21st of November, 2009
Michael is 51, Angela is 45, and Jake is 46

Michael: Rain tapped loudly outside, heavy drops hitting the windows in a steady rhythm.

I woke up not too long ago and decided to be in bed a while longer.

Angela slept next to me, her perfect features relaxed, chest going up and down.

Her still very tanned skin was glowing, so full of freckles from our summer adventures.

They adorned almost every inch of her, from the top of her forehead to her ankles.

I let my fingers go to where they were most noticeable. Her shoulders, down her skinny arms... Each one of them seemed to have their own character today.

That dark wavy hair of hers, now not as shiny as it usually is, was up in a messy bun to try and cover the new patches caused from her hair loss.

We ended up staying a few more days at the beach house; it seemed like she needed a break.

And she got it, no more chemotherapy until next month.

This round of the treatment wasn't even the worst of what we were supposed to expect, it weighed so heavily on me.

No one should ever see their loved ones go through something like this... My beautiful Angie is an angel on earth, she of all people doesn't deserve this.

It should be me. Please God, if you have to take her, take me instead. I beg of you.

I wiped the tears that tried escaping and looked at my wife again.

With a kiss on her cheek, I got out of bed to start on breakfast.

As I finished brushing my teeth, I could hear my ringtone coming from the bedroom.

"Shit." I cursed and ran back to silence it before she wakes up.

But I was too late. Angela was already on my side of the bed, talking to whoever called me.

"We're doing good, Katherine," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes. I'm okay, it went smoothly. No- You don't have to- Fine. We'll be home around five... Yup, I'll tell him."

She hung up and looked at me, "Your parents are coming over for dinner, to 'help out'. So we have to be home before that."

"Sorry that woke you up, Ange." I said.

"I needed to wake up anyway, don't worry."

She threw the covers off, coming my way. Leaning up, she kissed me tenderly. "I'm gonna take a shower, then we can make breakfast together, okay?"

"How about I make breakfast while you sit back and relax?"

"I won't argue with that."

Kissing me one more time, she disappeared into the bathroom.

~

"Mmm, smells amazing, Mike." Angela's arms wrapped around me from behind.

Those warm lips of hers were pressed to the fabric of my shirt as she snuggled close to my back.

"Coffee?" I offered, reaching for the pot I just brewed.

"Please."

With her arms still around me, I poured her a cup.

When I turned around to give it to her, I frowned a little. Her hair was in a bun again, under a beanie.

She's been trying to hide her hair from me ever since our first day here.

No matter how many times I've told her she's beautiful, she still hides it.

I sighed, going back to the stove to finish frying our eggs and bacon.

"So, what are we doing today? We have seven full hours until we have to head home."

I prepared both of our plates, placing them neatly on the dining table. "Whatever you want, baby."

"Well, we can't really go outside with all this rain. I say we stay in, cuddle in bed, maybe do other things..." she stepped closer.

I was surprised, to say the least. We haven't done anything since our trip, not that we couldn't, we were definitely able to.

Except I didn't want to pressure Angela into anything, because of how exhausted she's been lately.

My wife put her coffee down, gently grabbing me by my shirt. As we kissed deeply, our bodies close, her hands worked to take my sweatpants off.

Without thinking too much, I removed her clothes, leaving her in only the matching lingerie set she was wearing.

My arms snaked around her almost naked body before I lifted her to sit on the counter.

She moved her lips even faster, as if to beg for more.

Angela giggled happily when I unclasped her bra.

Caught in the heat of the moment and distracted by her hands that made their way to my briefs, I didn't even realize what mine were doing.

Cupping both sides of her face, the tip of my fingers played with the loose hairs on the back of her head, tangling in them.

We both didn't pay attention to the beanie falling from her head, the bun she had coming undone due to my actions.

But when I allowed myself to stroke the top of her hair as a pure act of affection, she gasped loudly and pulled away from me.

"No." Angela hurried to find her scrunchie and put her hair up again.

"Angie-" I started, but she cut me off.

"I'm sorry, this was stupid. I shouldn't have started anything."

