And I Love Her

Chapter 6 - Devastating News

Paul's P.O.V.

As I was waiting for Violet to arrive, I called the studio and said I was sick. I wasn't actually sick, I just had to tell my girlfriend something serious, and this type of news couldn't wait.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I heard a knock on the door. I answered it and there was Violet. "Hi, Paulie." She said. "Hello, Violet. Please come in." I said sadly. I took my girlfriend to the living room and we sat down on the couch.

"So, what'd you wanna tell me?" Asked Violet. I stayed quiet for a moment. "Paul? Are you gonna say something or what?" Violet asked. I finally speak after plucking up the courage to say what I wanted to say. "Do you remember when I fainted yesterday, and when I told you the same thing happened the day before?" I asked. "I remember." Said Violet. "I hate to tell you this but, I'm sad to say that I've been hiding something from you." I said.

Violet was silent for a moment. She speaks after a while. "What are you saying?" She asked. I felt my hands tremble. "Well, I..." I paused as my voice cracked. My eyes began filling up with tears. I tried to hold them back, but I let my emotions out as I started to cry. "Oh, Paul! Don't cry, please!" Violet said as she wrapped her arms around me and started rubbing my back.

I made eye contact with my girlfriend after five minutes of weeping, even though my eyes are still red and my face is soaked from my tears. "Please, promise me you won't be shocked or sad when I tell you. More importantly, promise you won't hate me." I said as I clung onto Violet's shoulders. "Something tells me I'm not gonna like what I'm about to hear. And I won't hate you, I promise." She said.

I took a few deep breaths before speaking. "I have a condition called Rotterdam's Syndrome. It's an auto-immune disease. Unfortunately, there's no cure." I said. Violet looks at me with her eyes widened. "When were you diagnosed?" She asked worriedly. "When I was 18. My father tried everything to help me. He even spent the last of his savings on a medical treatment that made the disease go away... until a few days ago when it came back." I said. "No! You don't mean...?" Said Violet. "Yes. In six months, or maybe sooner, I'm going to die." I said.

Violet stares at me with an expression that's a combination of shocked and sad. "I know you said not to feel shocked or sad, but I am feeling those two!" She said. Tears began to fill her eyes and she immediately starts to cry. I pull her close to me as she buries her face into my chest and continues crying. "I can't lose you, Paul! You mean everything to me!" She cried. "So do you, love. I want my final days with you to be absolutely perfect." I said.

Violet's P.O.V.

The time was now 3:00. I wanted to go home, but I couldn't leave Paul at a time like this. He needs me! Anyway, I sat at the dining room table with a glass of water in front of me. Paul comes up next to me and wraps his arms around me. "I know this is hard for you, but I don't want you to spend the rest of your days letting my condition upset you." He said. "I can't help it, Paul! We've been dating for five weeks, and now you're dying from a disease that has no cure!" I cried.

Paul bends down in front of me and cups my face into his hands. "Violet, sweetheart, there still may be hope for me. But as of right now, think about all the great times we've had so far." He said. "I'll try." I said sadly.

I finished my water and Paul took my glass. While he was drying the cup, he felt dizzy again and put his hand onto his head. "Paul?" I said. I stepped closer to him as I saw him fall backwards. Before I knew it, he collapsed again. I caught him before he hit the floor this time. "Gotcha!" I said. "Thanks, love. Glad you were fast this time." Said Paul. "How many times a day does this happen?" I asked. "Once or twice. Sometimes the second one is worse than the first." Paul said. "I'll be right back." I said.

I gently put Paul down as I went into his bathroom. I grabbed a washcloth and ran cold water on it. I went back to kitchen and Paul was still laying on the floor. I bent down to his level, lifted his head, and started wiping his face with the wet cloth. "This should help a little bit." I said. Paul closed his eyes for a moment as I continued to wipe his face. "You're right, it does help a little." He said.

Suddenly, Paul started gagging. "Get me a tissue!" He croaked. I reached into my purse and pulled out my pack of tissues. I took one out and put it over Paul's mouth. He broke into a violent coughing fit. After I pulled the tissue away, it had a spot of blood. "This is so not good!" I said.

Ten minutes later, Paul was able to stand up again. I spent more time taking care of him until he was able to handle himself. I said goodbye to him and made my way home. My whole body started to tremble as Paul's condition started to worry me even more.