If We Fall Again

Chapter 18

The sun was blazing high as Elise and Noah splashed around in the pool, laughing as she tried to teach him how to swim. Noah was full of energy, absolutely loving the water. Meanwhile, Nate stood by the grill, flipping burgers and occasionally glancing their way, smiling at the sound of Noah's delighted squeals.

As Elise guided Noah through his swimming attempts, she noticed Nate answering his phone, his face shifting from contentment to something more serious. His expression darkened as the conversation went on, and he barely seemed to hear Noah’s excited shouts for him to join them. Elise frowned but decided not to press the issue just yet, knowing there’d be time to talk later.

After lunch, with Noah peacefully sleeping inside the luxurious villa Nate had rented for them, Elise made her way to the patio, where Nate sat, staring into space with a troubled look on his face. She took a seat next to him, brushing her hand lightly against his arm.

"Hey," Elise said softly. "You looked... upset earlier. Who was that on the phone?"

Nate took a few seconds, letting out a long sigh before answering. "It was my dad," he began quietly, his voice heavy with frustration. "He called asking about Andrew. Apparently, he heard that Andrew's cancer is back, and... it is. He’s refusing chemotherapy."

Elise’s heart sank. She knew how much Nate cared for him. “Oh no, Nate...”

“Yeah,” he muttered, running his hands through his hair. “And now my dad’s furious with me because Andrew doesn’t want treatment and has quit his job in the city. He’s basically disappeared. But… I know where he is."

Nate's voice was conflicted, torn between his father’s expectations and his brother's wishes.

Elise studied him for a moment. "You support Andrew’s decision, don’t you?" she asked gently.

Nate nodded, his eyes filled with a deep, sorrowful understanding. "Yeah, I do. Andrew… he’s stubborn as hell. He told me he wants to live his life the way he wants, for however long he’s got left. And honestly, I can't blame him for that. But my dad…" Nate exhaled sharply. "He just doesn't get it. He yelled at me, saying I should be the one to convince Andrew, that I’m the older brother, the one who’s supposed to keep him in line."

Elise felt a twinge of anger at Nate’s father. "That’s not fair, Nate. You’re not responsible for Andrew’s choices."

"I know that, and I told my dad, but he just wouldn't listen. There's a five-year gap between me and Andrew, and it's always been like this. I've always had to look out for him, and now... now it feels like I'm betraying my dad by standing with Andrew on this."

Elise reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "You’re not betraying anyone. You’re respecting Andrew’s decision, and that’s what matters. He’s your brother, and you love him. You can’t force him into something he doesn’t want."

Nate’s face softened, his eyes misty as he looked at her. "Yeah, I love that idiot," he said, his voice breaking into a shaky chuckle. "Andrew’s always been this cocky, arrogant jerk, you know? Always cracking jokes, even when it’s not the right time. But he’s tough as hell. When we were kids, he was always the one getting into trouble, and I’d have to bail him out."

Elise smiled, her thumb brushing over the back of his hand. "Sounds like he hasn't changed much."

Nate let out a laugh, though there was a sadness behind it. "He hasn’t. He’d probably be cracking some sarcastic joke about how I’m getting all emotional right now." He paused, his eyes reflecting the pain of the situation. "But this time... I don't know how to help him. It scares me, Elise. It really does."