Harry and I arrive in New York on our five hour layover before heading to London. I'm excited I get to see my parents, but it'll be weird to say goodbye. Yes, I realize I was already living in a different state, but the thought of an ocean between us makes it so much more scary. I'll be living in a different country with no family. But I will have Harry and his family.

My nerves are also going crazy that tomorrow I'm basically starting a whole new life... New friends, house, school... I have no idea what to expect, but I hope the decision I made to move was worth it.

"Aubrey!" Just as Harry and I get off the escalator with our suitcases, I hear my mother screech.

"Hi mom!" I give her the tightest hug I can manage.

"How are you sweetie?" She pulls back and I see the tears pooling in her eyes and It makes me get emotional.

"I'm good," I give her a weak smile. Well I was good, and now I'm feeling more nervous to leave.

When mom and I catch up on the last few weeks, Harry and my dad are talking a few feet away. I'm sure he's giving Harry a speech on how he has to take care of me by the serious looks on their faces.

After the security guard tells my parents they can't park their car where they did, we pack up and go back the house for a few hours before our next flight to England.

---

"I'm sure you two are starving, I'll get lunch started." My mom leaves the three of us alone in the living room as she makes her way to the kitchen.

"I'll help you, Claire." My dad gets up from the couch and follows after her.

"What's on your mind?" I scoot over to a noticeably quiet Harry.

"A little tired." He shrugs and wraps an arm around me, kissing the top of my head.

"Less than 24 hours until we're in England." I smile. "Are you excited to be back for good?"

"Yeah,"

"But..." I prompt. He's holding back.

"But I'm starting to feel bad again. I don't want you to leave your parents."

"Harry," I sit up and look at him. "I wouldn't even be with them if I stayed at Stanford. Don't feel bad."

"Okay." He simply says and kisses my cheek.

Minutes later we're called into the kitchen for lunch. A good homemade meal sounds delicious right now.

"Are you two excited for England?" My mom smiles.

"Very." I grin and rest my hand on Harry's knee.

"You'll have an amazing time. We'll have to come visit you." My dad says.

The meal goes on with a steady conversation revolving around what life will be like in England. Harry holds into my hand the entire time, and it brings me a great sense of comfort, like he's promising me that he'll always be there. I know he will, he hasn't let me down to this day.

"I'll get it." My mother stands up as the phone rings.

"Let the machine get it, Claire." My dad tells her.

"It's fine, I'm finished anyway." She smiles and takes her half finished plate to the sink.

I smile at the disapproving look my father gives her for not finishing all of her food, he's always been so protective over her. I admire the way they're still so in love after so many years, especially since these days marriage is taken much less seriously.

"Yes this is she... Okay... Yeah just a minute." I over hear my mother before she walks out onto the balcony.

"So how are things here dad?" I ask.

"Good." He nods. "A little lonely without our girl." He smiles.

"Claire what is it?" He turns towards my mom when she comes back inside.

"Nothing, I just have a doctors appointment tomorrow." She smiles and joins us back at the table.

"Everything's okay?"

"Yes sweetie."

"Thanks for lunch." Harry interrupts.

"Of course! Well you two don't have to be back at the airport for a couple hours yet, what did you want to do?" My mom asks us.

"Just hang around? I'll help you clean up lunch." I say and stand up to grab Harry and I's plates. My mom smiles in appreciation and follows me to the kitchen.

"What's up with dad?" I laugh as I ask my mom and load the dishwasher.

"What?"

"He's been acting weird today."

"More weird than usual? I'm not sure." She laughs. "Will you get that sweetie?" My mom points her chin towards the phone as it rings, her hands covered in soap as she washes the remainder of the dishes.

I walk over to the phone and pick it up. I expect it to be some sales call or my grandma, but boy was I wrong.

"Mom..." I walk back to her with the mouth piece of the phone covered with my hand.

"Aubrey, who is it?"

"Why is Dr. Weaver calling?" My face pales. I know who this doctor is.

"I'm not sure," she frowns and holds out her hand for me to give her the phone.

"Yes you do..." I remain frozen.

"Probably about grandma?" She's unconvincing.

"Mom, tell me." A tear falls down my cheek.

"Aubrey give me the phone."

I do as she says and walk to my room. This isn't happening. No. Not today, not when I'm about to leave.

"Aubrey?" Harry and my dad both question in unison as I book it to my room, tears running down my face. I vaguely hear Harry tell my dad that he should talk to me.

"Baby," He frowns and stares at me.

