Hospital Love

The hospital chairs were anything but comfy, the TV in the background droning on and on about what was happening in the world. Riley sleeping thanks to the medication, soundly. I’ve been here for weeks. Sitting by her side, fighting her on eating, brushing her hair so that it wouldn’t get matted and form a horrible knot. She shouldn’t be here. She was too young.

She looked so pale, dark circles under her eyes, the tube pumping oxygen through her nose. Good lord, I thought I was going to lose her. Her parents tell me I don’t need to be here, that they could take over but I refused to move. I wouldn’t leave her side till she was better and out of this sad place. My best friend, my world was dying and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I sit here watching her sleep. Drowsy and uncomfortable.

I was desperate for a shower, the feel of my greasy brown hair made me feel disgusted. She rolled over, her blue eyes open as she stared me down. Those tired sapphire blue eyes locked onto my own emerald ones.

“Hey,” I whispered reaching for her hand giving her a faint smile when her small hand squeezed onto mine lightly. She wasn’t that strong anymore. She was growing weaker by the day.

“Hey.” I loved that small smile the way she showed me that she really was happy I was there. “You’re still here.”

I lean closer to her frail form. Pulling her small hand to my lips as I gave it a kiss. “Of course I’m still here. They couldn’t drag me away even if I was kicking and screaming. This is where I’m meant to be.” She closed those beautiful sapphire eyes, but the smile never left her gorgeous face. I loved her. I loved this woman with all my heart and it breaks every day because I know she’s leaving me. I know that she doesn’t have much time left. My beautiful Riley.

“I love you.” Her voice trailed to my ears and I knew she meant them with her whole heart.

“I love you too.” I frown watching tears leak down her face as she tried to suppress a sob from escaping her lips.

“Sweetie don’t cry, its okay.” She shook her head as if saying it wasn’t okay. “Scoot over.” She did as I said giving me enough room to get the small bed with her. Her head rested on my chest as I held her close, letting her cry into my chest.

“It’s not fair.” She sobbed.

I rubbed her back comfortingly. “I know sweetie, I know.”

“You should be out with someone who can give you a full happy life and and…” I shushed her pulling us both in a sitting position. Her body rested perfectly against mine; I watched her run random patters across my arms.

“Riley, I wouldn’t want anyone else. I love you and you alone.” More tears fell as she listened to me speak. “But I…you…” She was worried for my feelings. She thought she was holding me back. I don't know how many times I've told her that she wasn't.

“Baby, listen to me will you.” She sniffed and whimpered but nodded her head. “I'm not going anywhere, you're stuck with me. Even if I have to annoy you till the end of our days I will.” She smiled and snuggled closer. I let out a dramatic sigh hugging her tighter to me.

“I wanted to do this at the perfect moment, but I guess any moment with you is the perfect one.” She looked confused as I got out of bed and walked toward my backpack.

Digging through it took only a moment before I found what I was looking for. Turning around I saw the confused stare, the hospital gown peeked out from under the hordes of blankets wrapped around her tiny frame.

“Riley Juliet McCarthy I’m not good with words, I haven’t been the best in life, getting kicked out of my home, getting into random fights, talking down to our teachers, but one thing I know I did right is love you. Before you, I didn’t really care about the outcome of my life, but now all I want is to be there and make you smile. I’ve never loved anything as much as I love you so would you um… You know…Do me the honor of…”

Riley's pure shock as I got on one knee was amazing, I still could surprise her. “Marry me?” tears were streaming, the heart monitor speed up in the background. I felt so awkward, I honestly couldn't control the flush storming up my neck and across my face. “You want to marry me?” I nodded my head.

“I want to do something right in my life and if that means I get to spend the remainder of my days being hopelessly in love with you I want to be married to the woman I love.”

I shifted nervously staring up at her. "So is that a yes?" I was so scared she would say no. She would say that I didn't deserve this. I wanted her to be so happy, at peace in her final hours, to know she is loved.

She nodded her head "Yes!" She exclaimed clutching her hands to her chest. I relaxed instantly releasing the breath I'd been holding. She said yes. She said yes! Quickly I slipped the ring on her finger. She was happy. So very happy.

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, Elizabeth.”