I could not wait for our mini vacation. Chris had been pushing for us to have a break for a while. I was finally under control with my work and Mr. Frenkin was happy to let me have a few days off.

Although Chris was playing cool, I knew something was bothering him. He would be lost in thought and a few times he deliberately closed his laptop when I came into the room. I had asked Megan if everything was alright with the company and she said that things were normal.

Chris was expanding one of their subsidiaries in Scotland but other than that there was no real catastrophe. I was a bit worried that he was hiding something for me but with our wedding three months away I guess he was just planning something special. Chris loved to spoil me and this mini break was an example of that. I really loved him and hoped that we could be this happy for a long time.

I packed a few sexy outfits as Chris loved me to wear them. In fact, I loved wearing them as well. I had never been body confident since I had always been self-conscious about my large breasts but Chris had made me love  my body more so I dressed less conservatively and embraced my curves. It did feel wonderful knowing a man as handsome and wonderful as Chris O'Connor loved me for who I was... flaws and all.

I walked into the private jet and saw Chris on his mobile. He was speaking in Spanish but he called me over. I kissed him on the check and he pulled me in for a full frontal kiss. I hoped the person on the line did not hear our kiss. That would have been too rude.

"Would you like a drink Ms Perkins?" the blonde steward asked me politely.

"I am fine for now, but thanks." I responded with a smile.

"We are cleared for take-off, Mr O'Connor." The captain said over the speakers. "Estimated travel time is one hour and 45 minutes."

Chris ended his call. "Sorry about that Rhysie." He said leaning over and kissing me.

The take-off was smooth and I crossed my legs and reached for my bag. I soon felt Chris' hands on my knees, I looked at him and he had an evil smirk on his face. I slapped his hand away and he put it right back. I tried to twist away from him but his hand started to go up my skirt. I held his hand and squeezed it but  he chuckled softly.

"We are on a plane dear, there is nowhere to hide." Chris whispered silkily in my ear.

I stood up and the steward came rushing toward me.

"Can I help you with anything Ms Perkins?" he asked nicely.

"Sure could you show me where the toilet is?" I asked giving Chris a hard look to which he winked.

I was washing my hands as the door opened and Chris walked in.

"Get out!" I shouted and he smiled.

"Make me!" he challenged. I tried to push him out of the small space but he was too strong and the space was too tight to navigate well. I then tried to squeeze past him but he was too stubborn.

He lifted me unto the wash basin and captured my hands and put them over his head around his neck.

"You would not dare!" I said in shock and Chris smiled.

"Oh how I love a challenge." He whispered against my lips as we joined the mile high club.

I was doing some laps in the pool as Chris went to get us some more refreshments. The villa was absolutely gorgeous. It was overlooking the hills and the sea was fifteen minutes away. The area was in a sparsely populated town near Naples, Italy. I could see vineyards far and wide. I preferred the isolation and the privacy. The four bedroom villa was quite old and the antique furnishings were lovely. I loved the wood décor and the high open beam ceilings.

The staff lived in a smaller cottage at the end of the property which also boasted a tennis court and a swimming pool. The couple who ran the place were middle aged Italians who were well versed in English. They had grown children who had long since flown the coup. The man Mr. Lazio was the gardener/ caretaker and his wife was the main cook and cleaner. They did their jobs quietly and gave Chris and I enough space and solitude.

The Lazios were out in the town doing some shopping and I wanted to take the opportunity to get a full body tan. Chris was apprehensive but I was definitely going to get a full tan. I got out of the pool and wiped myself. I took off my bikini top and I started to lather myself in sun cream; Chris came back with some refreshments.

"Now Rhysa, I told you no naked sunbathing!" Chris admonished me with a cold stare.

"Get over here and put some cream on my back!" I commanded lying face down on the lounger.

He took the tube from my hands and started to lather my back. He massaged my neck and moved to my shoulders. I stretched out onto the lounger as his hands went further down my back. He had slow even strokes. I moaned as he massaged the top part of my butt.

"You minx!" I said as he continued to tantalise my body.

He went back up along my spine and up to my neck. He rubbed my shoulders once more and I moaned again as his touch was so sensual. Just when I was falling under the spell of his hands he stopped and slapped my butt.

