Degrees of Desire (gxg, txs)

chapter thirty two

-Isabella

18+

I felt my heartbeat quicken as Diana left the room. I was nervous for what Eleanor would say. I had a million possibilities running through my mind but I tried to remain as calm as possible.

Diana shut the door behind her, leaving me alone with her mother.

Eleanor pointed at the chair where Diana was previously at and I quickly pulled the chair closer towards her bed to take a seat.

"Listen, I don't want to alarm you or freak you out. I just simply wanted to get to know you better. I could see how different Diana has been since she has met you. She seems- happy?" Eleanor chuckles.

I couldn't help but smile. It meant a lot to me that she noticed such thing. I was happy to make that happen for Diana.

"What would you like to know ma'am?" I asked, getting comfortable in my seat so we could have a long conversation.

I felt myself feeling less nervous about the whole situation. After all, Eleanor was very welcoming. She was not at all what I had expected her to be like.

"Where did you two meet? How did you manage to get her to open up about her feelings? Is she happy?" Eleanor slowly sat up in her bed.

"Well, we met at the coffee shop I work at. She walked in to order a coffee and I happened to be the only one there to take her order. She was very intriguing and I found myself wanting to get to know her." I began.

"I tried to get her to talk to me but I'll admit it wasn't very easy. Diana is such an amazing person once she manages to let you in. I waited until she trusted me enough."

"When I met her, I know she was going through a very difficult time so I tried to be there for her as much as possible. I've seen her grow as a person in the short amount of time that we've known each other and I'm very blessed to be able to share that with her." I continued.

I hadn't realized it but her mother and I were still holding hands. She was smiling with both her mouth and eyes. She seemed to light up hearing me talk about Diana.

"You seem like a very kind person. I already like you." Eleanor chuckled and wiped a tear from her eye.

"I must admit, I've always known about Diana's preference in a partner. I wasn't really supportive of it at the beginning. I've had a lot of time to realize all of the mistakes I have made as a mother and as a person. I am so proud of her yet I don't think she realizes it." Eleanor's smile was exactly like Diana's. I began to notice the small details in which they resembled each other.

"I'm just really glad that she has found someone who talks about her in such detail. Grateful that she managed to find someone who compliments her so well and is kind." She continued.

"As you can see, I'm not doing so well. I know it has taken such a hard toll on Diana whether she'd like to admit it or not. I don't have much time left but I'd like you to promise me one thing." Eleanor holds both of my hands tightly and looks into my eyes.

"Yes, of course." I nodded for her to continue.

"Don't let her go. Please be there for her and be patient with her. She likes to let people go and go off on her own during hard times. Please don't let her do that to you." Her voice slightly trembled and I could clearly tell she was genuinely worried.

"I'll do my best. I can promise you that. I will always be there for her whether she wants me to be or not." I reassured her.

She opened her arms and I quickly stood up and wrapped my arms around her. I could feel how skinny she had become. Her treatments had been making her weaker and weaker by the day but she still managed to be so strong.