Jessica nodded. “Be careful on the road.”
Before he goes, Kevin glances at Jonas one more time. “If you hurt her I’ll know.”
Jonas just looked back and said “And I’ll make sure it doesn't happen.”
Kevin left without another word.
Jessica looked at the shut door, then turned to Jonas. “I’m sleepy”
Jonas placed his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s sit down first then talk.”
Jessica sat on the couch in the living room with Anya resting on her lap. Jonas sat in front of her, sometimes seeing Jessica's weary but attempting-to-smile face.
“If you keep doing that, you might fall down any time,” Jonas said softly, but firm.
Jessica just gave a little nod while playing with Anya's hair who was starting to feel sleepy.
Jessica nodded, shifting her chair to make space. “I’m relieved too, Kevin. It feels like I can finally breathe again.”Kevin glanced at Anya, then at Jonas, and finally at Randy. “Would it be okay if I took Anya out front for a bit?”Jessica turned to Anya. “Wanna go play with Daddy for a while?”Anya nodded eagerly, kissed Jessica on the cheek, and took Kevin’s hand.Once they’d left for the front yard, Jonas and Randy headed into the kitchen, leaving Jessica alone on the porch.She drew in a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the wide, open sky.That morning, Papa Randy’s house felt warmer than usual. The sun had just begun streaming through the living room windows, casting a soft glow on the sofa where Jessica rested, a blanket draped over her legs, a steaming cup of tea on the side table. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, slightly messy, and though her eyes still held trace
At Randy’s house, Jessica was greeted with a warm hug from her father.“You’re glowing, sweetheart. How was the check-up?”Jessica looked up at him, eyes shining. “I’m in remission, Dad. The doctor said I’m officially cancer-free.”He hugged her tighter. “Praise God… You’re so strong, Jessica. You’re amazing.”From behind the door, Anya appeared with her favorite stuffed animal in hand and ran straight into Jessica’s arms.“You’re not sick anymore?” she asked, eyes wide.Jessica bent down, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. “I’m healthy now, Sweetheart. We can go to the park again.”Anya squealed. “Yay!”Kevin arrived not long after and quietly joined the group hug. Though his heart still held unspoken weight, today he just wanted to be part of Jessica’s joy.“Congratul
“Clinically speaking,” Dr. Mira continued, “you are in full remission. There’s no sign of further spread. No abnormal activity in the bloodwork or scans.”Jonas inhaled sharply. He turned to Jessica, who sat frozen in place, her eyes wide and slowly beginning to well with tears.“So… I…?” she whispered.Dr. Mira smiled, soft and understanding. “Congratulations, Jessica. You’re officially cured. We’ll continue to monitor you for the next few months, of course, but you won’t need any more chemotherapy. And you can begin returning to your normal life.”It took Jessica a few seconds to fully absorb those words.Cured.A word that had once felt like a distant dream. A word she had almost stopped believing in. But today… she heard it with her own ears.Without realizing it, tears started to stream down her cheeks. Jonas took her hand tightly, then k
“Yeah, the weather’s nice too. It’s like everything’s trying to be kind to you today,” Randy replied as he took a seat beside the bed. He studied her face for a moment, then asked softly, “Did you sleep well last night?”Jessica nodded. “Better than I have in a while. It felt... peaceful.”Randy let out a quiet breath of relief. He didn’t want to burden his daughter with any heavy thoughts that morning. So, he simply sat with her, adjusting the blanket draped over her lap now and then. From the living room, Anya’s voice rang out again.“Aunt Jessica! I drew a butterfly! Wanna see?”Jessica chuckled. “Sure, come show it to me.”Moments later, Anya appeared at the door holding a large sheet of paper. It was covered in colorful, uneven shapes—but to Jessica, it was the most beautiful piece of art she had ever seen.“It’s the butterfly you
Randy smiled. “You can sleep wherever you want, Jessica. This house… is yours too.”Night gently descended, and the warm light in the room was turned on. Anya had already fallen asleep in the room next door, with Kevin watching over her. Jonas stayed by Jessica’s side, reading a thin book they used to read back when she was first hospitalized—“Everything Will Be Alright.”Jessica… smiled faintly in her sleep.Though her body was weakening, she was surrounded by those who loved her.Rain began to fall softly outside the window, soaking the yellowing leaves in the yard of Randy’s house. Jessica sat in a reclining chair by the window, wrapped in a light gray blanket, watching the raindrops fall in quiet rhythm. Her breathing was heavy—not a groan, but the kind of breath someone takes when they’re trying to hold back pain in silence.Anya sat near her feet, drawing with c
Jonas looked at her for a long moment. “Maybe… we were only meant to love each other without fully having each other. And that’s enough, Jessica. Love… is enough.”Jessica held her breath for a moment, then nodded. She knew Jonas was learning to let go, just like she was. But she also knew: it wasn’t time yet.Outside, the sky shifted from orange to a dusky blue-gray. From the kitchen, Randy’s voice could be heard occasionally, and the aroma of warming soup filled the living room with a gentle, comforting heat. Jessica rested her head on Jonas’s shoulder, her eyes still open.“I’m not leaving tonight, Jessica,” Jonas whispered. “I’ll stay here. Watch over you.”Jessica didn’t answer. But her arms tightened around Anya, as if trying to hold back time itself. The night wasn’t over yet, and love wasn’t finished. That day kept turning—silent, and full