Carla couldn’t say a word. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on ends. A kind of tremor passed all over her body she couldn’t respond. She gripped the cellphone breathing hard into the mouthpiece.
Then Margaret continued on, “I wanted to laugh so hard if it weren’t so…so romantic. It almost killed me to tell him that an adult donor heart isn’t compatible with a little baby.”
Carla heard her stifle a sob.
“Margaret, I-I…” Carla felt incoherent.
“I know,” Margaret’s voice came through the line, “In all the years of my medical profession, I have never encountered someone healthy and strong offer their own heart for some else.”
“I should call him and say thank you,” Carla said.
I heard him say he was in Paris tom….”
“He’s here in Paris?” Carla cut in abruptly.
“Yes.”
“Margaret I’m here in Paris too. I spent the whole day going back to all the places where we’ve been together. Last night, I felt so nostalgic it was almost painful. I missed him terribly and thought Paris could comfort me somehow. I left Riquewihr early this morning,” Carla added.
There was momentary silence at the end of the line.
“Carla, I have been a doctor for half of my life. I shouldn’t believe in things without scientific explanation. But what are the chances of you both being in the same place, on the same day, without knowing it? This is fate Carla.”
“You think I should go see him,” Carla asked, knowing Margaret’s answer before she uttered a reply.
“You would be the stupidest girl I know if you didn’t.” Margaret ended the call.
***
Carla gripped the wheel as she slid out of the parking lot. Her palms felt clammy and her heart was racing fast making it difficult to think clearly. Margaret didn’t mention where Falcon was staying. But Carla was certain. It had to be at Hotel Plaza Athenee. Same floor. Same suite.
Uncertainties raced through her mind.
What if he isn’t in his room and I don’t catch him…
He may not be happy to see me at all…
He’s still angry with me…
“Stop it!” she scolded herself. “I’m letting my fears get ahead of me. I’m my own worst enemy. I’ll knock on his door and if he isn’t in, I’ll stay at the lobby and wait for him to return. If he is still angry then I just have to find a way to talk to him and tell him I’m sorry.”
She still couldn’t get over what Margaret shared. Falcon offering his own heart was the most awesome thing she had ever heard. She was the one carrying the baby and the thought never even occurred to her to offer her own.
It still gave her goosebumps just thinking about it. At the very least she could show her gratitude and say thank you.
The Plaza Athenee came into view. She couldn’t help feeling nervous as she parked and headed for the lobby. It was buzzing with guests, some checking in and others trailing bellhops pushing carts with luggage piled high.
She tapped her foot as she waited for an elevator that would ferry her to Falcons’ floor. The elevator door pinged and she entered. Now that she was actually here, she felt that sense of anticipation coupled with a tinge of fear. Her gut felt all twisted and funny inside. The pores of her skin felt moist and sweaty.
Please be there. Just please be there. Please. Please.
The mantra kept repeating in her head. She knew that if she missed to see him tonight, the opportunity may never present itself again.
She walked down the familiar hallway until she reached the door to the suite. With bated breath she raised her knuckles and tapped lightly on the door.
It felt like an eternity before Falcon opened the door.
They stared at one another, Carla unbelieving that he actually answered, Falcon astonished at the sight of her.
