Come Back to Me

Chapter Two - If I Lie Here

A/N: Flashback~

It was almost 12 AM when Thomas was laying in bed while James was cuddled up into his side. The latter was almost asleep when his husband suddenly spoke in a serious tone, "James..."

"Yes, Tommy?", James replied sleepily.

"If I ever end up in a situation where some stupid machines are the only thing that'd keep my body alive, I want you to know that...", he paused. "I want you to let me go. No matter what I would be diagnosed with."

James propped himself up on his elbow to look into Thomas' eyes. "Did someone die, or have you just watched too many movies? Why are you bringing this up now?", he asked worriedly.

Thomas chuckled a bit. "I don't know. We have a daughter now and I started to think about what will happen if we're suddenly not here for her anymore..."

"Thomas, we still have enough time to think about this", James said, placing his hand on his Love's cheek. "But to go back to your statement, don't you want to wait and give yourself a chance before deciding too quickly?"

Thomas thought for a moment. He could see James was serious now...and even scared about his husband's choice.

"Okay, maybe it does depend on what I'll be diagnosed with. If it's something like a coma, you can give me a week or even a month. If it's something else which will obviously never get me back anymore, then let me go. It would be easier for you and Abby to move on instead of holding onto a hope for god knows how long."

"How could I ever get over your death?"

"Time- "

"Thomas!", James exclaimed, but calmed himself down as soon as the words left his mouth. "I love you so much since the day I first talked to you. I would never be able to fully get over your death and would feel responsible for it if I have to decide over such a thing."

He paused to take a deep breath and let go of Thomas' face. "But if that's how you'll decide, then I won't be in your way", James said as his voice cracked, tears already beginning to form in his eyes as his vision got blurry.

Thomas immediately felt guilty and tried to calm James down by placing a hand on the other man's cheek. "I'm so sorry, Hun. I shouldn't have started this conversation- "

"No, it's okay. Sooner or later we had to talk about this. But please promise me you'll think about your decision again", James said, giving Thomas a sad look.

His husband leaned over for a quick kiss before speaking again. "I promise, Dear. Besides, we still have plenty of years until that day will come, so don't worry about it now", Thomas said, smiling at him.

"Okay...", James responded shakily, forcing a smile on his face.

"I love you", Thomas whispered before kissing him again.

"I love you, too", the other said, laying his head back onto his man's upper arm before they both drifted off to sleep.

"He wouldn't want that", James mumbled to himself as he fills out the papers with tears in his eyes.

(535 words)