Michelle had been in the hospital for an hour, and a despite her friends urgings, she’d decided not call Bryce. She didn’t want him worrying over her, when realistically, she was just stressed. How could she not be stressed, between school, a full time job, and an impending wedding? She hadn’t been feeling hungry lately, barely even eating when Bryce cooked for her. Michelle would barely even taste test her own food. Her nerves were on edge and over the edge, and she was shaky and weak constantly. But Michelle did want Bryce to have even a hint of doubt at how happy she truly was. She had found the love of her life, and despite the insanity of it all, she knew it was right. Sure, she still thought love at first sight was a crazy idea, but they knew each other. They lived beside each other and shared a bad for almost three months, and it was time to make it all real. But nothing said cold feet like fainting in the bridal shop, and Michelle didn’t want Bryce to worry.

“They sure are running a lot of tests,” Magda mused.

“It’s because of the name,” I said. “When you see ‘Paul Silas’ on an emergency contact section, you run every test. Do you have any idea how much money Dad donates to this hospital?”

“Enough to run every test,” Magda asked.

                “Exactly,” I said. “Besides, I am fine, really.”

“Well, at least you got your wedding dress,” Madga said. “First time was a charm.”

“I’m getting married,” Michelle said happily.

“You’re already married,” Magda said with a serious look.

“I know, but, it’s different…”

“Michelle,” Magda’s voice trailed. “Can I ask you something without offending you?”

“Of course. You can ask me anything.”

“It’s just, you and Bryce got married so fast. What made you do it? I mean, really, what is going on?”

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Michelle said. “But we didn’t meet on the street when I spilled coffee on him, like we told everyone. We met at the financial aid office at school.”

“Ok…”

                “We were both trying to find out how we could file as independents,” Michelle continued.

“Oh no, Michelle. Was Bryce a part of one of your crazy schemes?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “But he was game. We would get married and be friends to get financial aid, and then amicably divorce when we graduated.”

“But Michelle, that sounds crazy. What if he had been an axe murderer?”

“It’s Bryce, Magda. I knew within seconds he was a good guy. Of course, the hiccup in our plan was that Bryce wanted more than a friendly arrangement. He wanted sex too, which I tried to say no to. I lasted about a day, because honestly, I didn’t want to resist that much.”

“Well, yeah,” Magda laughed. “Bryce is pretty hot, and sweet.”

“So pretty quickly it turned into more, and he asked me to be his girlfriend. So publicly we were married, but we considered ourselves to be dating. Then at midterms, Bryce told me he loved me. I know it’s quick, but it feels so real. We work together.”

                “So you love each other,” Magda said. “But I see why this whole wedding thing is stressful. You’re marrying your secret boyfriend husband, and it must be confusing. The lines are so blurry.”

“No, no, no. Bryce, he proposed to me. This time, we are getting married for real. I love him Mag, and I don’t want a divorce or normal life; I just want him.”

“So why did you faint?”

“I don’t have any idea,” Michelle said. “I am so happy. I mean, wedding planning is stressful, there are so many decisions to make. But I am overwhelmingly happy, you know. For the first time in a long time, I trust someone. I trust Bryce.”

“What if…” Magda began. “You know what, never mind. Let’s just wait and see.”

“No, what do you think Magda?”

“What if there is something wrong,” Magda asked. “If you didn’t faint from stress, then what made you do it?”

‘I’ve been eating less lately,” Michelle explained. “I think I might have been dehydrated.”

“Let’s hope so. Maybe we should call Bryce.”

                “I’ll call him later, when he is done with class. I don’t want him to miss another lecture because of me.”

“Ok,” Magda said.

The door opened and a resident walked in, white coat and a stern look upon his face.

“Miss Silas,” The doctor said behind his very large clipboard. “We need to talk.”

“Ok,” Michelle said. “Can my friend stay here?”

“If you’d prefer,” The doctor said, taking a seat. “My name is Dr. Bresko, by the way.”

“Hi,” Michelle said nervously. “Am I being discharged?”

“Well, no,” Dr. Bresko replied. “We need to run some more tests. But I want to discuss with you what we suspect is happening.”

“I fainted, doctor. I am fine though.  I am a perfectly healthy twenty year old who is aobtu to get married, again. It’s just stress.”

