They were lying on the bed, heads cushioned by pillows, her leg tossed carelessly across his thigh. He pulled a hair from his scalp, a grey one, the way he usually do, put it in his mouth, then playfully tossed it in her direction. She made a sucking noise with her mouth, batting his hand frantically and swore at him while laughing hysterically!
"Stop that!" She reached over and tugged at his hair playfully. He closed his eyes. He loved it when she played with his hair.
Alex turned away from the window, angry at himself for the tears he felt, waiting to come out. He stood still for a moment, eyes squeezed shut for what seemed like eternity, furiously blinking as if he had something in them, he walked over to the bed, looking down at her as she lay there looking so peaceful. It's been three months already and she still hadn't woken up. He felt as if a part of him was right there beside her.
He knelt beside the bed and gently rested his head against her breast. "God oh how I miss you Carla!" he whispered.
She felt weird, as if she was floating on air. "Where the hell am I?" she whispered. "Alex?" she called out. It was so quiet, too quiet and so white.
"I'm so tired of walking!" she muttered to herself. Then she saw her. "How could this be?" She was too shocked and scared to move.
"Hello baby". she heard the voice, it was her mother's voice!
"Mom", she whispered so low she didn't recognize her voice.
"Yes honey, it's me." her mom replied.
"Oh mom I missed you so much". She felt the tears running down her cheeks.
"Hush now child, hush. It goin to be alright". her mom said as they continued to hold each other.
"You know you shouldn't be here, it's not your time yet, you've gotta go back". her mom told her.
"But why...I don't know what I'm doing here mommy and I don't want to leave you".
"Hush chile, we don't have long now. You must go back it's not your time...."
"Where's dad mom?" Carla interrupted her mother.
"I told you....he's alright, don't worry...now listen to me honey" her mother said urgently. "I know it's a little difficult for you right now, but just keep on believing in yourself and don't you ever give up. It will all work out in the end, you'll see. Just keep trying, don't forget what you want to do, just do it and don't let anyone tell you different!"
"But mommy, I miss you..." Carla cried.
"I know, I miss you too and your sisters and your brothers...tell them I love them and I'm with you all always" her mom told her.
"Mommy I love you", Carla said and began to cry harder.
"Hush now....go on.....he's waiting for you....he's still a wonderful man Carla....now go!" her mom whispered and hugged her fiercely. "I'm always there, don't forget."
Carla didn't want her to go. She couldn't leave now, she wanted to see her dad, she had so many questions, so many things to say to them. She suddenly felt cold. "Mom....mom.....mom, she called out"
Alex raised his head. "Carla..?" He held his breath...."Oh God" he thought....."please"...he prayed silently as his eyes swept over her face quickly.
"Carla...? He called her name again.
"Mom...mom....." Carla heard the sound of her voice. She heard Alex calling her name. "Alex!" She said.
Her eyes opened and there he was, the love of her life. He was still by her side.
"Oh my God....Carla...you're awake...!" Alex shouted and grabbed her half sitting half lying on the bed. He hugged her tightly as the tears ran down his face. He didn't care if men weren't supposed to cry, if they weren't supposed to show weakness! He had his Carla back and that's all that mattered to him!
He heard footsteps walking quickly coming into the room. It was the nurse.
"Mr. Alex, please sir, what are you doing?!" The nurse admonished him.
"She's awake Nurse Gale, she's awake!" Alex shouted!
The nurse quickly examined Carla..."It's a miracle" she whispered, half to herself. She turned to Alex smiling, "I must call the hospital and let Dr. Feeney know immediately"
She left the bedroom, walking quickly.
Carla looked up at Alex, she smiled. "I love you" she told him
"I love you too honey!" Alex said and kissed her lips gently.
"Please hold me, never let me go Alex" Carla said.
"I won't" he responded!
They sat on the bed, his arms wrapped tightly around her as they rocked gently back and forth.
"Alex...?" Carla said.
"Yes?", He responded looking at her expectedly. She was still as beautiful as the day he married her.
"I"m ready now, remember what we talked about the other day, my business, and taking time off from work to write?"
"Yes?"
"I'm ready now" she said with a smile.