What It Takes

Chapter 10- I Love You

--- There is a POV change half way through. *** Indicates the change. ---

Chapter 10

Even the best of times must come to an end. After an extraordinary weekend with Jace we had a reality check. Talan was set to return with Ashton any moment. Sunday morning I received a call from Ashton, Talan was getting worse. His small body was surrendering to the cancer. Talan was emitted to the local hospital. When I got the news my whole body gave out, falling to the ground I fainted. I woke up in Jaces arms, he was gazing down at me with so much concern.

"You worried me." He muttered while kissing me softly.

"Jace..." I began, "I just can't live without Talan, he's my little boy. I love him so much It hurts sometimes. What If he doesn't make it? What If I have to bury another child. I just don't think I can handle anymore heartbreak."

Jace put his hands on my face and forced me to look at him, "Don't think that way," he said sternly, "Stop worrying. You're strong, so strong it amazes me. You've been through so much. But this time it's different, you have me. I'll be by your side every step of the way."

A week passed and I hardly left Talan's side, many nights i'd fall asleep next to him in the hospital. He got to the point where he could hardly hold down food. His hair was now completely gone due to the cemo. I missed his thick black hair. I missed his warm smile. Talan's 6th birthday was in a month and I prayed to God every night he will be well enough to fully enjoy his birthday. It killed me that Talan wasn't in school, he should be with the rest of the kids playing. Instead I did my best to teach him to to read and write. He was a fast learner and loved to read to me every night. He was a kindred spirit.

"Mommy?" Talan questioned.

"Yes baby?"

"Is Jace my new Daddy?" I wished with everything inside me I could say yes and erase all his memories of Andrew. But in reality Jace was not his father Andrew was and always will be. "No Jace is not your new Daddy, but he is your friend."

Jace really was Talan's friend, almost everyday Jace would come and spend a few hours with Talan. They would watch movies and play with legos. Jace really was amazing with Talan and I loved it.

1 week was left until the grand opening of the memorial. Due to Talan being sick I hadn't had a chance to go see the progress, but Jace spent every day there. He would meet us for dinner covered in dirt because he hadn't had a chance to clean up. My heart that I so dearly protected was falling hard for Jace. I loved the way his smile would make my heart speed up. I loved the feeling of his body next to mine as he held me. I especially loved how he put other needs before his own. There was one thing that tended to keep me up at night, Jace hardly talked about himself. His life was so private it bothered me. He knew about my whole past, from my highschool days all the way to Andrew. If Jace and I were to go to the next level I needed to know more about him.

I called Jace as I left Talan's hospital room, "Hello?" he answered his voice sounding husky.

"Jace, can we talk?" I questioned while trying to calm down my racing heart. His voice always seemed to make me flustered.

"Yeah of course Bella."

Starting my car I continued to drive back to the house. "Where are you?" I asked.

"Home, why whats wrong? Are you okay, Is Talan okay?" His voice sounded panicked. I didn't answer him right away because he said he was at 'home', I loved the sound of that. 'Home' a place that one lived permanently, as a member of a family or household. Jace, Talan, and I were a family.

"No everythings alright! I just want to talk. I'm heading home now." God I loved the sound of that, "I'll see you in 10."

***

I woke up from the sound of my phone ringing, "Hello?" I answered my voice hoarse.

Bella's sweet voice came through the phone, "Jace, can we talk?" I felt more awake already by just talking to her.

"Yeah of course Bella."

I missed her, we haven't been together alone since Talan got back. I wanted so badly for Talan to get better and come home. I wanted to hold Bella every night. I wanted her to know how she makes me feel, how she makes me a better man. I love her so damn much it's killing me.

"Where are you?" Her voice sounded sorrowful.

Instantly a million bad scenarios flashed through my head, what if something bad happened? Jumping out of bed I quickly dressed as I talked, "Home, why whats wrong?" I couldn't breath, "Are you okay? Is Talan okay?" Bella didn't answer right away making me start to panic.

"No everything alright! I just want to talk. I'm heading home now." God I was relieved to hear she was okay. After hanging up I brushed my teeth and waited downstairs for her to arrive.

The door slammed loudly making me turn around to see Bella walking towards me. Her hair was in a bun and she looked almost irresistible. It all happened too fast, before I knew it Bella was kissing me. Hard. Jumping up she wrapped her tanned legs around me. We didn't even make it upstairs before all our clothes were gone.

"I love you." I gasped.