BUSINESS MARRIAGE (COMPLETED)

PROLOGUE

HIM

I'm going to do it. I'm going to propose to Kimberly.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Kimberly was my girlfriend at the time. We'd been dating for nine years and I felt the time had finally come. I looked over at the velvet box sitting on the passenger's seat and opened it one more time just to be sure that it was still there.

Two twenty-carat diamond engagement rings with silver bands, the perfect ring for my perfect girl. I'd told her I was going to be working late so I could surprise her. She hated those but it had to happen this time. I pulled up in the garage and noticed that Aiden - one of my not-so-close friend's car was parked in the garage too.

I shrugged it off and quietly went through the back door. The smell of her home made me happy. It always did.

I made my way to the living room and saw that it was deserted. Confusion slowly set in when I'd checked almost the rooms and she was in none. Even her own.

I reached one of the guest bedrooms which was slightly open. This had to be the room in which she was in. I pushed the door open with a smile on my face but my mood was short-lived. The sight of Kimberly scurrying to cover her naked body greeted my eyes. Aiden was left on the bed - naked too.

I wasn't even aware when the box fell out of my hand. It hit the floor and opened from the impact. The two rings fell out making a clattering sound on the ground. Time dragged and I felt like I was watching it all from afar. Kimberly looked at the rings, then at me, then the rings again before clambering to the ground not caring that she was naked any longer.

She started blabbering about how he forced her. She loved me and shit but I wasn't having any of it.

My heart closed up. Immediately, I saw the woman I was deeply in love with in bed with my friend, my heart went cold. I was done with women. I was done with love. I was done with relationships.

HER

I hated everything about hospitals. From the pregnancy leaflets to the smell of antibiotics. Everything.

I made my way to Room 177 where my mum was being held. A bunch of flowers in one hand, a picnic basket in the other. I was still disappointed that my dad didn't want to come over today.

The doctor said she had less than a month, give or take. One month could never be enough, but I planned on spending every waking moment with her. My dad, on the other hand, chose to run away from everything, burying himself in work.

I was disappointed, yet I understood. I entered her room and she turned to me, beaming at me with her signature smile. I was proud of her. She knew she had limited time yet she stayed strong, always wearing a smile no matter what. I looked up to her. She had to be the strongest person to ever walk this earth.

"Hey, mom." I returned her smile though mine could never be as bright as hers.

"Hey, sweetie." She stretched out her arms for a hug and I pushed down the urge to jump into her arms. I settled for a normal non-injury-inflicting hug.

She released me and I stood up straight again. I didn't miss her eyes searching the room. "Where's your dad?"

I wanted to start crying right there and then. She wanted her husband and he didn't even want to be around her.

"He... he couldn't make it. He had work to do." Both of us knew the truth though. He just couldn't bear the sight of his dying wife.

I sat on the bed and put an arm around her. We talked about normal stuff steering clear of her current situation as usual. She never liked to talk about it. I didn't either.

We talked for hours on end. Yeah, I wasn't joking when I said every waking moment.

"We both know that I'm dying and I'm not going to sugar-coat it but I want you to promise me some things."

"No. You can't—"

"I want you to take care of your father and your brothers for me. I know they are all pains in the ass—"

"Which is why you can't—"

"—but please, do it for me." I scowled. "If your father finds someone who loves him as much again, please tell him that it's okay. He has to move on. Lastly, you, my darling, are going to get married sooner or later. Know this, your husband is going to be your pillar of support and you are going to be his. You have to promise me that you would accept him no matter what."

I had no idea where the last one came from. Of course I would love the person I married. That's the only reason why I'd ever agree to marry anyone. But I just nodded and kept my thoughts to myself. I wasn't able to say anything without crying.

My mother then added with a smile, "And always remember. I will always COOCHIE COOCHIE COO you no matter what." I couldn't even fight my smile at her Phineas and Ferb quote.

*2 weeks later*

The day was bright, a complete irony to the mood that was draped around us like a curtain. I, along with my two brothers walked through the cemetery towards where my mother was to be buried. Trailing behind was my father and in front, our close relatives.

Tears were shed and laughs were shared. My mother was gone. No matter how much I dreamt it, she'd never come back. No. This wasn't a case of if you ignore your problems, it doesn't exist. I strode over to the closed casket after my dad walked away, cursing cancer as a tear fell down my cheek.

I bent down and kissed the top of her gravestone, then walked away.

Doris Margaret Donovan

5 October 1976 - 24 June 2017

May her gentle soul rest in peace