Rodrigo Leopardi-Chapter 4 To the Far east we go.

Rodrigo (25), his live in boyfriend Cole Tan (25)


Cole and I have been really working hard in getting our Master's done. No matter how much we try we can't get it together. So we sat down and came up with a plan. God willing in a little over a year we will be done. This means sacrifice from both of us which includes no unnecessary trips to Viramontes or even Paradise cove to visit my sister Madeline.

I guess our hard work paid off because we both had submitted our final paperwork for our master's degrees. I still could not believe that we had done it! Cole told me that we did so good that we should reward ourselves with a little mini vacation to the far east. I know we have loans to pay but im game for a trip anytime so off we went.

We had tea once we arrived to the Far East. I have to admit that one can get used to this lifestyle. Cole suggested that we should buy a tea set to take back home. I am still contemplating it because these things are expensive!


Of course you know I needed to wind down from all this stress so I booked a massage as soon as possible.

Cole asked me to book him one as well. I just wanted us to be as comfortable as possible.

We were told that we could visit this old man that tells fortunes among other things. I decided that we should go. He told us that we would have a good life together as long as there was harmony. I thought it was a little cheesy fortune but whatever.

Then he told us a legend and we were both so involved. It was the best story I had ever heard. Cole told me that he almost fell asleep twice ha ha!

Our last day there with me being all sunburned...we decided to go and have some more tea. Cole insisted on going back to the original tea room we went to. He told me that he was proud that we achieved everything we had planned.

We were about to leave to get our things in the hotel when Cole proposed marriage to me. I mean we never discussed it. I knew we would be together but the whole marriage thing was a surprise.

Of course I said yes. I hugged him so hard. I could never imagine my life with out Cole in it. From the moment I saw him back in college I knew he was the one for me. I still can not believe that were getting married.

Back home I begged Madeline to come and visit me and she did right away. I worry about here living all alone with Kayla in Paradise cove. She tells me its fine and that I should relax a bit.

Cole and I bought a gift for my niece Kayla. I know I am bad, I have several more nieces and nephews but Kayla is my favorite. She is the one I know and held since birth. Cole says I should start paying attention to my other nieces and nephews too.

Madeline was ecstatic to hear we were going to get married. She even suggested we get married in Paradise Cove. That is not going to happen. For now we may just get married in Viramontes. We havent made up our minds but we will.

Ivan Leopardi--chapter 4- Is this the end?

Ivan (25)

I woke up today tired than usual. I don't know how but I get the strength to get up and try to make it to work day after long day. I'm tired because finally my cancer has gotten the best of me. Yup thats right me....25 years old and I have cancer. The doctor says I can beat it but I am not that sure.

I know I say im not sure but I do try to eat better now. I have lost weight but I am maintaining a healtiher lifestyle. I have not told my family. The truth is that I have kept this diagnosis to myself for a while. No one has a clue. Not my girlfriend Jane nor my brothers. I am tired now and so I have to let them know. I still remember getting diagnosed after college. I just hope that my family forgives me for not telling them.

What a better place to tell them that our local church grounds? My brothers came out and they were suprised that I wanted all of them there. I didnt know how to say it so I just blurted it out. "I have been diagnosed with cancer for about four years and well its finally not containable to oe body part. Its spreading so I decided to tell all of you." Otani just stared at me and Ethan looked at me like I was crazy. "What do you mean? Since when?" asked Ethan.
"I was diagnosed right after I got kicked out of college. It was small then but now its spreading and well the doctors say I can beat it but im tired".

Otani got right up and hugged me hard, " you can beat it Ivan. You can. You have us now to lean on and you will beat this if its the last thing we do". I never thought telling my family would be such good support for me.
We all left the church in good spirits. I am glad that I told them once and for all.

I told my girlfriend Jane over dinner at my house. She was in shock and she couldnt believe that it was actually true. After dinner she told me that she needed some time to process this. I honestly don't know it we are going to stay together or not. I know if I was not sick then she would be the one I would stay with the rest of my life.

Jane decided that she would stand by me and support me. After weeks from not hearing from her I was ecstatic to know that I had her support. I loved her more than I could ever imagine.

I have never been much of a religious man but I decided to start attending church. Jane also attended with me . After mass one day I decided to pop the question to her. I have been feeling great and my chemotherapy was working. I might have this cancer beat after all. I got down on one knee against Jane's protestations and asked her to be my wife.

It broke my heart in half when she shook her hands and said " NO Ivan. I will not marry you".

