You Belong To Me- Part 2 (KAYLOR)

254.

"Well well well, what is going on in here? No one told me to bring a dance partner to dinner." Austin said as he walked into the house. He hobbled over on his crutches, as he made his rounds hugging everyone.

"Hi honey," Andrea said as she hugged her son tight.

"Mom, mom...easy, before you break a rib."

"Don't be a jerk." Taylor replied as she walked into the living room.

"What's with her?" The young man asked.

No one answered his question. Karlie went to check on Taylor as Andrea informed Austin that dinner was almost ready and instructed he go wash his hands.

"Hey you," Karlie said as she wrapped her arms around her wife's waist as Taylor stared out of the window.

Taylor placed her hands on top of her wife's as she leaned her head back against Karlie's neck.

"I shouldn't have snapped at him. He has no idea yet. He was just being his typical self."

"Taylor, it's ok." Karlie replied.

The singer turned around in her wife's arms and leaned her head against her. "I just want to stay in your arms forever and forget everything that's happening. I just don't want to make all of this a reality."

"You can stay in my arms as long as you want, Taylor."

"Hey Tay, are you ok?" Austin asked as he walked in the room. "I'm not sure what I did to upset you, but I'm sorry."

"It's ok Austin. Come on, let's go eat."

They all met at the kitchen table as Scott and Andrea brought the food over.

"So, what's with all the sad faces? You guys were all just singing and dancing when I walked in and now everyone looks like they're gonna cry. Is everything ok?"

"We'll talk later Austin. Right now, let's just enjoy a family dinner." Scott said as they all made their plates.

Dinner was really quiet as Austin just looked around the table, too afraid to mention another word of anything since clearly, no one wanted to talk. Karlie wanted to lighten the mood. She grabbed a dinner roll and said, "Dad, how old were you when you had your first kiss?...catch."

They all just looked at her, as Andrea began to chuckle. She knew what the model was trying to do and she appreciated it.

"I was sixteen." Scott replied.

"SIXTEEN!!" Austin said in complete shock. "Damn dad, you were old."

"Smart ass. I was a gentleman, young man." Scott threw the roll to Austin as he said, "How old were you the last time you wet the bed?"

"SIXTEEN!" Andrea yelled out as the table erupted in laughter.

"NOOOOO, Karlie, don't believe her." Austin looked at his mother as serious as he could as he said, "The lies you tell." Before she could even respond, he began to laugh knowing that he was a late bed wetter.

"Your turn mother, is Taylor your favorite?"

Andrea caught the roll as she said, "Yes." A saddened look came over Austin's face until she said, "My favorite.....DAUGHTER!"

"AND THE LIES CONTINUE." Taylor yelled as they all continued laughing.

Andrea threw the roll to Taylor as she said, "What's the baby's name going to be?"

"Oh, you're trying to be sneaky mother. Nope, we're not telling. You'll just have to wait." Taylor replied.

The singer tossed the roll to her wife as she asked, "Who is the love of your life?"

"YOU ARE!" Karlie yelled as she leaned over and kissed her wife.

"OH JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL ALREADY!" Austin screamed.

The whole table continued to play their game as they laughed and cried from laughing so hard with half of the questions being answered.

When dinner was done, they all got up. Karlie started to clear the table until Andrea grabbed her arm.

"Leave it," Andrea said. "Let's all go sit down. The dishes aren't going anywhere."

Austin gave his sister a weird look. Their mother was always so quick to clean up because she didn't like a mess. He didn't understand why all of a sudden, it was no big deal.

As they walked into the living room, Andrea brought in a huge tray of assorted cookies that Karlie baked.

"We're eating in the LIVING ROOM?"

"Why not." Andrea replied as she shrugged her shoulders while looking at her son.

"Ok, what's going on?" Austin asked.

They all looked around at one another as their faces became somber. Regardless of the fun they all just had, it still didn't erase the fact that everyone's life in this living room would be changing forever in a matter of months.

"Guys? Please just tell me."

"Austin, your mom and I asked you over for dinner because we wanted to share something with you."

"What's going on?" Austin asked as he noticed a few tears fall from Taylor's eyes.

Andrea got up and sat next to her son. She placed her hand on his knee as she said, "I am so proud of you and the man you have become. You are one of my most prized possessions, don't ever forget that."

Taylor placed her face in the crook of Karlie's neck as her wife held her tight.

"What's wrong with Taylor? Why are you talking to me like you're saying goodbye?" Tears began to fill Austin's eyes as he watched them form in his mother's eyes. "Mom?"

"Austin, I have cancer."

Scott stood up as he walked to the window, to wipe his tears.

"WHAT? But you seem fine. Are you ok? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Honey, I didn't want to worry you and your sister. I didn't want your last memories of me to be filled with sadness. I wanted to be able to enjoy my family. Your dad and I wanted to protect you. But when Taylor found out, I knew it was only fair that you know as well."

"Ok. So, when does your treatment start? I mean, are you having surgery? I can house sit the dogs and everything. Are you staying here? Or going to NY for treatment?"

Andrea looked down briefly and then looked back at her son. "Austin, there will be no treatment. It's too advanced. I don't want to live, confined to a hospital bed. I want to make the most of my time with all of you."

Austin grabbed a pillow as covered his face and began to sob uncontrollably. Scott walked over and leaned over the back of the couch to hug his son.

"How long?" The muffled voice behind the pillow asked in a tearful voice.

"I was given 8-9 months in December."

"DECEMBER? It's MARCH right now. So we have you until MAYBE September?" Austin yelled as he tried to stand up quickly.

"Austin, wait, please..."

"JUST STOP. STOP....I need air."

Austin got up and went to the back porch. Andrea attempted to follow him but Scott grabbed her arm, "Give him a minute," he whispered.

Taylor was a mess as Karlie just held her as she tried to hold back her own tears. After a few minutes, they heard glass shattering and screaming coming from the back. They all went running and found Austin, swinging one of his metal crutches and slamming it against the patio tables, shattering the glass as he screamed. "THIS ISN'T FAIR.... HOW COULD THIS BE HAPPENING?"

Tears streamed down his face as Andrea walked out and just grabbed him. He wrapped his arms around his mother's neck as his body just trembled against hers. "This isn't fair. You can't die. You just can't die. What am I gonna do without you?"

There were no answers that could be given to Austin that would make this news any easier. He was completely devastated and right now the only comfort he had, was that of his mother's arms.