Marie gasps, her watery eyes looking up at me, then at the ring, then me again. “You were going to propose?”
“Yeah. I know it’s soon, but I know. In my soul, I know. I love her so much. She’s meant to be mine as I’m meant to be hers.”
“I know. I’ve never seen her happier.” She takes the ring from me, smiling, a mixture of happiness and sadness. “It’s gorgeous.”
“It was my mom’s.” It’s a beautiful marquise diamond, two carats, sitting in a vintage setting surrounded by emeralds, the same color as Olivia’s eyes.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence. This ring was always meant for Olivia. My ex-wife didn’t even wear this ring, and that should have been a glaring warning for me. My heart and soul didn’t want to give the ring up then, but I blamed it on not wanting it to get lost or damaged.
“She’ll say yes,” Marie says, handing me the ring back. “I know it.”
“I hope so.”
A knock at the door interrupts us. “I’m sorry to interrupt.” Dr. Washington steps into the room, her lips in a thin line. “I am so sorry to hear about Olivia’s accident. How is she?”
“She’s stable,” I answer, giving Olivia’s hand another squeeze. “She’s strong, but that’s not why you’re here, is it?” The heavy sigh can’t be kept within me as I turn around to face my colleague. “Is it my father?”
“I’m afraid so. His status has changed. We have to do the surgery now.”
“What?” I sneer with a shake of my head. “No. Absolutely not. Olivia needs me. Something could happen. She might need another operation. I need to be here.”
“You don’t,” Winston says as he walks in. “I’ve let Dr. Kennedy know of the situation. She already has Olivia’s patient chart. You are removed as Olivia’s doctor, as of now.”
I step forward, balling my fists at my sides to stop myself from punching Winston. He’s being my friend and my superior. “You can’t do that,” I whisper, though I know he’s right. Dr. Kennedy is the next best neurosurgeon besides me. I wouldn’t pick anyone else to take over Olivia’s care. “Come on, Winston. Please. She needs me here. I need…” I take a deep breath, pressing my hand against my heart. “I need to be here.”
His stern face softens. “I know, Elias. I know you’re afraid, but Olivia’s mom is here too. She will be here, so Olivia isn’t alone. Dr. Kennedy will be checking in on her every thirty minutes. I’ve had Nurse Jackie removed from the charge station to help care for Olivia as well. Your dad’s numbers are not good. He took a turn for the worse, earlier than we thought he would. It’snow, Elias. You have to do the surgery now, or your father won’t survive the weekend.”
My groan turns into a shout as I press my palms against my eyes again. “Fine. Fine, yes, okay. I know you’re right, but it doesn’t stop the panic. Winston, if this was Dove, you wouldn’t want to leave her side.”
I move back to Olivia’s side, sitting on the edge of the bed. She’s so still. I miss her so much. I miss all the life that bursts out of her. Her soul is energy and optimism; happiness radiates out of her eyes, and it invigorates me. She brought me back from the edge of pure despair.
“I’ll be here with her,” Marie says, just loud enough for me to hear. “And Amber and Victoria are on their way too. She won’t be alone.”
“You two will be in the same room. In a private suite,” Winston states. “You’ll be with her. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Okay.” Another tear manages to fall free and I wipe it away. “Okay.” I try to sound stronger, with more resolve, but my voice shakes. I’m unsteady. Anything could happen while I’m in surgery, and it terrifies me.
I haven’t been this afraid since I was thirteen years old. I haven’t cared about anyone or anything since, not really. Even my ex-wife didn’t pull this much emotion out of me.
Bending down, I kiss Olivia’s forehead, my eyes darting over her face, taking in the way she’s still so beautiful even after going through so much stress. Her freckles seem paler, waiting for her to come back to life to prove how vibrant they can really be.
“I love you. I’ll be back, okay? My dad took a turn for the worse, and he needs my liver now. I’ll be right back. You won’t be alone. Your mom is here. Your friends are coming and I’ll be back soon, okay?” I press my forehead against hers, needing to feel her, needing to be as close as possible without hurting her. “Come back to me and let me love you forever.” My hands are shaking, and my heart is thrumming. My skin feels tight with every beat my heart makes as it slams against my chest.
Not wanting to leave without kissing her hand, I bring her beautiful, soft, slightly cool-to-the-touch knuckles to my mouth. I hope one day soon, this ring finger will show she is taken. All I need her to do is live.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
Walking away from Olivia and out of the room is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
And I never want to do it again.
24
OLIVIA
Ow.
I feel like I got hit by a bus.
