Rick spent his night trying to get ahold of Layton even though he was the one she needed time away from.

He felt nauseas not knowing where she was and was about to get into his car to try and find her when there was a knock on the door.

There stood Kiandre, Layton balanced against him, she was obviously still a bit tipsy and needed him for support.

She stumbled into the apartment and brushed past Rick not even bothering to explain what was going on.

"She called me from the bar and I thought bringing her home was the right thing to do. Nothing else happened."

"I wasn't aware she still had your number." A tone of disheartenment underlying Rick's voice.

"She didn't, I slipped my number into her purse at the gala." Kiandre lied, not wanting to get Layton into trouble.

"You know what, I have bigger issues to deal with then you giving my fiancé your number, but thank you for making sure she got back here safely."

Kiandre smiled weakly before walking off.

Layton's senses awoken as she stood under the water, the seriousness of reality caused her to cry.

Rick had heard the water ricochet off the shower tiles and entered the bathroom where he unclothed and joined her.

Layton immediately grabbed onto Rick, her hands placed firmly on his back as she cried into his shoulder. Rick began stroking her hair in effort to sooth her.

"Sssshsh it's going to be okay I promise."

"This shouldn't be happening, you deserve so much more, you're the epitome of a good man."

"Hey look at me." Rick lifts her face to his

"Rainbows come after the storm right?" he asks

"I guess."

"Then something good must come from a bad situation even though at first it may be hard to see."

"I'm not even mad at you anymore for not telling me, I just want you to get better. I'm going to support you every step of the way. I love you Rick." Layton hugs him once more.

Their wet bodies pressed firmly against each other yet there was nothing sexual about this moment. It was intimacy on another level.

"I love you to Layton, with every breath I take."

Rick's p.o.v

It's been a month and a half since Layton found out about my cancer and she's being my rock.

Between the brutal hours at the firm and late nights staying up with me and rubbing my back as I vomit my guts out- she hasn't had a moment to breathe.

The last thing I wanted to be is a burden on her, she should be living life not been tied down to a dying man.

They say if you love something you should set it free, I guess the time for me to do that has come.

Honestly when I found out my diagnosis and asked Layton to marry me I was being utterly selfish- I didn't think how she might be affected by my decisions.

If something does happen to me that would leave her a widower at 22- losing a boyfriend is one thing, but a husband, the man you committed to spend the rest of your life with is devastating beyond measure.

I'm not saying people with cancer can't live normal happy lives, it's just harder for us to do so. There is always going to be an extra level of uncertainty in our lives so excuse me for not wanting the women I love to go through it.

I can take the pain of been prodded with needles and pumped with medication, but seeing the worry and hurt in her eyes as she watches me is something way worse.

This has led me to a certain outcome and to someone that can ease her pain if and when I'm not around.

I have to make sure she will be taken care of and have the life she is worthy of whether I watch on the side lines as a friend or an angel above.

I took out my phone and texted Kiandre, hoping he would respond and well he did.

End of p.o.v

The following day at Le Grande Café

Kiandre approached Rick with a confident smirk.

He had been dressed like a true business man indicating that he was doing quite well for himself. The two immediately cut through pleasantries and Rick got down to business.

Italics indicate Kiandre speaking

"Looks like you've turned your life around relatively well."

"I have, turns out being 21 with the work experience of a 30 year old has its perks. I have a good stable job that I love and my family situation has been sorted out but what does any of this have to do with why you summoned me here today?"

"It has everything to do with it, see there is something missing in your life. Do you believe in soulmates Kiandre?"

"I used to but sometimes life has other plans that you just can't fight."

"But I think you can, with the right person backing you."

"Alright you're talking in riddles now man, what's going on?"

"I have cancer and the doctors gave me a timeline of a year to live if the treatment doesn't work, that was 5 months ago."

"I didn't know, I wouldn't wish that kind of harm on my worst enemy."

"I thought I was your worst enemy?"

"No, I actually am thankful for you, for making Layton happy and giving her the life I couldn't at the time, sure now I envy you but to call you an enemy would be erroneous."

"That's good to hear, look I'm going to cut to the chase Kiandre. My life with Layton is always going to be uncertain. I can't commit to her knowing I might not wake up the next day. I can't start a family with her knowing I could die, leaving her to look after our kids alone. I can't watch her watch me fade away."

"What are you trying to say?"

"You have my blessing to win her back, although I don't think it would take much, you don't stop loving your first."

"Is this some kind of joke? What makes you think any of our lives are certain? You should know Layton better- she won't just betray you especially when you're at your weakest."

"You think this is easy for me? Asking another man to have the future I'm supposed to with the women I love. I somehow see this as a second chance for you two, I turned out to be the reason you and Layton are apart now I'm been the reason you two get back together."

"I want to jump at this opportunity, but us falling in love again while you might or might not be dying just doesn't feel right. What if you recover and Layton and I are together, what then?"

"I will let it be. This was your'lls story to begin with but you have to promise me that you will make it your life's mission to be the reason behind her smile, to hold her hand on the good days and bad ones, to give her a family and cherish every moment with them and to grow old with her by your side."

"I will, it's all I've ever wanted. You're a better man than I could ever be Rick. God only knows how the hell this is going to work."

"Just make sure your arms are the ones she runs into."

"I'll do my best."