Six months had flown by since the initial diagnosis. All was not well in the Peters' household. It was May but a lot had happened since that lackluster November afternoon the previous year. Hannah's health had by then deteriorated to the point where she could no longer leave the house unless she had good days; and those were few and far in between at best. Though not religious in any shape or form, both Hannah and Chris celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas. The latter was always done at Chris' parents' house and the former at one of their family friend's house. Though Thanksgiving past without incident, Hannah's health or lack thereof was noticeable. Their friends did their best not to say anything and Hannah refused to come out of the proverbial "I'm ill" closet. She wasn't sure who she should tell or when. As it would happen, fate would step in and lent a hand at Christmas.

    No matter how exhausted and weak she felt, she knew she couldn't say no to Christmas eve and day at the Peters' estate. It was a tradition that was held ever since Chris was born. His mother, Courtney cooked herself and usually started days before to prepare a feast fit for a whole royal court not just 4 people. Ralph would decorate as soon as Thanksgiving was over. Courtney would always tease him about how he was as bad as the stores in the area; barely waiting for one holiday to end before another would begin. They were a very loving and loveable couple who had a lot of friends but always saved Christmas for their son. It was a special time for them and when he had met and married Hannah, they were overjoyed at what kind of woman was joining their family. She loved them back and called them 'mom' and 'dad' which they both adored. They felt sorry for her orphan upbringings but felt that under the circumstances, she did the best she could do.

    Everything seemed pretty normal when Hannah and Chris arrived at the Fort Worth estate that Chris' parents have called home since they were married. Hannah had ordered their gifts online as she was unable to go shopping and wrapped them up in old Christmas paper they had lying around from the few previous years. Chris brought them into the house in a bag and set them out under the tree that took up the whole entire central area in the family's great room. Hannah sat by the tree just smelling the air and smiling. Usually, Hannah would pop into the kitchen right away and help Courtney set the table but this time she was content with just being near the beautiful tree while Chris and his father went off into a different room.

    Finally, Courtney cornered Hannah in the kitchen when the latter decided she had to make at least the appearance that she was helping though all she wanted to do was go to the guest room and collapse into the bed she would be sharing with Chris for that night. Courtney was a very observant woman and knew the moment that her son and his wife walked through the door that something wasn't right. It was a mother's intuition.

"What's wrong with you and Chris? Are you having problems?" Courtney came right out and asked as Hannah looked down.

"No mom, we're not having problems per say. We're just finding new ways to communicate, I guess." Hannah said with a shrug.

"What's that; like code for something?" To an exasperated Courtney, it seemed like Hannah was speaking in tongues.

"No he just wishes I would stop doing so much research on the computer I suppose. But it's something I need to do." Hannah said vehemently as her mother-in-law narrowed her eyes at her.

"Is he ill?" Courtney looked at Hannah with concern. Chris seemed to be in perfect health as he always was. He never got more than a cold in his entire life so that didn't seem to make sense. But there was only one reason a person would spend hours on the computer researching something; an illness. Finally, Hannah looked her mother-in-law in the eyes and said the words that have been threatening to leave her lips all evening but she didn't want to spoil the holidays.

"No he's not. But I am." She whispered as a tear slid down her face.

    There was a deafening silence in the kitchen as Hannah broke down and between sobs told her mother-in-law about her November diagnosis of M.E. and how it was incurable and how lonely and miserable her life had become. She spilled out every symptom, every burden that weighed heavily on her heart as Courtney listened with tears in her own eyes. As her daughter-in-law finished, she grabbed her into her arms and held on to her fiercely. Hannah was the daughter Courtney and Ralph never had but wished they did and Courtney would be damned if she would allow this precious girl to be completely overtaken by this horrid illness. There had to be something out there that would help......anything. Ralph through his connections would find a doctor somewhere who could help.

    While the two women were in an ironman grip in the kitchen, the men were outside smoking cigars. After all, this was Texas and it wasn't like they were going to get snow or that it would even get really cold. Chris wasn't much of a smoker if at all and only really did that when he was with his father. Ralph also could sense something different about his son; as if he was in some sort of daze. Chris also usually didn't smoke fast and cigars were meant to be enjoyed but this time he was almost chugging on the thing as if it would give him some form of high and take him away from his own existence. Unlike with Hannah, Ralph didn't have to do much prodding to get his son to spill the beans as the two were very close and confided in each other in just about everything. Ralph was appalled by the situation and felt his heart ache for his daughter-in-law just like his wife's had.

"Don't worry son, I'll call some friends and get the best doctors involved. It will be ok." But Chris wasn't convinced.

"How will it be ok, dad? She sits on the computer for hours talking to herself about an illness that has been around for over 80 years that no one in this world can figure out! What's going to happen huh dad? You think all of your money will buy a cure that hasn't been found before?" Chris was lashing out at everyone and everything because he was frustrated and his father understood that and didn't take offense.

