Cole lay on the bed, feeling his strength slowly drain away like water slipping through his fingers. The pain was unbearable, something he never imagined he could endure.

Each breath felt heavier than the last as he drifted in and out of consciousness. His thoughts turned to his life—only 28 years old, yet it felt like it was slipping away too soon.

He and his wife had just started dreaming of having children, but now, that dream seemed impossible.

He couldn’t bear the thought of leaving without saying goodbye to those he loved. With the little energy he had left, Cole reached for his phone and called his family and best friend, Michael.

He didn’t share the gravity of his condition; he just wanted to see them, to hold on to some sense of normalcy, perhaps for the last time.

Michael was the first to arrive. He walked through the house, calling out for Cole, but Cole didn’t have the strength to respond.

Michael walked into the room and saw Cole lying in bed. “What’s up, bud?” he asked.

Cole looked up at him with a weak smile. “Just wanted to get everyone together. Thought it’d be nice.”

Michael glanced around the room. “So, it’s just me and your imaginary friend for now?” he joked, pretending to look for someone else.

Cole chuckled, though it hurt. “No, the rest should be here soon. My parents, Amber too.”

Michael grinned. “Is Amber still hot?”

Cole’s smile faded a bit. “She’s off-limits, Mike.”

Michael raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. Maybe we should move to the living room?”

“I’d rather stay here. Let’s just sit.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, I just want to be here,” Cole replied softly.

“All right,” Michael said, pulling up a chair beside the bed.

Michael had barely settled in when the door opened, and Cole’s mother, Jessica, and sister, Amber, walked in.

“Why are we sitting in the bedroom? And why are you still in bed, Cole?” Jessica asked, her voice full of worry.

Michael, catching a glimpse of Amber, leaned over to Cole and mouthed, “Still hot.”

“I just wanted us all to be together,” Cole said, looking up at his mom. “It feels right, you know?”

Jessica frowned. “But why the bedroom? This isn’t like you, Cole. You should be up, moving around. This isn’t normal.”

Cole sighed, realizing he needed to explain more. “I was just thinking about when Camilla and I first moved in here. We had our first dinner in this room because it was the only one with any furniture. Remember how you all helped us set up? We laughed so much that night.”

“Oh, I remember,” Amber said, laughing softly. “Michael couldn’t stop hitting on me the whole evening.”

Michael grinned at Amber. “Well, if we’re going down memory lane, I’m happy to give it another shot,” he said, winking.

Amber smiled back. “You can try.”

“No,” Cole interjected, his voice firm. “This isn’t the time for that. Where’s Dad?” Cole suddenly noticed his father, John, wasn’t there.

Jessica hesitated before answering. “He said he’s working late. He can’t make it.”

Cole’s expression darkened. “He has to come!”

“He’ll come another day, Cole. It’s okay.”

“No! He has to come today!” Cole insisted, his voice rising.

Amber stepped closer to the bed, trying to calm her brother. “What’s going on with you? Calm down, Cole.”

Michael nodded in agreement. “Yeah, man, you’re not dying. Relax.”

Cole didn’t respond. He just stared at them. He didn’t want to tell them the truth; he didn’t want to make them worry.

Jessica had already called John, telling him to come over immediately. “Cole, what’s going on?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“I don’t… I don’t know how much time I have left,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“What does that mean? Are you sick?” Amber asked, stepping closer to the bed.

“Yes,” Cole simply answered.

Michael shook his head. “Dude, that’s not cool. Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Cole sighed deeply. “I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t want anyone to worry,” he admitted.

Jessica’s worry turned to anger. “I’m your mother! I should know these things!”

At that moment, John rushed into the bedroom, out of breath from hurrying home. “What’s going on?” he asked.

Jessica turned to him. “Our son is sick,” she said.

John looked at Cole, searching for answers. “Seriously?” he asked, and Cole nodded, confirming the worst.

Amber’s voice shook as she asked, “Then why aren’t you in the hospital, Cole? Shouldn’t you be getting treatment?”

“We went to the doctor. He said there’s no point in keeping me there; they can’t do anything to help,” he explained.

Amber covered her face with her hands, her emotions overwhelming her. Michael stepped closer, gently patting her back, trying to comfort her.

Cole’s voice was calm but sad as he continued, “That’s why I wanted you all to come today, to say goodbye, because I don’t know how much time I have left…”

Michael asked, “Where’s Camilla?”

“At work,” Cole replied.

Jessica’s eyes flared with anger again. “How can she be at work?!” she exclaimed. “When her husband is in such a condition, she’s working?!”

