Waiting For You

Chapter 6 (prepare for crying, everybody)

As the year progresses, every month, without fail, my MRI reveals every time that the cancer has yet to progress any further. I mean, I still have it, and it's not going away, but it isn't killing me either. Every now and again, I'm even aloud to spend a night at home. Niall and I continue going out, and I learn to ignore all the hate thrown at me. Because, after all, I've got his love to spur me through it. Maybe that's how Dani, Perrie, and El have handled all the hate- knowing that at least they're loved. And, somehow- I make it to my 17th birthday. Niall, as a present, takes me to one of their concerts. I bring my wheelchair, but I try to stand along with everyone else for the duration of the performance. And I'm also happy to see that most of the fans have accepted me. So I'm enjoying myself, leaning a little on Dani, when Liam walks up to the mic.

"Now, as you all know, we've got a very special guest here tonight" he says excitedly. Assuming that he's talking about a celebrity, I slowly turn to scan the crowd. But then Liam continues talking.

"Look, mates she doesn't know we're talking about her. Everybody please put your hands together for the beautiful Allie Cavanaugh!" he says into the mic. Totally shocked, I turn my wide eyes on Dani, who's beaming at me and clapping along with everyone else. A smile slowly spreads across my face and, one hand still on Dani's arm, I wave wildly to the crowd.

"There she is everybody! Now we've got a treat for her" Liam continues. And then he backs away from the microphone. I'm expecting the first few bars of Moments to begin playing- but I'm in for one more shock. Because, the first few notes aren't Moments, or any One Direction song- its Come What May from Moulin Rouge, my favorite movie. And Niall is stepping up to the microphone. And singing my all-time favorite song. He takes a deep breath and begins:

Never knew I could feel like this

Like I've never seen the sky before

Want to vanish inside your kiss

Everyday I love you more and more

Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings

Telling me to give you everything

Seasons may change, winter to spring

But I love you, until the end of time

As he goes into the chorus, tears are streaming down my face.

Come what may

Come what may

I will love you until my dying day

Now this is where I get confused, because after the chorus it's a duet. And that's when Harry, Zayn, and Louis come over to where I'm sitting and pull me on stage- and into Niall's arms. And so, alone, I begin singing the second part of the song in my clear, sweet voice.

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place

Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace

Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste

Niall joins me in the rest:

It all revolves around you

And there's no mountain too high

No river too wide

Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side

Storm clouds may gather

And stars may collide

But I love you

Until the end of time

At this point, tears are pouring down my face- and Niall's face is shimmering as well. But, filled with emotion, we continue singing.

Come what may

Come what may

I will love you, until my dying day

Come what may

Come what may

I will love you, until my dying

Day

As the last note dies out, the audience is clapping and cheering louder then I have ever seen them. And, tears streaming, my hand gripping Niall's tightly, I turn my shining, smiling face to all the fans. When I turn back to Niall- I'm in for an even bigger shock. Because he's down on one knee- holding out a ring in a box. Liam and Harry quickly hurry to my side to support me. My hands fly to my face as I begin sobbing harder. Zayn comes up and holds a microphone to Niall's lips, while Louis rests his elbow on Harry's shoulder and holds a mic to my own mouth. Surrounded by my idols, Niall speaks words that I would never forget, no matter what.

"Allena Cavanaugh, you are the most beautiful woman in this world. And I love you with all my heart- would you do me the honor of marrying me?" The fans are screaming so wildly it's deafening. But I reach out for the microphone Louis holds, and begin speaking.

"Niall Horan. You have no idea the love I have for you, and how much I'd love to be your wife. But- I must ask you one thing: will you wait for me? I can't bare the thought of leaving you with an empty heart if I were to... Leave this world. One more year, that's when we'll wed. If I'm still here, we'll be married. Can you wait for me?" Niall stands slowly and takes my hand again. He replies,

"Allie, not even death can conquer the love we have. But yes, I will wait for you. I'll forever wait for you- until the end of time." Both of us waterworks now, I fall into his arms and he holds me tightly. Then I struggle back and lean into Harry. I turn and whisper in his ear:

"Does your band know You Raise Me Up? I mean, can they play it?"

"Yeah! You want me to ask them to play it?" he whispers back.

"Definitely." I reply. He shifts my weight to Louis and Niall, who gives me a questioning look. I just smile widely at him, and turn back to see Harry give me a nod, indicating I should begin. I pull out of the boys' arms and grab hold of the mic stand as the music begins. And, looking at Niall the whole time, I belt out the only song I think of that describes how I feel perfectly.

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder,

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

At the last note, the crowd once more starts wildly cheering, clapping- and crying. I turn my own tear-stained face to Niall's. He immediately kisses me passionately, and whispers in my ear, "I love you, Allie. Don't ever forget that." Still holding each other, we walk off stage as the lights dim out. He hands me back to security so they can take me back to my seats, our hands reluctantly part. And I realize, I want to spend forever and always in his arms. If only we had a forever and always. If only it was that easy.