me shove some more strained peas in there. My eyes flicked over to the clock again. Three hours and thirty-five minutes. “More?” I cooed, looking back at the messy little boy sitting in his highchair. “Ready—” The front door swung open and in walked Teeny, Trip, Scarlet and Mace. Teeny made a beeline for her son while everyone else looked stunned and worn out.

“Well?” I asked as Teeny swept Javerio up in her arms, laying kisses on him and not seeming to notice the fact that he was covered in food. “Somebody tell me what the fuck is going on.” I threw my hands up in the air impatiently.

“Dylan has cancer,” Scarlett told me, dropping down on the sofa solemnly. “He’s dying.”

In an instant, I felt the strongest need to go to her and hold her in my arms. To lie and tell her everything would work out okay. Everything would be all right and she wouldn’t hurt. I slid down onto the closest spare seat and frowned. I’d hit him. I’d made him feel less than welcome, treated him like shit, and the entire time he was sick. “I’m such a prick,” I chastised myself.

Mace walked up behind me and squeezed my shoulder. “A bit, yeah.” He was always the one to be honest, even in a horrible situation. “But, nothing you did made him sick. He probably didn’t need a smack to the face, but he was already diagnosed and ill when it happened.”