Cole shook his head, trying to calm her. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll still have time to be with her.”

But Jessica couldn’t accept it. “This is outrageous! She should be by your side day and night! I’m calling her right now,” she declared, reaching for her phone.

Cole reached out. “No need, really. I want to be with you all. That’s what’s important to me right now.” He paused, looking at each of them. “I love and appreciate you all so much, and I’m glad that you’re my family.”

Cole noticed Amber and Michael exchanging quick, secretive glances across the room.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen that look pass between them. He had known for a while that Michael had feelings for Amber, but he had always put his foot down, telling Michael that his sister was off-limits.

Amber was his little sister, and he had been protective of her. But now, lying there, Cole realized that things were different. Even if he wasn’t around much longer, he wanted them to be happy together.

Cole took a deep breath and looked at Michael and Amber, who were still exchanging glances. “Michael, I give you my blessing to date Amber,” he said.

Amber’s eyes widened in surprise. “What blessing? This isn’t the Middle Ages, and you’re not my father,” she objected, though her tone was more playful than serious.

Michael’s face lit up with a huge smile. “Thanks, man. We didn’t know how to tell you,” he said, reaching out to take Amber’s hand.

Amber squeezed Michael’s hand and added with a smile, “We’ve actually been dating for three months.”

Cole’s eyes widened in shock. “Three months? And you kept it a secret from me?” he exclaimed.

“We were afraid of how you’d react, Cole. I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Michael was the one afraid of your reaction. I wanted to tell you right away,” Amber said.

Cole turned to his parents. “And you both knew?” he asked.

Jessica nodded with a smile. “Of course, we knew. Michael’s great for Amber. I’ve been telling her that for a while now,” she said.

John chimed in, giving Michael a pat on the shoulder. “Michael and I play baseball together once a week. He’s a good guy, Cole.”

Cole shook his head, still in disbelief. “I can’t believe this,” he murmured, though he couldn’t help but smile just a little.

They spent the entire day reminiscing, sitting close together as the memories flowed. Cole’s parents shared stories of when he was a little boy, remembering his first steps and how he’d laugh at the simplest things.

Michael and Amber joined in, recalling the silly pranks they pulled as teenagers, laughing about when they got caught sneaking out late at night. The room was filled with laughter and tears, each story bringing a blend of happiness and sadness.

As the day wore on, the reality of their situation hung over them, heavy and unspoken. No one wanted to say goodbye, and the thought brought a deep ache to their hearts.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, and Camilla walked in. She looked around at everyone gathered around Cole, who was lying in bed. “What’s going on here?” she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

Jessica immediately turned to her, her face full of frustration. “How can you be at work when your husband is in this condition?”

“What condition?” Camilla asked, her eyes scanning the room for answers.

John, who had been holding back his emotions, finally exploded. “My son is dying!” he shouted.

Camilla’s eyes widened in shock. “Dying?! What are you talking about? What kind of show is this?” she asked, turning to Cole for an explanation.

Cole looked up at her. “No show, Camilla. I just wanted to say goodbye while I still could,” he said.

Camilla stared at him, then shook her head in disbelief. “Cole, you have a fever of 100.4°F! You’re not dying! You just caught a cold!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration.

“But it feels like I’m dying,” he muttered, trying to justify his dramatic behavior.

“Wait, so you just have a cold?!” Amber shouted, her voice filled with disbelief.

John, now furious, threw his hands up in the air. “I canceled a few meetings because of you!” he yelled, storming out of the room in anger.

Jessica followed him, shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this! I was already thinking I’d have to bury my son, and you just have a cold!” she said as she left the room.

Michael, trying to lighten the mood, looked at Cole with a grin. “Not cool, man. But just to be clear, your blessing for Amber and me still stands, right?” he asked, teasing him.

Camilla turned to Amber, raising an eyebrow. “He finally worked up the courage to tell him?” she asked.

Amber nodded with a laugh. “All it took was Cole ‘dying’ for it to happen,” she said, giggling as she and Michael left the room, leaving Cole and Camilla alone.

Once they were gone, Cole looked up at Camilla, feeling a bit sheepish. “You knew too?” he asked, surprised that he had been the last to figure things out.

Camilla rolled her eyes. “Everyone knew, Cole. I don’t understand how you didn’t see it. What was all this drama for?” she asked, still trying to wrap her head around the situation.

Cole sighed, sinking deeper into the bed. “I don’t know. I just feel like I’m about to die,” he said, feeling a bit foolish now.

Camilla shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll go heat up some broth for your drama queen self. I can’t believe you came up with all this!”