The World Around Us

I Do-Short Story

I entered the dark room, where he laid on the bed, breathing, but barely alive. His eyes are closed, but they open when I come in, revealing twin sapphires. They're the only thing in him that's really alive, sparkling and determined. His body has died out, his legs no longer support him. Even his heart isn't alive anymore. It just faintly beating, leading him to the doors of death.

"Zoe..." he whispered through his cracked lips.

"Xavier," I choked, collapsing in front of his bed. I grabbed his big hands, my tears threatening to spill out.

"Shhh. Don't cry," he smiled faintly. He turned my hand, brushing the ring around my finger. Our engagement ring.

Our eyes met and we both knew the day would never come. It was so unfair. We were always separated because of family hatred. When they finally accepted that our love was unbreakable, Xavier got this disease. It was as if fate would never let us be together.

"It's okay. Everything will be alright." Even though his voice was barely a whisper, it calmed me even though both of us were aware that his death was inevitable.

"I'm fine. I love you...I'll miss you." I sniffed.

"I love you too." He hugged my head and I sobbed into his shoulder, desperately wishing for a miracle.

He slid the engagement ring off my finger, studying the diamond in the middle. Then, from his shirt pocket, he takes out an identical ring.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

Xavier stared intently into my eyes and for one moment, I saw the unwavering, stubborn person I knew before the sickness had taken over. No, that person was still in him, fighting against the sickness, but it was losing.

Xavier took one of the rings and murmured, "Do you, Zoe Cathcart, take Xavier Govain as your husband?"

A lump formed at the base of my throat as the tears flooded my eyes. I heard myself say "I do."

Xavier slid the ring into my fourth finger, the metal cold to my skin. "Your turn," he said, offering the ring.

In a trancelike state, I took it, my voice trembling, "D-do you, Xavier Govain, t-take Zoe Ca-Cathcart as your wife?" The lump in my throat made it almost impossible to speak.

Xavier smiled, helping me slide the ring into his finger. "I do," he whispered and closed his eyes, exhaling his last breath.