Two weeks had passed after Taylor's operation. Two weeks of excruciating pain in the back, mainly brought by the scar and her body that was not used to this empty space yet. John visited her at hospital everyday, bringing her flowers and some books so she would find something else to do instead of staring at the ceiling, waiting for time to fly. He even accompanied her at some of her rehabilitation sessions, for she refused to go, knowing that she would suffer. When he was there, it was something else: the pain would be less unbearable as long as he was in her field of vision. Right after the operation, she found herself unable to walk. Even taking a shower was a frightening ordeal.

One morning, while Taylor was reading A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, a nurse came into her room along with a doctor. He checked her up and announced that she finally could go home, since her state quickly got better, better than expected. Still having troubles for walking, she sat on a wheelchair and crossed the long corridor until she found a payphone. She slid some coins in it and immediately dialled John.

As she expected, John was really happy to learn that she would be back home after so long. It usually was him who would leave for such an amount of time, not her. He asked when she would be allowed to leave the Royal Marsden Hospital, and she announced that it would be two days after.

She could not wait. She wanted to be home at last and pet Malo while watching a film, comfortably sitting on the couch of the living room, her head rested on John's shoulder.

After she hung up and went back to her room, she faced the window with her wheelchair, actually feeling a bit lazy. Her hands met on her stomach, and she lightly pulled up her pyjama top, stroking her skin. Her eyes went down to it and she smiled. At least, even after such events, she still had her baby. And according to the doctors, he or she was fine.

-------------------------------------

The two days after she was told that she could go home went by so slowly. With such excitement growing inside her, each second seemed to last an eternity. John did not come, since he had band appointments to attend. Taylor could not blame him or the other members either.

When she woke up on the morning, a huge relief crossed her body, and she could feel her muscles relax, even in her fingertips. She almost had forgotten what the house was like. She could not remember the sweet scent floating all around in the morning when breakfast was cooked, nor could she recall this of the sheets after a night spent cuddling with John. She did not even remember what her small photography studio in the cave looked like, for she could not go down all the stairs with her kidneys hurting like mad. And she could not even remind of how much Malo grew up.

Indeed, she needed to get back home.

As usual, the morning nurse came to her, making sure that she was awake, and brought her a tray for breakfast. A small bowl of corn flakes, scrambled eggs, sliced ham, cheese, and a bottle of water. She swallowed all that as quick as she could, yet trying not to choke on the food, and pressed the red button to call a nurse. She waited there, impatiently tapping her fingers on the side bars of the bed, before trying to calm herself by stroking her stomach.

Two or three minutes later, a fair-haired nurse knocked on the door and came in, with a big smile on her face.

“You called?”

“Yes” Taylor answered, scratching her jaw. “I would like to take a shower, because I'm leaving today.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I'm taking care of you, then.”

“Can I try taking it by myself? With you next to me of course. When I'm home, I'll take showers all by myself, because my husband will tour with his band, you know.”

“I see. Let me help you stand up.”

The nurse came up to her and pulled the sheets. She pushed the movable table and lowered the side bars of the bed. Then, she took Taylor's hand and slipped hers under her opposite armpit, pulling her out of the bed gently, until she found herself standing on her feet. The nurse, whose name was Sarah, brought her to the bathroom, where she picked some clean clothes.

Finally, she could say goodbye to those awful hospital clothes.

Sarah helped Taylor getting undressed and closed the door of the bathroom. She helped her get in the shower cubicle and turned on the tap until the temperature got warm but not too much. Then, she watched Taylor washing herself, always staying beside her to help her if she needed to. But much to their surprise, she did not need help at all. Actually, she did it well.

Sarah congratulated her and stayed with her until John came. When he appeared in the room, Taylor completely forgot that she had an important scar in her lower back and that she had an organ removed: she shouted happily, ran up to him and jumped in his arms, making him smile widely and laugh. He tenderly made her twirl around him. When she landed back on earth, she stood on tip toe to press her lips against his. Sarah was standing there, smiling at them. She grabbed the empty tray on the table and said goodbye, before leaving the room.

