Second chance love

N i n e t e e n

The moon was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the sea. The tide was coming in, and the waves lapped lazily over the glittering sand. The shadow of a woman stood in front of a beach hut in the distance, giving off a calming aura. The gentle breeze transported the scent of salt from the water and the smells of the forest to create the most beautiful fresh scent, nature personified. 

“It’s almost high tide,” came a deep and rumbling voice from an unknown place. 

“It’s almost time, darling,” came a singsong voice. 

“But what if I’m not ready?”

***

Alicia was becoming used to the beeping of the monitors, the squeaking wheels on the drug trolleys, the constant smell of disinfectant, and hushed voices behind curtains. She had been in the hospital for a few months now. Some of it she was awake for, some she had spent in a coma. She stopped keeping track of time when the doctors confirmed what she had already worked out. 

“And how is my favourite patient feeling today?” the deep voice of Dr Sullivan interrupted Alicia’s thoughts. She smiled at him. He said that to everyone in the ITU; everyone that was awake that is. 

“The room service could be better, but the fresh blankets every day are a lovely touch,” she joked. 

“Well in that case,” he said chuckling, a twinkle in his eye, “it looks like I have some good news for you.”

Alicia raised an eyebrow at him. She wasn’t sure he had ever come bearing good news, and she wasn’t sure how to react. He smiled, noticing her trepidation, and continued. 

“You’ve been stable for a few days now, and all the tests that have come back are looking really positive. I think we can transfer you to the long stay Cardiology ward, maybe as soon as this afternoon.”

Alicia chewed on the side of her thumb. She wasn’t sure if that did mean good news or not. The doctor continued to explain. 

“We’re not out of the woods just yet, and we’re still on the transplant list, but you’re responding well to the current treatment and we feel that you might be a little more comfortable on the long stay ward; I hear the room service is of a much higher standard,” he winked, sharing in her previous joke about the food in ITU. She was one of ten patients on the ward, and there was only one other person who was awake enough to communicate. Except he was nil-by-mouth, meaning she was the only one on the ward able to eat and she would frequently end up with the leftovers once the food trolley had been round the other wards. 

Alicia smiled uncertainly, but nodded along as Dr Sullivan went over the plan for her recovery. It was a two pronged attack. Her heart hadn’t coped well with the trauma, and she needed a heart transplant in the next few months or, well, she wouldn’t be leaving the hospital without a new heart, that much was certain. The next part was physiotherapy. The car that had ploughed into her parents’ car had rammed into her side of the car, crushing her legs in the process. But it was pointless even thinking of that if she couldn’t get a new heart, and time was running out. 

“What if …” Dr Sullivan waved his hand to cut her off. 

“No what ifs. Positive vibes only please. Now, let me get this paperwork sorted for you, and you may even be able to eat your dinner in your new suite,” he winked again, the twinkle still firmly in his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something else, but the buzz of a phone in his pocket distracted him. He looked down at the screen as he pulled it out and frowned with an almost unreadable expression. 

“I have to go, I’ll speak to you later,” he said as he walked away. Alicia was going to voice her appreciation but he was gone before she even took a breath in. 

She frowned. She liked Dr Sullivan, and it was the first time she felt that he didn’t have time to make her feel better. Maybe it was because she was moving wards and wouldn’t be his problem much longer. 

***

The moon was glittering on the sea, and the smell of salt in the warm air was subtle but comforting. 

“Holly, my daughter,” sang the beautiful voice that could belong to nobody else but the Moon Goddess. 

Holly looked down to see she was wearing a white floor length dress, simple and plain, floating in the wind. Her bare feet sank in the warm sand, and her long dark hair flowing down her back was being blown in the gentle breeze. A hand reached for her, and she looked into the eyes of the person stood next to her. Their features weren’t defined, her mind couldn’t decipher the body, but her soul knew this was Lacey. A warm tear slid down Holly’s face. 

“My darling daughter, I’m so sorry,” the melodic voice was thick with sorrow. 

“What about Caleb?” She hiccuped, thinking of her mate having to face loss once more. Lacey squeezed her hand as the Moon Goddess smiled sadly. 

“He will be okay, there is another plan for him. I’m sorry that your time with him was so short,” she leaned in and wiped a tear from her face. 

“At least give me a chance to say goodbye?” Lacey let go of Holly’s hand, leaving her feeling bereft and alone. 

After a second, the Moon Goddess replied, “okay, but Lacey cannot go back with you I’m afraid. I need her here with me,” she said, putting her hand gently on Holly’s shoulder while holding the hand of the blurred form of Lacey. 

***

“Doctor, Alpha Darren is one minute out,” nodded a nurse to Dr Sullivan. He ran his hands through his greying hair, preparing himself mentally for what he knew would be a near impossible task. 

“Direct him straight here,” he said to the nurse, who turned and left him alone with his thoughts. He had been there when Darren and Holly had both been born, he needed to steel himself for the next few moments.