She kissed the scars on his skin.

Chapter 26

I ask Lauren about her early life, telling her to only tell me if she wants to. I know she already told me some of the story, but I want to hear it all.
"I was bullied in high school for being clever and fat. I mean really bullied. Physical and mental abuse for 5 years. My parents didn't know. They were always more focused on my brother. He's a couple of years younger and is so good at soccer. He plays for Liverpool FC now. I still talk with him sometimes but I've been out here so long there isn't really much to say to him. Our lives are too different. And my sister. She was really into beauty pageants and ended up winning a modelling contract. I worked my way through college and university and came out here a few years ago to get away from it all. I'd heard from my grandmother about an agency looking for qualified nurses out here so I contacted them, packed my stuff, changed my surname by deed poll so the bullies wouldn't find me and I wouldn't be linked back to my brother and sister and came out here. The agency sorted out my visa and my flat and even when the hospital took me on without having to go through the agency after a year, I was allowed to keep the flat. I've paid off the mortgage on it, and it's ok for now."
I look at her quizzically. How did she pay off that place?
"My brother had a guilty conscience about how our parents treated him better than me and he sent me a cheque to pay off half. They didn't know I've been saving since I was 11 so I put down a huge deposit on it anyway and I live really frugally. I learned that after seeing so many kids at uni having debts up to their eyeballs. I swore blind I was never going to owe money for any length of time. Obviously the mortgage was an investment and I knew my lifestyle meant I could more than afford it, so I wasn't too concerned."
My jaw drops open. Her voice sounded so determined, so clear. It's the first time she's spoken so clearly, preferring to whisper and mumble. I smile at her.
"You're the winner in this whole thing. The weather here is way better than in England" I say, kissing her again. She gives me that stunning smile again and I know I don't want to be apart from her, ever.
I hear someone calling her name and we both turn towards the voice. I seem to recognise the woman standing a little way off. Lauren stands up and walks towards her so I quickly get to my feet and follow.
"Hey Claire" I hear Lauren say and I remember she was one of the nurses when I first went into hospital.
"I see Sleeping Beauty found you" she says, grinning. Lauren blushes and nods, taking my hand in hers. Claire hadn't been able to come to the concert if I remember rightly, as she was working so I decide to thank her, here and now.
"Claire, I know you couldn't come to the concert so I just really want to say thank you for looking after me. Without the care of all of you I wouldn't be here today, with this gorgeous lady" I say, making Lauren go beetroot red.
"It was mainly the lovely Lauren who did the hard work. She was determined to get you back on your feet. She even came in sometimes on her days off to sit with you and try to get you responding. It all paid off though. I'm so glad to see you again Tony, and especially looking so well."
I didn't know Lauren had done that. Come to see me in her free time. No one had said anything before now. I squeeze her hand gently and let them finish their conversation. When Claire turns to go, I thank her again and pull Lauren into my arms once we are alone again.
"You didn't say anything about that before. Why did you do that for me? I was a stranger and you cared that much?"
She nodded.
"I cared the moment you came in to us. I wasn't letting you die. I fell in love with you and I couldn't let you go."
My heart skips a beat at her words. She loves me? I know I love her too. This is amazing.
"Lauren, I've known for a long time how I feel about you too. Your presence and voice are what made me never give up. In my mind you were this beautiful angel and now you're my beautiful girlfriend and it's so perfect and I love you too so very much" I say, the words rushing out as a tear trickles down my cheek. She looks up at me and gently wipes it away. We gaze into each other's eyes and I see so much love in hers.