Coffee

Part Twenty-Eight: My Poison Earl

I stayed with him all night. Word quickly got around the hospital that Max and I were quite literally sleeping together...but also that we are dating. I awoke early this morning to grab a change of clothes I keep in my office and a pair of scrubs for Max.

Walking back in with the items I find Max missing from his room and the monitors disconnected. Before I can even question where he could be, two strong arms snake around my waist and his chin rests on my shoulder. Placing a kiss just below my ear, he takes me by surprise.

"I was wondering if you just vanished into the walls or something." I say, turning slight in his arms to kiss his lips.

"I stepped out briefly."

"Why? You're hardly dressed to leave the room, let alone the floor." Smirking, he shrugs- turns around and walks to grab two coffee cups from the nurses station counter. "Really?"

"Black Eye or Black Tie?" He asks and I shake my head and turn to him with two cups as well.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Haha...oh the energy we'll be having today." His voice is still raspy a bit and his smile just brightens the room.

"Good- you have Chemo in  half an hour."

"And crash...." He grumbles childishly and walks over to a small table and chairs. Joining him, I set the cups down and place my hand on his.

"Darling, we have to start today. This is what you wanted. I already recalled Panthaki today and told him we were exiting his trial- that I called him yesterday and begged him to move up to today. We're all over the map- and need to stop stalling." He nods and sighs heavily and then smiles.

"I know...I'm just..."

"Defiant."

"I was gonna say scared." It's the first time he's ever admitted that emotion towards his cancer. Most break down the first time they hear they have it. Other struggle the entire time staying positive and less anxious. Max this entire time has acted like it's nothing. He has put it off and has over all treated his cancer like a big joke. I don't know if yesterday really just scared him or if it finally opened his eyes to how serious and deadly this whole thing is.

"I am so proud of you for being honest. I know it's scary. I'm scared too." Gazing into each other's eyes- we feel it that pull between us that has only gotten stronger. "We should air our fears...maybe not right now because you need to get changed and we need to go up to Oncology, but tonight...if you're open to it- I want to share all of my fears with you...and I would love if you did the same."

"Okay...yeah- tonight we can talk." Leaning forward towards me, he presses his lips to mine and then rests his forehead against me.

"Hhhccchhmmm, I hope I'm not interrupting." Dora awkwardly says as she's standing in the doorway.

"Oh...no...we were...it doesn't matter." I stutter terribly and Max smirks.

"How can I help?" Max asks and Dora smiles.

"The Dean called for an update. He also would appreciate a call back. Your chemo starts in half an hour...which you probably knew because Dr. Sharpe is...never mind. We also need to discuss yearly expenses and other that that the day looks free and simple." She awkwardly nods and smiles as if anything else would be less out of sorts.

"Thank you. I will call the Dean back in five minutes if you wouldn't mind pulling the expense records.

"Oh...okay. Yeah. I'll have them ready shortly." She turns to leave and then stops and turns back to Max. "Max...I'll try to keep phones down for you. You don't need the added stress of them. Anything I can handle...I will."