Our New Normal

Part 19: Time

He held her for what felt like hours, but it would never be long enough.

He cradled her close to his body and left small kisses on the top of her head as he rocked them back and forth.

After a while, she looks up at him and embraces his cheek in her left hand and tries to stop from crying some more.

"You were just going to die on me..."

"I'm sorry..." He says though he knows it isn't enough.

"And you were just going to leave Luna?"

"It's inevitable...though I don't want too." He softly says against her forehead- his lips gently pressing against it.

"I wish you would have told me..."

"I know."

"How long?"

"Stauton said about 6 months...give or take two." She closes her eyes and sighs.

"Second opinion?"

"No."

"Why?!" She goes to sit up, but he gently forces her back down into his arms so he can keep her calm.

"I don't want to focus on how much time is left or what we can do to slow it down-only to wipe me out. I wanna just live, Helen. I just want to live with you and Luna. That's all I want." He states and she almost cries harder, but stops herself. She knows he will want her to be happy and pretend nothing's wrong. Which will be harder than anything.

"Oh...Max..." She tears up again and he kisses her gently a few times.

"I love you, Helen and I know this isn't what you want or expected- it's not what you signed up for and...and I understand if..." Pressing her lips to his, she forces him to stop talking.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm madly in love with you Max and if that means we only have a little time together- then I will take it...all of it- because I love you more than anything else in this world." She says lovingly and Luna comes wobbly walking over to them. She doesn't hesitate to crawl onto Helen's lap and Max just smiles as he holds them both. "I love you too Munchkin."

"Helen..."

"Yes?"

"I should have discussed it with you...but back when I first found out...I had it in my will that you're to have full custody of Luna." He says and she jerks her head up to look at him.

"Max..."

"Even back when weren't talking and I messed everything up - I knew the one person I trusted to take care of my daughter and love her the way she deserves was you." He quietly confesses and she leans closer into him and kisses his neck. "I should have asked you if you were okay with that."

"Of course I'm okay with it. I would do anything for our Munchkin."

"I know you would."

"Mama..." Luna snuggles closer to the woman and yawns tiredly.

"Hi, Baby Girl."

Silence fills the air and Helen continues to quietly process everything Max has said. It just pains her. To finally have him and in a few months time she'll have to say goodbye to him forever. It isn't okay. It isn't what she wants. It's not fair.

"How about we put on a movie and cuddle in bed?" He suggests and she just nods.

Getting up, she helps him up and they head into his bedroom where he sets up the DVD player and pops in Lady and the Tramp for Luna. Lounging in bed together- Luna laying at the bottom watching the tv intently- Max pulls Helen close and kisses her neck repeatedly.