A Twist in Fate

Chapter nine

Beth

I was waiting alone while Abbigail had the implant surgery. Flashes of that dreadful night cloud my mind and I couldn't shake them.

(Flashback)

I was getting a drink for me and Abbigail when I heard my mother scream my name in fear. I turn in time to stare wide-eyed at the firework heading right where I was standing. I was frozen in fear to move and feel someone tackle me out of the way. I hit my head on the ground, stunned for a few minutes.

A light shining in my eyes made me turn my head away, squinting. "Minor concussion from the tackle, some rest should be fine," a doctor says as I realize I'm in a hospital bed.

"Where am I? What happened to me," I ask in a frantic tone.

"Sweetheart, you're in the hospital," my mother chokes with relief. "Abby tacked you out of the way of a stray firework. She saved your life Beth."

"Is she okay? Can I see her," I ask in broken sobs.

"She's in the bed next to you," Aunt Charlotte chokes quietly.

"Aunt Charlotte, I'm so sorry," I choke between sobs.

"Sweetie, it's not your fault. It was an accident," Aunt Charlotte says in a soothing whisper, taking me in her arms.

(Flashback ends)

"Beth," Shawn says softly, kneeling in front of me, caressing my face. Slow tears roll down my cheeks as I meet her eyes and break into uncontrolled sobs. She lifts me from the chair I was sitting in and takes me in her arms. "I'm sorry I can't be with you longer."

I just hold onto her like my life depends on it. I hide my face in her neck and she rubs my back in comfort. I shutter a calming breath smell Melanie's orchid fragrance as she sits next to us. "How did Abbigail take the news," she asks in a choked whisper.

"She was sending Commander White to tell you she was getting the implants when he told us you were leaving tomorrow," I choke in calming breaths and tears roll down her cheeks. "She wants to see you before you leave. She's afraid of you not coming back and wants to see the woman you've become, her wife. She said should something happen to you she wanted to be able to see your child and pray they're born looking like you so she never forgets your face."

We sit in silence after that Melanie rubbing my stomach as a distraction. Shawn and I let her be knowing she's got a lot on her mind. Her head snaps up when Doctor Byrne walks out to us with a smile." The procedure went well. She's waking up as we speak and I thought her wife should be there," he says with a smile and Melanie springs to her feet to follow him.

Abbigail

I was trying to open my eyes and my vision at first was blurred like an out of focus camera. I blink my eyes a few times as objects become more clearer for me to see. I'm alone and tears fill my eyes. Where is Melanie or Beth? I thought one of them would be here when I woke up? Did Melanie already leave for her parents? Is Beth okay?

Question after question flooded my mind as tears roll down my cheeks. I roll, putting my back to the door and cry silently. The door opens but I ignore the person entering thinking it was just a nurse or Doctor Byrne. I sniffle, watching the screen monitoring my heart rate. Moments later I feel someone cuddle up behind me and break into relieved sobs. "Did it work," Melanie asks in a soothing whisper and I roll to face her.

I look into her icy blue eyes and smash my lips against hers. She reciprocates the kiss placing her hand on my hip, holding me close to her. The kiss reminded me of the night we met and she had me up against the big oak tree. Her parents had found us there and they were happy to see her move on from her late girlfriend. We talked for a bit and I told them about my grandfather's passing.