Until The End || Evan Buckley ✓

vii

Murphy was having his second visit with Doctor Holmes, and as promised he brought his parents. Just like the first time they had Murphy do tests before going back into the back to wait for the doctor. "Does that hurt?" Adam asks looking at Murphy who was getting his blood drawn.

Murphy shakes his head tightening his fist. "No, I've had them so much because of this that It doesn't bother me anymore."

"Relax your hand so I can take the tube out please."

Murphy does what he's told and the needle is out, the phlebotomist places a cotton ball on the pin-sized hole. "Bandaid or no bandaid?" The woman asks. "Bandaid is fine."

A bandaid is placed on top of the cotton ball and they get led towards the room. "Doctor Holmes should be right in." Murphy nods his thanks and they're left alone.

Murphy pulls out his phone and starts typing away. "Are you texting Buck?" Adam asks teasingly. "Yes I am, I'm just updating him on everything." Murphy pockets his phone and turns to look at his parents who were sitting to his right in some chairs.

"Listen, I know you guys might want to budge in and say your two cents but I have made my choice. I will also be telling her something that I haven't told you guys so please don't be hurt I didn't tell you."

Hurt flashed across Adam's face and he gripped Simon's hand but he gave Murphy a sad smile. "I promise, I'll be here for you." Adam reached over and gave Murphy's hand a comforting squeeze, he jumped back and got back into the seat when they heard the knock.

"Come in!"

Doctor Jules walked into the exam room with a comforting smile on her face, she sat down on the rolling stool. "I see we have guests." Jules nods her head towards Adam and Simon. "Yes, I hope it's alright. These are my parents, Adam and Simon." Jules holds out her hand towards the two men to shake which they do.

"Nice to see you again, now is there anything I should know before starting the exam and taking a look at your scans."

Murphy looks at his hands in his lap before taking a deep breath. "The other day I was walking outside like I normally do, when I suddenly felt dizzy, and then I had some chest pain but once I took a few deep breathes I was fine again. It was like they never happened."

The doctor frowned before grabbing a penlight out of her pocket and turning it on. "I'm going to look into your eyes." Murphy nodded and Jules shined the little light into his eyes.

"Have you had those symptoms since then?"

Murphy shook his head when she pocketed her light again. "No, just that one time." The doctor hums before walking over to her computer and pulling up her scans.

The look on her face Murphy knows it isn't good news. "It's not good Murphy, it's still spreading very rapidly. I'm sorry but you have less time than we thought you did." Murphy ignores the gasps of sobs from his parents.

"How long?"

Doctor Holmes grabs Murphy's chart holding it against her. "You have 2 months at the most instead of 5 like I originally thought." Murphy sucks in a sharp breath.

"Okay, what do you think we should do?"

Murphy was surprised to hear that question come out of Simon's mouth instead of his own but he found his mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. "Well, Murphy should make a will if he wants to but when it comes the time we will make sure he's comfortable and goes peacefully."

"Will I know when it's happening?"

Jules nods sadly. "You'll start getting weaker and then you'll be in the hospital, it will be a slow but painless process." Murphy stands up and gives Jules a sad smile. "Thank you."

"It's my job, I would like to see you back next week twice. The same thing as this week, just to see if things are speeding up or slowing down."

Murphy nods in understanding. "I'll be sure to schedule it when I leave." Murphy glances at his parents who look sad, which Murphy understands but the sadness feels suffocating.

"I need to go see Buck."

Simon and Adam's heads snap up confused. "Honey you need to get some rest and come home." Murphy shakes his head at what Adam sad. "I can't, please drop me off at the station."

||

Unlike last time, Murphy knew why he was at the station. As much as his feelings for Buck are not strictly platonic, he needs Buck. "Is Buck still here?" Murphy asks Eddie who is walking out of the station.

"Yea, we're just getting off though. Good to see you, Murphy."

Murphy smiles nodding before he can think about walking into the station Buck comes out unlike all the other times' Murphy has seen him he's not wearing his uniform instead he's wearing regular clothes. "Oh hey Murph! I haven't got a chance to look at my phone but how'd the appointment go?" Murphy sighs walking next to Buck.

"That's actually why I'm here, can we go somewhere to talk and chat just the two of us?"

Murphy was nervous about his question but he was surprised when Buck gave a grin and nodded yes. "Do you want to walk? I know a place not too far from here." Murphy was about to agree but Jules's voice popped into his head, he knows he shouldn't for his health.

"Can we drive? I don't think I really should be walking long distances right now."

Buck snapped his fingers in recollection. "Oh yes, sorry. If you're ready we can go." Murphy nods and gets into Buck's jeep on the passenger side while Buck gets into the driver's seat.

The rational part of his brain told him he shouldn't be spending time with someone he has a crush on while he only has a few months left but the other part of his brain is telling him he deserves to go out happy, and right now Murphy wants to listen to that part of his brain.