    What Ralph didn't know was in the last few months Chris' own behavior had taken a downward spiral. His original optimism and support for Hannah had led to him taking every issue he had with the outside world out on her and drinking. He wasn't much of a drinker but he more often than not found himself at the bar pouring his heart out like some drunken sap to some random stranger or bartender who gave him the support he sought. He almost didn't want to go home because he knew he would find Hannah at the computer.

She was on a tunnel vision mission to find answers about her illness and didn't even notice when he would come home. Of course if he wasn't too drunk, he'd feel guilty for the whole situation and come home and force her off the computer so they could share food in bed together. She had almost been confined to her bedroom entirely though she still put up the fight to attempt to cook for Chris though he absolutely had to do the shopping as it exhausted her too much. Chris' mind returned back to the present as his father said:

"I understand your frustration. But you have to be patient. Let me see what I can do." Ralph said calmly as Chris all but exploded and came to regret those words for a long time to come.

"Do?? Do?? There isn't anything anyone can do! The doctor said she doesn't think we should have kids right now either because it would exacerbate the illness! As if it weren't enough! I want kids! Fuck the illness....I-I have a defective wife!"

    As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he heard a very loud and audible gasp behind him. He whirled around to see his mother and Hannah both standing there staring at him. His mother's eyes were spitting fire while Hannah had one hand to her neck and the other over her mouth as the shock of his words hit her like a sledgehammer. She was rooted to the spot and couldn't say anything at first. But Courtney could.

"Christopher Raymond Peters!!! Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you speak about your wife like that? I have never heard anything so disgusting come out of your mouth since you were born! Hannah needs you to be a man and not some whiney jackass! Grow the hell up!"

    Though shorter than him, Courtney Peters was not a woman to reckon with when she got mad. Ralph was looking like he was about to slap his own son he was so angry. And Courtney's outburst took Hannah out of her trance of shock and she backed away from the whole scene and ran back into the house toward the guest bathroom and locked the door as she slid to the floor gasping and crying in shock.

As they heard the door of the bathroom slam and a sound come out of there as if that of a wounded animal howling in pain, Ralph pushed his son hard enough to knock the cigar out of his hand. He had never touched his son in any manner in his life; but this was inexcusable. Chris, it seemed, was just as stunned by his words and the venom that they held. His parents' reactions were accurate, he had never been a bully in his life and now something his wife couldn't control was turning him into one. Christmas dinner was completely forgotten as Courtney and Ralph left him in the backyard to his own devices; to contemplate what he had done. Also because Courtney was afraid Ralph was going to punch his own child and needed to cool down so she all but pushed him into the house. Then there was the matter of how to get Hannah out of that bathroom where she had locked herself in.

    Chris kept pacing around the backyard as it was quite large and looking at the stars which had come out by then. He couldn't believe what he had said and the repercussions of that were great as Hannah didn't stop crying for a very long time. How could he do that to the woman he loved? What had happened to him? He couldn't wrap his mind around that. Plus his parents wanted to kill him especially his father; not that he could blame them. He had never seen them that angry especially his own dad in his life and it shook him to his very core. It was Christmas eve and he felt like a total monster as he tried to figure out how to make things right again; or as right as he could under the circumstances.

    3 hours later, the house was quiet as Hannah had stopped crying and after cooling down Ralph, Courtney sat on the floor on the other side of the door to the bathroom where Hannah was still locked in. Just whispering soothing words to her and reassuring her that Chris was just being an impatient jackass and that she wasn't 'defective' in any way, shape, or form. It took a long time for Hannah to finally open the door and fall into Courtney's arms as the latter looked up to the heavens and begged for help for her beloved daughter-in-law.

    Hannah decided to be the bigger person and not have the whole of Christmas ruined due to her husband's belligerent and rude comments and when he came to her early the next morning, as neither slept that night—she in the guest room and he on the couch considering that it was better than the grass outside; which was what his father had originally wanted—decided to make peace with him when he begged for her forgiveness and cried himself. He looked truly sorry as he buried his face in her lap hoping against hope that she would somehow forget the traitorous words he spoke the evening before.

    His parents also joined them down stairs later next to the tree and he asked fervently for their individual forgiveness. He admitted all of his faults and they forgave him. He was their son, their only child after all. They just hoped he wouldn't do anything as remotely stupid as he had the previous day. Chris and Hannah were young but they weren't children, so conduct was a huge part of a successful marriage especially since the vows both took did include 'in sickness and in health'. And Hannah was 'in illness' forget 'in sickness' at the moment and no one knew how long it would last or how bad it would get. Ralph was not kidding either; as soon as the holidays of Christmas were over he would be on his phone calling everyone he knew to get some answers of this wretched disease. Something had to be out there.

    After the reconciliation had taken effect and they had their Christmas dinner for breakfast instead. It was very unconventional for them but as they would learn in the next 2-3 years; sometimes it was the weird, the mismatched, and the bravely obscure that helped more or turned one to the appropriate path toward a better future then any tradition ever could. Ralph turned some Christmas music on as they finished their feast and with some final joy and peace started to unwrap their presents.

