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Around mid-afternoon, Micah felt a hand on the back of his head. He opened his eyes and realized he had slumped over onto Marla’s bed and fallen asleep again. He raised his head and looked up. Marla was staring back at him. He took her hand in his.
“Hi, Beautiful,” he said, smiling at her.
She furrowed her brows and asked weakly in a whisper, “What are you doing here?”
“I came to be with you.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you. I’ve been an idiot.”
Marla swallowed and stared at him. She blinked slowly and weakly. “Don’t feel sorry for me.”
He shook his head. “I was so stupid. I should have never walked away from us. Please forgive me.”
Marla took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Then she opened them again. She whispered, “Why are you saying this?”
Micah took her hand between both of his hands and brought her hand to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand. “You shouldn’t be talking right now. I want you to rest. Just know that I will never leave you again.”
She shook her head as she didn’t believe him. “Nothing has changed. You’ll still see Allie every time you’re with me. I can’t live like that.”
Micah felt panic rising in his gut. “Can we please talk about this when you’re stronger? I’m not going to let you push me away. I love you.”
Marla sighed and barely shook her head. “I want you to go.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying. I’m not leaving you.”
She spoke with more force and said, “I know what you’re doing. You feel guilty because I almost died. I don’t want your pity. I want you to leave now.”
Marla’s EKG tones sped up. The nurse stepped into the room and asked, “What is going on in here?”
“I want him to go.”
The nurse looked at Micah. “You heard her. You need to leave now. I can’t have you stressing out my patient.”
Micah looked at Marla with pleading eyes, but she just closed her eyes and appeared to go to sleep. He relented. “Okay.” He stood up and kissed Marla’s cheek and walked out.
After Micah left, Marla opened her eyes. She was alone as she looked around the room. Already, she missed Micah. A tear ran down her cheek. Why had he come? What had changed? Was he feeling guilty about the way he had left things between them? She wouldn’t allow him to pity her or try to lessen his guilt in this way. He had told her that he could not look at her without seeing Allie dying. How could that have changed? Sickness or no sickness, she wouldn’t allow him to come back into her life and manipulate her feelings. She closed her eyes and couldn’t ever remember feeling this weak. She fell asleep.
When Marla awoke again, Delaney was at her bedside. Marla smiled to see Delaney.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi Lady, how are you feeling?” Asked Delaney.
Marla answered weakly, “I’m feeling a little stronger. How long have you been here?”
“Oh, just a little while, since you kicked Micah out. He asked me to come sit with you after he left. He didn’t want you to be alone.”
Marla frowned.
“Don’t be mad at him. The man has not left your side for one second,” said Delaney.
“I don’t know how to believe him,” said Marla. “He was so absolute about ending our relationship.”
“Things happen, and people change. Most people have been known to change their minds about things. It’s part of what makes us human. We live, and we learn. I think Micah realized how much he needed you when he almost lost you for good. Allie is gone, but you’re here, now.”
“I’m scared to trust him. We got so close so fast, and I fell in love with him. Then he crushed my heart. I can’t take that again.”
“Only you know what you are willing to risk. I’m telling you that the man is smitten with you. Whatever realization he had about you or Allie, well, it’s been for the best. I think you need to give him another chance.”
“I guess I have a lot to think about when I get home. They are sending me to the step-down unit tomorrow. As soon as I’m eating, I can go home. I’ll be eating by morning because I’m tired of being a patient. I have to get out of here.”
“Yes, it’s true. We doctors make the worst patients,” Delaney laughed.
Marla chuckled.
“So, are you okay with a visit from Micah? He asked me to ask you,” asked Delaney.
“No, I can’t handle the emotions I feel when I see him. I need some time.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him, though I’m sure he’ll be heartbroken.”
Marla shrugged. “I just need to feel stronger right now. He makes me feel weak.”
Delaney replied, “Fair enough.”