blame it on the timing // d.s

CH 63

Months passed, the couple sharing their apartment, enjoying their time off, they even took a trip up to Big Bear, where they ditched their phones and just enjoyed nature and of course each other.

They got into a routine of one of them waking up before the other and making coffee, bringing a hot cup back to the other, they'd share a good morning kiss then spend a while reading and catching up on emails before getting ready to go to their building's gym, then they'd shower, eat lunch and get ready for whatever they decide they felt like doing that day, sometimes it was filming self tapes for each other, sometimes it was just laying on the couch watching movies entangled in one another.

Now there was just two days until Drew's birthday, and Lili was rushing around trying to get everything together for a surprise party she had been planning for him. She wanted to spoil him for a night.

"How about orange?" Olivia offered, the two of them a party store looking for plates and silverware.

"Uhm I don't know," Lili hummed her eyes scanning over all the options when her phone started buzzing in the pocket of her jeans.

The screen of her phone was filled with a photo of her Uncle, "It's Jay, I have to take this, you pick but not the orange!"

"Yes ma'am!" Olivia nodded as Lili walked away, answering the call.

"Hey," Lili spoke softly holding the phone to her ear.

"Hey, just saw your mom"

"Everything okay?" she interrupted him, her heart race picking up. He called every week, at the same time on the same day to update her but she still got nervous every time he called.

"Yes, nothing new, the chemo seems to be helping, but it is kinda of taking a lot out of her, she's going to come stay with Carrie and I for a bit," Jay explained.

"What about Evelyn?"

Her uncle and aunt had their baby just a few months ago, Evelyn Rose Mathews, named after Jay's Mom and Carrie's Mom.

"Carrie and I have that under control, don't worry"

"Are you sure? I can come down? Or send some money to help"

"Lili, Lili, it's okay"

"Are you sure?"

"Hey, take a deep breath for me, please"

Lili rolled her eyes to herself but did what he said, long breath in, short breath out.

"Okay, now trust me, if we need help, I will call you, but everything is okay," Jay reassured her, "And we'll see you in two weeks for Thanksgiving"

"Okay, love you"

"Love you, and don't let this bug you"

"I won't"

And the line went dead as she turned back to where Olivia was.

"What'd he say?" Olivia asked, holding forest green plates in one hand and bright red ones in the other.

"She's gonna stay with them for a few weeks, she's pretty weak from the chemo," Lili looked at the plates in her best friend's hands, "Red? Really?"