Cancer.

Zoe is dying from cancer.

How did this happen? One minute we're singing and dancing at my party, the next my mom and Zoella are in the hospital.

Jayla hasn't spoke for ten minutes. After Khyla told us about Zoe's diagnosis Jayla walked out without saying anything. Obviously I followed her to comfort her. She is standing at the nursery window looking at the newborn babies with her hand on the window.

“Jayceon,” she speaks, eyes still looking at the babies.

“Yes, love?” I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her small waist, laying my head on her shoulder.

“Do you believe there is a birth for every death? A reason people die?” Jayla asks me with a sad smile on her face. She traces her fingers over the window and she watches a newborn baby girl wiggle around.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we understand the reasoning, sometimes we spend years searching for an answer.” I explain as I lift her chin up so she is looking at me. “We will get through this together, baby. Day by day, minute by minute, I will be by your side through all of the hard times.”

“Oh Jayceon, what will I do without Zoe?”

“We’ll deal with that when the time comes. Right now let's go spend some time with her.” I'm trying my best to comfort Jayla, but I feel helpless.

I grab her hand as we walk to the elevators to go back down to Zoe's floor. When we get near her room everyone is in the hallway and the girls are crying. Zayne has an arm around Menha and Khyla, trying to soothe each of them.

God, please don't tell me Zoella is gone. Jayla will never forgive herself for walking out.

“What’s going on?” I ask Hayden in a rushed breath.

“Zoe is breathing over the ventilator. They are extubating her right now,” Hayden answers.

“Extubating?” Jayla questions him with her eyes wide in panic.

“The nurses are removing the tube from her throat. She's waking up so she can talk and function.” Lily explains to us in a straightforward way.

Two nurses walk out of Zoe's room so we all rush over to them. “Miss Jones is no longer on the ventilator. She is propped up in the bed eating ice chips. Y'all can visit get for one more hour until visiting hours are over. One person may spend the night, if they wish. She asked for Khyla Jackson to stay the night.” The nurse in the white scrubs tells us while glancing at her paperwork.

“I’m Khyla, Zoella's girlfriend.”

“Okay dear, come with me, there are papers you need to sign. By the way, I'm Zoella's charge nurse, Jessica. If you have any questions please find me,” she says before walking off with Khyla.

“Are you ready to go in, darlin’?” I ask Jayla when she wraps her arm around me.

“No, but I have to face reality.” Jayla takes a deep breath then pushes open the heavy hospital room door.

I walk in the room and see Zoe sitting back with the top of the bed raised. She's looking out of the window with a blank expression on her face.

“Zoe –” I begin to speak, before Zoe begins talking.

“I’m sorry, Jayla.” Zoe says then looks over at all of us. “Lily, Menha – I'm so sorry that I made Khy keep this a secret.”

“No baby, don't apologize. I only hate that you've had to go through this alone.” Lily tells Zoe as she walks over to the side of her bed, near the wide window.

“We could have helped you,” Menha cries out in between jobs.

“There is no help, Stormy. My oncologist gave me six or seven months to live – five and a half weeks ago. My body is failing, my organs aren't function properly. The doctor I saw today told me it will be w-within a month...and I will be dead. I didn't want to be treated differently.” Zoe tells us all as I watch the tears fall from her eyes.

Stormy – there's a name I haven't heard in many years. When Zoe found out Menha's middle name is Storm, she begin calling her Stormy. In return Menha called Zoe, Jaja, from her middle name Jade. It's something special they share between the two of them.

When Menha heard Stormy she closed her eyes and cried harder into Zayne's neck.

“Honey, no matter what, we aren't going anywhere. You will always have each one of us,” Jayceon tells Zoe, before kissing her on the cheek and pulling her into a hug. “I knew something was wrong with you. Is this why you didn't want me to take you to the hospital?”

Zoe nods get head, looking down in shame. “I just wasn't ready to tell anyone. Each one of you are single happy and –”

“And nothing Zo! You know you come first, we all do when it comes to our health. I love you so much and–and I can't... damnit! This isn't fair! Why must this happen to someone so wonderful?” I ask with frustration and anger laced in my voice.

I can't lose my best friend. I'm not ready to say goodbye!

What seems like moments later, a male nurse enters the room after knocking once. He walks over to where we are all sitting around Zoe's bed.

