Chapter 13 - THE QUESTION HE ASKED IN THE HOSPITAL GARDEN
One year after Alessandro woke from his coma, he asked me to meet him in the hospital garden.
I arrived after my shift.
Still wearing scrubs.
Still exhausted.
Still carrying a paper cup of terrible coffee.
He stood beneath a flowering tree.
No entourage.
No cameras.
No dramatic music.
Just Alessandro.
“You're late,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow.
“I was saving lives.”
He smiled.
“Fair excuse.”
He took my hand.
“Emily, do you remember the first thing I said when I woke up?”
I laughed softly.
“Don't let her touch me.”
He nodded.
“Not very romantic.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“But I remember what happened next.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“You stayed.”
My eyes filled.
He continued.
“You didn't ask for anything.”
I shook my head.
“I was doing my job.”
“I know.”
His voice softened.
“And that's why it mattered.”
Then Alessandro lowered himself onto one knee.
My breath caught.
He opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“Emily Carter.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I love you.”
I laughed through tears.
“I love you too.”
He smiled.
“Will you marry me?”
I covered my mouth.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
His eyes closed.
I laughed.
“Yes, Alessandro.”
He stood.
Slipped the ring onto my finger.
And kissed me beneath the flowering tree.
From the hospital windows, several nurses began cheering.
Rachel was the loudest.
I laughed.
Alessandro looked up.
“Do they always do that?”
I smiled.
“Only when someone survives the ICU and makes a good decision afterward.”
May you like
He laughed.
Then kissed me again.
