VictoriåAs I opened my eyes, I was met by complete darkness around me. I remembered where I was as I sat up, the sheets falling off of my naked body and onto my lap. My body ached tremendously and I looked over to find that there was no one next to me.Slowly, I got off of the bed and walked over to my bag, changing into some clothes before making my way out of the bedroom and up the stairs of the boat. As I stepped out into the cold night outside, I realized that we were close to the shore, the boat slowly drifting closer and I wrapped my arms around my body as I spotted Landon standing by the railing in the darkness, smoking as he stared ahead of him.I walked closer to him, placing my arms around his torso and I'm sure that I didn't surprise him. He didn't move, taking another long drag of his cigarette and letting the smoke out into the icy atmosphere around us. I looked up at the stars, placing my chin on his back as I did and I shut my eyes momentarily, my entire life flashing
VictoriaI watched him as he came around to my side before opening the door and helping me out of the car, his eyes dropping down to my lips momentarily as he walked past me to climb the stairs ahead of me.The doors were opened for us and I instantly saw three people standing there. There was a man and two ladies, all avoiding direct eye contact with Landon as he approached them with a hard look on his face."Hello, Miss Rhee. We're here to make sure you look perfect for tonight." The man said, stepping toward me and I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked between him and Landon."What's happening tonight?" I asked, very much confused and he looked over at Landon hesitantly."It wouldn't be my place to say." He answered carefully, glancing at Landon as if he were afraid for his life and in order to not get him in trouble as it was clear he was brought here to do one task, I nodded in compliance."Alright." I answered and he smiled, turning and following the ladies up the stairs and I turn
VictoriåI watched as Landon's car pulled up to a large building, confusing me. I was expecting a restaurant or something but this just had me confused. I didn't complain, though, knowing better as Landon was great at surprises.His hand rested carelessly on my exposed thigh as he parked directly in front of the stairs to the building and got out. He walked over to my side and opened the door for me then helped me out and I adjusted my dress.His hand then landed on the base of my back as I made my way up the stairs, watching as the doors were opened for us from the inside. The lights in this building were off and I was anxious as I tried to see in the dark. "Landon, I-""Surprise!" I almost shit myself as I heard multiple voices yell, the lights being turned on to reveal more people than I could've imagined. There were my friends as well as people I've worked with; even people I've donated to and my eyes were extremely wide right now. I was completely speechless as I stared at them
Victoria The night continued on and it was going amazingly. There were different performers who carried on the night and people kept coming up to me to express their sadness. At eleven, I slipped away and went upstairs to use the bathroom.When I was finished, though, I found a balcony and stepped out onto it, not shutting the door fully as I walked toward the railing. The view from up here was just perfect as it overlooked a large pool down below.The music from downstairs blasted even from here and I smiled as I thought about how much work my friends had put into this to make sure that I enjoyed it.Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me back into their firm chest. Their scent lingered in the air around us and their head fell to my neck, causing tingles to burst out there."Having fun?" He asked nonchalantly, his hold on me tightening and I nodded."It's more than I could wish for." I replied honestly and he placed a feather-like kiss on the skin of my neck bef
VictoriåI woke up in my bed the next day, my body completely weak after the day I had yesterday. The dryness of my throat became irritating and I groaned as I sat up to grab some water from the kitchen downstairs. My head pounded as soon as I stood up and I slowly made my way over to the door like a zombie.Landon had dropped me off earlier after the party as he had to handle 'Business'. The events of last night brought a smile to my face and I looked at the ring on my finger. I went down the stairs and entered the kitchen, finding Mia staring at all of the gifts that were piled in various places in the living room."He really knows how to keep a girl happy." She mumbled as she saw me, laughing as she struggled to reach the other couch to grab the remote."Good Morning." I told her, slowly making my way over to the kitchen. A wave of dizziness washed over me and I gripped the counter to stop myself from falling."Hey, are you feeling okay?" She asked and I nodded, not able to get a s
