Caroline sat on the back porch swing while Tim prepared dinner. As usual she was exhausted from the appointment with Dr. Kim. She wrapped the light blanket around herself and slid down, cradling the throw pillow under her head. Tim could see her from the back window and took his time making dinner so that she could rest. He was lost in his thoughts and didn't hear Emily come through the front door.

"Hey" she said quietly, not wanting to startle him. He quickly blinked his eyes, hoping to stop the tears that were welling up from the thoughts that plagued his mind.

"Hey squirt" he replied, turning towards the stove.

"How was her apppointment" she asked, noticing Caroline resting on the porch "any changes?"

Tim took a deep breath before answering her, he still couldn't let her see his face "umm...it's grown some, Em, most likely due to the stress she was under dealing with her parents" he replied.

"So...what now. Does that mean..." her voice cracked as she spoke.

Tim looked at her, " no Em...all it means is she rests when she needs to. She can still do whatever she wants" he said, trying to reassure her.

"How are you" she asked quietly.

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine" he replied taking items out of the fridge. "You want to stay for dinner " he asked, intentionally trying to change the subject.

"No thank you. Bobby is picking me up in a bit, we're heading out for dinner and a movie " she told him as she walked up and hugged him from behind. "You're a terrible liar. Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I don't understand. I'm always here if you need to talk big brother"

Tim turned, hugging her tight. "I know squirt, thank you. But really, I'm ok. You and Bobby have fun, tell him I said hello".

With dinner ready Tim stepped out on the porch. He stood watching his sweet Caroline sleeping. She looked so peaceful he thought twice about waking her. She needed to rest especially after all she'd been through. He walked slowly towards her, kneeling down alongside the swing. Gently caressing her face he quietly called her name. "Caroline.....darlin dinner is ready" he said. Her eyes fluttered lightly at his voice. He called her again, she smiled as she slowly opened her eyes. "Hi" she said softly. "Hi yourself" he replied as he looked into those beautiful green eyes that always made his heart melt. He gave her a moment before helping her inside to the living room where he had prepared a portion of the sofa for her to have dinner, wanting her to be as comfortable as possible. Once settled he brought the tray of food for her.  Knowing she didnt have much of an appetite he made sure to give her a small portion of salad, a few pieces of meat from the roast he prepared and a fresh, warm roll from the oven. She smiled as he poured the sweet tea into her glass, "Emilys right. You will surely make a good wife someday" she remarked. Tim fought back the tears welling up inside 'the only good wife I could ever be for, is you' he thought as he faked a laugh.

Having finished half her meal, Caroline placed the tray aside. "Thank you for dinner,  it was tasty as always" she told him. "You sure you can't eat a bit more. You know Dr. Kim said to keep eating" he gently reminded her. "I'm not very hungry tonight, just tired" she told him. He understood, she'd been through alot today with extra testing being done, she needed to rest. "I suppose I'll have to eat the shortcake then" he teased, picking up the tray. She smiled, " well after a little nap I'm sure I will want a snack" she told him as he walked into the kitchen.

Putting the dishes in the sink he suddenly heard a thud. Quickly returning to the living room he found Caroline laying on her side on the floor. His heart was in his throat as he approached her "Darlin, are you okay. What happened"

Caroline looked at him, a few tears in her eyes " I was just going to head to the bathroom. I took a few steps then my legs gave out. I'm sorry" she replied, now crying.

Tim gently scooped her up into his arms, carrying her down the hall "are you hurt" he asked while pushing the bathroom door open with his foot. She replied no as he helped her in then giving her some privacy but staying just outside the door "call to me when you're done" he told her.

Once she was settled in bed, Tim undressed to his boxers and slid in beside her. Caroline snuggled into his bare chest as he drew her close he felt her tears. "Darlin, why are you crying" he asked softly. "I'm scared, time is slipping by so fast. So much we wanted to do..and now.....I....I don't want to leave you" she replied through her tears. His heart breaking more at every word she spoke, every tear she cried. "I'm scared too" he told her "but with whatever time we have left, we will spend every precious moment together, however and wherever you desire. I love you so much Caroline" he said kissing her softly through his own tears.

****
A few weeks had passed and Caroline seemed to have a burst of energy. Tim found her doing all kinds of sorting and cleaning throughout the house. One day while he ran over to his mom's to check her car for her, Caroline was looking for something in the desk when she came across a key, the key that locked Tim's music room.  Caroline quickly unlocked it and walked inside.

Standing in the center of the room she covered her mouth as she saw the photos on the walls. Photos of him singing in church, at school, with his friends on the road, and his idols, legendary musicians he looked up to. She walked over to the piano that Nana had taught lessons with. Spread on top were sheets of music, songs he was composing, but sat unfinished. The book of his poems resting on a nearby shelf brought tears to her eyes. "He's given this all up, all his hopes, dreams...because of me. Because..of... me" she cried aloud. Hearing Tim's truck pulling up the drive, she quickly ran out, locking the door behind her. She tossed the key back in the desk and ran to the bathroom, reaching it just as he was opening the front door. She locked herself in the bathroom as she sobbed, covering her face with a towel to muffle the sound.

Tim went to the fridge to grab a cold drink while he called out to Caroline. Not hearing a response, he quickly checked around to see where she could be. As he headed down towards their room he saw the bathroom door shut "Caroline, are you in there.  Are you alright" he asked through the door. Caroline turned on the faucet as she feverishly wiped her eyes, she tossed cold water on them to take away the swelling and redness. Steadying her voice she replied, stating she'd be out in a few. "I'll be on the back swing" he told her, heading outside.

Caroline looked at herself in the mirror. "Enough already, he deserves so much more than this, he can't lose his dream. I can't let him" she told herself before heading out the door.

****
"Are you really sure you want to take this road trip? I mean, we could fly, taking less time and more comfortable than riding in the truck for long hours" he asked placing the last of the suitcases in the back.

"What better way to see America than by car" she replied fastening her seat belt.

Over the next month they had traveled north to Glacier National Park in Montana, east to Niagara Falls in New York, south to the Outter Banks of North Carolina and finally to Nashville, Tennessee.

As they drove into Nashville, Caroline watched Tim, his face constantly changing in awe of everything around him. She knew the decision for this to be their last destination was exactly right.