"I can't believe it's New Years in two days !" She starts bouncing in her bed.

"Yeah and I'll be here with you because no one should spend the holidays alone." Serenity slumps in her bed.

"Really? if you never would've met me where would you be during New Years? And don't say with your sister or your bestfriend because you already mentioned them." King looks everywhere but at her. 

Geez, was she always this demanding? "You caught me. I'd be home with my dog watching the ball drop in New York from the comfort of my home. And yes I use a VPN to get American channels." 

"So helpless, but it's almost time for you to support other patients."

"Yeah but you're my primary patient, so if you need anything I have to stay here with you." 

"Don't worry about me go do your volunteer work. I have other ways to keep myself company." He laughs.

"Okay Serenity, see you in a few hours I have paperwork today." She waves and he shuts the door.

It really has been getting brighter in my dreams lately while everything else seems so dull. I wonder if this is how all people on their death beds feel. That'd be an interesting study if it wasn't a violation of morals. But I would mind being asked if I was happy or sad to be dying young because of a illness I can't get rid of. But other people have it harder than me.

Some people loose their memories and some people die in extreme agony. The worst that can happen to me is a heart attack, the least is my heart just stops while I'm sleep which sounds surprisingly peaceful. Good news is I get to see my dog again and meet my great grandfather and find out if all the stories I was told about him are real. I've been having a lot of dreams where I can see vivid memories of me with him and he died when I was four. 

At least I get to make new ones soon...

Ugh I should not have gotten that close to bawling my eyes out TWICE today. I barely even know these people and yet when I see them rushing one of my patients into the emergency room because something went wrong it really breaks a persons resolve. I hope she makes it, she told me the greatest stories about her in her youth. 

Like how many people can say they know a person who swam with sharks, jumped out of a plane, and has been to over 50 different countries! I've gone to South Korea once for my birthday, that's it. The world is full of amazing people who have done so much and then you have people like Serenity who had so much to give but will never get the chance to....

Well time to do my daily visit before I head home. 

He starts towards Serenity's room when he sees an very unexpected person. They look up from their phone and start towards him. 

"Hello, you must be the volunteer that works with my daughter. I hear you're the one that's stayed the longest."

Who knew a woman standing 5'2 in 6 inch heels could be so intimidating.

"Yes ma'am, that's me. My name is Harlequin." 

"Yes, well I only came here for information from you. Why have you stayed so long and are planning to stay after you're finished. And lying will do you no justice, I was told by my daughter."

"Well I stayed so long because I stopped giving up on things a long time ago and I plan on staying afterwards because I'm probably going to be the most recent person she sees in her last moments. I proposed the idea and she agreed."

She looked down at her phone in her hand then looked back at King.

"Very well. You seem like a nice boy, good luck."

"Wait! I had a proposition for you." He starts fidgeting.

"Go on."

"I would like you to consider bringing everyone to see Serenity before she goes. I don't think you should keep her siblings away from her. She wants to see you all but she's only been able to barely see you and her sister. I don't mean to sound demanding but please consider it. I will be saying goodnight to Serenity before I go home. Have a good night."

He walked pass her mother and into Serenity's room, closing the door behind him. 

Serenity's mother stood in the hallway stunned by what she was just told. No one ever talks to her like that. Not her husband or her children, and most of them are grown.

She put her phone in her pure and walked to the elevator

"You said WHAT to her. Are you crazy?! She'll never let you visit me, even if I am an adult."

"Why does she get to tell you who can and can't visit you? Like you said, you're an adult."

She started coughing.

"W-well its-she's always been the one to make all the decisions and no one has ever questioned it so why start now..."

"I don't mean to upset you but you should start now because you won't get anymore opportunities to make your own decisions. You're dying, you don't have much time to spend with your family. Are you really going to let your mother keep them away from you until you're in a casket and can't talk to them anymore? I already asked for you so if you really want to see them, if she gives you any excuses as to why they all can't come it's up to you do deal with her. This is your happiness and I'd hate to sit here and watch you give it I up, I care about you way to much to let that happen." Says King, out of breath.

She leaned back on her pillows and turned toward her window.

King stands up and walks towards the door.

"Goodnight. See you tomorrow." He shuts off the light and closes the door.

You're right...