She reached for the beanie. Luckily, I was faster and took it before she could.

"Michael, please..." her blue eyes were glossy.

I looked into them as I spoke. "Remember when we were in Ireland? And it was my birthday, you begged me to make love to you because you were still you. I swear, you are still your beautiful, irresistible self. You don't need to hide anything from me, Angela. This is our safe place, right? It's just you and me. I promise, I love you no matter what."

"But my hair, Mike..."

"If you really want to hide it, here," I put the beanie in her hands. "But I love you, all of you... With or without hair, you are still so breathtaking. So please, can I show you how much I love all of you?"

My wife nodded slightly, wrapping her legs and arms around me while I kissed her.

As I carried her back to the bedroom, the beanie dropped on the floor, both of us forgetting all about it.

~

Angela cried in pleasure as I came inside her, clutching tightly onto my back.

"Oh, I love you, Michael..." she moaned when her own orgasm took over.

I went on to attach our lips, repeatedly kissing her softly.

"Did that feel good?" I whispered.

"Good? That felt amazing. Thank you," my wife kissed me back. "We forgot about breakfast... It must be cold by now."

"It probably is..." I trailed off and nibbled on her neck.

She sighed as I kissed down her body, then reached down play with my hair. "Are you on a mission to turn me on again? Because it's working."

I chuckled against her, and sucked on the skin of her thighs, earning a giggle from her when I touched a sensitive spot.

A phone rang suddenly, making both of us groan.

"It's Luciano," Angela said before answering. "Hey, Luci... Yeah, we're still at the beach house... Sure, if you want. You're always welcome, you know that."

She talked to him for a minute, so I peeked at her from under the covers.

I tickled her sides to encourage her to hang up, and a loud shriek left her mouth. "Mike, stop... What, Luci? No, I was talking to Michael. He's just being annoying..."

Scoffing, I acted offended and let go of her body.

Angela pouted at me, but still didn't get off the phone. "Of course I'm okay, why is everyone so worried all the time? Mmhm, we'll see you later. Ti amo."

"Why did you stop?" she whined.

"Because apparently, I'm annoying." I teased, getting up.

"Oh, come on..."

I found my robe and left the bedroom, picking up our clothes from the kitchen floor.

After that, I sat down to eat my breakfast.

"Michael! Seriously?" Angela called from the bedroom.

A few seconds later she joined me, a frustrated look on her face.

"Come eat, babe. You need it." I pushed her plate towards her. Which was true, she needed to eat.

She huffed, "Fine."

Still clearly upset, she sat down and ate a few bites.

"So, Luciano is coming over?" I asked.

"Around six. Might as well invite my parents too and have a full-on family dinner."

I smirked, "Maybe my sisters would want to join."

"You think you're so funny, don't you?" her eyes squinted at me.

With one final bite, Angela placed herself on my lap.

"I'll show you funny..." she stripped herself out of her robe, putting pressure on my crotch.

As an instinct, our lips touched. Soon, we were completely immersed in each other as we made out.

It didn't take long for her to open my robe and sit on my erection. I couldn't help but adore how magnificent she was while riding me steadily.

Back arched ever so slightly so she could move in just the right way, her big breasts all out in the open for me to play with.

Her long fingernails dug into the skin of my shoulders, sending an enjoyable pain down my spine when those loud hums of bliss came from her throat.

"You're so beautiful, baby-" I panted, but she shut me up with a kiss that made my head spin.

Once we both finished, all sweaty and breathless, I decided to tease her again.

"So is that a 'no' on Janet and Rebbie, then?"

The back of her hand came in contact with my chest and she made that face.

I rubbed the spot that started turning red. "Okay, jeez..."

~

Angela: Michael rolled off of me, after another round. He pulled me to him so he could cuddle me close.

His nose nuzzled in my hair and he took in a deep breath. "At least I know your sex drive isn't gone."

I gasped at his remark, smacking his chest like before.

"Ow," he winced. "But seriously, I'm glad we decided to stay here a bit longer... I love being in our safe place."

He placed a small kiss behind my ear, gently caressing my back.