"All done!" he said.

I flipped over and glared at him. He was making himself comfortable on the lounger next to me.

"Horrible man!" I said as I arranged myself on my lounger. I put on my sunglasses and tried to sleep. My body was too much on fire to relax. I looked over at Chris who was engrossed in his tablet. I got up and picked up my drink. I poured it slowly over his swimming trunks.

"Rhysa!" He shouted jumping up. His soaking trunks dripped over his legs.

I raised my eyebrows at him.

"You want to play huh?" he said as he tried to grab me.

I ran around the lounger out of his grabbing arc.

"Face the music!" he said and I stuck my tongue at him.

"You little imp!" he continued and I wiggled my bare breasts at him.

"You are in so much trouble missy!" he said as he lunged at me again. I jumped away and dived into the pool. Chris jumped in after me and I screamed as he held onto my foot. I was caught.

The next day we decided to have a day trip to Naples. I wore a flowered skater sundress with white sandals. Chris wore cargo shorts and a loose white cotton shirt with plimsolls.

We drove to Naples and were welcomed by the bustling city. We drove to the city centre and explored the ancient ruins.

I was enchanted by the ancient beauty of the place. London was a treasure cove of history but here the stories of my childhood fantasy of Ancient Italy came to life.

"Take a picture!" I said as we entered the ancient grounds of Galleria Borbonica. I ran around like a child in a candy store. Chris looked at me and smiled. I was acting like a teenager but I felt so free out here. The tunnel was a bit scary but fascinating. Chris held my hand as we walked slowly exploring the ancient beauty of Naples. It was really a beautiful experience to be with the man I loved and to experience something so beautiful.

We had a late lunch in a quaint restaurant which served traditionally made pasta.

"So what has been the best part of your day so far?" Chris asked.

"The whole atmosphere, the town is absolutely stunning and the buildings so full of history!" I said really impressed with Naples.

"I could see your eyes light up everytime we saw another building." Chris commented.

"I guess I am really enjoying today, thank you for bringing me here." I leaned over and gave him a kiss as I pulled the spaghetti out of his mouth. We did a bit of the Lady and the tramp until Chris bit my lip.

"Ouch! No fair!" I protested.

"I won fair and square." He said.

"You cheated!" I accused him.

"No way!" he denied.

I gave him a glare before returning to my stunning meal. We continued our meal with casual conversation. It was really relaxing to be away from home and work.

"I hope you enjoyed your meal." The owner said as we were leaving.

"The pasta carbonara was so delicious." I complimented him.

"We make everything from scratch. It is all natural ingredients we use." He explained proudly.

"It was very rich in flavour." Chris added.

"Please come again!" the owner invited as he escorted us to our rented Vespa.

We ended the day along the Amalfi Coast. I held onto Chris as he rode the small motorcycle through the busy streets.

He swerved to avoid another motorist and I almost slipped off.

"Oh my!" I exclaimed seeing myself almost on the road.

"You okay back there?" Chris asked slowing down a bit.

"Hey this is no Ferrari!" I shouted recovering from our near miss.

"Just hold on these roads is tricky!" Chris stated.

"You just need to slow down O'Connor, I don't see any other motorist speeding like you!" I scolded him.

"Do you want to take over?" he asked frustrated at my critique of his driving skills.

"In fact I would love to!" I accepted firmly.

Chris slowed down and got off the Vespa. I quickly rushed to hold the handle bars. Chris got on behind me and held my waist lightly.

"Now this is more like it," I boasted as I revved up the engine. "Watch how it should be done!"

I drove quite slowly making sure that I stayed upright on the uneven roads. It was very tricky and I would have preferred if Chris was at the helm but my pride forced me to suck it up and drive.

"I hope we will make it back to the villa tonight, the way you are driving even Denise would be faster than you." Chris whispered in my ear.

"You lout!" I shouted forcing the Vespa into a stop.

"Fine!" I said as Chris hopped off. He came to stand beside me.

"Okay move back!" He said holding out his hands. I suddenly had a change of heart and revved away.

