After Forever & Ever

Tessa Bonus Chapter 3

6 months later

Tessa-

I just dropped the kids off at school and I decided to take the day off today to go with Hardin to his oncologist in hopes that the chemo worked and he can officially say he's in remission.

He's been feeling so much better...he's still not fully himself but he seems to be out of being super depressed everyday and not wanting to do much of anything.

He has even said if the doctor comes back and says he's in remission that he wants to go back to work....not for Vance obviously. But he said he wants to go back to bartending, he even has talked about being a DJ again.

I think he is beating himself up a little bit that the kids have seen him so down. He didn't want that but I keep reminding him and the kids that he was very sick and he can provide himself with a little grace and I'm proud of the kids they are more than understanding they just want him better as much as we all do.

I am surprised when I get back to the house and see Vance's car in the driveway.

When I walk in they are sitting on the couch and I feel like something is wrong.

"Are you guys okay?" I quickly question.

"Uhh not really." Vance replies.

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"I got a phone call last night from the hospital that my son had overdosed...My immediate thought went to Hardin...but then they told me....Smith." Vance tells me.

"Vance I'm so sorry... how is he doing?" I quickly ask as I hug him and look at the disappointment over Hardin like this is his fault or something.

"He's stable...I just left the hospital to grab a coffee and thought I would stop by and tell you both what's going on." Vance says as he sits back into the couch.

"Are you okay?" I follow with.

"I don't know...I've been through all this before so I should be well prepared but I'm not..." he says putting his face into his hands.

Meanwhile I just realize Hardin hasn't said anything.

"Did you know he was using?" I finally ask Hardin....which I realize was the wrong thing because it really pisses him off...

"Yea Tessa I fucking gave him the drugs..." he responds sarcastically. "No I didn't know...just like you all didn't know for a long time when it was me." He replies.

"I'm sorry I just wasn't sure if he talked to you about anything." I reply.

"No he hasn't." Hardin replies still clearly annoyed with me.

"I'm going to get back to the hospital....I will keep you guys updated." Vance says to us as he gets up.

Hardin gets up and gives him a hug. Which surprises both Vance and I given how strained their relationship has been over the years.

"I'm sorry you are going through this." Hardin says to Vance.

"Me too." Vance replies hugging him back.

I walk Vance out and Hardin stays back.

"Vance if you need anything from us please let me know." I tell him.

"Thanks Tessa....please let me know what the doctor says about Hardin" he replies and gets in his car.

When I go back inside I see Hardin out on the patio.

He doesn't hide it anymore that he smokes weed...so he's leaning over the balcony smoking when I come out.

I stand next to him and lean up against the balcony.

"I don't even know what to say...I never would have thought Smith would do that after..."I say to him and he stops me.

"After me....after everything I screwed up?" He says raising his voice.

"No...I just meant everyone has been through a lot thats all." I reply.

"Mhm...can we just go?" He asks.

"Yea...I'll grab my purse and we can head out." I reply.

The ride is pretty silent and when we get in the doctor calls us back almost right away which never happens...usually we have to wait so long.

"It's good to see both of you." The doctor starts off with.

"You too Dr. Nolting." I reply.

"I can officially say you are in remission Hardin." Dr. Nolting says to him

Hardin is holding my hand and squeezes it.

"Wow that is amazing news." I reply excited.

"I thought you would be happier Hardin." Dr. Nolting says to him.

"No....I am I'm sorry I didn't know what the outcome of today was going to be and I guess I expected the worst. So I'm just a little surprised but no it's good I'm happy....thank you for everything." He says to him.

"Now it's time to start enjoying your life with your beautiful family again." Dr. Nolting says

And that hits me a little bit because I guess since he was diagnosed again we really haven't enjoyed much of anything.

We decide to get lunch and I'm not sure whether or not to bring up Smith or if we should just try to enjoy this moment and celebrate him being cancer free.

But he brings up Smith almost immediately.

"He hated me so much growing up I thought for sure he would do anything to make sure he was the exact opposite of everything I am." He says to me.

"He never hated you Hardin and the person you were isn't who you are now and Smith has seen that." I reply.

"Here I am making what Smith did about me....and I know it's not. Just like when I did everything I did I tried blaming anything and anyone but it was me....all me. And I know he's going to need help and so is Vance and I feel like I have to be there for them." He tells me.

"Of course they're your family." I reply.

"I know but I feel like we are finally at the point where we are getting our lives together back and now this." He says to me.

"Hardin it's okay...and we will be okay. Smith and Vance need you right now and so does your family but you can do both." I tell him.

"Yea....i just...I don't know again going back to being about me I feel like this is my fault." He tells me.

"It's not. Smith has been through a lot too. But this is not your fault Hardin." I try assuring him.

I don't know if he can get away from that thought. But that's Hardin that's always going to be Hardin. He's takes everything hard....