Chapter Sixteen, Part One - Don't Let Me Go

                                    

                                          
I knew things were bad when Tyler started doing the one thing he swore he wouldn't.

                          
            He started being nice to me. 
                          
            It began with surprise front-row seats at a Shawn Mendes concert, and all-inclusive backstage passes. When he pulled me in for a selfie, Tyler didn't even explode, just quietly simmered in the background as I smiled, cheek-to-cheek with Shawn for Twitter...
                          
#backstage #Shaaliyah #bestnightever
                          
            Christmas was here. It was the only reason Shawn survived. That, and the fact that a stress-free environment was doctor-recommended. No more beating up fellow popstars.
                          
            Just days before the 25th, Tyler and I sat at our kitchen table, swamped in gifts and wrapping paper. Our last-minute Christmas shopping had to be ready for Fed-Ex by the morning, otherwise our gifts wouldn't be shipped in time. Twenty minutes in and there were still a million presents to go....
                          
            "Uh-h-h-h, babe? I don't think I'm doing this right." Tyler pushed up his floppy, over-sized Santa hat, folding the pretty gold paper with less-than-amateurish precision.
                          
            "I agree." I grabbed the tape from his hands, along with his sister's new Iphone, before he could cause any more damage. "You're much better at drinking my milk and eating my cookie."
                          
            "That's what she said. Boom." Tyler leaned across the table, planting a big red bow on my head. "Y'know, you still haven't told me what you want for Christmas, young lady. Don't blame me when you wake up with coal in your stocking."
                          
            I chuckled, closing the paper over Emma's gift with ease, reaching for white ribbon to add as a final touch. "I already told you what I want--just me and you, at home, no interruptions. And if you light the fireplace and make egg nog, you can count that as my birthday gift."
                          
            "God, you're spoiled. It's disgusting, really." Tyler flicked my perfect pile of bows, scattering them across the table.
                          
            "Yeah, about as spoiled as your wish list. Number twelve was gross, by the way." I stretched my arm across the table, reaching for a bow Tyler could've easily passed my way.
                          
            "What are you talking about? Plenty of girls do that, Aaliyah. Or was Cosmo lying?"
                          
            The doorbell rang, answering for us both.
                          
            Tyler got to his feet. "I'd better get it. It's probably that Russian bride I ordered." He ran his hand through his curls, gloating. He could say any stupid thing he wanted, and look smooth as James Dean while he did.
                          
            I smirked. "Or maybe one of your crazy fans mailed herself to you in a giant present. Aww, how sweet! She'll probably do number twelve. Her genital warts should make it interesting."
                          
            Tyler was still snickering when he left the kitchen. It was moments like these, when we could be ourselves, eternally pleased and selfish, that made me forget what I really couldn't-that happiness did not equate immortality.
                          
            I was still dying.
                          
Tyler returned, his emerald eyes narrowed at the large, yellow package in his hands. He slid it across the table, then swung his chair backwards and took a seat. "For you. 
                          
"Another gift? Who's it from?" 
                          
Tyler shrugged, bopping his chair to an invisible beat. 
                          
I picked up the present. No return label, but I didn't need one. Our own address was scrawled in handwriting I would recognize anywhere. "Erin." I raised my eyebrows in subdued surprise. "This... is from Erin."
                          
Silence.
                          
I got to my feet.
                          
"What are you doing?" Tyler turned in his chair, watching as I crossed the kitchen, headed for the trash can. The look on his face questioned whether I had gone mental.
                          
"You and Cody agreed, no more Erin, remember? Well, I'd really like to keep my job." I pressed my foot on the can's lever. Up swung the lid, down went the gift. 
                          
In and out, just like that.
                          
I returned to my chair, raising my eyebrows right back at Tyler. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
                          
"Because that was easy. Too easy. I admit, I'm kinda worried. Turned on, but worried nonetheless."
                          
"Well, don't be. Wasn't this the point of you and Cody's intervention--to get me to focus on non-Erin related things? Well, that's what I'm doing. I'm keeping it simple, no more wasting my time with the past." Yes, I had finally learned my lesson, and it had only taken threats, drowning, and kidney failure. And just in case my future was short one, at least I'd spend it caring about things that mattered. Things that made sense.
                          
"Ali..." Tyler twisted his lips. His pause was like an anchor, weighing heavy on my heart. "I'm glad you feel that way. And I agree, we shouldn't be wasting our time..."
                          
"Meaning?" I grabbed another gift-baby toys for Michael. Anything to distract me.
                          
"Meaning, it's been a week. Your name's on the donor list, but I really think we should be more proactive and start telling people. We have plenty of friends and family who would donate a kidney for you. And if that doesn't work, hell, I'll pay a fan to do it. Fuckit, I'll go to Mexico if I have to--"
                          
I laughed. "No offense, but I'm sure there's a perfectly legal kidney I can find here in the States. But you're right--I do need to tell people. I'd just prefer if we could wait until after the holidays. I really don't wanna ruin anyone's Christmas."
                          
Tyler leaned across the table, taking my hand in his. He brought it to his lips, skimming them back and forth before planting a sweetly lingering kiss. "Okay, but you don't have anything to worry about. You're gonna be okay, Ali. I know it."
                          
With the holiday music playing and the gingerbread candles burning, and all the love in his adorable green eyes... I believed him.
                          
By Christmas day, all thoughts of Erin's unexpected gift had been pushed to the back of my mind, making room for all the others. Tyler and I spent the morning opening presents and watching the same re-run of A Christmas Story over and over on cable television. And that night, we drank our egg nog and sat by the fire, satisfied with a day well lived. I snuggled closer to him, prepared to end the night in his arms, when Tyler surprised me one last time.
                          
I gasped at the skinny velvet box dangling beneath my nose. "Tyler! That's too much!"
                          
"Actually, it's not enough." He bit his lip, twisting the box in his hands. "Ali, I know there are things we aren't ready for in our relationship, things we still have to sort out, but if this year has taught me anything, it's that we can't be afraid to live. We take our happiness where we can find it, and I wanna keep doing that, with you. Only you." He paused, wiping away the tear that slipped down my cheek. "I don't give a shit about my career, or your diagnosis, or anyone out else out there trying to rip us apart. I love you, Aaliyah Nichole Preston, and I wanna take the next step." He gave me his famous crooked smile, the one that made it impossible to say no. "Merry Christmas, baby."
                          
I cracked the lid, expecting diamonds, a car key, the Illuminati symbol in platinum... Puzzled, I removed a tiny collar, reading the name stamped across the silver bone. "Buster. Aww, Tyler, I love it... but this bracelet's wa-a-a-ay too small." I wrinkled my nose. "Also, they kinda got my name wrong."
                          
"Come here, funny girl."
                          
I lunged forward, throwing my arms around Tyler's neck, pushing him into the couch cushions. This was more than just a gift. This was his commitment. We didn't know how long forever would last, but no matter what, he was in it for the long haul. "I love it, Tyler... and I love you."
                          
We kissed, no mistletoe required.
                          
*  *  *

                          
YASSSS!!! Vote for Tyler and Ali!!!
                          
Merry Christmas 2016, guys <3 <3 <3