Fake Smiles

#44: Coming Home

The twins are finally back in New Jersey. Lily had booked her plane ticket before their birthday, so she could celebrate with them. She was at the airport with her parents and Alisha. She was saying her goodbyes before boarding her plane. She sat down next to the window and listened to music. She was so excited to be going to New Jersey.

The plane landed at the New Jersey Airport. She got her luggage and began looking for Grayson. She looked around until she saw him. They locked eyes and smiled at each other. Lily ran towards him and hugged him tight. He held onto her as if she was the only thing he had left. He kissed the top of her head.

"I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you more" he replied as he took her luggage. He led her to the car where she saw Ethan and Cameron in the car. Lily smiled as she greeted them. Grayson placed Lily's bags in the trunk and joined her in the back seats. Cameron drove them home.

When they arrived home, Mr and Mrs Dolan were waiting outside. Grayson helped Lily out the car, like usual, and began to get her belongings out the trunk. Lily smiled as she greeted the Dolans. Mrs Dolan pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Lily!" She exclaimed. "It's so good to see you again!" Lily laughed as she hugged back. "It's been so long! How have you been?! Feeling any better?" Lily nodded her head as she pulled away. Everyone went inside to escape the cold weather of New Jersey.

Ethan and Grayson had carried Lily's bags into the house. "Where is Lily staying?" Grayson asked. He looked at his  parents for an answer. But they didn't reply. "Do we have a room for her? Or does she need to stay in my room?"

"We were hoping you would suggest that" Cameron said. Grayson sighed as he began to take Lily's bags up to his room. Lily was in front of him. She was walking up the stairs at a steady pace. She began to slow down as she was near the top.

"Are you alright?" Grayson asked. Lily nodded her head as she pushed herself up the stairs. She reached the top and sat down. She began to breath in faster. Grayson put her bags to the side and sat next to her. "Is everything okay? Do you need me to carry you to my room?" Lily laughed and shook her head.

"I'll be fine" she breathed. She began to stand up. Grayson jumped up and helped her to her feet. "Thanks" she said as she followed him to his room. He opened the door and placed her luggage next to his wardrobe. Lily sat on his bed.

"I guess we'll have to sleep quite close if we're sharing a bed" Grayson said. Lily smiled as she lay down on his bed. Grayson sat on the edge and looked at her with a concerned expression. "What's wrong?" He asked.

Lily slowly closed her eyes. "I'm just really tired" she replied with a yawn. Grayson smiled as he lay next to her. She cuddled up to his chest and fell asleep.

Lily woke up to an empty bed: Grayson wasn't lying next to her. She sat up and looked around the room. But he wasn't there. She climbed out of his bed and began to walk downstairs. She walked into the living room, but no one was there. She made her way to the kitchen. As she got closer, she heard people talking. It was Ethan and Grayson.

"What are we doing for dad's birthday?" Ethan asked.

"Dunno" Grayson replied. "It needs to be something he will remember forever. What if this is the last time he will have a birthday? Cancer is a fucking bitch! It is destroying everyone I care about! First Lily, and now dad!"

"Don't think like that!" Ethan exclaimed. "It's only going to make it worse! Think of the positives!"

"Positives?!" Grayson questioned. "What are the positives of cancer?! Cancer kills people, Eth! How am I going to live if it takes dad away?! What if it takes Lily away?! I don't think I will be able to live without her! I love her! And cancer could destroy that! How on earth am I supposed to think positive?! Come on! Tell me! Tell me how!"

Lily had tears in her eyes. Her disease was hurting him. She wiped away her tears an walked into the kitchen. "You spend as much time with them as possible" she said. Grayson turned around in shock. She saw the tears role down his cheeks. She ran and hugged him.

"I am so sorry, Gray" she apologised. "I didn't want this to hurt you. I hate seeing you upset. There is nothing I can say that will ease the pain. I have tried everything, but it doesn't work. I have tried to be happy so you wouldn't worry about me. But you are hurting just as much as I am. Cancer does kill people. But it kills them slowly. It gives everyone enough time to say goodbye. To make their time worth living. To give them a reason to fight. You never know when life ends, so make every moment count".

Grayson cried in the crook of her neck while she cried on his shoulder. They stayed in that position for a while. "You're right" he whispered. He hugged her tighter. He broke the hug and smiled down at her. He kissed her lips and smiled at her. "I love you".

"I love you more" she replied.

"Impossible" he smiled.

"When will I ever find someone to make me feel like that?" Ethan asked. Grayson and Lily parted and looked at him. Lily smiled at him as a thought came to mind.

"You've got Alisha!" Lily suggested.

Ethan face turned red. "Alisha? W-why would I-I date her?" He stuttered. Grayson and Lily laughed at him. His face got redder, making Grayson and Lily to laugh harder.

Ethan, Grayson and Lily spent the day in Grayson's room playing Mario Kart. Grayson had thought of an idea for his dad's birthday - a party bus.