Just for Tonight

63.

"Honey, you have guests", he said, a smirk on his face.

She looked at him, trying to guess. "Are they here?" she asked.

"Can I let them into the bedroom?", he smiled softly. Once again, she had guessed.

She thought for a short moment. "We'll try ... Help me get dressed, I'll meet them in the living room."

Ville smiled. She was getting up at last, throwing her last strength into the battle. He was giving her what she'd been missing: hope. Little by little, in her mind, her storyteller had transformed the words associated with death. They spoke only of small victories and great battles.

Dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, her grey scarf on her head, she entered the living room. Overcome with emotion, she let herself fall into their arms, laughing and crying at the same time.

"We've got a little present for you", Burton announced.

Curious, she let herself be guided to the table and let out a heartfelt exclamation: "Ooooh! Thank you, everyone!".

On the table were several wigs: different variations of long hazel hair and a funkier one in pale pink tones.

In the bathroom, Linde helped her adjust the wig of her choice and Gas handed her her make-up. When she returned to the living room, Migé, Ville and Burton let out whistles of admiration.

"It's so... you" ,Ville said, visibly moved.

She took advantage of the moment when she rediscovered her femininity. This was no mere superficial change, but a rebirth, a rediscovery of a softness she thought she'd lost forever. She was more than ever a woman, whole, with a redesigned beauty, a beauty made of courage and light.

The guys were aware of this. The disease was wreaking devastating effects inside and outside her body - and it was painful for them to see her so weakened - but a simple accessory had the power to change her state of mind.

"Thank you," she said softly. "You can't know what this means to me. What you, you mean to me. You're my family. There are bonds that form spontaneously, for no apparent reason. There are no words to express them, they just are".

It was an emotional evening. Surrounded by this team, these guys, she felt happy and extremely grateful.

In the weeks that followed, they began inviting themselves almost spontaneously, without notice, but always with the same intention: to look after Chloe. Seeing them again and again, it was almost as if they had taken up residence in their home.

-----

Ville sat down beside her in the bathroom. Her head over the toilet, a violent gagging overwhelmed her.

"Cheer up, honey, that was the last time. You finished the chemo, I'm so proud of you," he tried to encourage her.

"I know," she managed to say. "It's time, really, Ville". Her voice became pleading. Her body twisted in pain, as a new nausea drained her strength. The last few weeks had been violent, and the guys had carried her at arm's length in this last effort. Perttu and Matti were coming regularly, and the family was growing. They now supported Chloe as well as Ville.

"In two weeks, we'll know if... it was all worth it," she added.

Ville's heart tightened. He knew she was worried. As for him ... he didn't even dare think about it. Wide dark circles had appeared on his face, and he was barely sleeping, dead with worry.

----

"So, Doctor", she asked anxiously.

"Chloe, unfortunately, the tumor is still present, I'm afraid". He was silent for a moment, giving the couple in front of him time to assimilate the news.

"What can we do?", Ville asked, his voice breaking.

"We could consider a new protocol, which we'd start as early as next week."

"No", she murmured. "We've already talked about that. I'll stop..." , she added, looking at the doctor.

"Honey ...", Ville protested vigorously.

"Ville, I can't go through this again. I don't have the strength anymore".

He looked at the doctor, searching his eyes for support.

"How long?", she asked.

"Six months, more or less", the doctor replied.

Ville stood up and nervously paced the room. Six months? He couldn't believe it. He could feel his heart beating violently in his chest. Six months? Too little time. He struggled to breathe. He grabbed his asthma medication and took a long inhale. He didn't dare look at her.

Chloe looked at the doctor, worried about Ville. The oncologist understood and addressed Ville directly.

"Mr. Valo, Chloe and I have already discussed this. If the treatment didn't work, she'd rather stop this ... relentlessness, regain some dignity before ...". He couldn't continue. This couple in front of him touched him. He could feel their love, their despair too. A couple about to be brutally separated. It broke his heart. "You have six months left, to ... love each other. To say everything you want to say to each other. Without the chemo, she'll be in better shape in the early days. My advice is this: enjoy it."