In The Darkest Hour

Part Two - Chapter One: How Time Flies

“Good morning Mrs Matthews,” Isla Cortez greeted walking into the hospital room, she had just started her shift for the day and Isla was in such a good mood; she loved working back in hospital even after everything that had happened.

Isla moved forward to check on Sophia Matthews’ chart, she was sure that the new mother wouldn’t be staying in the hospital much longer and she was thrilled about that.

Sophia had given birth to a beautiful baby boy only two days earlier, she had named him Collin after his father who was in the army; she couldn’t have been happier and neither could her husband.

“Good morning,” Sophia replied smiling, she couldn’t wait to take her little boy home and she was sure that her husband had gotten everything ready for when they returned.

Sophia’s older sister, Irene, had been to visit the day before and had adore the little boy even if she wasn’t overly fond of Sophia’s husband but she knew that there was little that she could say to change her sister’s mind.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Isla asked checking over Sophia’s chart, she smiled seeing that everything was in order and she was glad that it looked right.

“Tired but okay,” Sophia murmured with a smile, she felt good and she couldn’t wait to go home; she looked over at her son hoping that Collin would be coming to visit soon.

Isla nodded her head before she moved to do her own checks on mother and baby, she was pleased with what she was seeing and she knew that the midwife would be coming soon to discharge them.

Isla pulled off her stethoscope to give Sophia a quick check over, she knew that it was important after the caesarean section that the woman had when she had delivered her son.

“Everything looks good Mrs Matthews,” Isla said once she had finished, she had never thought she’d be able to return to nursing and had been thrilled when she found out that she could since it was proven that she’d done everything right.

It had been eighteen months since Isla had left Barcelona and she had slowly moved forward with her life after what had happened; it had been hard but worth it when she saw how far she had come.

“Your midwife will be along to see you soon,” Isla informed Sophia before she walked out of the hospital room, she was happy that no one knew who she was here and she had been able to put everything behind her.

Of course, Isla still had times where she thought what her life would have been like if she had never left her home behind and she knew that she had done the right thing.

Isla did miss everything that she had left behind but she doubted that she would have ever been able to recover properly if she had stayed; the city would have crushed her and coming to Australia had given her a better life.

Heading over to the nurses station, Isla stopped herself from thinking about the man that she had left behind, she did watch Barcelona games but she had sworn to herself when she had left Gerard Piqué at the airport that she would never look into his private life.

Isla hadn’t contacted him because she wanted him to be happy, she wanted Gerard to move on like she had and she hoped that he had done; she didn’t want him waiting for her when she was happy in Australia.

Taking a deep breath, Isla thought about her plans for that evening; she grinned knowing that her boyfriend was coming around and they were going to watch some movies together.

Isla didn’t know what she would have done without him, she could tell him anything and she knew that he would never judge her for what had happened.

***

Isla smiled as she left her boyfriend of just over a year into her small apartment, he was her best friend and they were happy together; Dev Patel accepted Isla when she was broken and he had helped her slowly get better.

“How was work?” Dev asked kissing Isla before setting the pepperoni pizza and garlic pizza bread on the counter; it had been his turn to pick the food up and he knew just what to get.

Isla smiled smelling dinner, she loved the mess of fresh cooked food and her stomach grumbled wanting to be fed; she had only had a boring cheese sandwich for lunch and she was starving.

“It was a long but quiet shift,” Isla replied smiling before she moved to pour drinks while Dev took off his coat, he had been so happy for her when she had been able to return to nursing six months ago and he knew that her hours were often long.

Dev nodded his head, he was an accountant for a firm across town that was close to the hospital where Isla now worked; he was glad that she had found something that she loved to do and he only wanted to see her happy.

“My parents called this morning,” Isla mused recalling the talk that she’d had with her mother, she peeked at Dev knowing that she could tell him; they would have called her brother by now anyway.

Kieran had recently started work as a pharmacist after completing his course, the family had been so proud of him and their parents had flown out for his graduation.

Dev raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend, he knew that she had brought it up for a reason and it made him curious since he was sure that it wasn’t something small.

“They’ve decided to renew their vows in August,” Isla revealed handing Dev a drink before they moved to sit down on her couch and eat their dinner; she hadn’t been surprised at their decision only the timing.

Dev nodded his head, he now understood why she was telling him and he knew that he would do anything for her if it meant that she was happy.

“A little short notice,” Dev mused wondering why Tracy and Theodore had waited until two months before to tell them, he guessed it was down to the fact that Isla hadn’t been back to Barcelona since she left.

Isla nodded her head, she had a feeling that she had been the last to know because of what had happened when she had lived in Barcelona; she would go to their renewal and nothing would stop her.

“I was wondering if you’d be my plus-one,” Isla asked smiling at Dev, she didn’t think that she could do this without him and she knew that she would need him the most in Barcelona.

The city held nothing but bad memories for Isla and she had no idea how to react about going to the place that had nearly completely crushed her.

“Of course,” Dev replied smiling at Isla, he could see that she was scared about going back and he didn’t blame her; the situation had been a mess and it was always going to be a black mark on her life.

Isla smiled cuddling into Dev’s side as she helped herself to a slice of pizza, she had hoped that he would agree because she had no idea what going back would be like.

The last thing that Isla wanted to do was let her parents down and she didn’t want to be a burden to them, they hadn’t been able to handle it when she had broken last time.

“So will I need a fancy suit? Or do you think I should turn up in Sherwani?” Dev asked grinning down at Isla, knowing that he had to cheer her up and make her smile before the bad thoughts appeared.

Isla snorted and looked at her boyfriend, he always knew what to do when she was feeling down and that was the reason he was also her best friend.

Dev chuckled knowing that her parents loved him and he could wear whatever he liked for the wedding.