CHAPTER 8

"Hayley! Brian!" Andrea’s mother cried at the sight of the two, as she threw her arms around them. "I’m so glad you’re here!" She broke down into a fresh set of tears.

Brian hugged her tightly trying to comfort himself more than the older woman.

"How is she doing? Is she okay?" Brian asked when he finally released her.

"She’s fine for now." She said, "Why don’t you two go and see her?"

"Andrea doesn’t know that i know that she’s dying." Brian said softly.

"I don’t believe that she didn’t tell you."Andrea’s mom returned, "It doesn’t matter. You should go and see her. She’ll still be happy to see you."

Brian nodded and headed to his girlfriend’s room. He saw her fast asleep and he didn’t want to wake her but he really needed to talk to her. He walked up to the bed and kissed her forehead. Andrea stirred a little before finally opening her eyes. She thought she was dreaming when she saw Brian staring back at her.

"Brian?" she asked.

He took the seat next to the bed and took her hand in his, "Yes it’s me. I’m right here." He said kissing the back of her hand very softly.

"What are you doing here?" She asked suddenly aware that it wasn’t a dream at all.

"I came to see you." He said softly, "Andy, why didn’t you tell me? You know you could tell me anything."

She closed her eyes as if in pain.

"I didn’t ... i didn’t want to hurt you."

"You hurt me by leaving me!" he said then, "I love you. You know that. I don’t want you to think that you have to do this alone because you don’t. You have me."

"Brian..."

"Hayley told me why you wanted to break up with me but it’s not going to work." He told her, "I don’t want anyone else. I want you."

He could see that she was on the verge of tears but continued anyway." You can’t leave me. We’re supposed to get married and have lots of kids." He said softly, aware of the tears that were forming in his eyes as well." We’re supposed to grow old together."

Andrea was crying now knowing that she will never be able to have that. To have all the things she wanted most out of life.

"I’m sorry, Brian." She said very softly. "I’m sorry that i won’t be able to give you all the things you want. I know how much having a family means to you."

"Andy, you don’t have to apologize for that. It’s not your fault. It’s totally beyond your control." Brian told her.

"I still feel guilty though."

"Don’t." He said firmly.

She suddenly felt a pain knife through her stomach and groaned.

‘What’s wrong?" Brian asked quickly.

"I’ve been having these pains all day." She stopped as she felt another.

"You want me to get a doctor?" he asked getting up.

"No!" Andrea rushed out putting a hand on his arm to stop him. "Don’t go."

"But if you need a doctor-"

"I don’t need a doctor. There’s nothing a doctor can do to help me." Andrea told him.

"So what do you want"

"I want you to stay here with me. At least until i fall asleep."

"Alright."

A few minutes later, she was fast asleep.

Brian got up and looked at her.

"Why didn’t you just let me love you?" he whispered softly before slipping quietly out of the room.