Blame It (Of Mice & Men)

Forever Means Everything

Alan~

I called April 35 times. I sighed loudly and looked outside to see it had started raining. I grabbed my coat and beanie and ran outside. It was obvious April had gone to Tino's. I drove down the road and redialed April's number for the now 36th time.

The rain got harder and thunder boomed overhead as I got sent to her voicemail. "Hey April, it's me. Please hear me out. I didn't sleep with that girl. She kissed me while I was off guard. Ask Austin! I would never hurt you and Julia on purpose. You're my life. Forever means everything to me. I love you more than words can explain."

Thunder hit again and a flash of lighting went across the sky, striking a tree in front of me and sending it to the middle of the road. I swerved and the steering wheel locked up. I hit the tree and shut my eyes as the airbag popped out and the car went airborne. The sound of crushing metal and shattering glass filled my ears as a white light filled my head, the sounds buzzing to silence.

April~

I sighed as my phone buzzed again, lifting it and answering with an aggravated hello. "Hi, is this the wife of a Mr. Alan Ashby?" a deep voice asked. My heart sank to my stomach.

"Yes," I replied. "Mrs. Ashby I need you to come down to Belire Infirmary. Your husband has been in a serious car accident." My phone fell from my hand and I picked it up before running out the door.

I sped to the hospital, holding my phone up to my ear. "Forever means everything to me," I heard Alan say through my phone as I pulled into the emergency parking lot. I ran inside and didn't realize I'd forgotten my coat until the chill of the emergency room hit my arms.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" I looked over to see a young nurse standing behind the desk. "My husband was in an accident," I told her, running a hand through my soaked hair. "Last name?" she asked. "Ashby," I replied.

She typed some things into her computer before looking at me. "Room 406 right down that hall. Knock before entering and a doctor will be with you shortly," she said giving me a sympathetic smile. Everything went in slow motion as I walked towards the room.

I knocked and walked inside, bringing my hands to my mouth at the sight before me. Alan laid in the hospital bed, an IV in his left hand. Various bruises ran along his body along with a few gashes. His left eye was blackened and his lip was cut on the right side.

I walked to the side of the bed and ran my hand through his hair, kissing his forehead. I pulled a chair beside his bed and held his hand. I watched his slow breathing and wiped at my eyes. Two knocks at the door brought me from my trance and I choked out a small "Come in."

The doctor walked in and stood before me. "Hi, Mrs. Ashby. I'm Dr. Hart," he said, shaking my hand. "Is he gonna be okay?" I asked quietly, looking at Alan. "He should be fine. He'll be waking up anywhere from a few hours to a few days from now. He's beaten up pretty bad, but he should be okay," he smiled.

I returned his with a small smile and he gently squeezed my shoulder. "This was in his pocket, Mrs. Ashby," he said. I looked up to see my engagement ring in the palm of his hand. I reached out and took the ring, sliding it on my finger. Dr. Hart gave me one last smile before walking out.

I looked down at my ring and back at Alan before standing and leaning over him, my lips softly touching his. I pulled away before gently rubbing my thumb along his lips and whispering "Forever means everything to me, too."