They lay in bed on Sunday morning. Dana held Alice in her arms and Alice’s head rested on her left side.  They had switched sides of the bed to prevent Alice bumping into Dana during the night and Alice found she too was more comfortable on her new side and it allowed them to snuggle closely each morning which they both loved. Dana ran her hands through Alice’s hair.

“mmmmorning” Alice smiled as she awoke in her lovers’ arms

“Hey you.” They smiled at each other.

“Alice we need to talk

Alice continued to look up at Dana

“What’s up?”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Me?”

“Yen you’re running yourself ragged, trying to juggle two jobs while looking after me. I’m just worried you’ve taken on too much.”

Alice kissed Dana gently before placing her finger on Dana’s lips.

“I don’t know where you were planning going with that but I spoke to my editor yesterday. I asked for a 3 month sabbatical and he agreed. Well kind of. I’m not going to write any more articles for a while but instead I’m going to edit some of the smaller stories from less experienced writers. This means I can work from home pretty much totally and can do my work throughout the weeks as much as I like as long as it’s done before the deadline.”

“Alice I don’t want your career to suffer because of me.”

“Dana. A job is a job. I don’t do my hobby professionally like you I just write because I like it and I’m good doing it but I understand now more than ever that job or money or any of that shit isn’t what’s important.”

“But.”

Alice cut Dana off again and smiled.

“No buts. It’s my choice and the way I see it, being with you during your chemo treatments, keeping you occupied and being my usual charming self is much more important ok? If it’s making popsicles for your mouth sores or going head scarf shopping or if it’s just being there with you while you are ill then that is worth way more than researching some dumb article on vaginal rejuvenation or something ok?”

They had talked at length about their new relationship and being honest with each other had been their number one priority.  Thanks to that they were both enjoying the ability to be both frank and honest with each other.

“Ok Al I just have one more question”

Alice looked up at Dana with an inquisitive expression on her face

“What did I do to deserve you?”

“Well Dana Fairbanks you gave that lovely blonde journalist her interview with rising female athletes in California and decided you liked her and decided to be her friend. And the rest we know…”

“Al you are such a loveable goof sometimes.”

Alice laughed “Yeh sure Dane, well I suppose being a professional goof yourself it would take one to know one!”

Half an hour after their tickling session ended, Alice and Dana got up and went into town to stock up on lots of good food and treats for Dana to try and help her feel better after her treatment which started the following day.  She had chemotherapy on Monday and Friday which lasted for 8hours each day and radiotherapy every day although each actual session only lasted for ten minutes. 

After spending the day shopping and catching up with their friends Alice and Dana spent the night with a romantic meal with candles and everything before things took their natural twist and the two lovers made their way to the bedroom where they spent hours showing each other just how much they loved each other, desperate for the night to last forever, unsure of what the future would bring and when they would be in the mood for such activities.  Little did they know how long that would actually be…