"No, no, no. Cara, that's not possible. God, no," he spoke in between tears, taking sharp breaths.
I couldn't bear to look at him. I just stared at the waterfall.
"Cara?" He whispered softly.
"I'm sorry," I was apologizing for everything. For loving him as much as I did and just walking out. For walking out due to cancer.
"No," he wrapped his arms around, and kissed the top of my head, "don't be. You can't control something like that."
"I know," I didn't know how to lighten the mood.
"What's next on your," he realized in that moment why I made a bucket list, "your, um, bucket list?"
"To spend the rest of my life with the person I love."
"Well in that case," I watched as Jayce got down on one knee. "I know that I don't have a ring, and I may not have a lot of money, but Cara Avalon Wolters, I love you. I love you so very much. And because of that, it would be a great honor to ask you this question. Will you marry me?"
I didn't know how to respond. The answer was obviously yes.
"Jayce, yes. Yes, yes, yes."
He picked me up and held me in a bridal position, and kissed me.
"Let's go get your ring," he smiled as he spoke.
"Okay," tears were streaming out of my eyes, and I was smiling ear to ear.
Eventually, he set me down so we could get off the mountain. Jayce was the first person I told. Now I had the rest of my family to tell.
"Hey, babe, can I call my parents before we go?"
"Yeah," he replied, immediately realizing why I wanted to call them.
I dialed my old home phone number, listening to it ring twice before someone answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, mom, it's Cara. Is dad with you?"
"Yes. What's up, honey?"
"Well, I, um, have something to tell you guys. I'm going to drive over tonight. Promise you'll be home, okay?"
"Yeah, of course hun. What's wrong? Is it something with Jayce?"
"No, no. Nothing to do with Jayce. Just some information I learned yesterday. I'll see you tonight."
And with that, I hung up the phone, and collapsed into Jayce's arms. He looked down at me, running his hands through my hair.
"Everything's gonna be okay, babe."
He looked back out at the waterfall, still brushing through my hair, and repeated himself; not for me, though. He was trying to make himself believe it would all be okay.
He dropped me off at home, just so I could collect my thoughts. He knew when I needed time to myself, but also when I needed someone to talk to.
I loved him so much. I don't know what I'd do without him. He could make me smile when I didn't want to. He made me feel wanted. Loved. Cared about. He made me feel like I had meaning.
Everybody needs someone like that in their lives.
I hopped into my car and typed my parents address into my GPS. I took in everything I saw on the way to their house. The trees and the traffic lights. The sun setting and the moon peeking behind a few clouds. I absorbed everything I felt, read, or saw because I knew that there was a chance I'd never see it again. I arrived at my parents' house a little past eight. When I walked in, they looked as if they had been sitting in the same exact spot all day, waiting for me to come in and be the bearer of bad news. Boy, were they in for a ride.
"Cara! Quick, sit down hun. You've had us so worried all day."
"Mom, dad," I didn't know what to say. Do I ease them into it? Do I be blunt about it all? I paused for a good minute, contemplating what to do. "I have cancer."
It took them a moment to react, so I continued talking.
"Stage 3. I thought I felt something weird in one of my boobs, so I spoke to my doctor. And well," I looked up, "you can figure out the rest."
My mother was sobbing. I had never seen her like this. She had always been such a strong woman.
My father was a mess. Not quite crying, but about to. Not sure what to do with himself.
He finally looked up at me.
"Does Jayce know?"
"I told him this morning."
"Before us?"
I rolled my eyes. My father and I had never been very close, and he always tended to make rude comments when he shouldn't.
"Yes. Before you. But is this really what you want to fight about? Your daughter has stage 3 breast cancer and you wanna argue about who found out first?"
"I just think it was a little inconsiderate."
"Okay," I looked to my mom. She stood up and hugged me. "I love you, mom. Bye dad."
I walked out the door.
(a/n: havent updated in forever, im sorry :(( but!! im definitely getting back into writing and you guys will get lots of updates v soon. dont forget to vote 💓)
