Sophia ringed her hands together as he stood there looking at her. How was she possibly going to start this conversation. He takes her hands into his own before leading her somewhere. She allows him to guide her to a sofa in the living room as they both sit down. His hands not once leaving her own. She feels his fingers running comfortingly over her knuckles. 

"I can't..." She takes a deep breath trying to regulate her breathing. The tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice coming out much softer, "I can't promise you a future Luca."

His finger halts as he looks at the beauty before him. He can see in her eyes the utter pain and brokenness that lies within. He feels his chest tighten but tries to hold it together while trying to understand. "What do you mean Tesoro?"

Her eyes close tightly as he gives her the term of endearment. The tear escaping running down her cheek which she allows not willing to look at the man before her. He has such a future ahead of him. All she wanted was for someone to look at her without pity. He was that for her but her feelings have become so much more. After the talk with Jessica, then with Luca in the car. It all became surreal how much she wanted this... wanted him. But she can't do it to him. 

"Luca, I'm sick"

His brows furrowed trying to understand. She looked fine. He released one hand to come up to cup her cheek in his hand directing her face to his. 

"Look at me"

"I can't" She whimpered. 

"Sophia, open your eyes."

She opened them slowly and Luca's blue eyes kept lock on her. His other hand coming up to caress her face. She looked at him with pure pain. He didn't understand. 

"Listen to me Tesoro, we can figure this-"

Sophia stands up pulling away from him. His eyes following her but doesn't stand. He is lost and hurt. All he wants to do is comfort her. She turns away for a moment before looking back at him. 

"You don't understand Luca. I can't be that girl. The woman your mother expects me to be. I don't even know if I can have kids. I may not even have time-"

"Tesoro, you're not making sense." Luca says standing up stepping to her. 

"I have cancer Luca." 

Just like that, his blood runs cold. The woman he is crazy for has cancer. Her emerald eyes enveloped in redness. He cups her cheeks in his palms looking to her. She is barely containing the flood of tears wanting to spill. 

"Leukemia to be exact."

She cries and he instantly pulls her into his arms holding her firmly to his chest. She sobs on him while he continues to hold her. His mind moving a mile a minute. Multiple questions running through his head but he doesn't want to push her. He slowly rocks her back and forth like an infant helping calm her. 

"It doesn't matter" His words make her pull back to look up at him. "We will figure it out... together."

"Luca" Her voice defeated as she drops her head. 

"Don't" He warns knowing she is puling away, building those walls. 

"I want so much to be that girl for you. I want to be the girl who falls in love, gets married, becomes a mother, and grows old with you... but it's not possi-"

"Who says?" He says feeling his heart beating out of his chest. "Who says we can't make that future a reality."

She takes a deep breath attempting to step back. He word being 'attempt'. His arms quickly lock around her not allowing her to escape. She takes a moment collecting herself. Her stance becoming stronger as she lifts her head. The redness in her eyes still present but she refuses to continue crying. 

"Luca, I have battled it before. My body is not up for the challenge again."

He understands now, she is not seeking treatment. She is letting the cancer win. His voice coming out colder, "you're giving up?!"

She flinched at his tone, "I have accepted my fate."

"That's bullshit!" He roars making her jump. He's angry. How could she just give up? Why wouldn't she want to live?!

"Luca-"

"NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!!"

"Hey, what's going on in here?" 

Cassidy's head comes into view hearing her brother yell. Both heads don't turn away from each other. Luca looks enraged while Sophia looks defeated. A moment of silence passes through them before Sophia turns to Cassidy. Cassidy can see the redness and puffiness in her eyes. She turns to her brother who still refuses to look at anyone but her. 

"I think I should leave. Thank you Cassidy for inviting me to dinner. Please apologize to your parents for any trouble-"

"It's alright Sophia." Cassidy says easily. Concern can be heard clearly in her voice. 

"You're not leaving!"

