The Miracle of a Teenage Romance

Chapter 25

Instantaneously, the ear-piercing screech of the heart monitor goes back into a steady rhythm, beep...beep...beep.
Caden's eyes widen. "Lilly?" He runs back into the room, hoping to find her awake. But she's still unconscious.
The doctors walk out of the room along with the Andrews family to talk to them about Lilly's situation.

Meanwhile, Caden sits beside Lilly, wrapping his hands around her hand. Softly kissing it, he whispers, "You're gonna be okay, Lil. I...I believe that God will take care of you. No matter what happens."

***

   Confused and lost, Lilly searches through a dark and empty room, hoping to find someone or something to explain what's going on. "Where am I? Hello?" she calls out, her voice echoing in the hollow room. Suddenly, a big screen appears right in front of her. As she stares at it, images start flashing across; not just any images, but scenes of her life. "What's going on?" she questions.
As she watches, scenes that she doesn't recognize appear. "Is that...Caden? Why is he fighting with Jake? Wait. Is that me lying there?" Soon, she realizes. "Oh my gosh. They're fighting about me."
In the scene, Caden cries in his brother's arms. "She means the world to me, Jake. I can't lose her."
"Lose me? Why would he..." She recalls seeing big, bright lights and hearing tires screeching and Caden screaming for help. Hearing his voice breaking, her eyes flood with tears. "That's why." She continues to watch the screen. "How long have I been out?"
   Another scene begins, answering her question. Caden's sitting beside her crying as he sings to her, "In the quiet and in the storm. Every rise and every fall. Any door that we walk through. I will never stop loving you. Every path that we might find. Light of day or black of night. Anywhere life takes us to. I will never stop loving you. Oh, my heart is yours." He sings through his sobs, "My heart is yours. My heart is yours, Lilly...." He dries his tears. "It's been almost two months now, Lil," his voice cracks, more tears forming. "I know I tell you this every day, but I miss you so much. You...you have to wake up, Princess. Please. I need you."
   Tears sting Lilly's eyes. "Two months? I've been asleep for two months?"

   The screen switches to a picture: Lilly's family, including Caden, are gathered around her, crying. Suddenly, a white light, brighter than the sun, appears beside her. A nail-scarred hand stretches forth out of the light. "I could bring you home," a calm and gentle voice speaks through the light. "You wouldn't ever be sick again. You wouldn't have to fight anymore. You would be at peace."

   "But I...I can't leave them." Lilly sniffles, pointing to the screen. "They need me and...I need them."

   "I know. You're not ready to go home anyway. You still have more work to do."
   The light disappears and the screen starts playing again. Caden is sitting beside Lilly. He kisses the top of her hand and whispers, "You're gonna be okay, Lil. I...I believe that God will take care of you. No matter what happens." He smiles. "I know that He will because He listens to prayers. And for the first time in probably four years, I prayed. I prayed for God to work a miracle...for you." He softly kisses her forehead. "I love you, Lilly."

Overcome with happiness that Caden finally decided to trust God, Lilly cries tears of joy. "I love you too, Caden. I'm so proud of you. I can't wait to see you again."

***

   Lilly slowly opens her eyes. Glancing around the room, her eyes land on Caden. He's still sitting beside her with his hands cupped around her hand. She twitches her fingers.
   "Lilly?" Caden looks up, locking eyes with her. He lights up with joy, a few tears slipping down his face. "Lilly, you're...you're awake."
   Unable to speak, Lilly smiles and nods her head in response.
   He leaps up, wraps his arms around her, and kisses her. "I'm so glad you're okay. I was so scared I was going to lose you." He smiles. "I...I even prayed for you. I prayed for God to work a miracle."