This story is not based on
fiction or fantasy, but a story
of true and beautiful love. A
love that was full of life and
color, that was never dull or
quiet. A love that was truly one
of a kind. We had a beautiful
beginning and a wonderful
middle sadly however we
never got our happily ever
after...
Aiden and I first met in our
Freshmen year of High school in our English class, lets say it wasn't
exactly love at first sight. In fact we practically hated one another, we
were constantly at each others throats and we were both too stubborn and
hot headed to get past this strange wall of anger that had been built
between us. Towards the middle of Freshmen year we had finally reached
talking terms, and by the end of it we were hanging out everyday at lunch
and almost every other day outside of school, but Sundays were the one
day we were always together because we both attended the same church.
We were constantly questioned if we were dating and all that he and I
could do was laugh. We were best friends and the thought of people seeing
us as more than that seemed simply ridiculous.
Time went on and as Freshmen year ended and the summer began Aiden
and I began to spend more and more time together and became practically
inseparable. We each had our summer flings with other people but nothing
serious, at the end of the day though there he and I were sitting on my
patio with a drink in our hands and simply laughing and just talking about
the people we met, the things we've done, and places we've been seen over
the summer. Before we knew it Sophomore year had finally began. We
were finally getting out of that awkward stage of high school and moving
up the food chain. Able to drive and at the age where we could finally get
a part time job, well at least Aiden could considering that his birthday was
a day before school started and mine wasn't until September.
On the first day of school Aiden picked me up in his shiny silver cobalt,
not his car of choice but still a car. When arriving at school every one
thought that we had finally started dating, much to their dismay we told
them we weren't. Time seemed to have flown by it was September and my
birthday was less than 3 days away, I could practically taste the slight
freedom I would soon receive. On Friday the day before my birthday halls
were bustling and excited, ready for the nights football game against our
biggest rivals. I had intended on going with Aiden, that was until I found a
note in my locker inscribed to me. Opening it, it read "Wear something
nice tonight, I have a surprise for you. I'll pick you up at 7. -Aiden"
I was confused, what was Aiden up to? Rushing home I got ready and
began to turn my clean room into a unbelievable mess with mountains of
clothing. DING DONG. Aiden had arrived right when I slipped on a
yellow sundress. I ran down stairs to greet him, he actually surprised me
with how good he cleaned up. We walked to his car and we headed off to
the city, to my surprise he took me to a nice Italian restaurant and after we
had finished we headed to the beach right when the sun was setting. We
walked by the water and just talked, as the sun finally set fireworks had
suddenly began. It was beautiful and absolutely perfect, I couldn't believe
that Aiden came up with this, he was more romantic than I thought. As the
light show ended we walked back towards his car when he suddenly
stopped us for a moment. "Autumn.." He said looking at me. I could see in
his eyes that there was something wrong. "What is it?" I asked unsure.
"There is something I need to tell you that I've wanted to say to you for a
long time now... and it's been killing me. So.. here it goes." I stood there
for a second and began to chuckle. "I can't believe I'm doing
this." .."Aiden what is it?" I felt my heart begin to skip. "Autumn... I love
you. I have for a long time... I just never got the chance or rather I was
way to scared to tell you. I don't want this to change us, and I'm not
looking for you to say it too. I just I can't keep going without telling you
this, cause it'll make me sick." He finished and simply looked at me. I
didn't know what to do or what to say. "Aiden..." I was in shock. "Like I
said Autumn I'm not looking for you to say it back, I just want you to
know." He flashed me a smile and slowly turned around.
I stood there petrified. What was this going to do to us? Would it change
everything? Of course it would, I was just too afraid to see it clearly or
even think about it. I began to walk and I started to realize that this whole
time somewhere inside of me I had feelings for him too, I had just
repressed them. I was scared but, I guess it's true that you do fall for your
best friend. I looked up and Aiden was already by his car waiting for me,
all of a sudden I was running. He saw me and began to walk my way and
and in an instant I was holding and kissing him. "I love you." I said with a
smile stretched across my face.
I could see in his eyes that he was astonished yet as happy as could be.
That amazing night I will forever remember because it was the happiest
day of my life, September 3rd, 2007.
Days flew by, then weeks, months, and even years. Attending Christmas
and Summer vacations with our families who were more than happy that
we were finally together, night outs into the city to get dinner, double
dates with our best friends, and even voted prom king and queen by our
friends senior year. We were in love, blissful and beautiful love. Soon
enough we were sitting together at graduation looking back on some of
our best memories. The fall after we graduated we attended Virginia Tech
together, still as strong a couple as we were in high school. Things were
perfect, but like every perfect moment it ends. In the middle of our
freshmen year of college I noticed that Aiden was loosing weight and
something seemed wrong, he was becoming sick more often than usual
and he was tired all the time. It was unlike him and I was beginning to
worry, but every time I asked him if he was okay all he said was he's fine
or he has a bug. He was never a good liar, and he knew it because every
time he told me he was "fine" his eyes became big and his face grew pale.
