A Love Like This

It's Back

August 20, Day of Diagnosis
Scout: 11
Sage: 8

"No."Amelia said.

"I know." Link said.

"Where?" Amelia asked.

"Hard to determine. Apparently it's all in my abdomen. Everywhere they look they find more." Link sighed.

"What do we do?" Amelia asked frantically.

"Get me on basic treatment and see how it responds." Link said.

"This can't be happening." Amelia said tear pooling in her eyes.

"I'm sorry Mills." Link said.

"I love you." Amelia said wrapping her arms around him.

"I love you too. I'm gonna be okay." Link whispered.

"Please be okay. Please please be okay." Amelia said.

"I'm gonna try my hardest." Link promised.

"Daddy!!" A small voice yelled from the downstairs.

"Not a word of this to the kids. Nothing." Link said wiping Amelia's tears.

"Link they need to know-" Amelia said.

"No they don't. Not until if I actually die, like not until my quality of life goes that low." Link said kissing her cheek.

Amelia never dreamed this would happen. Sure Link had an osteosarcoma but this was a different kind of cancer. And the fact they couldn't quite pinpoint where it began made her panic.

"Okay daddy's here what's up?" Link smiled walking into the kitchen where his kids were busy making a mess.

Scout Derek Shepherd-Lincoln was the first born and he was 11. He had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes just like his dad. He adored baseball like Link and they stayed up late nights to catch the games on TV much to Amelia's annoyance.

Sage Addison Shepherd-Lincoln was the youngest at 8. She had Amelia's wavy brown hair and big dimples. She was a total daddy's girl. Everything he did she wanted to be right there with him.

"We are making cupcakes and we want you to help decorate." Sage smiled.

"Okay Sagey." Link smiled sitting her on the counter.

"Dad look it looks like a baseball." Scout smiled proudly.

"It does and it's awesome." Link smiled.

"Okay daddy, I want you to reach me the sparkly pink sprinkles please." Sage said cutely.

"You got it princess." Link said grabbing the plastic bottle.

Amelia just stood in the doorway admiring her 3 favorite people. When she met Link she instantly knew she loved him but when they had kids she just fell more in love with him.

She watched him totally change as a person. He got softer than he already was and his heart totally opened. She always loved to watch him read the kids stories and do things like decorate cupcakes.

"Daddy, daddy. What do you think?" Sage said holding up a cupcake loaded with pink sprinkles to the point they were falling off.

"It looks so yummy Sagey." Link kissed her cheek.

"Bud yours look awesome." Link noticed Scout's.

That was another thing Amelia adored. Link had room in his heart and time for both their little miracles. He made sure they got the same amount of attention and love all the time.

-
"Okay so what do we want for dinner?" Link asked shifting Sage on his lap.

"Tacos." Scout said quickly.

"I agree." Amelia smiled.

"Me three." Sage said.

"Okay tacos it is. Amelia you make the meat and I set up the extras?" Link said standing up with Sage.

"Sure." Amelia said going to get the pan from the cabinet.

"Daddy. Can we put the green stuff on them?" Sage asked.

"Guacamole?" Link laughed.

"Yeah that daddy." Sage nodded.

"Yes we can. Scout what do you want on yours?" Link asked taking out a sheet of paper.

"Tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and cheese." Scout said.

"That's my boy." Link fist bumped him.

"Okay I'm going to run to the grocery store. Who is staying here and who is going with me?" Link said grabbing the keys.

"ME." The kids both answered.

"Me what?" Link teased.

"We are going with you." Scout stated.

"Okay put shoes on then." Link chuckled.

Sage and Scout ran upstairs to find the first shoes they could. Amelia walked over and wrapped her arms around Link.

"You sure you got this? They're a lot." Amelia whispered.

"Listen to me Mills. I'm not sick yet, I'm not weak from treatment. I wanna go shopping with my kiddos." Link smiled reassuringly.

"Okay then." Amelia laughed.

Link parked in a parking spot and grabbed a shopping cart. Sage and Scout were right behind him. They loved to spend time with Link even if it was just going to the grocery store.

"Okay buddy grab that box of shells and soft shells." Link said.

"Got em. I bet you can't catch from behind." Scout dared.

"Try me." Link said turning around. Scout tossed the box and Link caught it one hand and turned around.

"No way how did you do that?" Scout exclaimed.

"Magic." Link said.

"Daddy. I got the right ones right?" Sage asked handing him a container of sour cream.

"Yep you did Sagey." Link smiled.

"Can I get gummies daddy?" Sage asked.

"Yes but don't tell your mom." Link laughed.

When they got to checkout the older man who was scanning their items smiled as the kids called Link's name every two seconds.

"Beautiful family you've got." The cashier commented.

"Thank you." Link smiled.

-

"Okay Sage. That's the last page you gotta go to sleep." Link said tucking his daughter in.

"I love you daddy." Sage smiled.

"I love you too Sagey. Sweet dreams my sweet girl." Link kissed her wet hair.

"Night night daddy." Sage said shifting over.

Link hugged Scout has he crawled into bed. Scout had on his favorite baseball pajama bottoms that matched his dad's.

"Love you dad." Scout said hugging Link tight.

"Love you too Scout. After school I'll take you and Sage to the park and me and you can throw while she swings or something." Link said.

"Awesome dad." Scout smiled.

"Love you Scout. Sleep tight." Link said pulling the covers up on his son.

When he finally made his way to the master bedroom Amelia was watching something on TV and he crawled beside her.

"Goodnight Mills. I love you." Link kissed his wife.

"I love you too." Amelia replied worriedly.

"Hey. I'm gonna be okay. I love you, try to sleep." Link smiled before turning the light out and snuggling up to the brunette.

He was going to be okay right? He had to be.