“Everything will be ready for when you can come home. I want that home to be my place.”
“But… but,” I begin to stammer, surprised by his request. “What about my place?”
“We can talk about your place once you’re better,” Ryker states, then he drops another bomb on me, “I also want us to get engaged before the surgery.”
“What?” I gasp.
Ryker’s eyes lock on mine with such intensity, I feel it in my bones. “I need some control, Danny. I need to have a say in the choices that are made when you’re unable to make them yourself.”
E.g., if I end up on life support.
The realization hits me like a ten-ton truck, and I have to sit down on the bed because my legs can’t keep me up anymore. “God,” I whisper, as the reality of what Ryker has to face sinks in. “I never thought about that.”
Ryker crouches in front of me, a pleading expression tightening his features, “And I don’t want you to. Let me carry that load. Just give me the power to have a say in your life.”
And death.
This is so hard. It’s too hard to deal with.
“Do you trust me?” Ryker asks, his voice hoarse with emotion.
“Of course.”
“I love you more than anything, Danny. I won’t make a decision that’s not in your best interest. I promise. I just need to be able to legally fight for you. Give me the power to keep you alive.”
I begin to nod, then say, “But getting engaged won’t give you a legal foothold.”
“I know,” he breathes. “But it will help. You also have to decide whether you’ll complete a power of attorney and a medical directive naming me as the decision-maker. Those are really the only two documents besides getting married that will give me the right to make decisions for you.”
“Can you set up a power of attorney so quickly?” I ask.
Ryker nods. “As soon as we get home.”
My eyes lock with his.
I trust Ryker with my life. I would want a say if the roles were reversed.
I’d marry him right now.
I let out a dry chuckle that turns to sob. “How do you feel about marrying a dying woman?”
His features tighten with raw pain. “Don’t say things like that.” Ryker moves into a kneeling position, pressing his forehead to my knees.
Bringing my hand to his hair, I pull my fingers through the thick strands. “I’m sorry.”
When he lifts his head, looking up at me, my palm brushes over his jaw.
“I didn’t want to marry you this way,” he whispers. “But it’s either that or I set up the documents.”
“Okay,” I breathe. “Let’s think for a moment.”
Ryker gets up and comes to sit next to me.
“It would be faster to set up the paperwork than getting a marriage license,” he says.
“Also true,” I murmur. “Get it all drawn up then.” Climbing to my feet, I turn to look at him. “I’ll give you power of attorney.”
Riker rises to his full length and wraps his arms around me. “Thank you. I know it’s a lot to deal with, but I promise I’ll take good care of you.”
I nod, then a weak smile forms around my lips. “So, I’m moving in with you?”
His lips curve up. “Yes. Let’s finish here so we can get home. We still have a lot to do.” Ryker presses a tender kiss to my mouth then stares deep into my eyes. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“With my life?” I whisper, feeling overly emotional. “Always.”
Chapter 19
DANNY
We’ve managed to move my clothes and some of my personal belongings over to Ryker’s house. He was driving everything up and down to his house, while I took care of packing it all.
I’ve just finished rearranging the closet to make space for my clothes and walk to the living room where Ryker is working on a power of attorney.
As I sit down next to him, he scrolls to the top of the page. “Read over it.”
I read over the words, then ask, “Do I sign now?”
He shakes his head. “Tomorrow in front of Dr. Friedman. I want him to be a witness, so it can’t be contested.”
“Okay.” I lean back against the couch while my mind goes to the surgery. Suddenly it dawns on me they’ll probably shave half my hair off, and it has me darting upright again. “Oh God.”
“What?” Ryker startles. “Headache? What? Are you okay?” His eyes dart over me with panic.
“They’re going to shave half my hair off for the surgery. The radiation and chemo will probably make me lose whatever’s left.”
Ryker tilts his head as understanding dawns on his face. “I’m sorry, babe.”
Getting up, I rush to the bathroom in Ryker’s room and stare at myself in the mirror. Ryker comes in, and lifting his hand, he brushes his palm over my hair. “It will grow back, Danny.”