TONY'S POV

As I took my first steps in San Diego airport, I couldn't believe what I was doing. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I dragged my luggage behind me as I exited the large building. I took a cab into town and went straight to the hospital.

Praying that none of his family was there, I went to visit Rachel's Dad. Once I found his room (with the help of one very monotone nurse) I peaked in - the ghost was clear. I pulled the suitcase behind me, my backpack slung over my left shoulder. I turned around and began to put my things down on a seat.

'Ces- Tony? Is that you?' he gasped, I stood up straight and turned to face him.

'It is, sir.' I grinned, walking towards him. I gave him a careful hug through the wires.

'What's all that? Aren't you suppose to be on tour?'

'Not anymore,' I shook my head. 'And that's all my stuff, I've come straight from the airport.'

'Why? Shouldn't you go and see your parents?'

'Yeah, but there's been something on my mind and I can't shake it off.' He looked at me with a face of confusion, gesturing with his weak hand to continue. 'I love your daughter, a lot. I was just wandering that if it ever came to it, would you give me consent to, uh,' my throat closed up. I blinked a few times and swallowed before carrying on, 'to marry her?'

My thumbs danced around each other as I sat down next to his bed, anxiously waiting a reply. 'I just- I want to know that you would be okay with it. I mean, she'd have to say yes first but...' I looked up to see him crying. 'Sir?' I said worriedly. 'What's wrong?'

'Get a terminal illness, Tony. You'll understand then,' he laughed through the tears.

'C'mon, what's up?'

'I- I never thought I'd be asked that question. My biggest fear, and you know this from our conversation, is Rachel being unsafe. I just want her to be happy more than anything else. Of course you can marry her. Actually, I insist you do! I don't want some-'

'Idiot?' I offered with a grin on my face.

'Exactly,' he chuckled, wiping away his tears. 'I wish I could..' he trailed off.

'Wish you could what?'

'Walk her down the aisle. I've missed my opportunity I can't walk now. Make sure she walks down with someone who really loves her, okay? And can I ask one thing of you, Tony?'

'Sure, sir.'

'For the love of God, give me grandchildren!'

'Sir, I don't think that-'

'Are you going to deny a dying man his wish?'

'No,' I smiled, patting his hand. 'Okay, I'll try my best.'

'You will,' he ensured me as he wiggled his eyebrows, causing me to blush furiously.

'I better head. Need to get my things home.'

'Okay. Thank you for asking me, Tony. You will never understand how much it means to me that you did that.'

I nodded, I had no words left. I was completely and utterly speechless. I picked up my things and left the room. Walking out to the car park, I pulled out my phone and called my Mum.

'Tone, she's okay. She's asleep,' she informed me.

'Hello mama, that's not why I'm calling. Can you please pick me up from SD hospital?'

'You're home? Already? What's happened?'

'Nothing,' I promised her, 'the tour's over now. I'm coming home.'

'Your Dad just left, he shouldn't be too long. I'll see you soon, dear.'

'Okay, bye mama.'

---

Stepping out of the car, I fetched my luggage from the back and hauled it up the drive to the house. My Mum hugged me as I brought it all indoors. I dropped it all and hugged her back. Feeling tired, I told her I was going straight to bed. Picking my things back up, I pulled them up the stairs and into my room. Oddly, the light was already on as I entered backwards with the suitcase dragging along on front of me. I fell to my knees and unzipped it, taking out my toothbrush and toothpaste. I went through to the bathroom, did what I needed to do, and then came back through. I removed my top, jeans and socks before turning to go to my bed. I felt a smile come across my face as I looked at Rachel curled up in my bed.

I carefully slid under the covers and moved her over a little, making sure I didn't wake her. I put my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me, kissing the back of her neck. I put my leg over hers and smiled mentally as I felt little butterflies in my stomach. My eyes fell and I was soon asleep.

RACHEL'S POV

Waking up, two things took me by surprise. The first was that I slept the whole night, the second was that someone was hugging me. Squirming under their arm, I turned to see Tony's face close to me. I grinned widely, kissing his nose. I was trying desperately not to scream with happiness, but I needed an outlet. I wrapped my arm around him as squeezed as tight as I could, letting out quiet 'ahh''s as I did so.

'Can't breathe,' he laughed, his morning voice as sexy as ever.

'Ahh!' I screamed louder. 'You're home, you're home, you're home.'

He lay back and pulled me on top of him, his soft brown eyes meeting mine. 'You're even more beautiful than I remember,' he said with furrowed eyebrows. I smiled and buried my head in the crook of his neck.

'You don't know how much I've missed you,' I breathed out, feeling safer than I had in weeks.

'I love you,' he whispered into my ear.

'I will love you forever,' he said under his breathe. It seemed as though I was suppose to hear, but I did, and god did I blush.

Notes

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