true love finds you

Mae wasn't sure she felt the pain anymore. Still, she sensed it.

Yes, she needed to listen to them talk about ovarian cancer. Her mother was a victim of it.

She squinted hard, laying in the hospital bed, what did that have to do with this? Couldn't they let her rest?

Of course, her mind was racing with a thousand thoughts. Some of the past. Some of the future.

She'd grabbed Ben's arm and told him she needed a lawyer. That was the night it happened. The night she was sure she was dying and she might never see him, again.

He'd only tried to calm her, assuring her, they would get through this.

Now, she found herself laughing..ever so slightly. She'd lost an ovary. The laughter turned into tears.

She'd certainly made a mess of things, thinking time was on her side..when all along... it wasn't.

Stupid girl, she lashed at herself now with a straight lip while the nurse took her temp.

She wanted to go home. She wanted to see no one.

It was the worst Christmas ever.

After the nurse left, Ben and Caden arrived and both piled in the bed with her.

Caden's smile was so sweet. How had she not noticed this..until now. She blinked tears.

"Its all right, Mommie," Caden said and he pushed her hair back and kissed her on the forehead. "You'll be OK."

Mae squinted.

"Its OK, we..we told him, everything." Ben nodded.

Her eyes lit, she almost rose up on her elbows, but she was too tired to move. Besides, Caden was laying across her, as if she was his and always would be.