"Jason's already asleep," Justin was saying coming back into the room.
"Is something wrong?" asked Ryan seeing the girl's expression. It wasn't the usual expression she had after a talk with Dr. Frank. She looked more like she was terrified.

Anne didn't answer. She couldn't believe it. A tumor? Fate was definitely not in her favor. What would happen to Jason? Her little boy was barely a year old, and he was already at risk of losing his mother. She couldn't leave him alone at that age. She was the only family he knew. The doctor was right, it was likely that a judge would grant custody to Justin's parents, and that couldn't happen. Those heartless beings were capable of leaving him abandoned on some street.

"Anne, is everything all right?" the brunette approached the girl. Her face looked pale and he was afraid she would faint at any moment. Yes, she was sitting on the couch with a doctor by her side, but Justin couldn't help but feel the need to care for her and protect her.
"I think it will be more appropriate if we talk about this later, do you agree, Anne?" the fortyish man asked getting up from the couch. He knew the girl needed time to digest the news. It wasn't a certain thing yet, but if his intuition didn't fail, then the girl was in trouble.
"What's going on?", Ryan was getting nervous. The girl had grown so close to him that he felt as if she was his sister. Something was going on and he needed to know what it was. He had to help her.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. I just want to be sure Anne didn't suffer any more damage from the fall and that the recent stress won't throw her off balance. See you guys later. Take care, Anne," he said and left the apartment.

The three young adults watched in silence as the older man left the place. They fixed their eyes on the door, as if looking for answers to their inner questionings.

Guilt gnawed at Justin. He thought because of his insistence on staying, Anne became ill. He loved his son with all his might, that little being had won his heart from the first instant he saw him, but, as much as it pained him, he would rather be away if the the well-being of the love of his life was at stake. He couldn't risk his life that way. There were other ways to achieve what he wanted. He could rent an apartment nearby, or even in the same building. There was no need to act selfish and stupid about it.

"Ryan, could you leave us alone?" the girl's first words were spoken once she recovered from the shock. Both boys turned their gaze to her stunned.
"Sure... Call me if you need anything. I'll be back early tomorrow morning to see how things are going on," he headed for the door and left.
"An... if my presence here will be a problem, I can leave. We don't have to go through this. I acted like an idiot and..."
"Stay."
"I'm sorry?"
"I said you can stay."

Justin frowned. Something weird was going on. She wasn't the type to give in so quickly, much less with matters this serious.

"What's with your drastic change of heart?" he questioned. Maybe he could get a clue.
"I thought it over and Jason is your son too, I can't deny you the right to see him. Besides, he's growing up, he needs his father in his life. It was selfish of me to want to take him away from you after everything that happened," she bit her lip. "I know you and I aren't on good terms and maybe we won't be anytime soon, but he's not to blame. I can't make decisions like this for him, it's unfair. He needs his family."
"What exactly did the doctor tell you?"
"Nothing. Dr. Frank Gilbert is a friend of mine. We talked and he helped me realize my mistake. I can't take Jason away from you, no more than life has forced you away."
"Are you sure? I don't want to disrupt the routine you have..."
"I'm sure. The only inconvenience is that there's only one room. Will you put up with sleeping on the couch?" she asked somewhat apologetically.
" To be with my son, I might even sleep on the floor," Justin replied with a smile that reflected all the excitement bubbling inside him. Anne had to make a great effort not to cry at his words. Her heart scrunched. He might have hurt her, but he was a good man and would be the father Jason needed.
"The couch is adjustable. Ryan sometimes stayed over, so we got a sofabed, you won't suffer as much."
"Perfect."
"The bathroom is down the hall. You know the kitchen. Jason sleeps in his crib next to my bed, I always leave the door open."
"That's fine. Thank you, Anne."
" There is a nightstand in my room where I only have papers. I'll empty it so you can put your things there. Make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you."

Justin watched as the girl got up and quietly made her way to her room. He was puzzled by what had happened. Anne wasn't the type of girl to give in to a request so quickly. Even worse, she wasn't the type to bend her decisions once she made her point. Something's wrong, he thought.

The girl went into her room and shut the door. She approached her son's crib and silent tears began pouring from her eyes. How long would life continue to test her? Wasn't everything she had experienced up to that point enough? She probably wouldn't even be able to see her son grow up, graduate from college, fall in love, get married and start a family. Not to mention she didn't know how she would afford her treatment. She had no health insurance and having a baby was already taking up most of her income.

"Anne, are you okay?" she heard Justin's voice behind her startling her out of her thoughts.