Amy, though Andy didn't know this, was getting steadily worse. The treatments weren't helping. In fact it looked like the Chemo was making the cancer spread. She was going to die and it looked like sooner rather than later. The doctor said she still had a few months. She spent as much time with Andy as she could and wished she could hug him. She wanted to tell him. She knew she should, but how were you supposed to tell you're only child that their mother was dying? How was she supposed to look Andy in the eye and tell him she would be gone in a matter of months maybe even weeks? The hours spent crying in Chris's arms were adding up. Chris was doing his best to keep a level head. He had to be strong. For Amy. For Andy. These next few weeks and months wouldn't be easy.

———

The first week of December Amy took a fall down the stairs. She was barely able to call Chris because she couldn't breathe which was why she'd fallen in the first place. Chris called an ambulance and came straight home. He arrived just as they were placing Amy in the ambulance. Half way to the hospital Chris realized Andy would need to be picked up in less than forty minutes. Once at the hospital Amy was taken where Chris couldn't go. Chris called everyone he could think of trying to find someone who could bring Andy to the hospital. Finally he used Amy's phone and found the number of the mother of one of Andy's friends.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Is this Stephanie?"
"Yes."
"This Chris Biersack. Amy had an accident, we're at the hospital, I'm trying to find someone to pick Andy up from school."
"Oh! Yes, absolutely! We'll take care of it. What hospital are you at?"
"Thank you. We're at Mercy Health." Chris sat in the waiting room. Waiting for the doctor or Andy. Whoever came first.

———

Andy sighed when he saw Sebastian's car. He went and got in the back with Emerson. This was becoming more common. The ride was silent. Even Remington was being quiet. Andy glanced out the window and frowned. It was Wednesday. They should've been headed straight to his house.
"Where're we goin'?" He mumbled. Sebastian looked at him in the rear view and sighed.
"Your mom's in the hospital." Panic gripped Andy.
"'S she okay?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry. All I know is she's in the hospital. But I'm taking you there, okay?" Andy nodded and pulled his hands into the sleeves of his jacket. His heart was pounding and it was getting hard to breathe. His mom was in the hospital. Everything was getting overwhelming. All the little noises were driving him crazy. Then they were at the hospital. Seeing Andy's panic Sebastian decided to go in with him. After giving Remington and Emerson instructions to stay in the car he led Andy into the hospital. Andy had started mumbling the word mom over and over. When they stepped up to the desk Sebastian asked the woman about Andy's mom. The woman went to find out where Amy was. Sebastian was thinking and not looking at Andy so it shocked him when Andy grabbed his hand. He looked at Andy and had to restrain himself from hugging him. How do comfort someone who doesn't like physical contact? After what felt like forever the woman came back and told them where Amy was. Sebastian thanked her and walked away from the desk.
"Can you find her by yourself or do you want me to help you?" He asked Andy. Andy tightened his grip on Sebastian's hand.
"Help. Please. Please. Please."
"Sure. Come on. We need to find the elevator." On the next floor they went down the hall, turned and turned again. Andy had no idea where they were going, but Sebastian seemed to know. Finally they stopped in front of room 167.
"This is her room. Are you good now? I need to go back to Remington and Emerson." Andy nodded and let go of Sebastian's hand.
"Thank you. You. You. You."
"You're welcome. See you later." Sebastian walked back the way they'd come and Andy knocked on the door softly. Chris opened it.
"Andy!"
"'S Mom okay?" Andy asked as he walked into the room. Amy was laying in the bed unconscious. She had a cannula in her nose and an IV in her arm.
"I don't know. The doctor hasn't come in yet. I've only just been allowed to see her. But she fell down the stairs. She called me and said she was having trouble breathing. I called an ambulance and came straight home." Andy nodded and dropped his backpack on the floor. He hesitantly grabbed her hand, then he sniffed and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. Chris stepped up behind Andy and rested his hand on Andy's shoulder.
"Don't wanna lose her." Andy mumbled. Chris squeezed his shoulder.
"I don't either, kiddo." After a few minutes Amy gently rubbed the back of Andy's hand with her thumb. Then her eyes opened.
"Ames." Chris said softly, "You scared the hell out of me." She smiled just a bit.
"I'm sorry." Her voice was barely above a whisper. The three of them stayed quiet not having much to say until the doctor came in. The doctor beckoned Chris into the hall. He went leaving Andy tracing the words I Love You onto Amy's palm.

———

"How is she?" Chris asked once the door was shut. Dr. Hill inhaled deeply and pushed her glasses up.
"I'm afraid the cancer has spread to her lungs. She will never breath without an oxygen tank again."
"How-" His voice cracked. "How long does she have?"
"It's a matter of weeks now." Chris nodded and rubbed his hand over his face. "The treatments aren't helping. If anything they're progressing the cancer. At this point all we can do is keep her comfortable and reduce the pain as much as possible. I'm so sorry. Could I offer you some advice?" When Chris nodded Dr. Hill continued, "You have you're whole life to freak about this. Don't do it in front of her, that's what pulls families apart. I've seen it happen more times than I'd like to admit. Enjoy the time you have left. Make as many memories as you can."
"Thank you." Dr. Hill nodded.

———

"Andy, I have to-"She took a shaky breath in, "Have to tell you something." She took another breath in. "I'm not-" Another breath in, "I'm not gonna be around much longer." Andy shook his head.
"Gonna get better. Doctor said so." Amy shook her head and squeezed Andy's hand.
"The treat-" each breath in hurt, "treatments aren't working." She was on the verge of tears.
"No." Andy mumbled and frowned. "No. No. No. No. No." Chris came back in. His eyes were rimmed with red.
"What did-" another breath, "did the doctor say?" Chris shook his head and mouthed I'll tell you later and Amy nodded. Andy let his head fall and his hair hid his face. He sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve. Amy looked at Chris and wiped at her eyes. She'd never felt so heartbroken as she did in that moment, knowing she'd be leaving her family. She'd been trying so hard to stay strong for Chris and Andy, but she let herself cry. She held Andy's hand and prayed that it wasn't the last time she'd get to.