It was huge for Sam to admit this out loud. Mark knew that. The only other times Sam ever had said those words were after his wife's funeral and after he had to talk Justin down off a roof ledge. Mark wasn't lying, he could take it. That didn't mean there was anything easy hearing the person who was the other half of him was in so much pain. "Sammy, you need to hear this, okay? Just listen for a minute. You denying yourself any possible chance of having children to protect Jus from the pain of thinking about his mum having another kid will crush him way more than that what-if thought. He fucking adores you. He knows I could never have parented him how I have without you supporting me all the way through. This is not you bullying him and he would be devastated to know you feel you are. I know my kid, mate. He isn't going to want you or Alexis sacrificing anything to shield him from pain. You know all those times he's cried out for us to keep it real with him? This is a big one. He is going to be the first to tell you that all this, it's not about him. It's about you, and the fact you love his mum. It's okay for this to be about you, Sammy."

He shifted closer and wrapped his arm protectively around Sam, resting his head against his twin's in a hug as tight as he could without hurting him. "If you're not ready, maybe you should leave the option on the table to think about later. Do what needs to be done then set it aside to think about when you're ready, when you're feeling better. You've got to focus on getting treatment and making it through having cancer, Sammy. You're crook. Now isn't the time to make finite choices for your future. You and Alexis won't know what you want in the future until you get there. Your time isn't up. I'm not going to let it be up. I need you to give yourself this, mate. I can't imagine my life without my kids so I can only imagine how much pain you're in. It's my job to make sure you're not in pain alone. I love you. I've got your back."