VictoriåI woke up to the sound of talking in the room, instantly dragging me out of my sleep. I opened my eyes slowly, the dim lighting in the room telling me that I was back in the private hospital again.As I looked closer, I found Landon and Damien standing in the corner arguing as Landon seemed to be on edge as he spoke to him. Damien couldn't really say anything and soon, Landon left the room."What crawled up his ass?" I asked, groaned as the pain of earlier hit me again and Damien laughed as his eyes fell onto me."Are you okay?" He asked, coming closer to my bed."I should be asking you that." I teased weakly and he breathed out a laugh."I'm used to that. He has to be my boss before he's my buddy, you know?" He asked, sitting next to my bed and I nodded, placing my hand on his face."Then maybe you should quit." I said playfully and he rolled his eyes with a smile."God, you're the best type of pain in the ass." He chuckled."I'll take that as a compliment." I replied, pulli
VictoriåA few weeks had passed by and the same routine continued. I'd wake up in the morning at the hospital, be allowed to take a shower and brush my teeth, then it would be right to treatment.I honestly didn't know if I felt better or worse as to me, nothing had really changed. Landon spent most of my days with me and when he couldn't, Damien and Ryder would willingly take turns looking after me. Theo even came up a few times to see me and I honestly couldn't be happier.Right now I was laying in my hospital bed, listening as the Doctor spoke to Landon about releasing me and he was silent, waiting for her to finish speaking before she left and he turned toward me, a sigh leaving his lips as he sat next to my bed."Guess you're coming home." The frustration in his tone made it evident that there was nothing else the hospital could do for me and I took his hand, giving it a squeeze."That's great news." I told him, already sliding out of bed and he didn't stand, instead he pulled m
"Bella." I heard from downstairs after a few minutes, making my head turn toward the door. I got up slowly, waiting untilI I had proper balance before I walked toward the door. I made my way down the stairs and as I saw who was standing there, I smiled."Welcome home." I told them, watching as the little girl's eyes lit up. A gasp came from her mother's lips, her hands going up to cover her mouth but it wasn't because of my words.It was as her eyes landed on me. Tears came to her eyes as she looked back at me and she took a few steps forward before pulling me into her arms, Landon not looking too fond of the sudden gesture."Oh Honey, I'm so sorry." She said, her hand stroking my head and I shook it."Don't be." I told her, pulling away to look at her. "You have a home again." I finished, pulling the little girl into the embrace and she hugged me tightly, burying her face in my stomach."Thank you so much." The woman cried and I wiped away a tear that fell out of her eye."Anytime."
Landon"That's how I met her."His eyes glistened as they looked back at me, a look of curiosity washing across his face. His eyes drifted toward the water, then made their way back up to mine. "My mommy?" His little voice asked, a smile growing on his face as he thought about her and I nodded. "I miss her." He looked down and I rolled my eyes."What have I taught you?" I questioned, staring back at him emotionlessly and he nodded."No weakness." He said and I nodded, standing up. He got up as well, looking at me for a while before he hugged my legs tightly. He wasn't like me. No matter how much I tried training him to not show emotion, he always seemed to do the opposite. He was like her in every way. The excessive kindness, the everyday happiness and the random affection. He'd hug everyone and everything in his path and there was no stopping him. His eyes were a greenish grey and his hair was dark and he had most of my features"Come on." I told him, placing my hand on his head. H
LandonI stared at the painting in front of me, wondering how I got to this point. The house felt empty now. There was nothing to come home to other than our son. I couldn't even sleep in our bedroom anymore. Her things there had stayed the same. Her blanket was still in the same spot she left it and everything there smelled like her.Everytime I looked at the baby I saw her, hating the fact that she wasn't here to help me. I didn't get any sleep as he constantly needed to be fed or changed and I had to do this all on my own. I didn't trust anyone to care for him, knowing that he was the last thing I had gotten from her. No one knew what he looked like. I kept him hidden from people that were just looking for another story. I got off of the chair and walked up the stairs to his room. As I entered, I found that his big green eyes were now opened and he was just moments away from crying. His legs kicked the air as he laid on his stomach, his hands grabbing at the blanket. I watched her
Victoria The door opened again and I looked up to find Landon walking in, his eyebrows arched more than usual and I knew that he was angry. "What's wrong?" I asked, pulling the blanket further up onto my body and he looked at me."I can't do this." He shook his head almost frustratedly. I pointed to the chair next to my bed and he stood there for a while before sighing and running a hand through his hair. He came over and sat, crossing his arms over his chest and I knew he was trying to suppress his emotions.I motioned for him to lean closer before cupping his face in my hand, my arm too weak to even lift properly. I stroked his cheek with my thumb and gave him a small smile."You have your whole life ahead of you, Landon," I paused, another sharp pain hitting me in my chest. "You have to move on, okay? For me.""No." He replied curtly, his tone dark and I sighed, expecting nothing less from him."Landon, you can't hold onto this forever. You'll torture yourself." "No, Victoria."