"Hey Rhysa! Come back!" Chris shouted running after me. I sped away into the busy streets. I parked around the next turn and waited. I pulled out a bottle of water from the rucksack and started to drink. I saw Chris running past and honked. He stopped and turned around. He was breathless.

"Never challenge my driving skills again!" I warned him as he grabbed the bottle of water  from my hand.

"You are too much Rhysa Perkins; what will I do with you?" he asked looking at me with laughter in his eyes.

"Love me for ever!" I said as we continued our journey.

Chris POV

I had a major decision to make. The results of the MRI were conclusive. I had a brain tumour. I researched it and everything the doctor had said was true. I had discreetly contacted a neurosurgeon Dr. Liam Green attached to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

"Thank you for seeing me Dr Green." I said as he escorted me to his office.

"It was a good idea to contact me." Dr Green started. "I have reviewed Dr Newman's findings and his diagnosis is accurate."

The pit of my stomach dropped. I had a glimmer of hope that the results of the MRI had been wrong.

"Your case is not rare but tricky. The tumour is affecting both your frontal and temporal lobes of your brain. Chemotherapy and surgery would be the recommended treatment at present but the risks are high."

"Is there any chance that the surgery and treatment will be successful?" I asked worriedly.

"There is no absolute end result I am afraid, over the last twenty years I have seen many different cases. Each case gave its own results. I will give you no promises Mr O'Connor."

"You could lose your motor skills functions and memory. Although medicine has advanced over the years the effects of the treatment still remains in the balance. The chance of a full life after the treatment is always unknown. Some patients have lived well into their 70s while others barely had months afterwards. There is no definite result or conclusion. It is dependent on how your body reacts to the chemotherapy and the surgery."

"So my chances of leaving the tumour for a few years are what?" I asked since I was getting married in less than three months. I wanted to have a life with Rhysa, have children and be a father.

"I would strongly advise you to remove it now as you still are able to function fully. The longer you leave it the chances of getting the major symptoms would dramatically increase, you would get headaches, have vision loss and even lose abilities to use your limbs." Dr Green revealed.

"I am getting married soon, plus I want to have children with my wife." I told him.

"I suggest you get married sooner rather than later. Preferably before you start treatment since the chemotherapy will significantly reduce your sperm count and could render you sterile." The doctor publicized and I looked at him in shock.

"Sterile? I want children." I said.

"You can have children but remember we do not know how your body will react to the treatment so you may become a vegetable afterwards." I sat there in total disbelief my life would be over.

A vegetable?

What if I became a vegetable?

I could not let Rhysa go through this with me. I could not live knowing she would put her life, her dreams on hold forever for me. I could not give her the family she always wanted. I would not be able to take our children to football or cricket practice. I would never see Rhysa pregnant with my child.

If my motor skills went then I would not even be able to write my own name or wipe my own bum. I would need 24/7 care and support. I would not do that to the woman I loved.

"I strongly advise that we begin treatment in the next two weeks your recent blood tests show that the cells of the tumour are starting to become more active. We need to act now to give you a higher chance of survival." Dr. Green recommended. "We have fully qualified counsellors who will work with you and your family to help prepare all of you for this treatment."

My family would be devastated. My dad had died of a sudden heart attack and now my mother may lose her son. 

Was I prepared? Of course not I was thirty years old!

 I was at the prime of my life and in love with the most passionate and beautiful woman on the planet. I was rich but not even money could save me now.

I sat on the bench outside of the hospital and looked at people going in and coming out. Some looked worried like me, others appeared terrified and some even looked traumatised.  I glanced at a family who I had noticed in the waiting room when I had first arrived, the wife and children looked tired and  drained. Is that how Rhysa would be after visiting me? 

It was then that I knew I had to make a decision.

I held my head in my hands and sighed. Tears started to flow down my cheeks as I felt so alone and so desolate. My life was over. Kaput. Finished. The pain of losing Rhysa was more painful than knowing that I would lose my life.

I had decided to set her free.

She deserved to live a normal life with a man who could give her a life of laughter not hardship.

I had a plan.

I would do the surgery, I had to at least try but I would lose my soul mate. I needed to let her go before I lost my faculties. 

I did not want her to suffer with me, she deserved better.

It was a painful decision I had chosen to make.