    Chris had gotten his father an ornate set of cigars that came from a friend of his that originated somehow in Cuba and though Cuban cigars were illegal in the United States, the embargo on the country was lifting and Chris felt he wanted to give his father something to treasure. Considering what had happened the previous night, he was doubly happy he had acquired such a rare gift. Ralph's eyes definitely doubled as he looked at them. What was funny and totally ironic was that the label on the cigar box said 'Ralph's'. It was made some place in the USA by a company with that name and it was pure coincidence. All four of them had a laugh at that.

    In order to match Chris' gift, Hannah ordered a set of cognac crystal glasses for Ralph as that was his drink of choice when it came to relaxing after work with his cigar. Though born and bred in Texas, Ralph had a very European vibe about him and preferred cognac over whiskey, brandy, rum, or tequila. He had traveled with Courtney for work around the world and became very passionate about the cognac. All of his friends said he had very expensive upper class taste. While waiting on Courtney to unwrap her gifts from Chris and Hannah, Ralph quickly went to get some cognac and one of his regular cigars so they could take a picture of him with the new glass.

    Courtney received a lovely set of Swarovski crystal encrusted picture frames from Chris. They sparkled on their own accord and Courtney squealed when she saw them. She was a huge fan of Swarovski and didn't care how big or small her gift was. Hannah smiled widely as Courtney wrapped her arms around her daughter-in-law's neck after she took a gander at the gorgeous necklace and earring set of the same brand.

"I think you just made mom speechless, honey. Way to go! Don't think dad or I have ever seen that trick before!" Chris said jokingly as Ralph barked a loud laugh out loud and Courtney threw all of her wrapping paper at him. They finally let the ghost of Christmas eve past disappear behind them....for now.

    Ralph and Courtney had gotten Chris a pretty sizable monetary gift card to the Nordstrom to overhaul his attire as he had needed different sizes due to the fact that he worked out a lot and a lot of his work clothing were no longer fitting properly. Chris went to the gym every morning before work. Hannah thought it was gracious and sensible gift. Ralph and Courtney were multi-millionaires and had oodles to spare and splurge on and they did but wisely. Which included their gift to Hannah; they hoped for a long time she would get rid of that old clunker of a car and get something safe and reliable but since she was adamant about keeping her 'old faithful'; they instead gave her a check that she could cash and put into the bank for when the time came and the thing expired.

    Chris had always joked that he could always use it as a lawn ornament or planter or they could write it off their taxes by donating to a Houston society that created man-made reefs out of metal after stripping the cars or ships of any hazardous to the environment waste. Hannah always made him apologize to the car as if it were a real person which she threatened to do now if he made even one peep about it. He made a 'my lips are sealed' sign with his fingers and that was that.

    That was how they ended Christmas with his family and left that evening to drive back to Plano. They spoke jovially in the car as if the night before never even happened and came home yawning and ready for bed. They made love that night and were out like lights. Before they knew it, the holidays were over, the new year was in full swing and May kicked in with lots of warm near 100% humid weather as Hannah's condition continued to go downhill. One particular day she was feeling well enough to get up and walk around when the phone rang; it was her friend Shannon.

"Hey girl! How were the holidays for ya?" Shannon asked happily.

"Hey. They went well. How were yours?" Hannah replied nonchalantly.

"Pretty damn good. Have your folks-in-law convinced you to drop that car of yours into a dump yet?" Hannah laughed as did Shannon at Hannah's reaction. Shannon knew how Hannah felt about that car.

"Nope! And it's going to stay that way." Hannah said emphatically.

"Yeah yeah I know, I know. Listen, it's been ages since we've grabbed some grub. Are you free now? Julia, Lauren, and I were thinking about stopping by Olive Garden; you know the one near the campus? We'd love to see you!" Shannon said brightly.  Hannah thought about it for a moment, she seemed to be feeling alright; why not? She hadn't seen her friends since before she was diagnosed. Couldn't hurt right?

"Yeah, I'm free! Just need to jump into something decent and drive over. I can be there in an hour; that good?"

"Yeah girl, that's perfect! See you then!" Shannon said and they both hung up.

    Hannah smiled as she thought of Shannon, Julia, and Lauren and how the four of them plus another girl named Caddie (pronounced kay-dee) tried to be bad back in college; though they were inseparable, nobody ever knew who was telling the truth and who was fibbing about just how outrageous their lives or games really were. All were married by then though they had lost touch with Caddie which still saddened Hannah sometimes. But it was life and things like that happened. She left a note for Chris for when he got home, letting him know exactly where she was going. Chris knew the CJLSH (standing for the first letters of their names) group well as they called themselves since college. They were the closest Hannah had to true sisters and their friendship had overcome a lot of storms.

Hannah was sure that they would be by her side in this M.E. storm and help her ride it out. It was with that thought in her mind that she left the house with her purse over her shoulder, her car keys in hand, and a smile on her face; not knowing that storms came in all sizes and shapes.