Victoria I laid on the bed, looking at the ceiling blankly. A tear rolled down my cheek as I finally allowed myself to cry because I was alone. There was no one around to be strong for. I was in so much pain. My brain screamed for it to just end and I sniffled as another tear fell. The surgery was scheduled just mere minutes away as they didn't want to risk me passing and the baby dying as well. I knew that this was it. It had to be.There was this bitter taste in my mouth as I laid there. The only sound heard was the beeping of the monitor and my breathing which was loud due to the oxygen mask. They had prepared me for surgery already and my friends were here. They'd be allowed to come in soon to say their final goodbyes and it was this moment that made me realize that I didn't want to go. I prayed and hoped that by some miracle I'd survive this but I knew better. There was no way.Landon was outside making a call and I wiped away my tears quickly as the door opened. Mia and the o
Victoria I was still strong despite my condition. My body was weak and my stomach was heavy but I still managed to build enough strength to walk. It was hard, but I didn't mind. At least I was still around for now. I was supposed to be moving around in a wheelchair but frankly, that just made me feel worse. I continued to do interviews and there were tons of articles covering my life. Even the news kept up with it because it was genuinely a really rare thing to happen. I wanted to see the ocean before I went to the hospital, knowing that this would be the last time I see the world.He walked back into the Living Room a while later and turned the TV on for me. Then he handed me the Jello Cup with a spoon and a napkin before he sat on the other couch and opened his laptop. He buried himself neck deep in work and I ate with my eyes shut, listening to the TV."Let's go to the park." I suggested randomly and he looked up from the screen.He shut his laptop and took it with him as he walk
VictoriåMonths laterToday was December 23rd, one day away from Landon's birthday. One day away from the end. I was surprised that I had made it this long. I laid in bed, my eyelids too heavy to lift. The oxygen mask on my face had been a constant thing since last month, as I couldn't really breathe on my own for more than an hour at a time.I was in more pain than I had ever been in, in my entire life. My stomach was huge now and my body was too weak to even handle its weight. I was already dealing with the pain of my cancer and the constant kicking and punching going on in there wasn't really helping.Tomorrow was the surgery. The baby would be here at just eight and a half months and that wasn't too bad. Definitely not preterm. I just prayed that everything went well. I knew the chances of me surviving this were literally zero and that was okay in my book. I knew that Landon was physically prepared.Over time he'd grown into a really great guy. He did everything for me before I ev
LandonI ran a hand through my hair as I sat in my bedroom, not knowing what anxiety felt like but if I had to make a guess, this would be it. She was out, spending time with her friends and I was on edge the entire time.The air around me smelled like Coconut and Vanilla, a scent I'd grown rather accustomed to. My dresser was now filled with her things; various different products which contributed to the room's scent. I got up, walking to the door and grabbing a shirt on the way out. I pulled it over my head as I descended the stairs, going to the kitchen. I sat behind the counter and checked my phone, seeing as there were still no calls or texts from her."Boss. Permission to speak?" Theo asked from behind me, staying where he was."Granted." I replied, taking a sip from my drink and listening as he approached."Mister Santos is outside." "My office." I got up, walking out of the kitchen and going into my office. I sat behind my desk just as they walked in. He hadn't changed much
She didn't need to tell me that. She made her decision a long time ago. I sighed, taking her hands off of my face and bringing them to my lips. "I want, what you want." I said and she smiled, smacking my cheek."Thank God. Because you didn't actually have a choice." She replied jokingly. She opened her arms, scooting to the edge of the bed and hugging me tightly. "What if I'm not a good father?" I asked nonchalantly as I placed my head in her neck and she breathed out a small laugh."Nobody's perfect." She tried reassuring me and I held her tightly, knowing what was to come in a few months."Would you hate me?" I questioned further and her arms around my neck tightened slightly."You're my wife, Landon. I can't hate you." She assured me and somehow, I felt better about everything. She managed to drag me into something new each month. Things I didn't think were possible for me suddenly began happening and I couldn't complain. "Now help me to the bathroom so I can let all of this hosp
LandonI sat, staring at her sleeping face as she laid on the hospital bed again. There was an oxygen mask on her face to help her breathe and even then her breathing was shallow. She had been asleep for a few hours and showed no signs of waking up any time soon.I took her hand, looking down at the ring on her finger. Her skin was pale now, every little scar she had turning purple. Her long eyelashes casted shadows on her cheeks. She looked peaceful as she slept and I sighed, leaning back in my seat.For the first time in my life, I felt hopeless. I could only watch as she got worse and I couldn't do anything about it. I was tired of seeing her in this room for weeks at a time. Tired of seeing her in pain everyday. She couldn't die. There was no way things would ever be the same without her. There'd be nothing to look forward to every day; nothing to look forward to in the future. No more excited smiles when I visited, no more late nights listening to her dreams, no more buying her