Never Let Go

Chapter 69: Our Home

Maya's oncology appointment went extremely well, and to say I'm relieved is an understatement. I feel like I can finally breathe after the reassurance we received today, and I hope Maya feels the same way.

She's going to be ok.

I wasn't sure how things were going to go, but I kept positive and I had faith that there would be some good news, and there was. After an examination and tests, Dr. Casey also confirmed that Maya's cervical cancer is still in stage 1 which means Maya can beat this - she just needs to keep strong and stay positive. It's going to be a long, hard journey, but she'll get there, I know she will.

Maya has been booked in for surgery, and she'll be having a radical trachelectomy which means only part of the cervix will be removed. It's a really awful thing to happen, and neither of us want this, but the news could've been a lot worse today. I'm thankful that it was good news and not bad news. And Dr. Casey gave us nothing but hope. She believes Maya will be ok, and that's all I needed to hear. Dr. Casey even said that Maya can be put on to a treatment plan that's less aggressive which is even better news. It means she won't have to have the chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She will probably receive one treatment, and that will be chemo. So far, things are looking up and there's light at the end of the tunnel, it's just going to take a while to get out of the dark.

Before I take Maya back to my place, we stop off at her apartment so she can pack a few things. Once she's better I'll eventually help her move all of her stuff into my house, but right now isn't the time.

I carefully pack away Maya's art supplies, that being some of her sketchbooks, pencils, paintbrushes and acrylic paints. I take a minute to look around the room before I leave, admiring all the art Maya has created. There are lots of drawings of me, and paintings of birds and nature everywhere. Some canvases are splattered with an explosion of different colours which I interpret as an expression of whatever emotion Maya was feeling at the time. Every single one of her paintings are truly a masterpiece. They're all beautiful, just like her. Her art always brings a smile to my face even when we're going through a difficult time. Seeing how talented my girlfriend is makes me an extremely proud boyfriend, and I have to admit, I like the fact that I'm her main inspiration - a lot of these paintings and drawings are of me, and I couldn't be more honoured.

I leave the room and place the bag down next to a couple of other bags which are filled with books, clothes and other essentials. I glance in to Maya's bedroom as I walk past, but I don't see her in there. She's standing in the living room with the photo of us in her hands, staring at it as she cries quietly.

"Maya." I frown as I walk towards her.

She looks up at me and let's out little hiccups as she tries to form a sentence.

"Thank you for buying me a new frame."

I wrap my arms around her and immediately pull her in to my body. She cries in to my chest and I soothingly rub her back until her sobs become quiet and she eventually stops.

"I really love the photo." She pulls away and sniffs as her sad, teary eyes meet mine.

"Me too." I smile, trying my best to hold back tears, and gently wipe away hers with my thumb. "My mother has loads of pictures of us from that night. She was acting like the wedding photographer." I pull a face which makes Maya laugh softly and crack a little smile. "I can get more from her, if you want to see them?"

"Yeah, that would be nice." She nods, showing a weak smile and wiping her eyes.

I caress her cheek and plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"You got everything you need for now?"

"I think so." She said, taking a look around the room.

"Ok." I smile and stroke through her hair. "If you're ready, I'll take you home."