Love Unexpected

Dying wish

Jake, Leonor, and Anthony sat beside Kurt’s bed in the hospital’s ICU. The room was hushed, with only the soft beeping of the heart monitor and the occasional rustle of footsteps in the corridor breaking the silence.

Kurt lay still, his face pale and his breathing shallow. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on the room’s occupants, their eyes fixed on the man who had always been their pillar of strength.

Leonor sat holding Kurt’s hand, her face streaked with tears. Her other hand was clasped tightly in Jake’s, who looked on with a troubled expression. Anthony stood a few paces away, his own concern evident in his eyes.

The door to the room suddenly swung open, startling everyone. Dr. George Harrison, Kurt’s long time best friend, hurried in. His face was a mask of sorrow, and he moved swiftly to Kurt’s side, his eyes filled with an anxious urgency.

“George,” Leonor choked out through her tears. “The doctor has already told us. Kurt has cancer—brain cancer. He only has three months to live.”

George’s shoulders slumped as he took in the sight of his old friend lying so helplessly in the bed. He glanced at Leonor and Jake, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it would come to this.”

Leonor, her voice trembling, asked, “Did Kurt tell you about his illness? Why didn’t you say anything?”

George looked down, his voice strained with emotion. “When I went abroad, Kurt visited me. He told me then about the cancer, but he made me swear not to tell anyone. He didn’t want to burden you both with this. He was adamant about not undergoing any operations or treatments. He was afraid they’d just hasten his end. He wanted to pass away naturally when his time came.”

Jake’s face reddened with a mix of anger and sadness. He struggled to control his voice as he addressed George. “Why didn’t you tell us uncle? We knew Dad had headaches, but we had no idea it was this serious. We thought it was just a minor issue.”

George sighed deeply, the weight of the situation clear in his weary eyes. “I understand your anger, Jake. Kurt not just a friend to me but we treated each other like brothers, and I respected his wishes. He was stubborn about his decision. He didn’t want anyone’s pity or sympathy. He didn’t want you to suffer through his illness.”

Leonor, still crying, asked through her sobs, “Is there nothing we can do? Can’t we find a cure or something?”

George shook his head slowly. “I’ve searched everywhere for potential treatments. I’ve consulted with specialists abroad. Brain cancer, especially at this stage, is difficult to treat. The only option left would have been surgery, but Kurt refused it. It’s too late now. His condition has progressed too far.”

Leonor’s sobs grew louder, and Jake’s tears fell freely as he grappled with the reality of his father’s condition. The room seemed to close in around them, the sense of impending loss overwhelming.

Kurt’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze settling on the faces surrounding him. His voice was weak but carried a quiet strength. “Leonor… Jake… George… Anthony…”

Leonor immediately leaned closer, her tears mingling with her words. “Kurt, why didn’t you tell us? Why did you keep this from us?”

Kurt offered a faint smile, his strength waning. “I didn’t want to be a burden. I wanted to face this my own way. How long do I have?”

Jake’s voice cracked as he responded, “The doctors said you have about three months.”

Kurt nodded slowly, accepting the reality. He looked at Jake, his expression turning serious. “Jake, I have a dying wish. There’s something I need you to do for me.”

Jake swallowed hard, trying to steady his voice. “What is it, Dad?”

Kurt’s gaze shifted to George, who stood silently beside him. “I want you to marry George’s daughter before I die.”

Jake’s eyes widened in shock. “M-Marry uncle George’s daughter? Who is she? I’ve never even met her.”

George stepped forward, his expression a mix of sadness and resolve. “Her name is Ashley. She’s my daughter. Kurt and I had discussed this a while ago. He wanted you two to be together. He thought it would bring you happiness and a sense of stability.”

Jake shook his head, confusion and disbelief evident in his eyes. “Why would Dad want this? I don’t know Ashley. I’ve never even seen her.”

George took a deep breath, his tone earnest. “Kurt believed that marrying Ashley would give you a sense of grounding. He thought it would be good for you, and it would give him peace knowing you’re taken care of. He’s always had high hopes for you, Jake.”

Leonor, still tearful, looked at Jake with pleading eyes. “Jake, I also have no idea about this. It is sudden and hard to process, but maybe this is something you should consider. For your father’s sake.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. “I need time to think. I can’t just make a decision like this without knowing anything about her.”

