*9*

"I like them," Joe smirked, "But they would look sexier if they were on you."

"Joe!" I playfully scolded.

"Minx, I'm serious," Joe said with a huge grin on his face.

"Not yet," I said, taking everything off of my bed.

"Yet?" Joe smirked.

"We'll see," I winked as I got into bed.

Joe laid down with his laptop next to me and focused on editing.

"Minx, I don't want to just 'get in your pants,' I really like you," Joe explained, his tone traced with guilt.

"Joe, I didn't take it like that at all," I said, sitting up in bed.

"Okay, I just didn't want you to think I'm hanging around you for that," Joe said.

"Of course not," I said, leaning in and giving Joe a kiss.

Joe moved his laptop to the side and I straddled his lap, giving Joe a deep kiss and playing with the hem of his shirt. I don't want Joe to think I don't want him, because I do. Joe put his hands on my lower back and slid them down to my bottom, giving my bum a little squeeze before breaking the kiss.

"Not tonight," Joe said seriously.

"What? Why not?" I questioned.

Oh, how the tables have quickly turned.

"Because I don't want you to feel pressured. You initially said, 'No,' so, not tonight," Joe said giving me a kiss.

"Okay," I groaned, getting off of Joe's lap.

"Goodnight Minx," Joe whispered as I fell asleep.

°

I woke up the next morning in a really good mood.

"Minx," Joe mumbled, as he wrapped his arm around me, across my chest.

"Joe!" I said getting up.

"Lay back down with me," Joe grumbled.

"No, let's do something!"

"I have something in mine," Joe smirked.

"Joe, are you always nursing a semi?" I laughed.

"D.amn," Joe said, "Only around you," He added, winking.

"Well, I know morning sex is good for you," I giggled.

"Exactly!" Joe laughed.

I shook my head, mentally deciding I wasn't ready yet. Instead, I went into my bathroom and took a shower.

After I dressed in the new clothes I had bought yesterday. I left the bathroom and checked my phone. Another missed call. This time from an unknown number, and they had left a voicemail. Joe was still in bed, drifting in and out of sleep, so I sat on my bed and listened to the voicemail.

"Hello, this is Valerie from St. Thomas' Hospital. I am calling on behalf of your father, Gordon Levins. If you can call me back, that would be great. My number is +44-xx-xxxx-xxxx."

Oh my gosh. What happened?! I quickly scribbled down the number on a piece of paper and dialed it into the phone.

"Hello, St. Thomas' Hospital, how can I help you?" A female answered the phone.

"Hi, I was called saying my dad, Gordon Levins, was admitted?"

"Yes, I'll tranfer you to the department he is held in right now," She said sweetly before tranferring me.

"Hello, Valerie speaking," Dr. Valerie said into the phone.

"Hello, I think you called me 10 minutes ago, saying my father, Gordon Levins has been admitted."

"Yes, are you Minx Levins? He requested I call for you. I am afraid to say he is not doing so well. He was admitted yesterday evening in the emergency room, but has since been transferred to being a stay-patient," Dr. Valerie explained.

"Okay?"

"Your father came into the emergency room experiencing severe heart pains. We later found he was having a minor stroke."

"Oh my gosh!" I gasped, as Joe sat up in bed with a worried look on his face.

"With further tests and examinations we found out that your father has Stage 4 Hepatic Cancer, or more commonly known as Liver Cancer. I would like for you to come to my office so I can discuss the little options we have at this time. Gordon- uh- your father asked that your mother remain out of this too," Dr. Valerie explained.

"Oh, okay, when can I come in?" I asked.

"Whenever will work for you, especially for this type of situation."

"I'll come in ASAP."

"Thank you Minx."

I hung up the phone and threw it in my bag.

"Joe, I have to go to the hospital," I said in a frenzy.

"Minx, what's wrong?"

"My dad," I said, trying not to cry.

"Do you want me to come? I can drive you," Joe said getting out of bed and putting on a shirt and sweatpants.

I silently nodded, holding back tears as I scrambled to get to the car. Joe drove us to the hospital and I went in, Joe following close behind. I went to where Dr. Valerie instructed me to go over the phone.

"Hello, Minx?" Dr. Valerie smiled. I nodded and shook her hand as we greeted each other. She lead us into her office.

"Have a seat," Dr. Valerie said.

She wasn't how I imagined her. She was really pretty with long black hair braided down her back. She has a perfectly symmetric face, straight white teeth, and strong eyebrows. She was probably in her early-thirties. Surprisingly young for such a professional doctor.

"Okay Minx and...?"

"Joe," Joe introduced himself.

"My boyfriend," I lied; to Joe's amusement.

I figured it sounded more relevant to say Joe is my boyfriend, rather than just say he's a friend? I don't know.

"Alright, are you okay with him hearing all of this?" Dr. Valerie confirmed.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Okay, so as I said, your father has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Hepatic Cancer," Dr. Valerie explained again.

"Okay, what does this mean now then?" I asked.

"Because the cancer has been untreated and progressed and spread, it is untreatable. It may be very hard to find any doctor that will treat Stage 4 Hepatic Cancer," Dr. Valerie said.

"Was it because of the amount of alcohol he drank?" I asked.

"That is the only probable cause. That is another suspect of what set off the stroke he experienced. It is quite surprising to see someone as young as him being this affected by this, I'm sorry," Dr. Valerie sympathized.

"Okay, so -um - how long does he have?" I said as a few tears streamed down my face.

"A month at the very most."

At that moment is when I really started crying. Joe put him arm around me and hugged me as I cried on his shoulder. I need to see my dad.

"C-can I see him?" I asked Dr. Valerie.

"Of course, I'll take you to him now," She nodded.

Joe and I followed Dr. Valerie down the hall, after taking a couple turns, we arrived at room 825.

"I can stay outside," Joe nodded, giving me a hug.

I nodded as Dr. Valerie took me inside his room.

"Dad?" I said going to the side of his bed.

"Minx! Oh Minx, baby! I am so sorry! I love you honey," My dad said.

"Dad, no- Dad, don't apologize. Please," I said crying, hugging him.

We talked for awhile. I promised to visit as often as I could, which would hopefully be a lot. My dad didn't want to keep me long because he knew Joe was waiting outside. He then asked to talk to Joe for a minute without me in the room. I hesistantly obliged and waited outside the room for about two minutes.

After Joe came out, we got back in the car and drove back to the house.

°

a/n: hi, sorry this chapter is a bit sad.

****Buttttttt A SERIOUS QUESTION!! DO YOU WANT SMUT IN THIS BOOK? OR KEEP IT CLEAN?****

thanks for reading! Love you all!!!! X.