Caroline agreed to just take it easy, resting on the sofa most of the day.  She didn't have much of an appetite but at least she wasn't as nauseous as the day before.

"What would you like me to fix for you to eat" Tim asked kneeling down beside the sofa.

"Baby, I'm not really hungry" she replied gently sliding her hand along his face. Tim leaned against her hand smiling slightly at the softness of her touch.

"I know, but you have to eat something. Dr. Kim said to try to keep eating regardless of how bad you feel, to keep your strength up " he reminded her.

Caroline looked at him, his eyes filled with so much love and compassion,  how could she say no.

"Maybe some soup?" she suggested.

"Sounds good, I think we still have some of momma's in the pantry that she canned a few weeks back. Is her chicken soup ok" he remarked.

"Absolutely. I love her soup. Perhaps a glass of tea too? " she stated.

Tim stood, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before heading back to the kitchen. Caroline leaned back on her pillow, closed her eyes and thought about what lied ahead.

There was a light knock at the door, she started to get up but Tim told her to stay put as he opened the door. It was Emily.

"Hey squirt, since when do you knock before coming in" he said opening the door.

"Momma told me Caroline wasn't feeling well last night, I didn't want to barge in and bother you two" she replied.

"Come in Emily, I'm fine, you're never a bother" Caroline stated from the sofa. "Tim, would you leave the door open to let some fresh air in" she told them.

"Em, you want anything to eat or drink. I'm fixing something for Caroline so I can just add more for you" Tim stated.

"Just some tea please, I already ate with Mom" she replied.

"Ok, spill it,  how was your date" Caroline asked excitedly.

"Perfect, absolutely perfect. He was such a gentlemen, held my hand as we walked the fairgrounds. He is so easy to talk to. I felt comfortable with him" Emily replied.

Tim brought in the tray of soup and tea for Caroline first then returned with a glass of tea for Emily and himself. Emily was still going over all the evenings details when Caroline asked about when he brought her home.

"Well?" Caroline questioned with a grin.

Emily blushed a bit, "he walked me to the door, I was a little nervous. He could tell, he took me by the hands and told me not to be."

"Aww" Caroline commented.

Tim sat in tbe chair, rolling his eyes.

"Did he kiss you" Caroline asked, smiling.

Emily blushed a bit, " yes" she replied.

"Was it good ?" Caroline asked. Emily nodded and said "yes, soft and tender, exactly as I imagined "

Tim was taking a sip of his tea when Caroline asked and spit it out at Emily's answer. Choking a bit he stated "y'all, I didn't need to know that" as he wiped the tea from his chin.

Laughing the girls both said "oh, like you guys don't talk about those things". "Or worse" added Emily.

Caroline looked at him with a raised brow "you've never discussed details with the guys" she asked.

"A gentleman never kiss and tells" he replied as he walked into the kitchen, a slight smirk on his face once out of their sight.

Caroline and Emily both laughed as he walked away. "So, is there going to be a second date" Caroline asked. "Most definitely" Emily replied with a grin.

****
Caroline hated the vicious cycle. By the time she actually started to feel human again it was time to bombard her with more nauseating radiation. It was becoming harder to keep it from her coworkers that something was terribly wrong. She had done her best throughout summer school to juggle both, but it was beginning to be too much. She wanted to give Tim as much of her "good" days as possible.  She knew the time had come to go to the school board and resign. She requested to meet at the monthly board of education meeting on Wednesday.

After her treatment she asked Tim if they could drive to the gardens, just to relax and enjoy the late summer evening.

Walking through the grounds she would stop to look at her favorite florals and greens, as if embedding them into her memory, for a time when she may not be able to physically enjoy them.

Once at their tree, Tim spread out the blanket he always kept in the truck for her. He helped her to sit down then sat between her and the tree to give her something more comfortable against her back.

Caroline leaned against him, trying to decide how to begin. She had so much she wanted to discuss with him.

Tim slid his arms around her, leaning his chin on her shoulder "what's on your mind, darlin" he whispered.

Caroline smiled, he always knows. He was that much in tune with her that he could always tell, almost to the point of knowing what actually was on her mind.

"I've been thinking" she began " that it's time to ..." she hesitated, her voice cracking slightly.

Tim held her close, listening as she told him her intentions and why. He understood but knowing she was giving up her dream he feared she may be giving up on even more.