We ended up being in bed all day since the rain was still pouring outside. I loved every minute of it. So much so that bursting our little bubble scared me.

Real life was just so scary at the moment.

"I don't want to go home," I confessed. "Maybe we can stay a few more days?"

"Ange, we can't. We've been gone for four days, what about the children? And, you're the one who invited our families for dinner, remember?" Michael sighed. "You know I'd stay here with you forever if we could, but we have to go home."

With his fingers under my chin so I'd look up at him, he kissed me lovingly.

"Now, let's take a shower, then we gotta head home. We'll be back in our safe place in no time. I promise, Angie."

I nodded, but still had that weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

~

"Oh, Angela, I'm so glad to see you!" Katherine squeezed me as tight as ever. "Why are you on your feet? Sit, please."

"Katherine, I'm okay." I said into her shoulder.

Joseph was next, asking how my treatment was going.

"It's... It'll get better."

Both he and Katherine gave me sympathetic looks. God, I hate this, it's like I can't escape this stupid thing.

Mom and dad, along with Luciano and Britney, joined us soon enough.

My sister-in-law walked in with that big belly of hers. Being eight months pregnant with a boy, she seemed even more tired than I was.

Luciano couldn't keep his hands off her baby bump the entire time, I thought it was so adorable.

"Hey, sis. How are you?" he hugged me. "You're wearing a beanie, inside? You cold?"

I sighed, "Something like that... Don't worry about it, please?"

He rubbed my back, then Britney attacked me in a hug as well. I could feel tiny taps coming from her stomach as she pressed it against me.

"Gosh, he's so active..." I put my hands on it.

"You're telling me. I can barely get any sleep at night." she laughed.

"The twins loved kicking me all through the night. Maybe it's genetic." I joked.

My parents came up to me then. Except their hugs weren't as warm as I was used to.

We had a big family dinner just like this one last week, and that's when I revealed the news to everyone. The kids, too.

They all took it so hard, but my parents especially.

When I revealed the fact that I am sick, they were so upset since I basically lied to their faces. They stayed silent for the rest of that night, only calling a couple days later to check up on me.

Michael suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders, massaging them slightly.

"Who's hungry?"

~

Everyone laughed and talked around the dinner table.

I smiled at Lily who was all over Britney's tummy as she tried feeling her baby cousin.

The thought of the possibility that that could have been me popped up. It made me sad, but then I remembered my baby wasn't actually real.

Taking in a deep breath, the nausea slowly crept its way back, a chill running through my entire body as a result.

"Babe, please, eat something." Michael whispered in my ear when he noticed I was playing with my food.

"I can't. I feel like throwing up." I told him.

"Come on, let's take you to bed. It's been a long day," he helped me stand. "I'll be right back, everyone."

AJ, who sat on my other side, grabbed my hand. "Mommy, awe you going to sweep?"

"Yes, baby girl. Your mommy's a little tired." her daddy smiled at her concern.

"Can I go to bed wif you?"

"Sorry, Princess. You'll see mommy tomorrow, but daddy will be right back."

With him guiding me out of the dining room quickly, we walked to the bedroom. My sight felt a bit fuzzy, my knees weak.

He put his lips to my forehead. "Gosh, Ange, you're burning up again..."

"I- I am?" I stuttered.

"Maybe I should call Dr. Brent."

"Y- yeah, m- maybe-"

My knees finally gave in and I couldn't see anymore. Michael called for me, but his voice seemed so far away.

An ambulance was heard in the distance while I came in and out of consciousness.

"Hang in there, Angie." Michael pleaded before everything went black.

~

Luciano: When we arrived at the hospital in Santa Barbara, they could only tell us that Angela was being taken care of.

"Luciano, sit down, will you?" dad said as I paced.

"Did you see her tonight, dad?" I bit my nails. "She was so... Pale. And skinny. I mean, she actually looked really-"

"Sick? Because she is, son. Your sister has cancer."

"I know."

"So stop pacing and sit. This is a very common side affect from chemo, okay? She'll be fine."