Kurt reached out a trembling hand, his voice barely a whisper. “Please, Jake… do this for me. It would mean a lot.”

Jake’s heart ached at the sight of his father’s desperate plea. He felt torn between honoring his father’s last wish and his own reluctance. “Alright, Dad. I’ll think about it. I’ll meet Ashley and see how I feel.”

Kurt gave a weak smile, his eyes showing gratitude. “Thank you, son. That’s all I ask.”

Jake stood beside his father’s bed, his heart heavy with the weight of the conversation they had just had.

Kurt’s condition was deteriorating, and the request he had made—the request for Jake to marry George’s daughter, Ashley—loomed large in his mind. Leonor sat by Kurt’s side, her tears having momentarily subsided into a quiet, sorrowful gaze.

Jake cleared his throat, trying to mask the turmoil in his voice. “Dad, I need to go home first. I need to get a few things and… I need some time to think about everything.” He glanced at his mother, her face a portrait of concern and sadness.

Kurt’s eyes, though weak, held a glimmer of earnestness. “Jake… this is my dying wish. I know it’s a lot to ask, but… please consider it.”

Jake sighed deeply, feeling the strain of the situation. “I understand, Dad. I’ll think about it. I promise.” He turned to Leonor, his expression one of both frustration and resolve. “Mom, I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Jake nodded to Anthony, who had been waiting quietly near the door. Together, they made their way out of the hospital room. The corridors seemed to stretch endlessly as Jake and Anthony walked to the parking garage.

As they reached the car, Jake took a moment to compose himself before slipping into the passenger seat. Anthony got into the driver’s side, starting the engine with a quiet hum. The car pulled out of the parking lot, heading towards the road leading back to Jake’s home.

The ride was marked by a tense silence, broken only by the occasional hum of the engine. Jake stared out of the window, the city lights blurring by as he grappled with his thoughts. His mind was a whirl of anxiety and frustration.

Finally, he broke the silence, his voice strained. “I can’t believe this. My father knows I can’t stay in a relationship for long, and now he wants me to get married. And to someone I don’t even know. How am I supposed to handle this?”

Anthony sighed, his expression thoughtful as he drove. “I understand, Sir Jake. It’s a lot to process. But it’s Sir Kurt’s last wish. He’s asking you to do this because he believes it’s important. Maybe he’s trying to ensure that you have someone with you other than your mother after he’s gone.”

Jake shook his head, frustration evident in his tone. “It’s just so overwhelming. I’ve never even met Ashley. How am I supposed to just agree to marry someone I don’t know? And with everything that’s happening, it feels like… like I’m being asked to do something impossible.”

Anthony kept his eyes on the road, “I know it’s difficult. But sometimes, we have to make decisions that are not what we would choose for ourselves. Your father’s request might seem unreasonable now, but he’s asking this because he trusts you and cares about you. It’s his way of making sure you’re taken care of, even after he’s gone.”

Jake sighed again, leaning back in his seat, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. “I just wish there was a way to make this easier. I need to figure out what to do, but I also need to respect his wish. It’s just so complicated.”

Anthony glanced at Jake, his tone empathetic. “Take your time to think it through. It’s okay to be confused and frustrated. You don’t have to make any decisions right now. Just remember that whatever you decide, you’re doing it with the best intentions for your father’s sake.”

Jake nodded, appreciating Anthony’s support. “Thanks, Anthony. I really need to sort this out. I guess I’ll start by learning more about Ashley and seeing if this is something I can actually consider.”

The car continued its journey, the city lights now a distant blur as Jake tried to focus on the practical steps he needed to take. The thought of marrying someone he had never met was daunting, but he knew he needed to approach it with an open mind.

As they neared Jake’s home, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. “Let’s get home and get things sorted. I need to make sure I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

Anthony nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “We’ll take it one step at a time. You’re not alone in this.”

Jake gave a small, appreciative smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I know. Thanks for being here, Anthony.”

As they arrived at Jake’s house, the enormity of the task ahead was clear. Jake stepped out of the car, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before heading inside. The decisions he would make in the coming days would not only affect his future but also honor the last wishes of the man he loved and respected.