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

Chapter 97: Sleeping Beauty

The days got harder for her to move or sometimes even wake up. Joey stayed with her the entire time. Joey would fix her some ginger tea with lemon. It's the only thing she could drink.

She has been bedridden for two weeks now. She lays in bed, mostly sleeping while Joey sings or reads to her. She has been asking him to read the bible, and he has only a few pages left.

She smiles when the kids come into the room to visit. Griff, Kira, Stefan, Lizzy, Michelle, and Lukas have not left our house in two weeks. Jordan, Jon, Sharon, Jean, Carol, Marlene, Allan, and Dave have all been camped out in the living room. 

Joe will lay her between his legs, and then the kids will pile up beside her as Joe reads to her. This is the hardest part of cancer is watching her wither away. 

Donnie, Jenny, Danny, and Jared have been here for the last three weeks in a hotel close to the house. They drop by several times a day. 

Joe has been unbelievable; he has been by my side from the moment the doctor diagnosed me until now. He refuses to leave; he freaks when he has to run to the restroom. He hasn't showered, and he just looks run down. 

Steph will take her hands and run them across Joe's face. He will smile at her when she does. She can talk; it's just really hard to understand her because her voice is so low and shaky from being so weak. 

Jordan and Jon are sitting on the couch talking. "I don't know what I am going to do when she dies. I know she's not my wife anymore, but the love I have had for her since she was fifteen has never gone away."

"I know, bro, but we have to try our best to stay strong for the kids and Joe. This is hard on all of us; we all love her. Look at Mom and Dad over there; to them, it's like they are losing their daughter. Hell, I don't know what I am going to do, she is my best friend and my sister. This is killing me."

"This is going to be hard on everyone. I swear, bro, if God would allow me to take her place, I would in a heartbeat. She is and has always been the love of my life. I don't know how I am going to handle it when she's gone."

"Yea, I know, little bro, but we have to try. She was very persistent on that fact we all keep living. Did Joe talk to you about him going back to LA with Kira and Griff this summer?"

"Yea, he told me. Steph signed the house over to Michelle, and he was taking the kids back to LA. He said it would be too hard on him to stay here. He talked about buying a new house, he said he couldn't live in the house he and Steph shared. It would be too hard with so many memories of her." Jordan was rubbing the wedding band Steph had given him. 

"Is that her wedding ring?"

"Yes, and mine. When she gave the set to me, I put ours together on this necklace. Steph will always be with me as long as I am here, and when my time comes, this is to be buried with me." 

"Daddy, Dad needs to go to the restroom. I think he wants to give you time with Mom because he asked me to get you."

"Sure, sweetheart, I am on my way." Jordan stood up and walked to their bedroom. Joe had slid out from behind her and was standing there. 

"Thanks, J I just figured you needed time alone with her." Jordan smiled and sat down beside her. 

"Hey, there, pretty Mama." Steph smiled at him as she held his hand. 

"Thank you, Jordan, for my two beautiful children and for being my friend. I love you, always have and always will."

"Stephanie, thank you for loving me; thank you for being my best friend, my wife, and my lover. Thank you for those same two beautiful children and now a beautiful granddaughter. Who not only carries your name but looks so much like you and our daughter. You know I love you, and I always will. I have loved you since the day I first laid eyes on you, and I will love you until I draw my last breath on earth."