I asked her why.. I thought we loved each other. She responded, "you tricked me. You knew about this cancer for over four years. You started dating me while knowing you could be dying and you have never told me?"
"what was I supposed to do Jane? Should I have said, 'Hi Im Ivan and I have cancer that is in remission would you still date me please?' come on we both know that its not possible"
"So you trick me into thinking everything is OK? I dont think a marriage should start out like that. I know your going to beat it but I cant marry you now. It doesn't mean that I want to stop dating you"
"No Jane.....no. stop it.. what you are saying is 'I will marry him if he doesnt die' No thank you"

"Ivan..Ivan wait. I love you but im scared"
"No Jane your right. This is over and im sorry I wasted your time and especially what little time I have left which according to you its so little. NO don't bother. Have a nice life" With that I stormed out of the church grounds got into a cab and came straight home.

Rodrigo did not know that I had cancer. I told him and he told me that I could beat it. As my quad brother this was a different feeling hearing it from him. We are quads, Rodrigo, Beatrix, Madeline and myself. It was strange knowing that we are closer than everyone else actually is. I get along with Rodrigo and Madeline. Beatrix and I hated each other growing up... we are trying to repair our relationship but it been slowly getting there.

Rodrigo learned some massage exercises on his latest eastern vacation and wasted no time give me one. I hope that Rodrigo stays happy with Cole. They seems to be getting their life on track more than the rest of us.

Madeline came over as soon as Rodrigo told her. She told me that Beatrix had just given birth so she was unable to come. Go figure my sister is a new mom and I didn't even know she was pregnant. I guess we have not worked on our relationship as much as I thought.

After church I sat down and looked around. I asked myself "Is this the end?"

Beatrix Leopardi Chapter 4- First comes love...then..

Beatrix (25) her roommate Amin (26)
Beatrix's love interest Christopher Moore (28)
Narrated by Beatrix

I am getting ready to go out with Chris tonight. We have been going out several times a week. We havent committed to each other since he's been traveling a lot to and from Viramontes. Now that he's back he says he wants us to be committed to one another. I said yes and now were going to celebrate.

We met up at the bowling alley and did some Karaoke which he loves to do. Its been a good three months since I seen Chris due to his work schedule. He grabbed me and gave me a big kiss and asked if it was true that I was his girlfriend. I said yes it was.

I have to admit its nice having a boyfriend. I love when he gets to sleep over and yes definitely love the sex part.

I been feeling sick lately. Viramontes has been hit with a flu bug and I swear this is why im puking my brains out.

I decided to have a nice long bath in hopes of relaxing a bit. I started thinking about Chris and how we have been making awesome love non stop. It was the nonstop part that got me. I started calculating and this is when I knew for sure that I might be pregnant.

I got my pregnancy confirmed and called Chris right away to tell him. He was happy but so anxious because he was out of town for the next month. His job was getting demanding and he was even considering looking for a new one. I told him not to worry that I would be here waiting for him.

I told my roommate Amin about my pregnancy. This of course brought up a lot of questions. Would he need to move out? Would I need to move out? Would Chris move in? For now we just left everything in the air. Amin said he would miss living with me but understood. I never thought that I would like having a roommate. Contrary to everyone's belief we never did date we just knew we would be friends.

When Chris came back he was amazed at how much I was showing. He couldn't stop hugging me and telling me that he loved me so much. I on the other hand was shocked because my whole family was inside and just found out that I was pregnant. I just hoped they would kill Chris.

I walked inside and warned my brothers that Chris was here. Ethan wanted to talk to Chris and see what he was going to do to fix this. Otani kept his cool and as Legacy leader calmed everyone down and said he would get Chris to come in and we would talk CALMLY.

Madeline had made the trip to visit and was ecstatic to see my belly. "Dont worry the boys are all talk. They are not going to hurt Chris. Right little baby" Madeline said.

Chris came in and hugged me. "everything is going to be alright. I understand your brother's are upset. Its OK"

Otani asked Chris questions and all were answered. The thing that shocked me was Chris saying tha he did plan to marry me. For now he was proposing that we live together with the baby and then we could see about marriage.

When it was all said and done I just sat there thinking , "Chris wanted to propose to me?" I could not figure out why he had not done it already. I supposed the timing of the baby put it off.

Chris moved in and we both decided that for now it was OK for Amin to stay a while longer. Amin said he would stay at least until the baby was born and then he would move out. It was nice getting breakfast ready with Chris.

Soon I was ready to burst. I still couldnt believe that I was pregnant. How do nine months pass so fast? Chris and I are doing great. Our relationship is getting stronger every day.

Of course I gave birth in the hospital. It was late one evening and Chris started freaking out because he thought I peed in the bed. We went to the hospital and I gave birth to a single baby girl named Carmela. I still can not believe I am a mom. Chris was just happy for one baby. He got scared when he thought that me being a quad would assure that I would have four babies. All in all Carmela is a wonderful baby.