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33

"Hey Abs?"

Abby turns over to face Sarah in bed and smiles.

"I was wondering, are we planning on spending the entire day in bed or we going to break the monotony and actually get out of the house and do something today? Not that I haven't minded spending all this time with you and getting to know your parents better, it's just that I'm kind of going stir crazy and going for runs with you and or walks with Bobby isn't quite cutting it."

"I've an idea. Get changed; we're going hiking, I'll be right back." Abby climbs off the bed and makes her way out of the room.

Sarah lays there missing the warmth of Abby's body beside her before slowly and rather reluctantly getting up and finding clothes suitable for hiking. As she sits on the side of the bed, she can't help but think about her parents and stare at her phone, as she debates as to whether to call and check in.

Abby returns and grabs some shoes from her closet, setting them on the floor before sitting down on the bed beside Sarah. Noticing the phone in her hand, Abby squeezes her arm. "Use my phone and call your parents; I know you usually call and check in every couple days." Abby stands up and collects her phone from the night stand before passing it to her girl. "Thank you."

Opting to Facetime her Mom, she hopes that she's currently at the facility visiting her Dad as part of usual daily routine. As the phone makes the connecting sound, she suddenly feels nervous and then feels a hand squeeze her arm for reassurance.

"Hey, Mom."

"Hi, Sarah; how are you? Is everything okay? They haven't found you there, have they?"

"Thankfully, no. I was just calling because I miss you and I wanted to see you and Dad. Are you still at home?"

"Bit of a late start today. I'm just getting ready to head out to see Brian. Is that Abby beside you?"

Sarah smiles and turns the phone so that Abby is now on the screen as well.

"Hi, Pam!"

"Hello, Abby; is my daughter treating you alright, because if she isn't then, I'll be on the first plane out to kick her ass!"

"Mom!"

Abby bursts out laughing.

"Don't worry, she is treating me perfectly, and I'm sure my Dad would be first in line to deal with her if she wasn't."

Sarah looks at Abby, "I thought that you said your Dad liked me?"

"He does, but he also is very protective of me, and if you screw up and he finds out, you will not only have him on your tail but my brothers as well."

"Umm, okay." Sarah takes a minute to process and then shifts her attention back to the screen. "How's Dad doing?"

"I'm glad you have Abby there with you and are sitting down. I need to be honest with you, his most recent test results weren't good, he's failing Sarah and the doctors and staff have already been preparing me for the next steps. I'm sorry that I have to tell you this over the phone, but you need to know and it wouldn't be fair of me to hide it from you."

"How much time does he have Mom?"

"It varies according to the individual but a year maybe, possibly longer; some have lasted as long as two."

Sarah feels her breath catch as immediately breaks down at the thought of losing her idol and Abby wraps her arm around her to support her.

"What can we do? Can I do anything? I'll find the money."

Pam Davis shakes her head, "It's no longer in our hands. I know that you and Abby are taking a trip soon and I don't want you to change those plans. It's important that you take time for yourself, especially considering everything you're already dealing with. Brian will still be here and when you get back you can come and see him."