“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I think they should take the breast, get rid of it.”
“It’s my breast, Jake,” she said firmly. “My decision.”
“Damn it, Mari,” Dan exploded. “How long have you known about this? Why didn't you tell us? You know we would have wanted to be here for you. When I think of how much you’ve gone through without us it makes me sick.”
“There's no reason for you to do this alone, Mari,” Jake said angrily. “Why would you even try? You had to know we'd track you down.”
“I didn’t think you'd be able to find me,” she said naively. “I left the car at the train station and walked to the bus station and I bought several different tickets. I didn't even take my cell with me.”
“We'll get to your disobedience later,” Jake promised ominously. “You've broken enough rules that I wouldn't prick our tempers by being slow to answer me, young lady. Now, when do you see the doctor next? What has he told you? And why were you out of the apartment? You should be in bed, resting.”
Jake stepped toward her and scooping her up, walked out of the room.
“Jake, no, I’m fine. I don’t feel sick.”
“You’re going to rest. You’re pale and you could use a few good meals, too.”
“I’m fine. Will you just listen to me for a moment? Stop.”
But Jake wasn’t going to listen to a word of protest. Dan pulled the covers of the bed back and Jake placed her carefully on the bed, and removing her shoes, tucked her into bed.
“You two are being ridiculous. I’m not feeling sick. And it’s eleven in the morning for goodness sake!”
“Not sick!” Dan exclaimed. They sat on the bed on either side of her, flanking her. “You’ve got cancer.”
“Listen to me.” She grabbed each of their hands. “We’ve caught the cancer early on. I just have to make a decision about treatment. I’m going to be fine. I promise.”
“Why did you run, Mari?” Dan asked. “Do you not want us anymore?”
“No. No.” She grasped their hands, holding them tight. “I love you more every day.”
“They why?” Jake asked.
“I didn’t want either of you to have to go through want you went through with your mother. It devastated the two of you and I couldn’t do that to you.”
“God, Mari.” Dan pulled her close and hugged her. “Don’t you realize that we want to be with you no matter what? That we all know there will be bad times as well as good, but we’re here forever. No matter what.”
“All we want is to be with you,” Jake said pulling her against his wide chest. They were so handsome, her men. Jake was larger, wider through the chest and thick with muscle. He had closely cropped hair and dark brown eyes. Dan’s coloring was lighter, his eyes a bright blue, his hair a dusky blond. He was slimmer, but still firm with muscle.
“How would you feel, Mari, if we did this to you?” Jake asked. “How would you feel if one of us found out we were ill and just disappeared on you? Do you know how scared we were? We had no idea if it was something we did? No idea if you were safe.”
Mari blinked back tears, realizing the extent of the pain she’d caused. “I’d hate it.” Just the thought of one of them ill made her feel panicked, but the idea of not being able to take care of them… “I know I was wrong. I didn’t think it through. I panicked and ran. Do you think you could ever forgive me?”
“No matter what happens we need to deal with it together,” Dan said. “When we married you, it was for good and bad, remember? We expected you to honor that promise.”
Mari sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how to make this right.”
Jake tipped her face up to look at him. “I want your promise to never, ever do this again. Understand me? When times get tough we stay and talk things through. No running away.”
She nodded, tears running down her face. “I promise. I’m sorry.”
She cried, sobbing out her apologies as her men surrounded her, holding her close, letting her feel their love.
“Jesus, I love you, Mari-girl,” Dan whispered. “But it’s going to take me a while to trust you again.”
She stiffened. “I understand if you don’t want me anymore.” Her heart broke at her words, but she knew she’d let them down, broken the trust in their marriage.
“Hush,” Jake ordered. “Of course we want you. I can understand that you thought you were doing what was best, that you didn’t think things through.