Love isn't always enough A Jordan Knight/ Joey McIntyre fanfic

Chapter 96: Cancer is here with a vengeance

Five months later:

We thought things were going great Stephanie started to get better her scans were looking good. Then she got sick, and I brought her in to see Dr. Winer, and we found out the cancer was back, and it wasn't just a little. It was in her lymph nodes, her liver, and her brain. 

At this point, he talked to us about how the cancer was so bad chemo or radiation wouldn't even help her. He couldn't operate because it was spreading so fast. This was it. Stephanie wouldn't survive this.

She had made it to Blockcon and my solo tour. During our shows in between, she wasn't a hundred percent, but she was able to eat small amounts and had started gaining weight again. 

The doctor told us as fast as this is spreading, she would be lucky to make it to Christmas. I was so mad, and we both cried as he said those words. It felt like my whole world was ending. 

"There has to be something we can do. This can't be the end, please tell me this is a nightmare."

"Joe, baby, it has spread too fast. Look at me, we are going to spend what time I have left making the most of it. What are our next steps?"

"Well, that is up to you. We can try to slow the progression down with chemo but to be honest, it's not going to help. We will see you once a month to do scans, and when it becomes too much to come into the office, then we can set you up with hospice. They will continue the services until the end comes. They will prescribe medicines to make it more comfortable for you. The best advice I can give you both is to make the most of what time she has left. I am so sorry to have to give you this news. I wish there was something I could do, but sadly the cancer has spread too fast."

"Thank you, Dr. Winer. I appreciate everything you have done for me, for us. We will see you next month. We need to go home and talk to our kids and family."

Joe held onto her as they walked out. The nurses smiled at them with the knowing smiles that she didn't have long. He drove them home as Steph stared out the window of the car. 

Michelle was pregnant and was due in two months. They didn't find out until she was already almost four months along. Maybe she would be able to meet her first grandbaby. Stefan had proposed to Lizzy their wedding was in four weeks. He wanted to wait until they graduated, but the fact his mom had cancer, they decided to plan the wedding quickly. 

Steph thought about not meeting all her grandchildren and not seeing Griff and Kira grow up, get their licenses, their proms, their high school graduation, and them getting married. This was so unfair, she had always taken care of herself, she didn't drink much, she didn't smoke, or do drugs. 

Joe saw her staring out the window, his heart was breaking. How could this happen? He knew she was thinking of everything she would be missing. They had to go home and tell their kids this horrible, life-changing news. He had to tell his family and Jordan's family. They had to tell the guys. Yet, he felt like he was the one going through this. He felt exhausted, and he just wanted to scream. She didn't deserve this; she was such an amazing person. He placed his hand on top of hers. 

"We need to call the kids and have them come to the house. Jordan and Jon need to be there when we tell the kids. Joe, I know this sucks, trust me, I know. I need you to promise me that when I'm gone, you will continue your career and be there for our kids. They are going to need you, and you are going to need them. Grieve for me but then pick yourself up and move on."

"I got everything planned before when we got the diagnosis. Everything is arranged; all you have to do is finish the obituary and the dates. Joseph, we are going to spend what time I have left making the most of it."