“Yeah. Awesome.” Shane grinned widely, captivated at the sight of her lover taking a bite into the sweet treat.

After a few bites, Carmen set the cookie down and straighten up, staring seriously at Shane.

“What?” Shane asked.

“I am gonna ask you something, please say Yes.”

“I will do anything you want me to, ya know that peach.” Shane said sincerely.

“Okay, I wanna take a puff. Just a few puffs.”

“What! No way!” Shane hollered, catching the attention of the other people in the garden. She turned and smiled embarrassed, and they lost interest and returned to whatever they were doing.

“No, Carmen, you can’t.” Shane lowered her voice, but was still angry at the request. She didn’t understand why Carmen was suddenly acting so weird. First the display of affection in the room, then the walk, the twirling around and now, she wanted a puff.

“Come on baby, only a few puffs is all I asked.” Carmen pleaded, butting her eyelids seductively at Shane.

“Why.” Shane sighed.

“Why what?” Carmen was still using the ‘seduction’ technique, but Shane wasn’t buying it, she knew something was up, and she wanted to know exactly what.

“Why, are you acting all weird today. Tell me baby.”

Tears started rolling around in Carmen’s eyes as she looked down to her hands. A solitary tear escaped and dripped onto her hand and she absentmindedly wiped it off with her other.

Shane took both Carmen’s hands and placed them near her heart, letting Carmen know that it was safe to tell her anything.

Carmen sighed as the tears started flowing freely, she brought her eyes up to meet the green orbs that were staring attentively at her. Defeated, she decided to be honest with the person she trusted with her life.

“I’m afraid Shane, so afraid.” Carmen whispered softly.

Shane continued rubbing the back of Carmen’s hands, silently encouraging her girlfriend to pour out her fears.

“I am afraid that I would never see the sun again, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy life as I did. Most of all, I am afraid of never seeing you, losing you.”

The silent tears turned into a stifled sob. And Shane gathered Carmen into her arms and hugged her protectively.

“Sssh Peach, I will be here with you. You will make it, you will be fine, as good as new.” Shane said reassuringly.

“It is not that easy Shane. All those pills for the chemo, the radiation. It is so uncomfortable. Sometimes I just wanna end it right there and then. Instead of going through all those ***** trips.”

“I know, baby, I know Leukemia is a *****. But you gotta hang in there. For me.” Shane whispered, the tears welling up in her eyes as well. The many days of repressed feelings threatened to spill all over.

“What am I gonna do without you.”

Carmen felt the cloth on her shoulder getting wet, and she lifted away to look at Shane. She brushed the tears away from Shane’s eyes, and Shane did the same for her. Both staring into each other’s eyes for an eternal moment.

“Does this mean that I can get that cigarette now?” Carmen attempted one last time.

Shane laughed in spite of herself. She shook her head and mouthed “Noooo”, before placing a kiss firmly on Carmen’s lips.