All I can do is wrap my arms around his waist and sob into his chest.

"Harry, can you give us a minute?" I hear my mothers soft voice from behind him, but I don't want to let go.

"Of course," he looks at her. "It's okay, Aubs." He leans down to me and gives me a swift kiss to the top of my head before leaving the room.

"Aubrey..." Oh, I didn't notice my dad was here too.

He walks over and prompts me to sit on the edge bed.

"Your mother is sick." He kneels down in front of me and places his hands on my knees.

I can't look at him, I can't look at her. My hands cover my eyes as I try to wake up from this nightmare, but it's not working.

"Say something," my mom's voice is weak, I know she's crying too. I feel her sit next to me and wrap her arms around me, but I can't look.

"When were you going to tell me you had cancer? Or were you not going to? Just let me move across the world and never tell me?"

"Of course we were going to tell you."

"I'm not going, I'm staying here." I wipe my eyes, but there's no use; the tears keep falling down.

"No you're not!" My mother scolds me. "This is why we were going to wait to tell you."

"I can't go!"

"Aubrey," my dad looks hurt. I wonder how bad he's taking this right now? "Your mother will be okay. It's all going to be okay, you need to go. You have to go to school."

"I'll go to NYU." I decide.

"NYU is not nearly as good of a school as Cambridge. Aubrey, it will be okay. Please stop crying."

"How bad is it?" My breath hitches. I don't want to know the answer to this.

"It's not that bad."

"You have cancer, mom!" I practically yell.

"They caught it early. She will recover." My dad assures me, and it does make me feel slightly better. But still, cancer freaks me out. I've lost two grandparents to this horrible thing, and I refuse to let it take my mother.

"Are you sure?" I sniffle and look to my mom for comfort.

"Yes. Aubrey, you need to go with Harry. I promise I will be okay. I know you're worried, but you can't stay here."

"But..."

"Everything will be okay. Your mother has the best doctor in New York, and I will take good care of her." My dad smiles and moves a hand to hold my mom's.

"Come here." My mom squeezes me tight and wipes the tears from my eyes.

I don't ever want to leave now. How can they make me? My mom is sick, I can't go. It breaks my heart.

Despite the terrible news I've just been told, I feel comfortable right here, in this position. The embrace of both of my parents makes me feel so homesick, even though I'm with them. I don't want to leave, especially not now. I'd be a horrible daughter if I left at this time.

"I don't want to go." I whisper.

"I know." My mother caresses my hair. "And I appreciate that. I want you here too, sweetie. I love having my little girl around, but I will feel way to guilty. I need you to go with Harry, okay?" She tilts my chin up to force me to look at her. "Do it for me? It will make me feel better knowing you're there with him." She smiles.

"Mom..."

"Aubrey, don't deny your sick mother." She laughs and I frown.

"It's okay," she smiles. "I'm not as sick as you think I am. I know it's scary, but it will be okay. I love you so much, Aubrey."

"I love you mom." I choke up.

"Why don't you go talk to Harry. I'm sure he's worried about you."

I nod and leave my parents in the bedroom. I find Harry sitting on the bed in the guest room on his phone, but as soon as he sees me, he drops it and meets me at the door with a big hug.

"How are you feeling." He whispers.

"Okay... Better." I admit. It still sucks, but I have to trust my parents. "My mom is sick."

"I know." He states and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"What? You didn't tell me? Wait, how?" I am beyond confused.

"Your dad told me when we got here. He told me that they weren't going to tell you until we were just about to leave because they didn't want you to feel like you needed to stay."

"Oh..."

"Aubrey, I can only imagine what you're going through, but you're parents still think you should go."

"I know..."

"If you want to stay, I understand baby."

"I do, but I want to go with you too. And my mom really doesn't want me to stay." I laugh.

"She'll be okay. She's a strong woman." He comforts me. "That's why you're so strong.. You get it from her."

I tighten my arms around his waist and try to tell myself that my mother is indeed a strong woman. She will be okay here with my dad, and she wants me to go.

"Tell me what you're thinking." He urges me.

"I don't even know," I shake my head. "I'm mad and sad and tired, confused, pretty much every emotion right now."

"That's normal. What do you want to do?"

I sigh and really think about this.

"I need to go with you. I can't not go to school, and my parents think I should go. My mom will be okay." I take a deep breath.

"She will be." He promises and kisses my forehead.

Notes

Hi guys! Please vote if you haven't already? xx

and I posted my new fanfic, it's called Too Much. Will you guys check it out? <3

let me know what you think :)