As long as you can (Cherik)

15. chapter

"Do you remember the promise we made a few month ago, Erik? That we would go on vacation? Could we get married there?" I asked a few weeks after I got released out of the hospital.
"That would be amazing! Let's get married somewhere and have our honeymoon there as well!" He responded smiling.
We were planning our wedding already because we didn't know how long I'd still have. We had to hurry. But that didn't bother me... I couldn't wait to call him my husband.
"Where would you like to go then, Charles?" He asked while looking at me.
"Somewhere warm and tropical."
It was march and the weather wasn't good. It was cold and rainy leaving my mood even sadder than usual.
"We could go to Cuba. It's not too far away but nice and warm. I used to have a friend who lives there. Her name is Moira. We went to school together. She might be able to help us a little bit." I said towards my soon to be husband.
"Yeah, that's a good idea... Do you have other friends we could invite? I'm not very close to many people and my family is either dead or doesn't remember me" he said with a sad smile.
"As long as you're there I'm happy... Because I don't have many people either... I have an old friend, his name is Logan. He might be a good idea..." I responded.

"Charles, I should tell you something..." He said after a while. "I didn't know how to tell you because I didn't want you to be jealous or mad... It's just so weird and unrealistic... And I..." He mumbled into himself while seeming embarrassed.
"What is it Erik? Tell me!" I said trying to get something out of him.
"I... I have... I have a son..." He said looking down in his lap.
"I never wanted a kid... But it just happened when I was really young and not ready to talk about my sexuality... I tried to act straight so I'd be accepted by society... I'm so sorry Charles I should have told you month ago... But it's just hard for me." He said with tears in his eyes.
"It's okay, you don't have to be sorry" I said trying to help him. "How old is he and what's his name?" I asked.
"His name is Peter... He's 12... Like I said I was really young... And naive... And stupid." He said.
"You're 28 now so that means you were 16 when he was born. Yeah that's young... How's your relationship been?" I asked out of curiosity.
"His mom and I decided that he should get adopted... We weren't able to give him what he needed. But I contacted him after his mother died. I wanted him to know and I wanted to know the kid I made. He was eight back than. We are in contact occasionally. Not often... But he knows that I'm here for him. I'm trying my best Charles, I really do..." He said crying.
"I didn't want to love him at first. I just couldn't but I do love that boy and I want him to be at our wedding because he's the only family I have left. We could invite him and his parents" he said with a small smile.
"That would be lovely, Erik" I said taking his beautiful hand.
"You're so brave, Erik. I respect you so much... I don't know what I would have done I I'd been in that situation... You made a good decision. Don't regret any of that" I mumbled into his neck. I then kissed him and whipped away the tears that left his eyes.
"I think it will be a beautiful wedding..." He said smiling at me.
"Yes, because you are the one I'm marrying" I said kissing his cheek.
"Thank you Charles. I don't deserve you." His face turned away for a second but I tried to pull it back. I was getting weaker but he understood my gesture and turned back towards me. I kissed his beautiful lips and rested my head on his shoulder. We sat like that for a bit longer until I started to cough and was brought back to reality... I had regular asthma attacks now and it got harder for me to breathe but we knew how to handle it. We were a good team... A really good one. He brought me the oxygen-mask I had to use and carried me onto my bed. I was glad that I was home. The hospital was terrifying and all the doctors and nurses scared me. He handled it amazing and I trusted him more than I trusted myself. I took a few deep breaths and my muscles relaxed. I was able to breathe again.
I fell into a deep sleep after that with a beautiful dream of me and Erik having a small healthy family together. It was the first time in a long time that I dreamed something beautiful... I finally started to live again.