The Road to Forever ~ The Sequel to Modern Fairytale

Keep Holding On

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to those who have struggled with any form of cancer in their life. Some have won while others have been relieved of their suffering. If you or someone you love has ever felt this pain, this chapter is for them. I would personally like to dedicate this to my mother for winning her battle 22 years ago when I was born and for my best friend's mother who we lost one year ago after years of suffering.

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Regina and Robin walked into the treatment center at Columbia University hospital early that Thursday morning. Henry stepped up and did his best to care for Roland, knowing they would be busy at the hospital most of the morning and that his mother wouldn't be feeling her best when she returned home. He knew Robin would be focused on caring for her and making her comfortable so he mentioned taking Roland to ride bikes in the park in the afternoon. He was maturing with each passing minute that his mother was ill. It made her feel exceptionally guilty that he couldn't focus on being a kid, but she was grateful to him all the same.

They called her back and, of course, Robin accompanied her, not willing to release her hand until she wanted him to. She was seated comfortably in a reclining leather chair that was placed along a row of others just like it with various other patients receiving their treatments. Her heart was beating so fast in her chest as she spotted a pale woman without any hair reading a magazine and a man to her other side vomiting into a bucket they'd provided for him. It wouldn't be long before she looked exactly like them. It grew difficult for her to breathe as the nurse approached the chair.

"Good morning, Regina. My name is Katherine and I'll be your nurse for the duration of your treatment. How are you feeling today?" The woman asked with a bright smile. She was around the same age as Regina, a bit taller with shining blue eyes and blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail.

The brunette moved uncomfortably in her chair as she muttered, "As good as one can feel being here."

Robin squeezed her hand while the nurse sighed, "I know it's difficult, but it's my job to give you the best care we can provide. If you need anything to be more comfortable, I'm your girl."

She pulled up the IV and took a seat beside her patient as she took hold of Regina's arm and began tapping her hand for a vein. The brunette watched her and asked, "How long does each treatment take?"

"Doctor Whale worked with our oncology team and requested each session last only an hour, but you'll have to repeat the treatment twice a week. He's trying to speed up the process so you have time to rebuild your strength before surgery," she explained and her patient merely nodded. She located a vein in Regina's hand and said, "Okay, you're going to feel a little pinch."

Regina never had a problem with needles. She actually was one of the rare few who found it fascinating to watch as the needle entered her skin. She focused on the expert precision of Katherine's hands as she gently pushed the needle into the top of her hand and taped it into placed. She stood and pushed the stand closer to the chair before smiling and removing her gloves, "I'll bring over some blankets and a bucket in case you feel ill. And Robin if you need anything, I'd be happy to bring you a magazine or something to help pass the time."

"Oh no, Katherine, I'll be fine. One hour to speak with Regina is more than we get with the children at home so I'll take it when I can get it," he chuckled, noticing the way Regina blushed when he spoke.

The nurse smiled brightly, "I'll leave you to it then."

She sat at the circulation desk for most of the hour after she'd brought the blankets and bucket for her patient. She had a few others to tend to in the room and went about comforting them as equally as she was willing to do for Regina. She was good at her job, the brunette observed; she made the reality of the situation more bearable for the people fighting to stay alive.