Sophia turns back to Luca with a forced smile. "I think it would be best-"

She is cut off as he closes the distance between them before slamming his lips against her. This kiss is anything but gentle and shows his anger. His lips demanding and moving fast. Sophia can barely keep up. One hand is gripping her hair and head while the other is holding her waist in a vice grip. She can feel his emotions in the kiss, the pain, the desperation, the want. Sophia brings her hands up to hold his face rubbing his cheeks soothingly. The kiss slowing down until Luca places his forehead against hers. His eyes welling up as well. 

"Please don't do this Tesoro.. please" His voice low but desperate as he grips her as if she would vanish if he allows it. "I will be by your side... please."

Sophia looks to with watery eyes as she closes her eyes once more and kisses him tenderly. He feels as if she is saying goodbye to him. He can feel her withdrawingly and he has no clue to stop it. She doesn't say another word as she pulls away before walking out of the room. Not once turning back to him. His eyes following her as she walks around a dumbstruck Cassidy. He feels his tears begin rolling down his cheeks as he locks his jaw. 

"What the hell are you doing?"

Luca raises his teary eyes to his father and mother. His mother looks sad but his father looks lethal. He leaves his mother walking directly to him. 

"Go after her"

"She doesn't want me-"

"She does too. She wants you to fight Luca."

"She's sick dad!"

"So? An illness should not stop you from loving someone!" His father raises his voice making him feel like a kid again. 

"She is giving up dad!" Luca throws his hands up yelling. 

Xavier gets in his son's face before pushing a finger at his chest. "You don't know what is going on but I do know that you are letting her leave... Right now, be a man!"

Luca practically growls while his dad pokes him getting his point across. Not saying another word, he leaves the room without looking back at them all. Cassidy watches as her brother battles with the slaughter of emotions running through him. She feels worried and sad just hoping they work it out. 

Sophia doesn't dare look back because one look from him and she would never leave the safety of his arms. He doesn't understand what all she has went through, what it took from her. She doesn't want to bare it again. With that, she knows it will never work between them. This is the reason she doesn't make connections and travels so much. Now what is she supposed to do. She makes it outside of the house. The cold air of the evening instantly making her wrap her arms around herself. 

"SOPHIA!"

She turns around finding Luca running to her. She looks down to her feet not wanting to meet his gaze. He stops right in front of her huffing. 

"I don't care. I don't" She lifts her gaze to him. "I don't care if we have a day, a week, or a year. I want it. I want to be by your side enjoying what only you can give to me Tesoro. You're it for me. You are the light of day, the air I breathe. I'm not letting you leave just because this may get difficult. You are not leaving me."

She smiles while crying again. He wraps his arms around her holding her again. Her hands gripping him like the anchor he is. She needs him too and for the first time ever... it terrifies her. She has never relied on anyone. Jessica is her only family and doesn't have any friends. No one that could be sad if she was gone. Luca brings out a side of her, and she is scared. She doesn't want to hurt him and that alone might kill her. She lays her head into his neck as she apologies continuously under her breath. 

Five minutes or so go by where he is holding her as she calms down. He pulls back taking her face into his hands. 

"I'm all in Sophia. Let me in."

She nods her head not trusting her voice. He comes forward kissing her forehead as his heart race finally slows down slightly. His center of gravity is in his arms. For whatever amount of time he has, he will take... with her by his side. 

"I don't think I can face your family tonight."

"That's alright, let's go."

He ushers her to the car helping her in before closing the door. He looks back at the house to find his sister standing at the door. She gives him a nod and wave. He returns it before walking to his side. He gets in and starts up the car before reaching out for her hand. She lays hers in his and he tightens his hold while bringing it to his lips. 

They drive down the streets of California as soft music plays in the background. The world continuing on even as both their lives feel as if it has stopped. Luca is not sure what all he feels but one thing is for certain. 

Sophia is his, and he will be damn before he gives up on her. 

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I hope everyone is having safe and a Happy Holiday season. Please keep in mind, I may get some medical facts incorrect moving forward. Please vote and comment if you like the chapter! Thank you!!