The girl with the secret...Part 2...~FieryMomOf2~

Lucy launched herself into Billy's arms, unable to control her tears anymore. Pudge went crazy, yapping and jumping around the pair as he sensed something was wrong. "Just hold me," she said softly, letting the tears fall. "What's wrong, babe?" Billy asked, a bit of fear niggling at the back of his mind. "You're scaring me, Lucy, what's going on?" Lucy shook her head wordlessly and just held on to Billy, taking in the scent of his aftershave that she loved so much, the strength of his arms around her, everything about him that she loved so much.

"Let's get inside, come on, it can't be that bad." Billy gently ushered her into the house and to the sofa. All Lucy could to was stare at him with tear-filled eyes and say "I'm so sorry" over and over again. "Lucy, why are you saying you're sorry?" Billy asked, the trepidation growing. "Just tell me what's going on, you know I can take it." "Not this, I didn't expect it, I didn't...I couldn't..." Lucy trailed off into a whisper. "First you have to understand something about me. After I divorced David, I dated a man for awhile before I met you. I discovered he was into drugs, and broke it off with him. But it was too late...it was just too late..." Lucy broke out into tears again and buried her face in her hands.

"Honey, just tell me. Nothing can be that bad that we can't get through it together. You know I'm going to stand by you no matter what." Billy sensed something dreadful, but couldn't quite place his finger on it. What could her dating a junkie have to do with the news she'd heard at the doctor's today? Lucy continued. "Yes it is bad, Billy, and I want you to know that I love you more than anything in the world and I hope you can forgive me and understand." Billy was growing a bit impatient at Lucy's reluctance and a little harshly said "Lucy, for God's sake, just tell me. I'm a grown man."

Lucy whispered "I'm...HIV positive." The silence was deafening in the room. Not even a breath was heard. Billy stood up and began to pace the living room floor. "HIV? You mean AIDS? Oh my God. Lucy..." The look of shock and hurt on Billy's face was enough to send Lucy into a fresh round of tears. "I'm so sorry Billy. I never expected this myself. I'm going to get a second opinion, but the doctor said it's a 99% probability that it's accurate. Please, please don't hate me. I never asked for this." Billy returned to the sofa and put his arm around Lucy. He sat staring into nothingness for what seemed like hours as Lucy continued to cry softly beside him.

"I'll understand if you want to break off the engagement and never see me again. I'm tainted goods now I guess." Lucy finally spoke at last. Billy said nothing. Thoughts raced through his mind, along the same lines as Lucy's previous thoughts during her walk. What about their future? What about the girls? What about her career? After a long moment, he said "What do we do next? Medication? You know more about this stuff than me, Lucy. What comes next?" Lucy thought for a moment and said "Well, medication is obviously the right way to go. I have to get on the proper drugs as soon as possible to protect my immune system. And you need to get tested as well. The chances of me transmitting it to you are slim, but still..." Billy sat there thinking about that. As a paramedic, he knew his career would be in danger if he had indeed contracted the virus from Lucy. But he couldn't think about that just now. He knew only one thing was important right now. Lucy.

"Lucy I want you to listen to me and listen to me good." Lucy's eyes opened wide at the sudden stern tone in Billy's voice. This was it, she thought. The end. "I know you're scared, so am I. But from everthing I know about the illness, people live long and happy lives with it. You can be one of those people. If you can't be a nurse, then you can find something else to do. You're smart, you learn quickly, and you should have no problem finding another job if you have to. As for me, it's going to take some time for me to digest all of this, but I'm not going anywhere. Our vows may have not been spoken yet, but I already promised through sickness and health, and I intend to stick to my word. I love you, and you're not going to lose me."

A fresh wave of tears struck Lucy as she embraced Billy and whispered "Thank you" over and over again. "We can't tell the girls, though, they're far too young to understand. And I need to tell my supervisor as soon as possible. I love you Billy, and promise I'll do everything to keep myself healthy. I couldn't ask for a better man to be by my side. Thank you for understanding and for being there for me." Billy replied "I wouldn't have it any other way." The two lay down on the couch and snuggled, Lucy drifting off into an exhausted sleep in Billy's arms, while Billy lay there contemplating the future, knowing he had made the right choice. This was no time for anger, this was a time for supporting the woman he loved. They lay that way until the girls came in from school, and Billy took them all to the local fair in town.

The next day, Lucy talked to the charge nurse, and explained everything. The charge nurse was sympathetic and heartbroken for Lucy. She told her that she would not be terminated, but that she wouldn't be allowed to draw blood, run IV lines, or anything to do with blood exposure, and Lucy accepted that, thankful she still had a job. Billy was tested, and came back negative. The possibility of her having children while HIV positive was still there, but that was something they'd have to think about in the future, not now. Not while it was so fresh.

3 months later, Lucy and Billy were married in a gorgeous garden ceremony with hundreds of friends, family and co-workers in attendance. Attached to the inside of her wedding dress was a small red ribbon. As they left for their honeymoon, Lucy looked up to the skies and gave thanks that she had found such a perfect and wonderful man to share the rest of her life with. It was all going to be ok.

The end...

Today is World AIDS Day. Please take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives to this disease, and those who are still fighting it daily. Maybe someday there will be a cure, but for now we continue to fight.

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