Chapter 18 - When the Heart Began to Beat Again
The procedure succeeded.
This time, when the surgeon emerged, Marlo recognized the smile before hearing the words.
Poppy's heart was strong.
Stable.
Healing.
Marlo cried anyway.
Preston hugged her.
Ruthie cried louder.
Elias stood nearby.
Marlo walked straight to him.
"You said something good happens after tomorrow."
"I did."
"It's tomorrow."
"So impatient."
"Elias."
He reached into his pocket.
Marlo stared.
"No."
Poppy, being wheeled toward recovery, saw him.
Her eyes widened.
"DO IT!"
Every nurse turned.
Elias actually looked embarrassed.
Marlo laughed through tears.
He didn't kneel.
That wasn't him.
Instead, he took both her hands.
"The first time you held my hand, you were terrified."
Marlo smiled.
"You looked terrifying."
"I was buying pastry."
"You have tattoos on your neck."
"Unrelated."
She laughed.
He continued.
"You asked me to pretend I belonged beside you."
His voice softened.
"Somewhere along the way, I stopped pretending."
Marlo's eyes filled.
"I don't want to save you."
She nodded.
"I don't want you to need me."
Another nod.
"I want to stand beside you while you save yourself, and I want you beside me while I try to become someone your father would've been glad he saved."
Marlo was crying openly now.
Elias opened the small box.
"Marlo Hart, will you marry me?"
Poppy shouted from the hallway:
"SAY YES!"
Everyone laughed.
Marlo looked at Elias.
Then at Poppy.
Then at Preston, who smiled sadly but sincerely.
Marlo returned her gaze to the man who once ordered one apricot tart every Tuesday.
"Yes."
Elias kissed her.
Poppy applauded.
And somewhere inside the hospital room, the monitor beside her bed continued its steady rhythm.
Beep.
Beep.
May you like
Beep.
The most beautiful sound Marlo had ever heard.
