I wake up to mom shifting in her hospital bed, the movement pulling my hand that holds hers. I lift my head from my arm and look at her.

"Hey mama," I say sleepily.

"Hey baby," her voice is hoarse as she reaches to tuck some of my hair behind my ear.

A lazy smile finds it's way to my lips as I lean into her hand.

"Ms. Cedar," I turn to the door and find one of the doctors, "can I speak to you please?"

"Yeah," I stand up from my chair, placing a kiss on mom's cheek as I do, "I'll be right back."

I step out into the hall with the doctor as he closes the door after me.

"What is it?" I ask as I wrap my arms around myself.

"You mother's condition is worsening," he says gently, "new medications and treatments are needed and unfortunately," he takes a deep breath, "they're not cheep."

I run my temples as a headache starts up again.

"These meds and procedures are also still in trail stages, so there is no guarantee that they will work," he continues, "given that they do work, it may eliminate the cancer all together. If they don't," he gives me a look of sympathy, "then your mother won't make it much passed four months."

I look at my mom through the small window on the doo, her hazel eyes looking back at me from their hollow sockets. She's fought so hard, too hard, for me to just make her stop. She wants to see me get married, she wants to see her grandkids, and she can't do that if we just give up now.

"How much is it gonna cost?"

I turn back to the doctor.

"Your insurance will cover three grand," he explains, "after that it's fourty-two thousand."

I clench my jaw to keep it from dropping.

Fourty-two thousand?

They better be fucking performing miracles.

"Fine," I choke out, "we'll find the money."

He puts a hand on my shoulder to comfort me but it does little in that aspect.

"For what it's worth, your mother is very lucky to have you for a daughter."

He gives me one last small smile before walking away to help another patient.

I take a deep breath before opening the door to mom's room and slowly going in.

"What did he say?" She asks, hope shining in her eyes.

I go back to my seat and take her hand in mine.

"He said you're gonna be okay," I smile to her, tears biting at the back of my eyes.

Sometimes little white lies are better than the harsh truth.

She squeezes my hand and iles back at me.

"See baby? I told you I was gonna be okay. A little bit of cancer can't take me out."

I let out a small laugh as the tears threaten to call out my lie.

"You were right, Mama," I kiss her hand, "you were right."

"Don't you have work?" She asks as she rubs her thumb across the back of my hand.

I look at my watch.

10:37am

"Yeah in a bit."

"Well you go ahead, we don't want you to be late cuz of me," she tuck a strand of hair behind my like she had before I talked to the doctor, "your daddy will be here to keep me company soon."

"Okay, mama," I stand and kiss her forehead before leaving the room again.

She's strong. She can get through this.

I take a deep breath and swipe away the tear that escapes my eye.

I quickly excit the building, walking home to my small apartment and changing for work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stand in the room looking at my men on the hospital beds, injuries wrapped and monitors beeping.

"They'll be alright, Mr. Hiddleston," the doctor says looking at their charts, "they need time to heal before they can get back to work, but it shouldn't take long. Two weeks at the most before they are all back on their feet."

"Thank you," I give him a nod before leaving the room. There is no time for sentiment. I got the information I needed now I can leave.

I notice a woman not far down the hall standing outside one of the doors. She huffs a breath before quickly composing herself, wiping away the tears on her cheek.

She starts down the hall heading in my direction quickly. She passes me, not even glancing in my direction as she does, but my eyes are glued to her small figure.

Her dark hair is cut very short, maybe only an inch or so at it's shortest, and her ears are littered with piercings. Her dark, tight fitting clothing reveals her figure perfectly, from the mounds of her breast to the curves of her hips. I can spot a tattoo on the back of her neck; the breast cancer ribbon.

I make my way to the door she had been standing outside of, peeking into the small window.

A woman lays in the bed, skin pale, cheeks and eye sockets hollow. Her head is void of any hair, and ivies and monitors are hooked to her.

I walk away, heading for the exit and getting into my car.

"Where to, sir?" My driver, Jeremy, asks.

"Home," I look out the window, "I have meetings to attend to."

I see the woman again. She weaves between people, movements swift and quick as she makes her way through the crowd.

Jeremy starts the car and pulls away from the curb quickly. I lose sight of the small woman as we drive away.

"Are the others alright?" Jeremy asks as he drives.

"Doctor Cumberbatch says they'll be fine given some time," I reply, not bothering to look at him, "I want you to check on their progress every other day and notify me of any changes."

"Yes sir."

We ride in silence the rest of the way home as I watch the building pass us to swiftly to keep track of.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jessica, girl, you give me the best ideas