“Miss Silas…”

“It’s Santiago, but just call me Michelle.”

                “Michelle, this is more complex. You didn’t just faint, you see. You experienced a mild seizure. So far, there seems to be no neurological damage, but we need to do some scans to verify that.”

“I had a seizure,” Michelle said, her heart pounding. “Why would I have a seizure?”

“We believe it might be a symptom of a larger condition,” Dr. Bresko explained.

“What is bigger than having freaking seizures?”

“Well, we need to verify the blood work before I could give an official diagnosis.”

“What about unofficial,” Magda asked calmly. “What do you suspect?”

“I believe that Michelle has acute Leukemia,” Dr. Bresko explained. “We need to run a second set of blood work to confirm, and then we’d do a biopsy to verify. But her range of symptoms back up my suspicions, along with the original blood test.”

“But, leukemia is cancer,” Magda said. “Michelle can’t have cancer, she just can’t.”

“My mother had cancer, breast cancer,” Michelle said. “But still, I probably have some sort of genetic disposition.”

                “Don’t be alarmed,” Dr. Bresko said. “Sometimes, we misdiagnose these things, which is why this is not an official diagnosis. Still, you definitely had a seizure and you are definitely anemic. Even if you have acute Leukemia, this is good. You’re obviously very early on, and we can fight it. Early diagnosis is imperative to beating cancer.”

“But my mother was diagnosed early,” Michelle said quietly. “And she is dead.”

“Every case is individual,” Dr. Bresko said. “But this isn’t a death sentence, Michelle. It really isn’t.”

“Thank you Dr. Bresko,” Magda said quietly.

“And Miss…Michelle, I wanted you to know something,” Dr. Bresko said. “Even though you’re uninsured, I had the hospital waive all fees for today. Your father funds a lot of research her, the least we can do is forgot to bill one patient in return.”

“Thank you,” Michelle said quietly.

The doctor turned and left, and Michelle immediately felt tears burning her face.

“It’s ok,” Magda said. “We don’t know anything for sure.”

“Best case scenario, I have epilepsy and anemia,” Michelle replied. “Worst case is that I’m dying.”

“That’s not what he said,” Magda said. “It’s not a death sentence, remember?”

                Before they could say anything else, the door swung open again. Bryce walked in with Roses and a smile.

“Hey beautiful.” Bryce said, walking towards her. “Sierra told me someone had a panic attack today. I thought I’d come see you, make sure you were alright.”

“Oh Bryce,” Michelle cried. “I’m so happy to see you…God, this is awful.”

Bryce gave Magda a quizzical look, and Magda just smiled weakly.

“I’ll give you two a moment alone.”

Magda left, and Michelle slowly repeated her day to Bryce, telling him every detail. He held her tight and for the first time, she had no desire to pull away.

***

                Michelle, Sierra, and Bryce were watching movies on the couch. Sierra came over to keep Michelle company, and soon enough, Bryce was watching the thirteenth episode of Drop Dead Diva. Bryce was happy to see Michelle stop thinking about the looming diagnosis that could be coming. They had an appointment in the morning, and Bryce couldn’t help but feel nervous. My wife might have cancer, he thought to himself, the word hanging above his head like a shadow. Just the previous morning, they’d been kissing in the kitchen after they promised to spend their lives together. Now he feared, that time could be infinitely short. She hadn’t even been diagnosed yet, and still, his heart feared the worst.

“You know what we need,” Sierra said, noticing Michelle was starting to frown again. “Donuts.”

“It’s ten thirty at night,” Michelle said. “Besides, I am not hungry.”

“Well, not now,” Sierra said, smiling. “But no one, not even you, can resist a Might-O donut. Especially not the pumpkin glazed originals.”

“They’re closed,” Michelle said, facing the television.

“Yes, they are,” Bryce said. “But perhaps some ice cream is in order.”

“I could go for some frozen yogurt,” Michelle said. “But it needs lots of chocolate.”

                “Oooh, let’s go,” Sierra said. “I’ll buy.”

“No no,” Bryce said. “You two stay here, and I will pick up whatever you like.”