I sighed and sat down next to him as my phone buzzed in my pocket.

"How is she? The kids want to know." Britney wrote.

She stayed behind with Katherine at Neverland to watch my nieces and nephews.

"I don't know anything yet." I texted back, right when Michael came into the waiting room with Adam.

The tiredness and desperation on his face were clear. My heart dropped for a second until he explained that she had to stay at the hospital for a while.

Mom, dad, and Michael all went to her. I said I would be there very soon, taking out my phone to call Britney.

"So?" she asked frantically.

"Angela has to stay here from now. Something about the chemo making her too weak..." I rubbed my face. "What about you, Brit? Not on your feet too much, I hope."

"No, just cuddling Leo to sleep. He keeps whining, I think he wants Angela."

I frowned at the image of my nephew crying for his mother.

"Damn it... Why wouldn't she tell us about this stupid cancer sooner? They just had to keep it to themselves, right? If I knew, I could've done something."

My wife shushed Leo before speaking again. "You couldn't have done anything. She still would have the surgery and go through chemo, babe..."

Leo was now crying loudly, making Britney coo at him.

"Luci, I gotta go, text me when you know more okay?" she blew me a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too, Brit." I told her.

Just as I was about to follow everyone, I heard footsteps coming from behind me.

"Luci?"

Turning around, my eyebrows raised in surprise when I saw Rosa.

I stared her down, "What are you doing here?"

"I saw on the news Angela was rushed to the hospital. What's going on with her?" she came towards me.

Immediately, I backed up.

"It doesn't concern you, Rosa. Now leave, before Michael sees you here. He doesn't need that." I said flatly.

"Please. Just tell me what's wrong-"

She was stopped by Adam asking me if I was coming. I nodded, passing him.

"Luciano, please," Rosa grabbed my sleeve. "Angela's my sister, too..."

Adam came between us. "Ms. Brown, I'm only going to ask you to leave once. This is a family matter."

With one final look at her, I could tell how hurt she was from what the bodyguard was implying.

He took me through the halls, until we reached Angela's room.

There she was, sleeping in bed, with oxygen tubes stuck in her nose. She was almost white as a ghost.

Michael was right next to her, running his fingers through hair. With his nose pressed to her temple, he whispered only things she could hear.

It was exactly then that I noticed a few bald patches in her hair. My chest clenched at the sight, eyes filling with tears.

"Oh, Angela..."

"She'll be okay, she just needs to rest," Michael said. "Her doctor said it'll get worse before it gets better. We just have to be here, support her."

I wiped the tears away, "But look at her."

He squeezed my sister's hand tighter, nodding.

"I've been watching her for four months now. Treatment is gonna work."

"How do you know?"

"Because," he looked at her again. "She's strong. The strongest person I know, she'll pull through."

Angela let out a small groan when she started to wake up. Her husband hurried to tell Adam to get the doctor.

"Gosh, Angie, you scared me..." he kissed her hand.

"What are you doing here?" she glanced at all of us.

Mom cleared her throat. "We were worried about you, bella."

Angela smiled gratefully, closing her eyes again.

"The kids?" she questioned hoarsely.

"Britney and Katherine stayed with them, they're all good." I answered.

"Thank you."

Taking my hand, she pulled me to her.

"You have to get better, Ange. Please." I sniffled.

"I promise to try." my sister said.

The tears fell onto her. She kissed my cheek, saying she loves me.

With that, Angela told her husband she wants to sleep. He escorted us out of the room quietly. I looked at her before leaving, my heart breaking again.

"I'll go be at Neverland with everyone," I told Michael. "Make sure they're hanging in there."

"Thanks, Luciano. I really appreciate it." he patted my back as we hugged.

"You'll take care of her?"

"Don't I always?"

I let out a little chuckle and agreed. About to join my parents in the parking lot, I stopped when I saw they were talking to Rosa.

Mom had both hands on my sister's shoulders while they talked.

Rosa looked as if the world was falling apart and she covered her mouth after our mother broke the news to her.

But I could care less about her feelings, so I got into my car and headed back to Neverland.