Taylor turned to John, her arms around his neck, and smiled widely at him.

“I missed you, my John! How are you?”

“Very well, thanks. And you, little princess?”

“Way better now! I can't wait to be home, I tell you! I feel like singing and dancing!”

“But don't forget that you're sick!”

“Well, technically, I'm cancer-free now! Isn't that great? I feel so alive right now! You'll see, I'll be your photographer again, I'll follow you on tour, and all!”

“And what about this little cutie in there?” John asked with a grin, poking her stomach.

“Oh, she or he will have to get used to his or her awesome dad playing! The baby'll be raised with rock and roll, I tell you!”

John laughed and pulled her into a warm hug. He kissed her hair, playing with some locks, and noticed her suitcase in the corner.

“How about we pack all your stuff?”

“Oh fuck, yes.”

-------------------------------------

After they packed her clothes and books in her suitcase, they looked everywhere in the room to check if they had not forgotten anything. Then, the doctor came in, giving her some medicines and precautions. They signed some papers, and Taylro was free. Free.

They got in the elevator and went to the ground floor, hand in hand. The closer they got to the front doors, the more she felt excited. It was like Christmas to her. When they faced them, Taylor took a deep breath. She slowly stepped out, and as soon as the morning breeze blew on her face, making her long hair embrace it, her lips stretched into a broad smile, starting to sing.

“I'm free! I'm free! And I'm waiting for you to follow me!”

John burst out laughing and led her to his shiny blue car, which she could not remember. When she bypassed it, she let her fingertips stroke its cold bodywork, smiling so much that it hurt her lips. John put her suitcase in the trunk and helped her get inside, closing the door after her. Then, he sat on the driver's seat and fastened his belt.

“Before we get home” he started “we're going to a bakery.”

“Why?”

“I'm going to buy a BIG cake. We need to celebrate that, and I'm sure that you missed eating cake and other things.”

“Oh yeah, the hospital food was awful.”

“I'll let you choose your favourite one.”

“Alright!”

John started up the car and drove away from the parking lot of the hospital. Just before they got away from it, he grinned and stopped.

“Any last message for the hospital?”

Taylor laughed, opened the window and leant out, raising her middle finger to the building, her hair floating in the wind. She laughed a bit more and shouted.

“FUCK YOU! I'M HEALED!”

Both burst out laughing, and Taylor got back in the car, closing the window. John pushed on the accelerator, and they were gone. Far from all the health problems. Far from all those overdoses of white things. Far from the nighttime panicked screams. Happiness was opening its arms to them again, ready to welcome them.

On their way to John's favourite bakery, they turned on the radio, singing every song. They sang along with the Who, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Yardbirds, the Small Faces... All was well. They were sharing loving looks at each other during all the trip, and Taylor felt alive. More than ever.

John parked the car in front of the bakery, and let Taylor get out by herself. Hand in hand, they walked up to the front doors and got in, a sweet smell of bread and other cakes tickling their nose. They got closer to the counter and took a look at the many cakes they sold. Taylor spotted a big one with chocolate and raspberries, while John spotted another with peer and chocolate as well. When the baker came up to them, they smiled at him.

“Good morning, sir, madam. What would you like?”

“Good morning” John said “we will have the half of this raspberry and chocolate cake, and another half of this with peer instead.”

“Alright.”

They watched the baker cut the cakes in half and carefully putting them in a colourful cardboard box. He closed it with a burgundy ribbon, which he tied on the top.

“Anything else?”

“No, thank you.”

The baker smiled and told them the price. John handed him a bill, and told him to keep the change. Taylor took the box by the ribbon and they left, politely saying goodbye.

They headed for the car, and Taylor grinned, resting a hand on her heart. The next step would be home.