They didn’t debate, so Bryce quickly got up and grabbed his keys. Before he knew he was driving, but not to the frozen yogurt place. What possessed him to leave was beyond his comprehension, but his body went on autopilot as he did what he thought was necessary.  He pulled into the driveway of the Silas household and pulled out his phone to text Michelle.

BRYCE: Hey, this place is crazy busy. I might be a while longer.

MICHELLE: No need to hurry, babe. Sierra and I started watching Magic Mike so take your time.

Bryce smirked, knowing that the movie was probably Sierra’s idea. Michelle did love Channing Tatum. Bryce shut off the car and got out, ringing the doorbell. His hands shook, and he could barely contain his fear. Unluckily, Britain answered the door wearing nothing but a very thin robe and a crooked smile.

“Hey there, son-in-law,” Britain. “Did you come to keep me company?”

In your dreams, psycho bitch, Bryce thought idly.

“I have to see Paul,” Bryce said. “It’s an emergency.”

“You need to see ‘Paul’ huh? When did you grow a set of brass balls?”

“Excuse me,” Bryce said, pushing past the ridiculous woman.

 He stormed through the lobby, heading for where he guessed Paul Silas would be hiding. Bryce approached the office and knocked on the door, startling Paul Silas in the process.

“Bryce, what the hell,” Paul said. “It’s almost midnight.”

“It’s an emergency,” Bryce said. “We need to talk.”

                “Oh, let me guess, you need money…”

“No,” Bryce said. “It’s about Michelle, you see. She is sick.”

“What do you mean she is sick?”

“She had a seizure,” Bryce explained. “They did some blood work, and there is a chance she has Leukemia. They’ll confirm it tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Paul said, his features softening. “Why didn’t she call?”

“Because, she didn’t think you’d care. She is so used to you abandoning her, and she’s not doing well right now. Michelle didn’t want to risk you rejecting her right now. So she didn’t even call.”

“Wow,” Paul said, his voice heavy. “Why are you here?”

“Because, I love her,” Bryce said. “Mr. Silas, Michelle would never admit it, but she needs you. I can be her family, he husband, and her support. I can’t be her father, only you can.”

“And you have some advice for me, I suppose.”

“All I am asking,” Bryce said. “Is that you come by the hospital tomorrow. She’d never admit it, but it would mean a lot to her if you came.”

                “I am busy tomorrow,” Britain’s voice echoed. “I have a hair appointment.”

Bryce hadn’t even realized she was still listening, but it didn’t matter. He had purposefully not invited Britain.

“I will be there,” Paul said. “I appreciate the gesture.”

“Of course,” Bryce said. “And I hope you know, I won’t go anywhere. I know you’ve doubted us in the past, but I am here through everything.”

“I don’t doubt that you love my daughter,” Paul said. “I doubt the reasoning behind a marriage at such a young age.”

“Well, I suppose you have a right to your fears,” Bryce said. “But Michelle just needs her family.”

“Yes she does,” Paul said. “And I will be there for my daughter. But make no mistake, I still feel the same towards you, Mr. Santiago.”

“And how is that, exactly?”

“I intend to make you go away, and win my daughter back,” Mr. Silas said. ‘But perhaps I will postpone my vendetta for another day.”

“Thank you, sir. All I care about is Michelle.”

Mr. Silas just nodded, and Bryce turned to leave. Britain followed him slowly, her eyes burning into Bryce’s head.

                “It was silly of you to come,” Britain said. “You really don’t get the Silas family, do you?”

“I know Michelle,” Bryce said. “And I love her; that’s why I am here.”

“Paul Silas is the most manipulative man I know,” Britain said. “If you think he will stop trying to sabotage your marriage because his daughter is sick, you’re delusional.”

“I can handle him,” Bryce quipped.

“I hope so,” Britain said. “Because you’ve just invited the wolf into the sheep pen, so you should probably expect some bloodshed.”

Bryce shook his head and went to open the very door he came through.

“Don’t pretend to care about Michelle,” Bryce said.

“Oh, I don’t,” Britain. “Frankly, I am rooting for the cancer. Then I’ll get the entire Silas estate when my husband dies.”

Was this bitch for real?

“Goodnight,” Bryce said, not even bothering to reply as he slammed the door..

 (I updated a little bit early this week. Please comment and vote ; ) )