You’d been diagnosed with blood cancer about three months ago. You were getting weaker, constant fatigue, weight loss, and hair loss from the chemo. But your husband, John, has stayed by your side the entire time. He holds your hand when you sit in the hospital with the IV giving you chemo, and has taken care of your other symptoms like a saint.

You’ve been managing fairly well, the doctors say they’ve caught it early, and there’s around a 70% survival chance for you, so both you and John have been optimistic in the case. You’ve had to take the days easier, but John doesn’t mind staying at home with you.

The two of you are currently watching a movie, you snuggled up to his side as you lay on the far side of the sofa. John is running his fingers through your thinning hair, occasionally leaning down to give you a kiss on the forehead. He’s mostly focused on the film, but will let his eyes drift toward you every now and then.

Then your throat feels itchy all of a sudden. Your eyebrows draw together as you feel the sudden dryness of your mouth, and you quickly begin to cough to satisfy your throat, covering your mouth with your hand. But when you bring your hand down again there’s blood in the palm of your hand.

John looks down at you, pausing the movie, his eyebrows furrow when he takes notice of the bit of blood on your lip. “sweet boy, look at me,” he says, bringing a gentle hand up to your chin to turn your head toward him, the worry on his face seems etched in, especially after he takes note of the blood on your palm as well.