Dusk&Summer

24.

flashback

"You can't catch me! You can't catch me!" Michael Shepherd couldn't help but laugh at the sounds of his children laughing as they ran around the yard. What had started as a pick up game of flag football with the boys, had managed to turn into a very competitive game of tag. Sophie had started it, and then Emily had joined in, and then once Meredith had started running after Derek, football was over.

He smiled at how happy they all looked. The last few years had been far too hard on his children and he'd much prefer to see them like this, happy and enjoying being children for once, even his son who worried far too much about everyone else being okay was laughing loudly at the game. It was good to be able to take them here, and forget about everything they were going through.

The leukemia had taken over their lives for years now. His older children already seemed to have a system down, already knew how to handle the rounds of chemotherapy and the raised hopes for a bone marrow match. He hated that they were going up so fast, hated that even little Sophie, his little surprise baby, had to grow up and face the realities of the world instead of be children.

But here at the home he had built his wife as a surprise wedding present, they seemed to forget anything was less than perfect. The family relaxed and became a family again, a family full of love. He hated that he was sick, he hated that he knew he would probably lose all of this very soon and leave the love of his life with the amazing family they had made together. But at least for now they could be happy.

He turned to smile at Katherine as she put a blanket around his shoulders, leaning down to kiss him gently. He deepened the kiss slightly, moving his thin hands over her hair as he smirked against her lips. "Michael Shepherd," she exclaimed, shaking her head.

"None of the children are paying any attention," Michael laughed softly.

"Oh, I'm sure one of them will turn and we'll hear the ewww," she laughed, kissing him softly again.

"They can deal with it," Michael smiled against his wife's lips. "It won't be long till the boys start kissing girls anyway."

"Mark has already started."

"Mark had started before Derek brought him home the first time."

"Of course he did," Katherine laughed as she sat down next to him and taking his hand.

"They all look so happy right now," Michael sighed. "Where are the two girls?"

"Kathleen ran into town for a bit," Katherine replied softly. "Nancy is upstairs reading. Which she's been doing a lot lately."

"She has," Michael frowned.

"We need to tell them, Michael."

"They're happy, Katherine."

"I know, and I want them to stay happy. But they need to know you've refused further treatment. They need to know this will be the last..." Her voice caught in her throat and she took a deep breath, squeezing his hand. "They need to know this will be the last summer you're here."

"Can't that wait till after the summer is over?" Michael breathed, squeezing his wife's hand back.

"Derek would be furious with us."

"Derek actually looks happy for once. I don't remember the last time I saw my son happy."

"He does," Katherine smiled softly. "It's been so long...he was just a boy when this all started."