For Life

Part 39

It was an awful time for Dec and his family and Ant did his best to support his beloved boyfriend through it all,but he felt just as helpless as everyone else.

Dec kept in constant contact with his family and by some miracle,Anne was still clinging onto life,stubbornly refusing to let go.

"Don't they say people often hang on to see their loved ones one last time?" Ant whispered softly into Dec's ear "maybe she's waiting for you?"

"You think so?" Dec asked tearfully.

"I know so" Ant comforted him "you're her life...you and your siblings,she's not going to leave this world like this,without you being there,even if it is just for you to hold her hand or kiss her cheek one last time,its what you both need"

"It is" Dec wept "I'd give anything to be able to do just that right now"

"I know you would" Ant smiled and just hoped he wasn't giving Dec false hope.

Anne had to wait for her son,she just had to.

But the next day,Dec got a call from his dad to say that Anne's condition had actually stabilised,she wasn't out of the woods yet,the cancer and now Covid had completely ravaged her body,but it was a glimpse of hope,which the family had no choice but to cling on to.

"That's amazing" Ant smiled as he held Dec in his arms "she's a tough old bird your mum"

"Yeah,she is" Dec laughed through his tears.

"We'll be able to visit her real soon" Ant stated "this lockdown can't go on much longer"

"Hope so" Dec whispered and dried his eyes.

Ant studied Dec's face as he looked deep in thought.

"Something else on your mind?" He asked.

"Yeah" Dec nodded "I think I should put a message out to my fans,I know they've all been worrying about me after cancelling the radio show at the last minute,its the least I can do"

"That's good of you" Ant smiled.

"Well,now things are looking slightly better with Mum" Dec stated "I can just give them a quick update about what's happened"

"Okay baby" Ant replied "you do that"

So Dec posted a message on his social media explaining what had happened and he was soon inundated with messages of support and love.

After that,he continued to keep himself busy with his online courses and threw himself into reading as many books as he could,usually sitting peacefully on his balcony overlooking the Acropolis.

"Enjoying your book?" Ant smiled as he joined Dec outside one day "looks like some pretty heavy reading"

"Yeah" Dec laughed and took a sip of his iced tea as Ant stared at him.

"What?" Dec frowned "why are you looking at me like that?"

"No reason" Ant smiled "just thinking how cute you look wrapped up in your blanket,you are gorgeous you know?"

"So you keep saying" Dec rolled his eyes playfully "don't you want any iced tea?"

"Nah" Ant shook his head and stood up "I might get an orange juice though,do you want anything?"

"A kiss?" Dec smiled sweetly and looked up adoringly at Ant while taking his hand.

"Oh my God" Ant laughed "how did you get to be so cute?"

Dec leant back into the chair and tilted his head bashfully and Ant couldn't take his eyes off him.

"So do I get one?" Dec asked.