“I’m sorry, but visiting hours are over. I have to ask everyone to leave, except for the girlfriend.” He informs all of us politely.

I nod my head then look back at Zoe. “I’ll come back first thing in the morning.” I embrace her in a tight hug, not wanting to let go. “I love you, Zoella. Always.”

“I love you, Jayla. Forever.” Zoe replies as I let go of her.

“Khyla, if anything happens, please call each of us. I love you. I hope you know that you're part of our family now.” I tell her before giving her a hug goodbye. She looks me in the eyes, silently agreeing with a head nod. Everyone says their goodbyes before walking out of the door.

The elevator ride down to the first floor is silent, until my phone begins playing Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry, my mom's ringtone.

“Yeah?” I answer her call with a sad yet snappy tone.

“Jayla, is that anyway to answer the phone? Why are you so gloomy? Today is a fabulous day,” my mom, Robyn, says as her loud voice seeps through my earpiece on my phone.

“It is a horrible day. I have news I need to share with you and Daddy. It's not – ”

“Oh, I have news as well, wonderful news! Come over to hear it and bring that boyfriend you keep telling your father about. Do you know where your sister is? She is avoiding my calls today. What could be more important than her own mother?” She questions, rudely interrupting me.

Everything is always more important than you! I roll my eyes and shake my head, causing Menha to look at me sideways.

“Menha is with us, I guess we will come visit. I have to talk with you and Daddy anyhow, as I said before I was rudely cut off.”

“Great, see you soon. Goodbye.” With that she hangs up on me. She never says, I love you, as long as she speaks then that is all that matters.

“We have time swing by Mom and Dad's. Like, do you and Hay want to join us?” I ask her, not wanting to be rude.

“With your mother? Nah, I'll pass. Hayden and I are going to his place. Call me if, well you know.” Lily tells me before walking off with a wave goodbye and getting in Hayden's car.

“Honey, I'm sorry we have to stop by there. My mom wants to meet you as well. She asked me to bring you along,” I tell Jayceon with a dreadful sigh.

“That’s fine love. Afterwards we will go home and soak in the bathtub. Then Daddy may unwrap his sexy surprise, if we're still up for it.” He whispers in my ear, sending chills down my body. Jayceon opens the driver door for me since I am driving to my parents. He has no idea where they live and he had a couple strong drinks at his birthday party.

I pull in the driveway behind Zayne's car but don't get out yet. “Jayceon, my mom is really intense. If it's too much just let me know and we will leave. I know you don't want to spend your birthday evening here.”

He lifts my chin so I'm starting into his sparkling eyes. “Sweetheart, this is fine. I want to spend my birthday wherever you are. Now… let's go meet the folks,” he tells me then kisses my cheek.

When we get out of the car Zayne and Menha are waiting for us. “I see you're delaying as well,” Zayne says chuckling. I roll my eyes then lightly shove him against his car

As we begin walking up the steps my Mom opens the door and takes a step out. “Girls, you're here finally, it took you long enough!”

“Mother,” Menha greets her with a nod.

“Mom, this is my boyfriend, Jayceon Knight. Babe, this is my Mom, Robyn Conway.” I say nervously introducing them to each other.

“Jayceon, I've heard nothing about you. Jayla only speaks to her father about you.” Mom says to Jayceon when he reaches his hand out, waiting for her to shake it.

.“It’s nice to meet you, ma'am. I've heard lovely things about you.” He tells her with a forced smile on his face.

I lean over and punch Menha causing her to yelp, catching our Mom's attention. “Bitch!” Menga whispers under her breath to me. “Mother, this is Zayne, my boyfriend. Zayne, mother.” She quickly says before grabbing Zayne's hand and glaring at Jayceon and myself.

“Damn, Menha Storm! You know how to pick the sexy ones.” Ugh, Mom is so gross, I wish she would at least attempt to act like a Mom in front of people.

Menha rolls her eyes and moves past mom to walk in the house, but Mom stops her.

“Wait, you can't go in just yet. Your father and I have a surprise for you. Hold on a moment,” she tells us before disappearing back into the house.

A few moments later she opens the door again so we walk inside to the living room. My Dad is standing up, waiting for us so I let go of Jayceon's hand and rush over to him.

“Daddy!” I squeal excitingly as he wraps his large arms around me.

