Love In Despair

An Unexpected Connection

Emma Collins moved on with her life but she could feel something new after her encounter with Lucas. Over the next few days, Lucas experienced a speedy recovery. Nurse Emma found herself visiting the room of Lucas more often than required. She kept checking on him under the guise of professional duty. Each time she comes to check on him, she stays longer as their conversations deepened. They talked about a variety of things, from childhood memories to their favourite books, movies and music genres to work experiences and many more. Through their conversations, Emma discovered that Lucas was not only just handsome but he was also intelligent, funny and surprisingly humble.

Lucas on the other hand was charmed by the kindness of Emma, her genuine nature and her passion for helping people in need. She was not like anyone he has met in his high stress and sometimes one dimensional world of corporate law. Despite the pain and discomforts coming from his recovery, Lucas began to look forward to Emma's visits. It was like her presence was a bright spot in the sanitary hospital environment.

One evening, Emma was done with all work assigned with her shift for the day and she was preparing to go home but mysteriously she found herself drawn to the room of Lucas once again. She knocked on the door lightly before letting herself in.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” she said after entering the room.

Lucas raised his eyes up from the book he was reading. He was excited to see Emma and a smile spreading across his face was the evidence of this.

“I'm better now that you are here," he replied with a cold smile.

At the sight of his smile and the words he spoke, Emma blushed. She then pulled up a chair beside his bed and sat down.

“I am glad to hear that, what are you reading?” she asked.

“It’s just some fiction to pass time,” Lucas replied, showing her the cover of the detective novel he was reading.

“But honestly, I will rather talk to you now you are here, how was your day?” he added.

There was a conflict of thought in Emma's mind after hearing Lucas' question. She finally decided to open up on how her day went, sharing the ups and downs of working in the emergency room. While she was speaking, she noticed how Lucas was so attentive to her, his blue eyes never left her. For Emma, it was a refreshing change from the usual conversations she does have with patients.

“I can't imagine how you do it,” Lucas said after she finished detailing a particularly challenging case.

“Dealing with so much everyday, and still you manage to smile.” he added.

“Smiling, It is not always easy,” Emma admitted.

“But it is worth it, knowing that I can make a difference even if it is just for one person, that keeps me going” Emma added.

Lucas instantly reached out for her hands and squeezed them gently.

“You have made a difference for me, Emma. More than you can imagine.”

Emma's heart skipped a beat at his touch, she instantly found herself in struggles to maintain her professional composure. She has never felt this way before.

“I am glad to hear that, Lucas. But you should rest now. Your body needs enough time and rest to heal.” she improvised in order to rescue herself from her struggles.

Lucas reluctantly let go of her hands and said.

“You are right, But promise me you will visit like this again tomorrow?”

Emma nodded with a smile. “I promise.”

She left right on time to catch up with the staff bus. As she left the hospital, she could not stop herself from feeling an unexpected growing connection with Lucas. She tried to stop thinking about it but it was like fate had brought them together. She was both excited and fearful by the possibilities and challenges that lay ahead. On getting home, she felt like she was losing her professional composure and has started mixing her personal life with work affairs.

By the time Emma got to work the next day, she was surprised to find a bouquet of flowers waiting for her at the nurse’s station, a note was attached to it and it read: “Thank you for everything, Lucas.” Some of her colleagues teased her cheerfully and Emma could not wipe the smile off her face but at the sight of some other colleagues, she knew there was fire on the mountain.

Later in the day, during her break, she made her way to Lucas’ room with the flowers in her hand.

“These are beautiful, Lucas. Thank you,” she said.

Lucas' face brightened up and he smiled. “I am glad you like them. I wanted to show my appreciation.”

“I hope this does not cause any questioning at work” she said as she sat down, placing the flowers on the bedside table.

“I will take full responsibility for it if it causes you any trouble. I don't think it should anyways,” Lucas replied with an assuring tone in his voice.

“You didn't have to, but they definitely brightened my day.” Emma replied.

They spent the next hour talking even more than Emma's break. Their conversations kept flowing easily. Lucas shared stories and experiences from his legal career while Emma opened up deeper about her life in Ohio and her journey to becoming a nurse in New York. They both laughed, shared moments of silence and discovered more about each other as every minute passed.

As time went on, days turned into weeks, Lucas' condition improved drastically and their bond grew stronger. Emma found herself looking forward to sharing her daily experience otherwise hectic days. Lucas, alternatively, Emma's visits became a source of comfort and joy and a reminder that there was more to life than the remorseless world of law.

One bright afternoon, as they say by the window, enjoying the view of the sun set over the city, Lucas turned to Emma with all seriousness. “Emma, I know this might sound crazy, but I feel like I have known you forever. There is something special between us, something I can't ignore.”

Emma's heartbeat became faster than normal. She had felt it too, but hearing Lucas say it aloud made her realize it's closer to reality than just her thoughts.

“I also feel it, Lucas. We come from such different worlds, I don't think it can work out.” Emma said.

Lucas instantly took her hands and held them so tightly. “I believe it can work out. If we both want it, we can make it work. We can fight for it, what do you say?” Lucas assured her.

Emma looked straight into Lucas' eyes, she saw sincerity and determination. She could not believe the turn her life was about to take, she knew it would not be easy, something deep inside her didn't want to miss this opportunity and kept on pushing her to take the leap.

“Okay, Lucas. Let's give it a try.” She replied.

At that moment, Lucas began making promises, he wasn't far gone when suddenly his room door opened.

“Report to my office now, Nurse Collins” Dr. Williams said before shutting the door behind himself.