Like Letters Written in the Sand

It was clear to Anna-leis that if Clarence were not there, she would be left alone to figure things out, and knowing she would have to face the doctors alone was extremely terrifying.

When Clarence had proposed to her, a few days after she had woken up from her coma, she had clenched her hand around the ring he had placed on it. Her original intention was not to marry Clarence out of pity, but it was not the case. Clarence loved her, and had for some time; she almost died before she realized that he was not only in love with her, but that their feelings were mutual. Because she had spent so much time running from being hurt, she nearly ran head first into the walls she had constructed to protect herself.

It is impossible for Anna-leis to forget the joy, as well as the smile that made her heart melt as she said yes. For a brief moment, she forgot that she was lying in a hospital bed. Her pain would be brought back to her by her return to reality. With Clarence by her side, she was able to deal with this pain much more effectively.

My apologies, Clarence.” Anna-leis apologized. “I’ve been running from us for far to long, and if I’ve hurt you in the process, I’m sorry.”

Currently, none of that matters, Anna-leis. What matters is the love we have for one another, and the fact that you are still with us. The fact that I came so close to losing you made me realize how many things I left unsaid. The last thing I want to regret is not telling you how much I love you.”

I have made mistakes too, I kept pushing you away, even though I loved you and did not want to acknowledge my love for you. I love you now, I am no longer afraid of my feelings, I am no longer running from my feelings.”

“Right now is what matters, you are what matters.”

Anna-leis smiled at him, shifting in bed, soon she would be in her own bed, a thought that both excited and scared her. As much as she wanted to go home, she was afraid of what would happen when she was alone, and the phanthom pains were so intense, she could barely function. Clarence would move in with her after they were married, not before. It was important to her to wait until they were married, something that she prayed would happen when her prosthetics were on, and she was able to walk down the aisle, into the arms of the man she loved.

“I love you Anna-leis, I don’t care how you walk down the aisle, just that you do.”. However, I understand how important this is to you.”

“Thank you for being so understanding Clarence, I want everything to be perfect or at least as perfect as it can be, considering all that happened, I could have never imagined that I would be facing this.” Anna-leis sat up, pointing to the wheelchair.”

“I know Dove, but nothing changes the fact that I love you, that you beautiful.”

“Clarence, I meant I need the chair, I need out of this bed.”

“I’m sorry.” Clarence said, as Anna-leis wrapped her arms around him, as he gingerly lowered her in the chair, bandages covering the surgical site. the level of amputation, in a few more days, she’d no longer need the bandages. Healing meant that soon as the swelling subsided, and the surgical wounds healed, she could start the fittings for her custom prosthetics. The sooner that happened the sooner she and Clarence could get married.

~~~ To Be Continued