i get a little bit stronger || OPEN

[Lily Parker]

She hadn't slept well throughout the night, but it hadn't mattered much to her. She had been wrapped in his arms the entire time, and her small frame had cuddled up to him. She was comfortable and at peace, and she knew, that at that very moment, they were going to get through this. She was going to survive this cancer. She had been able to survive the time when she was on her own, and she had come out stronger because of it. She would survive this, they would survive this, and they would all come out stronger because of it. She just had to keep thinking that way, and things would be alright. Lying still for a moment, Lily glanced at the clock on her besides table. It was three o'clock in the morning. Early even for her. Sighing slightly, her gaze turned to the man beside her. Wyatt Parker. She was more than lucky to have him beside her now. She softly and gently moved herself out of his arms, knowing that she could no longer lay awake in this bed.

She studied his face for a moment, wondering why she had ever given it all up. He looked so peaceful in his sleep and she wished that she could grant him that peace when he was awake. But there would never be peace while she was sick like this. It was her fault that he was as stressed as he was. He was running a ranch and taking care of a wife that couldn't always take care of their child. It wasn't fair to him, but he was holding up like a rock. If only she could be half as strong as the man before her was. She looked away after a few moments and quietly stood up. Noah watched her from where he lay at the foot of the bed, wondering where his owner was going. He whined softly, but Lily pacified him by placing her hand on his head and giving him a rub. He wagged his tail slightly, and she smiled softly. This life was going to be exactly what she needed.

Stepping away from the bed, she managed to quietly get a pair of jeans on, as well as a thermal shirt. Over that, she tugged on a hooded sweatshirt, covering that with one of her own flannels. Even with all of the layers, she still appeared to be a toothpick. She needed to gain some weight, and as soon as she was able to, she was getting a cheeseburger. She had been craving one, but it wasn't a part of her diet while she was sick. She would get better and have one though. It was amazing the simple things that were missed when you couldn't have them. Lily had taken a lot of things for granted during her life, and she was done doing something like that. She appreciated everything and everyone in her life now. Sighing once more, she indicated to Noah that he could come or stay. The dog managed to curl himself up in a tighter ball on the bed before giving up on sleep. He wouldn't be relaxed if Lily wasn't next to him. The australian shepherd mix jumped down and followed his owner out of the bedroom.

Lily just hoped she hadn't woken Wyatt. She went down the hallway and stopped at her daughter's room. Noah stood by her as Lily opened the door a crack and looked in on her sleeping daughter. Smiling softly, she stepped in with Noah following suit. The two approached the twin sized bed, and Lily saw that Katy had kicked her blankets off during the night. She gently pulled them back over her, not wanting her to catch a chill. Leaning down, she softly kissed Katy's forehead, as she had done all throughout Katy's childhood, except for when Lily was gone. Making sure everything was alright with Katy, she stepped out and went down the stairs and into the kitchen. Grabbing an apple for herself and one for a special someone outside, she shrugged on her thick carhartt winter jacket that Wyatt had forced her to get. She was glad for that now however. Pulling her boots on, she placed her new cowboy hat upon her head and made sure she was slightly presentable, even though she doubted anyone would be outside. Grabbing her black gloves, she finally stepped outside and was blasted with the chilly air. Wow, she had to remember how cold it could be on the ranch.

Her teeth chattered slightly, and she wrapped her arms around her as she trudged to the barn. But she didn't go in. Instead, she doubled around to the round pen and caught sight of Flyer. He had calmed considerably since she was able to visit him. Instead of running around like a maniac, he was now resting with his right rear hoof angled on the ground. His head was down slightly and his ears were flicking back and forth in comfort rather than in wariness. Lily couldn't help but smile. She stood for another moment, admiring the beauty and the strength of the animal before her. And he was hers. Not just an ownership either. He had given his trust and his spirit to her. She had done the same with him. Watching the blue roan stallion, she knew that they had something special. And once he was trained they would be able to work extremely well together. After another moment she let out a low whistle, letting it trail off at the end.

The change that came over the blue roan was amazing. He stood straight instantly, his ears perked forward and a deep nicker coming forth from his throat. He turned his head immediately and caught sight of his owner. He didn't know why she was here when it was still dark out, but that didn't matter. Lily grinned, glad she had grabbed the brushes. She was going to give him a good cleaning because he had not been touched since he was here, and it was obvious he needed a good clean job. Stepping forward as he did, she went into the pen, feeling his nose nuzzle and push at her in his excitement. Laughing slightly, she reached slowly to stroke his face, and was surprised when he pushed his head into her palm. Giving him a good rub, she placed the brushes down in front of the wild horse. He investigated with interest, and then seemed relaxed enough with the new things.

"Good boy, Fly. You can trust me. We're going to clean you up today and show everyone what a beautiful boy you really are."

She finished in a slight whisper. Even though she doubted anyone would be up and about at three in the morning, it felt right to whisper. Patting his muscled neck, she bent down to grab the curry. Placing it gently on his neck, she introduced it to him slowly so it wouldn't spook it. It didn't spook him one bit. He leaned into the curry, his top lip curling over as he stretched his neck out in obvious pleasure. Lily laughed out loud, not believing the change in her horse. He was so relaxed now, and she actually felt like they had a chance to train him. She curried him until all of the caked on dirt and mud, as well as dead fur had fallen off of him. He enjoyed every single bit of it. She moved on to the hard brush and then the soft brush, giving his coat a slightly more well groomed look. He looked a lot better, and she was glad. Then she set on the task of cleaning up his mane and tail. That took the most time since they were matted and tangled with burrs and sticks from the range. But she persisted, and once she was finished, he looked like a clean horse. His mane and tail were steaming in the slight breeze, and he looked happy.

"Now you'll have no problem charming all of the ladies."

She said with a smile and a pat, and he snorted in response. Picking up the brushes, she put them off to the side and then stood with her stallion, burying her face in his neck. His warmth helped her in the cold, and she wished she could absorb some of his strength. It would be so much easier then. Sighing softly, she thought of Wyatt. He was sticking by her side through everything, and she needed to show him how thankful she truly was. SHe just didn't know how. Wishing someone had some answers for her, she felt the tears welling up in her eyes, not knowing why. She was fine, and she was stronger than this. She was disgusted and embarrassed with herself. Biting her lip, she just buried her face in Fly's neck, wishing that everything could just be normal.