“You know for being Yoda you can be dumb sometimes Shane.  This isn’t about being strong and hiding your feelings away, it’s about being honest and helping each other. I need you guys and so does Alice but I’m still here you know, I’m not planning on going anywhere soon and so we’re all gonna help each other out ok?!”

“I’m scared Dane, I’ve never had a family and you all make up my family but you and me and Al are the three amigos! I’m scared what I’d do without you, I don’t think I could.”

Dana enveloped Shane in a tight embrace

“I’m scared too honey but this is just the cards we’ve been dealt and I’m just gonna dig deep and fight this thing ok, but I need your help.  This is one big tournament and you guys are my tennis rackets ok?”

Shane laughed her first real laugh in days,

“Your such a dork Fairbanks but don’t worry that’s why we love you”

With the air cleared and Shane’s fears abated Alice returned to the Planet to find her two best friends at ease with each other and laughing.

“Well that’s what I like to see” Alice announced as she kissed Dana hello

Shane and Dana just smiled back

“Hey what about the three amigos head back to Dana’s, throw on some sweats and chill out in front of some goofy movies?”

“Nice plan Pieziecki” Shane agreed

With that the three friends drove over to Dana’s condo and spent the day relaxing in front of the TV and as the afternoon turned into evening and with the help of a couple of phone calls the family gathered round, ate dinner, enjoyed and relaxed in each others company.  Shortly before ten Bette decided that it was probably late enough for them all to be here and as the self-imposed mother of the group she rounded up the troops and left Dana and Alice alone.

“Night guys, let us know if there is anything you want us to do. Maybe we’ll pop by tomorrow if you’re up to it?” Bette said as she bid her friends goodnight

“Yeh of course” Dana replied

Many hugs and a few tears later Alice was climbing into bed next to Dana after checking and double-checking that everything was packed for the following day.

“Al?” Dana asked as Alice settled in and snuggled next to her lover

“Yeh Dane?”

“I’m scared.”

“Me too babe but Dr Shapiro knows what he is doing and that is all that is important”

Please don’t let go of me tonight, I know we don’t know what will happen in the future but just one more night with you is all I ask.”

Alice turned Dana round to face her.

“Dana I love you and if you’ll have me, there is nowhere on earth I’d rather be than at your side for the rest of our lives.”

“You say that now Alice but you can’t make those sorts of promises.”

“Yes Dana I can.”

“No you can’t! I’ll be scared and disfigured after the surgery, you don’t have to put up with that or pretend to be attracted to me when I’ll repulse you.”

“Stop this Dana. You have cancer and in order to make you better you need to have your breast removed and I don’t care because whatever the operation does to your body or whatever side effects the chemo causes you to have I don’t care because it means that at the end of it you’ll still be here, next to me, keeping me warm and keeping me whole and that is all I’ll ever want or need from you ok? Nothing about you could ever repulse me because I love you not just your body.” Alice hugged Dana tight and kissed her deeply

Tears ran down their cheeks simultaneously as they exchanged I love yous and drifted into restless slumber but together, entwined in each other’s arms.