Forever

I promise

Scarlett and Tommy woke up the next morning. Her body was right against his back as she had her arm around him. Her hand was on his chest as he held it. Tommy kissed her hand and then turned over. He pushed the hair out of her face like he always did.
"I'm so sorry I checked out when we found out."
"It's okay."
"But you had to tell Bella on your own and.."
"Tommy, it's okay. You're here now and that's what matters. Every day matters."
He kissed her and then he laid on top of her with his head in her neck. He loved when they cuddled like this, but would deny it if anyone else found out.
"Please don't treat me like I'm sick, okay? We can live and be happy like we were in Italy because we still have time." She said.
"Okay." He said into her neck.
"And just because I'm sick doesn't mean I don't want to fuck."
He raised his head and looked at her as she smirked.
"Good to know." He said and then started to kiss her neck.
They were interrupted by Bella opening their door. Ash jumped on the bed and Bella did the same. She laid beside Scarlett and looked at Tommy in her arms. Tommy looked at her.
"Bella." He nodded.
"Daddy, you're too big for mommy to hold you."
"No one is too big. Everyone deserves to be held." Scarlett said.
"Even daddy?"
"Especially daddy."
Scarlett held her right arm out and Bella smiled as she cuddle up to her. Ash pawed at them and whined. Tommy turned his head to look at him.
"Come on."
Ash put his head on the other side of Scarlett's as Tommy rubbed his back.
"We're missing one." Scarlett said.
"I'll go get him." Tommy said and then got up.
Scarlett sat up and Bella crawled in her lap and Ash sprawled out on Tommy's side. He came back in with Myles.
"Mama!" Myles said as he reached out towards her.
Tommy got to his side of the bed and looked at Ash and then at Scarlett.
"Ash." He said.
Ash put his paw to his face and and then put his head on Tommy's pillow.
"Awe." Scarlett said.
"Scar...your dog."
Scarlett got Ash to get up and he just moved to her side. Tommy sat down and Scarlett moved closer to him.
"He just loves you and wants to be close." She said.
"Yeah...well I want to be close to you." He said as he put his arm around her and kissed her.
"Ew!" Bella said as she looked away.
Tommy and Scarlett looked at each other because that was new.
"Ew?" Scarlett asked.
"Karl said kissing is gross."
"Well Karl is gross." Tommy said.
"Mature." Scarlett said.
"Bella look." Tommy said.
He lifted Scarlett's chin and then kissed her again, but for a little longer.
"Ew no!"
She covered her eyes and dramatically fell back on the bed. Tommy and Scarlett laughed. The family of four stayed in bed for a while, but eventually got up and started their day. Right after lunchtime, Myles was napping, Bella was in her lesson, and Tommy was just looking at some work in his office. Scarlett was out on the back porch swing with a clipboard. She was writing and putting paper into envelopes. Tommy came out and put her legs over his lap as he sat down.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Writing letters."
"To?"
"To everyone, but most of them are for you and the kids."
He gave her a confused look.
"I won't be here for the big moments or to teach them the things life taught me."
He looked at her as he held her legs. She started to hold up the envelopes as she named them.
"Bella's first heartbreak, Her wedding, puberty, how Myles should treat women, his first heartbreak. I have so many already and I have more to write."
Tommy picked up an envelope that was under Scarlett's thigh.
"Tommy, don't."
"To Tommy's next love." He said.
He held it up and looked at her.
"Scarlett, what the fuck is this?"
She took the envelope.
"It's for your next love."
"There won't be a next love."
"Tommy, yes there will be. People always move on. You deserve to be happy after all of this."
"I will never move on from this. From you. I will never love again because I only want to love you." He yelled.
"Tommy..it's not what you—"
He stood up.
"No Scarlett. There will never be another woman...and I will never read that letter." He said and then stormed off.
"Tommy." She yelled.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Scarlett finished more letters as time went on. She went inside and locked the letters in her desk drawer. Tommy sat in his office all day. Night came and Scarlett put her kids to bed. Scarlett took a hot bath and then got ready for bed. Ash was on the bed as she sat down. He walked up to her and licked her face.
          "At least you're still talking to me."
She rubbed his head as she smiled and talked to him.  Tommy walked in and looked at the two and just went straight to the bathroom. She got up and went to the bathroom. She always gave him time to cool off, but time was something they didn't have a lot of anymore.
          "Tommy."
He didn't look her way or say anything.
          "I put the kids to bed alone...again. They both asked for you."
          "I just couldn't." He mumbled.
          "Couldn't what? Kiss your kids goodnight?"
          "Scarlett." He said as he looked at her.
She shook her head and then walked into the bedroom. Tommy walked out and looked at her.
          "Why are you mad?" He asked.
          "I'm not mad. I'm worried."
          "About?"
          "About you and the kids. They need both of us more than ever right now and you're shutting down. I understand why, but we are parents and that's always our first priority. We don't get to shut down. Not in front of them."
          "I know." He said.
          "Tommy, I know all of this is unbearable, but you have to be there for them. They're going to need you more than ever when I'm gone."
He just looked down and she walked over and held his arms.
          "You have to promise me." She started.
She gripped his arms tighter and he finally looked at her.
          "Tommy, you have to promise me that you will be there for them. They can't lose you too. You will all need each other. So please if you really love me, then promise me you will not shut down on them."
          "It will be the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, but I promise you, Scar. I promise I won't shut down and I promise I'll be there for them."
          "And promise me you'll take care of yourself."
          "I promise."
          "Don't let them forget about me, Tommy. Bella might remember me, but Myles...Myles will have no memory of me." She said as she teared up.
          "Tell him about me and tell him that I loved him. Please don't let them forget me."  She whispered.
It was almost like it really hit Scarlett that she wouldn't get to see her kids grow up. It's like she finally realized that she was dying. Tommy could see it on her face.
          "I won't get to see them grow up...I won't get to help Bella pick out her wedding dress....and Myles..he won't even remember me. He won't even know who I am." She said as she broke down.
Tommy looked up at the ceiling because he was about to lose it again.
          "I won't get to keep our forever promise."