After the afterparty

I will fight

-Atticus Lincoln, I swear if you scare me again I'll kill you!

-Mer, I'm fine- he said after the doctors finally let me see him. His surgery had finished three hours ago. I had been sitting down at the waiting room, but what the hell was all that talking? I mean, come on. Why would two doctors be talking to you for three hours straight without letting your family in? What kind of doctors were these? Oh, maybe the ones who raised me. Richard and Bailey. But why? Okay, nevermind.

-Atticus- I said when Bailey and Richard left us alone- what was all that talking?

But he didn't respond.

-Atticus, what is it?

He didn't respond either

-Atticus Lincoln, you better tell me what the hell is going on.

-Um... well. Turns out... you know how... okay so I think I told you this story... once or twice... so they told me that um... I have... well I am...

-Atticus.

-I'm sick, Meredith- he said. It was like his face told me he was scared of something. Like a face full of fear. A "will you leave me if I tell you I'm sick?" kind of face...

-Sick? What is wrong?

-I... - he began tearing up.

-Hey, don't cry, what's wrong? You are scaring me.

-The cancer is back- he finally said. It was like he let go of those four words and felt sudden relief, like he let go of his fears, along with that sentence.

I was shocked. I never ever imagined this would happen, not in a million years.
I just needed to know one thing to stay with him:

-Are you willing to fight?- I asked

-For who? For me or for you?

-Both, your friends, family, yourself, for me, you name it.

-Yes. I don't wanna die. Not just yet.

A smile drew on my face. He had understood. He would fight

-Please don't (die).

-I won't.

-Please promise me.

-I promise. I will fight, I will fight for you. I'm not giving up. The question is, will you give up on me?

-I won't- I said- I will fight. I will fight for you.