Caroline and Tim spent the weekend together without saying anymore about the news she revealed to him. It was as if they didn't acknowledge it, then it wasn't a reality.

Saturday, they had a small private picnic at their favorite spot in the botanical gardens, by their tree. Caroline sketched drawings while Tim read to her from his book of poems. 

As the evening began to fall, they sat beneath their tree watching the colors change while the sun set on the horizon.

Sunday was a humid, rainy day. Caroline sat on the back porch. She loved the sound and the smell of the rain even though the change in pressure was bothering her. She refused to let Tim know, he would only worry. Little did she know he watched her from the kitchen window and knew, he always knew.

He walked out on the porch carrying two bottles of water and her medication. He sat beside her, taking her hand in his while he poured the tablets into hers. 'He knows, he always knows' she thought to herself popping the pills in her mouth. She leaned her head on his shoulder, sitting in silence while the rain fell.

****
Caroline was up early Monday morning prepping for school. She didn't want to wake Tim so she left a note on the pillow and slipped out the door.

The weekend had helped, it was the perfect diversion from everything. It was actually what she wanted their life to be like for as long as it could be. However on her ride to work she found her mind wandering, replaying everything from the appointment with Dr. Kim.

She stopped at the local cafe for her usual coffee and danish. Turning to leave she heard a familiar voice, Nurse Jancyk.

Smiling, Chris approached Caroline, giving her a quick hug as the said hello. "How are you feeling" she asked as the clerk handed her coffee over.

Caroline smiled, "I'm ok" she replied.

"Do you have time to sit for a moment" Chris asked her, setting her coffee on a nearby table. Caroline checked the clock, she had 45 mins before she needed to be at work. She nodded as they sat down together.

****
Tim woke to the bright sun shinning on his face and the bed empty beside him. He turned, finding Caroline had left a note on the pillow.

        Timothy, thank you..you have no idea how much this weekend meant to me. Thank you for loving me,taking care of me. I love you with all my heart.

Tim read the note several times. Despite the sadness in his heart, he vowed to make whatever time she had left, to be the most love filled she could possibly imagine. Wiping the stray tear from his eye, he placed the note in his book of poems before heading to the shower.

****
"You know I'm not one to pry but I was curious how Tim was handling the diagnosis" Chris asked, sipping her coffee.

Caroline stared into her coffee, "as well as can be expected I suppose. I wasn't going to tell him but I couldn't keep it from him. He deserved to know. But the look in his eyes, it just breaks my heart"

Chris placed her hand upon Caroline's, "he'll get you both through this " she assured her. "What about the treatment options, have you made a decision" she asked.

Caroline sipped her coffee before answering. She had made up her mind in the office that day but walked out without informing Dr. Kim.

"I'm...I've decided..no treatments" she told her, again avoiding eye contact.

"Caroline, I would never force you into anything but you do realize that no treatment won't slow it down" she advised.

"I don't want to waste my last days sick and fading away.  I want to live them to the fullest. They will be the only days Tim will have filled with love before it robs our life from us. Its the one thing I can give him that will last even if it is only in his memory" she answered.

" I understand, really I do. But at keast the radiation could reduce it, for awhile" Chris suggested.

"The radiation may have caused it to progress so why feed it more fuel to advance quicker.  I'm sorry, I just can't, my mind's made up" she retorted.

"Tim knows about your decision?" Chris asked finishing her coffee.

"Yes, he says he understands. I know he doesn't want to accept it but he won't force me to change my mind either" she replied.

"I understand. There are some legal things that need to be handled so they will be in order for when you approach the end of your journey.  You need to come to the office so we can take care of it, name your designee for decisions etc" Chris advised.

Caroline nodded as she glanced at the wall. "I'm sorry but I have to be at school in 15 mins, thank you for checking on me. I'll be sure to contact the office regarding the papers" she stated tossing her cup in the garbage and placing the danish in her bag.

"You need anything, either of you, please don't hesitate to call. Ok?" Chris stated giving Caroline a quick hug before she walked out the door.

****
Tim stood at the doorway of the recording studio, scanning the room at all that had been started. He immediately walked out, closing the door behind him. 'That's no longer a priority' he thought as he locked it, placing the key in the desk drawer.

Tim finished around the house before taking a walk out through the back fields. As a child he loved being at Nana's to explore the woods and mountains. Out there he could be whomever he wanted to be. Whatever it was, it always involved his signing. Today, though, it was for the sounds of his cries for the love of his life. As he sat against a tall tree, he asked why her. He pleaded to change places with her, let him carry the burden, but deep down he knew.

After several hours, he rinsed his eyes in a nearby stream to lessen the redness from his wailing then walked back towards the house, determined to be the strength she needed him to be.