“Hey, princess! How is my girl doing?” He asks when he let's go so he can hug Menha.

“Not good, Daddy. Zoe has cancer, she's not expected to live much longer. She's in the hospital right now.”

“Oh, girls, I'm so sorry to hear that. You know I love Zoella like a daughter. I will go visit her first thing in the morning.” He says as he wipes Menha's tears away.

“Daddy, I want to finally introduce you to Jayceon. Be gentle with him, I love him!” I tell him before walking over to get both of the guys. “Time to meet Daddy, fellas!” I grab Jayceon's hand and lead him over to where Daddy and Menha are still standing.

“Daddy, this is Jayceon Knight. Jayceon, this is my Dad, Adam Conway.”

“Glad to finally meet you, son. My little princess has told me a lot about you.” Dad tells him as they shake hands. “That’s one hell of a grip you have there!”

“Thank you, Sir. It's a pleasure to meet you. Jayla talks about you often,” Jayceon replies.

“Who is this young man?” Dad asks Menha, turning his attention to Zayne.

“Dad, this is my boyfriend,” Menha tells him.

“Zayne Davis, Sir. It's nice to meet you,” Zayne says as he holds out his hand.

“Adam Conway. So, you two young men are responsible for the smiles on the faces of my two little queens? Keep that up and we will all get along just fine.”

The guys all get lost in conversation about fishing and hunting as my Mom walks in the room. She stops in the doorway and claps her hands together, like the attention diva she is.

“Okay, everyone, settle down. I have a huge surprise for the girls. Someone is here that you haven't saw in nine years. Come on out,” Mom says as she motions for her mystery guest to come in the room.

I hear heavy, thick boots before I see the person. Suddenly, someone walks in who I thought I would never see again.

“Oh! My! God! Axel?” I scream out as I let go of Jayceon to run and jump into his arms. “Is it really you?”

“It’s really me, baby girl. I'm home forever!”

My heart is racing and I can't believe Axel is home. I glance back at Jayceon and he is biting his lip, starting at Axel and I with a worried look.

Oh shit. I knew I should have told him about Axel.

“Come on, there's someone I want you to meet.” I wrap my hand in Axel's and we walk over to where everyone else is standing. I take a deep breath and my eyes meet Jayceon's.

“Jayceon, I never told you about him, but – this Axel. He's my brother,” I say proudly. Jayceon's face lights up, eyes wide with shock.

“Brother? Good God, you were holding his hand and in his arms. So, I thought..” Jayceon begins to say, but stops.

“Eww – no! He is my older brother. He's a marine and has been in a different country for nine years.”

Jayceon chuckles then pulls Axel into a bro hug. “Thank God, because I was prepared to fight you for my girl.” They both break out laughing as Menha walks over to us.

“Axel?” She asks in a soft voice as if she can't believe it's him. Menha was nine when Axel left, so she doesn't remember much about him.

“My goodness, please tell me this is not my little Meme!” Axel exclaims as he touches Menha's silky long hair.

“It’s really me. It's been so long since you left, I was a child. I thought you died,” Menha tells him as tears begin to tell down her round cheeks.

Axel pulls Menga into a hug as she begins sobbing. “It’s okay, baby sister. I'm home now, I'm not leaving either of you again.”

Menha nods her head then looks over at Zayne. “Oh, I'm sorry, honey.” She walks over and pulls Zayne to where Axel is standing. “Axel, this is my boyfriend, Zayne Davis. Zay, this is Axel, my big brother!”

“Hold on – the night I come home I get to meet with if my baby sisters boyfriends? Y'all trying to kill me or something? Come in the kitchen fellas. Let's have a little chat,” Axel requests.

“Wait,” I say and stop them from leaving. I get on my tip toes and kiss Jayceon and kiss him on his cheek. “Be nice, Axel. He's my heart and I love him.”

After spending a few hours with my family, Jayceon and I leave to head to my house. When we pull up in my driveway I get my keys out to unlock my door. As I step up on the porch I notice the door is slightly ajar.

“Jayceon, my door is open. Someone has been here,” I tell him. Instantly my mind flashes to Markus and the nausea is so overwhelming that I turn my head into my dead flower bed and vomit.

A/N

Thoughts?

Jayceon has met Jayla's parents..Do you like them?

Thoughts about Axel?

Sorry the update has been so delayed, but they will be back on track now!!