June 5th // Oasis Springs // 1:30 AM - The Truth of Being Ill
The following day was Christoph’s birthday and that night he was having his birthday at a night club in San Myshuno. Unfortunatly, Aspen woke up that day exhausted and in pain. Stress caused her MS symptoms to flare and she was pretty sure that the situation with Nathaniel was the main culprit. Oliver tried to get Aspen to come with him but her body was too exhausted.
Aspen slept majority of the day and did not hear Oliver slip out to attend the party. She woke up at 1:30 on the couch to the sound of Oliver stumbling in.
“Oliver?” she called out somewhat surprised at how late he was home. “Staircase,” he called out. Slowly, Aspen made her way off of the couch and to the stairs. When she saw Oliver she let out a massive sigh.
“Are you drunk?!” It had been years since she last saw Oliver wasted but as she looked at him now his face was slighly pale and he was trying his best to sit up straight.
“Yeah, I guess so,” he chuckled.
“Let’s get you to bed then,” Aspen responded clearly not happy with her fiance. Slowly, she helped Oliver get up and up the rest of the flight of stairs. He smelled strongly of Fire Ball and sweat.
When the two got to the second floor landing Aspen lowered Oliver into a chair. “You’re in pain,” he observed. “Yeah, a little,” she responded.
“I wish you weren’t fucking sick so we could be how we used to be,” he said after a moment of silence. Aspen dropped to her knees in front of him. Oliver had never really grieved her diagnosis, maybe that was what he was doing now.
“I’m just so fucking pissed! You were healthy and we were going to get married and have a little one, but you had to get fucking sick!” The last bit came out as a growl and Aspen couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Oliver leaned in unable to hear her. “I’m sorry, okay! I’m sorry that our perfect fuckin story book life isn’t happening. Do you think I want this Oliver? Do you?!” Aspen was unaware that she was crying until Oliver reached down and stroked her wet cheek.
“I know you don’t want this but I’m pissed that this is our life now. We use to have fun Aspen,” he said softly. With that Aspen sat back completely aware that he was telling the truth.
“Then leave if this isn’t what you want,” she started to get up but Oliver pulled her towards him and lowered the two to the ground.
“But this is what I want,” he whispered. “I just miss the old you.” Carefully he put his forehead against her and a loud sob erupted from her chest. Oliver held Aspen as she cried because she knew he was right, but this was their new reality with chronic illness. Life will never be the same again and they both were becoming fully aware of it.
