"I’m sorry," Dana sniffs, clinging to my sweater. "I don’t know what my problem is."

I hold her away from me slightly so that she meets my eyes. "Sweetie, you don’t have to apologize. Not at all. I get it. This whole thing is scary and horrible and I swear, if I could take your place for a second, I would."

"Al, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy." Taking a deep breath, she pulls herself together. "Can we get out of here, please? I can’t be in here one more minute."

"Of course," I hold her hand. "You can sign your discharge papers and we’ll go home." Instantly, I want to smack myself for putting my foot in my mouth once again. Why am I just assuming that she would want me to go back with her? Obviously now that she’s in remission, she’ll want to be in her house, by herself. I feel myself blush at my audacity.

Dana doesn’t blink. "I don’t want to go home. Not yet." I shoot up a quick thanks for this small allowance and nod.

"OK. Sure…we don’t have to go home. Whereever you want to go."

My pulse quickens as she gives my hand a gentle squeeze, her hazel eyes locking with mine. "Have I said thank you yet? Because I really, really mean it. Thank you, Alice. Without you, I’d be in three million pieces right now."

I really don’t think she knows that she is the most amazing person in the entire world because she is thanking me for caring about her, which is as natural as breathing. I am, in fact, the one who should be thanking her for not leaving me. The words are lodged in the back of my throat and I am certain, if I speak, the level of stoicism I’ve been maintaining will crumble completely.

Instead, I wave away her thanks with my hand. "Oh, please, Dane, I would do anything for you."

Her eyes flicker with things unsaid and I feel her hand still beneath mine. She says nothing for a moment and then simply, "I know."

It is Dana’s idea to have a picnic. Of course, I worry about her immune system and the various germs she can pick up by eating outside but before I can even voice my concerns, she is animatedly talking about all the food she wants me to get; stuff she hasn’t been able to eat for months and how wine is a must. Seeing her excitement is worth it and I can’t bring myself to ruin her plans. Besides, this is a celebration.