Here Comes the Sun

Chapter 22-Hold it Together

**Warning** talk of death and dying

Danny's POV

"Ms. Hughes, I'm sorry to inform you, but you have a mass on your brain." The doctor said.

I just stared at the Doctor, it felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs, like I couldn't catch my breath.

"This must be some kind of mistake, she's just here because she hit her head," Josh said, sitting down on the bed next to Rose. Rose hadn't said a thing as she stared at the doctor.

"I'm afraid it isn't a mistake, here is a referral to an oncologist." He said, handing a paper to Rose, she shook her head as if coming back to earth and took it.

"An oncologist? You're saying it's cancer?" She asked,

"I can't technically give you a definite answer, but from the looks of your scans, I highly suggest you see an oncologist." That was a yes. He just wouldn't say it. I felt tears stinging my eyes but I knew I needed to hold it together for Rose. Josh's face had gone pale as he glanced at me. Everyone was silent,

"If you don't have any more questions I can get your discharge papers" The doctor said, Rose was looking straight through him. He looked to Josh who was now looking away from Rose to hide the tears in his eyes, I nodded at the doc to let him know he could leave. He walked out the door. I shook out of my frozen state and realized I did have questions.

"I'll be right back" I said as I ran after him. "Sir!" I said as I jogged to catch up with him, "I need you to be honest with me. She has a brother but he doesn't live here so me and that other guy in there are her family, I need you to tell me-"

"You need to get her to that oncologist as soon as possible" Was all he said in a very discouraging tone. I nodded as he handed me the discharge papers and walked into the next room. I walked back to Rose's room and forced a small smile. Josh was helping her change back into her bloody dress. He gave me a look telling me that he was having just as hard of a time holding it together as me. I took a deep breath and approached them,

"I got your discharge papers, we can go when you're ready angel." I said

"We don't need to be so grim yet, it could be benign," Josh said in a reassuring tone,

"Did you see the doctors fucking face Josh!" Rose turned and snapped shocking both Josh and I "He was looking at me like I was already dead." She looked away from both of us and started to put on her shoes. Just looked to me with tears welling in his eyes, and I put a hand up, giving him a look telling him to leave it at that. He swallowed hard and nodded. "Can we please just go." She got up to leave and swayed slightly, I grabbed her arm to steady her and she jerked it away. We got to the hospital exit and stopped,

"Josh, we can drop you back off at your place if you want?" I offered,

"I think I'll just take an uber." He said. Rose stood with her arms crossed, staring into the parking lot. "I'll see you later sweetheart, text me if you need anything" He kissed her on the cheek and she didn't answer or react. He took a deep breath before nodding at me to tell me he was ready for us to leave. She walked to the car with her arms still crossed, I opened the door and she got in. I closed it and walked around to the other side, this night had started so well and now it was an absolute nightmare.

"Do you still want to come to my place?" I asked softly, but as normally as possible. She nodded and looked out of the window. The ride was silent until her phone started ringing.

"It's Thorne, I texted him when I first got to the hospital" she said softly, taking a deep breath before she answered. "Hey, yeah I'm fine. Yeah they just gave me a few stitches. Yeah, no concussion" Her bottom lip started quivering, "Yeah, I will call you tomorrow, I love you too, bye." I gave her a look as she hung up the phone, "He doesn't need to know until I have more details"