In mid December we we're in my dorm watching a movie while cuddled
up on the couch when out of no where he let out a blood curdling cry of
agony a sound that I will never forget. I called 911 and the paramedics
were there within a few minutes, as they loaded him on the gurney and
took him to the ambulance I was a frantic mess. I didn't know what was
going on, I was scared I would loose him but I knew that I had to stay
positive. I raced to my car and followed behind the ambulance until we
reached the hospital. As they took him into the ER I stood in the waiting
room impatiently waiting to hear from the doctor. Two hours later Dr.
Richards came into the waiting room, I raced up to him ready for answers.
"Doctor what's going on, is he okay?" I asked quickly.
"He's resting right now and you can go see him if you'd like, the cancer is
really taking it's toll on his body."
"I'm sorry did you say cancer?" I said in shock.
"Yes I did... I'm sorry did you not know?" He was confused. "No... he
never told me.." He lied to me, Aiden never told me about this, any of it.
"Autumn, he has pancreatic cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the help
of chemo or radiation."
"Wh- what does that mean? He's going to die?"
"I'm afraid so. I'm terribly sorry."
"How long?"
"I diagnosed him a month ago, but because the cancer is at an advanced
stage I give him 5 months, 8 if he's lucky."
"5 months? That's it?"
"I truly am sorry." I stood there silent.
"Can I see him now?" I asked through tears.
"Of course." We walk through the double doors past patients and working
nurses and doctors. We had finally made it to Aiden's room where he was
resting.
"I'll leave you two alone." He closed the door behind him.
I stood there not moving just looking at Aiden, and when he looked back I
could see in his eyes that he knew. "Doc told you huh?" He chuckles.
"How can you be laughing?" I say astonished. "Autumn.."
"Don't... you knew this whole time and you... you never said anything. Not
one word." I felt the tears coming.
"I tried to tell you... but the face you have right now was exactly what I
was scared of seeing if I told you."
"So what you were just going to wait until you were dead for me to find
out?!" I couldn't hold my anger anymore.
"No! Because I wanted us to be as normal as we could! I... I don't want
things to change Autumn, I don't want this to change us. I don't want the
rest of what ever I have left spent in a bed just waiting for me to rot and
die." His voice was beginning to crack. I was speechless, I knew then why
he didn't say anything. He was scared just like I was, and there I stood
feeling like a big bag of shit.
I walked over to him and sat on the edge of the bed taking his hand.
"Aiden that's not going to happen I promise. And I'm sorry, but you and
me, we don't have secrets, we never have. So from this moment on, no
more secrets. Deal?" He smiles. "Deal." I kiss him on the head. From that
moment on there were no secrets, no more hiding, no more tears, and no
more sadness. From that moment on our love was brighter and stronger
than ever. We spent every waking moment together just taking advantage
of the time we had left. Two months passed then three and as I began to
have hope things took a turn for the worst, at four months Aiden wasn't
able to walk much or stand, his health was decreasing rapidly and his body
was steadily loosing its mass. It was hard for me to watch him endure this,
but I wasn't going to leave him.
I remember April 12th 2011 like it was yesterday. We were sitting in the
hospital like the days earlier. He was laying in bed as I was reading him a
book. "You wanna know something?" He asked looking at me, his voice
almost inaudible.
"What?"
"Sometimes I imagine that you and me are like people in a book that fall
in love and have a happily ever after. I'm jealous of them though, because
I won't ever get my happily ever after with you."
"Aiden.." I put down the book and sit on the bed. "Lets worry about the
here and now okay? Besides we had a great fairy tale of our own though."
"You made a a great princess Autumn, better than all the others." He said
making a smile as big as he could. "And you were a terrific prince that
sweep-ed me off my feet." I laid next to him and he kissed the top of my
head. "I love you baby." He whispered.
"I love you too." And the tears began.
We fell asleep together that night and at 1:09 am on April 13th, 2011
Aiden Wyatt Montgomery passed. Some how I knew that night we spent
together would be his last and in a way I guess I accepted it I certainly
wasn't okay with it however, but I knew that he was in a much better
place.
It has been over a year since Aiden passed and not a day goes by that I
don't think about him or miss him. He was everything to me, my love,
hope, inspiration, partner, confidant, and prince. Many people have their
ideas of love and have many different experiences. Love can come and go,
but the memories never fade. Love really is like a fairy tale, the prince
and princess fall in love, they face a bumpy road and an adventure along
the way, and they live happily ever after. Sadly that isn't the case for me
because my book keeps going even though I wanted it to end with Aiden.
If I have learned anything from being with him, it's that love is never
perfect but it's stronger than anyone could ever imagine, it just has to be
put to the test. Where ever Aiden may be I will never forget him and I will
always love him.
