Unexpected Love

Chapter 32

Ann-Kathrin's P. O. V.

Its been 2 years.

2 years since Mario went into a coma.

2 years since Beckham was born.

Beckham turned two without his father.

No, Mario didn't die.

But he's still in a coma.

***

"You haven't figured anything else out? How can he just not wake up for a year?"

The doctor sighs, "Ms. Brommel, you have to understand. Comas are very hard things to comprehend. We don't know when Mario will wake up. Or if he will wake up. "

I bite my lip, "This is insane. "

The doctor sets his hand on my shoulder, "I know this must be hard for you. But have hope. Mario needs everyone to have hope that he will wake up. He needs you to believe in him. "

I sigh and nod, "I do. "

Mario's parents decided to let me make the decision of when to take him off life support.

If his parents were deciding, they would've done it a year ago.

I feel terrible that I could possibly be giving them false hope but I'm trying to hold on to the hope as long as I can.

***

I told the doctors to pull the plug tomorrow at 10 pm if he hasn't woken up by then. I can't do this anymore.

I'm putting everyone through too much pain. I need to move on and let Mario go.

I don't think I've slept at all these past two years. I just lay awake at night, imagining Mario laying next to me.

I'm on my way to the hospital, with Beckham. When I get there, I take Beckham and go into the ICU.

When I walk in, there are a ton of doctors and nurses crowded around him. I walk up, "What's going on?"

That when I hear it. "Ann-Kathrin?"

The doctors and nurses move away from the bed and I see Mario.

Awake.

He's sitting up in bed.

I immediately cry out in shock as tears stream down my face rapidly.

One of the doctors takes Beckham from me as I run to Mario, pulling him in to a hug.

Mario pulls away and grabs my face, "Hold still for a minute. I haven't seen you for two years. "

Mario just sits there, holding my face, studying me. Then he leans forward and kisses me so hard.

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss back. I can taste the saltiness of my tears mixed in with the kiss.

I pull away and grab Beckham, handing him to Mario.

Mario shakes his head, "Oh my gosh. he's so big. "

I nod and smile, "I know. "

I sit on the edge of the bed as we talk.

"You're parents let me decide whether to take you off life support. I've kept you on life support for 2 years, Mario. This has been the worst time of my life. Your team has come to visit so much. They miss you so much. "

Mario smiles and grabs my hand, "I'm just glad you didn't move on and fall in love with someone else. "

I laugh, "That would never happen. "

Mario raises his brows, "You mean to tell me Manuel never tried to make a move?"

I bite my lip, "Maybe a few times. But I remained completely faithful to you. "

Mario sits up a little more, re situating Beckham in his arms, "I want to marry you. "

I smile, "You will, Mario. But let's wait awhile. Give you some time to rest and get better. "

Mario shakes his head, "I need to get back on the pitch. And I need to marry you. "

I shake my head, laughing, "Baby, I'm not going anywhere. And neither is the pitch. We can get married and you can get back to playing when you're better. If you rush it, you'll have a setback and may never get to play again. "

He sighs, "I guess you're right. "

I smile, "I'm going to call your family so they can see you. I'll take Beckham and go home for a few hours. Give you some time to spend with your family."

Mario shakes his head, "You're my family. I want you here. "

I smile and set my hand on his cheek, "I know, baby. But this is your immediate family. They deserve some alone time with you. "

Mario sighs, "Fine. But promise you'll come back in no more than 2 hours "

I laugh, "I promise. I'll be right back. I'm going to call your mom. "

I walk out of ICU and call his mom, "Hello?"

I smile, "Hey, it's Ann. Something happened with Mario. "

I can hear the panic in her voice, "what?"

I smile and say, "He woke up! And he's okay. He's alert and knows what's going on. You guys come on over, I'm going to take Beckham home for his nap. "

She laughs, "Oh my gosh! We'll come right away. "

I hang up and walk back into the room. I don't say anything and neither does Mario.

We just sit there, as a family.

And it feels amazing.