Moonlight Desire

Chapter 7

Lia's family surrounded her as she struggled to stay awake. Night has fallen, the moon was at its brightest just like that night a month ago. It had been snowing all day, this very night has been the coldest for her family where nothing could bring any warmth.

Monte sat next to Lia's bedside with her hand in his hand. The two were spending their last moments together, even Monte came to the realization that Lia wasn't going to make it. Cancer has completely taken over her body. Lia was so weak that she could hardly speak but she was surrounded by those who love her in her last moments here.

He noticed her sister Silvia really wanted to have some time with her. He got up and switched places with her and Silvia took Lia's hand. She sat down on the chair and began to cry. There was no way for her to control her emotions, she knew that this may be the last time she will see her sister.

"I need to step out for a bit," Monte said. "I'll give you some time with her."

He walked over to Lia and placed a kiss on her forehead, he walked out of the hospital room and made his way outside, met with the cold snowflakes that lit up the sky and then fell to his knees with tears streaming down his face.

"Dammit," he screamed. He looked up to the sky. "Why! Why are you taking her away from me? What did we do wrong? Tell me so I can fix it! Don't kill her!"

He wrapped his arms around him. "Dammit," he said softly. "She's all I have. What will I do without her?"

He let the tears continue coming down and let his emotions take over him. Once he found the strength to stand up, he reached into his coat pocket and grabbed his pack of cigarette, placed one in his mouth, lit it up and began to inhale it. He gained control of his emotions and wipped his tear stained face.

He heard the hospital door open and saw that it was her Dad that also decided to step outside.

"Hey Monte," he said. "I thought you quit doing that a long time ago!"

He took the cigarette out of his mouth and exhaled a puff of smoke. "I did for a time."

"How can you start that up again? Doesn't it make you think what could happen with your wife in there?" He also grabbed a cigarette and light it up. "You know these things can kill you."

"I could be asking you the same thing," he replied coldly.

"I've been doing this for many years but, what I mean is; seeing what cancer is capable of, aren't you worried you would get lung cancer?"

"If I did, that wouldn't be so bad."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" He gave Monte a concerned look.

Monte took in another breath of smoke. "It just means I'll be able to be with Lia again sooner. She's all I have. My parents are dead and I was an only child. If she's gone, I'll have nothing.

"So you're just going to throw your life away?"

Monte looked at the ground.

"Even if she dies," her Dad said. "You still have us."

Monte's expression turned into shock.

"We know you, Monte. There's no way we would abandon you just because our daughter died. We'll get through this together." They both finished their cigarettes and put them out. "Now, let's go back."

They both went back into Lia's hospital room. This time, Monte was feeling stronger to be in there. He's made the decision to be with her until the very end and not run away. He went back to her bed and took her in his arms.