Timeless Love

Chapter 15

"That's your child right there," Downey said looking at the monitor.
You finally had the courage to look up and see it. A tiny creature inside your body that was the size of a little guppy.
"He's so," Aaron paused as his voice began to break.
"Or she," you corrected him.
Aaron chuckled. He looked like he was going to cry again as he placed his cut up hands in front of his mouth.
Downey removed the device from your stomach and wiped off the sticky gel. You didn't even want to take your eyes off the screen. That was your baby.
"So, a few things we should go over," Downey started. "Once again, try to keep stress to a minimum. I understand it doesn't seem likely at a time right now, but it's not advice I would take lightly. So basically everything that you feel, the baby is also feeling. When you're hungry, the baby's hungry. When you're tired, the baby's tired. When you're stressed, the baby's stressed."
"What could they possibly be stressed about," you said somewhat jokingly.
"Well, when you're distressed, they will start mimicking your emotions, as well," Downey mentioned. "And we don't want that, do we?"
"No, sir," you replied.
"Ok," he said. "Well, I will finish documenting everything before I can get you ready to go home."
Home? It wasn't the home that you had just dreamt about. But it still sounded... strange. You and Aaron had been living in that house together for over a month now. And yet, it still didn't seem real. Nothing did.
Downey stood up and exited the room with the squeaky rolling of the monitor.
As the noise faded and the room became silent again, you looked at Aaron who was still grasping your hand.
"You're going to be a father," you admitted to him. "But are you going to be there when it comes?"
Aaron stared at you.
"I will," he said. "Like I said, I will be here for you no matter what. I'll do what I can to be the best father."
"Are you going to get help," you asked.
Aaron looked confused.
"Please," you begged. "Just do it for me... for us. I can't risk our child growing up without a father. It's not right. It's not fair to either of us."
"It's not going to happen again," he said. "I just need to find a gig and--"
"I don't care if you do or not," you shouted. "You know I have a reason to be worried... please?"
Aaron looked away from you and sighed deeply.
"Alright," he agreed.
He didn't sound pleased. You knew he wasn't crazy. But it made your heart wrench to see him this way. His lifelong dream career was on an extended hiatus. Much longer than you had both intended. You and other people in his life knew of his superior talent.
"And I promise I'll be there for you," you added. "I'll do anything to make your dreams come true."
"I already have it," he chuckled softly as he stared into your eyes reaching for your stomach.
"But you deserve more," you said. "You deserve to be adored by more people out there. People to support your extended dreams. I can't think of anyone that doesn't believe you deserve it."
"Your family," he said. "They barely know who I am. Plus going long without any source of communication to you. They must hate me."
"Their opinion on you doesn't matter to me," you replied quickly. "Mine is the only one that matters. I made a mistake all those years ago. Leaving my hometown for someone I thought I loved. And then you came into my life. And I suddenly felt safer than ever."
You leaned in to press against his lips. He backed away as he pulled his wheelchair closer to you. He kissed you back as he leaned toward you, resting you back into your not so comfortable hospital bed. You backed away.
"I'm going to do it," you whispered.
"What," he asked.
"I'm going to make sure you get back out there," you said.
"No, you don't--"
"I have to," you interrupted. "I want to."
"You need to take it easy," Aaron parroted the doctor's orders.
"I will," you assured.
"You've wanted this for so long," he mentioned. "I can't see you lose it."
"I'll be fine," you assured Aaron once more.
You didn't want to hear anything else from him. You leaned back in to kiss him again.
-
Three hours later:
Aaron had been sent down for another long test. You had told him to go back to his lonely room to get some decent rest. After all, he was going to be here for awhile. Longer than you. You had changed back into your regular, and warmer, clothes to be ready to go home any minute now. You were scrolling through the Internet on your smartphone searching for an agent for your fiancé that needed it the most. You were desperate at this point. This could save his life. You had already sent a long email to some agencies that you have found:
'My fiancé, Aaron Tveit, has been struggling with finding a new gig. It has gotten to the point where he had attempted to harm himself because of his lack of support from some of his supporters. I am asking you if you could give him one chance at returning to the stage. It's what he needs for the sake of his health and family. From my understanding, Aaron is one of the most talented Broadway figures out there. He is loved by thousands of his fans that also long for his comeback. One opportunity for him could save his life. I ask you to give him an opportunity that he deserves.'
Warm regards,
The Tveit family'
You looked up and found Dr. Downey standing in front of your hospital bed.
"Are you ready to go now," he asked you with a wheelchair sitting in front of him.
"Yes," you said in relief.
And yet, you hated to have Aaron stay in this scary hospital by himself. You hoped he wouldn't try anything to scare you again.
"When is Aaron going to be ready," you asked with some hopelessness in your voice.
He sighed deeply.
"We don't really have the answer yet," he replied. "Maybe tomorrow... or the next. We just want to make sure he's safe."
You nodded.
"On second thought," you said. "I think I want to stay here."
"I don't think that's a good idea," he said. "You need some decent rest. You and the baby."
You looked away feeling disappointment.
"He's right," a familiar voice agreed from out in the hallway.
It was Aaron wheeling himself into the room.
"You need to get out of here," he continued. "I'll still be here when you come back tomorrow. You will be here tomorrow, won't you?"
You chuckled.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," you replied. "You will be, too?"
He raised his eyebrows at you. You hoped that was a yes.
"Alright," you said resignedly.
You stood up as Downey pushed the wheelchair to you. You sat down with your handbag and your phone in your hands. Downey wheeled you back toward Aaron. You  approached him, giving him a worried look.
"I'll be back first thing tomorrow," you said starting to cry.
"And I'll be here," he replied.
You pulled yourself up to kiss his lips one last time. You then let him kiss your forehead. You were wheeled out of the room as you got one last touch of Aaron's hands. Aaron followed behind you. You wheeled down the long hallway toward the elevator. The door slid open and Downey led you inside.
You turned around to get one last look at Aaron. He had that look on his face. His eyes displayed desperation and sadness. He placed his fingers against his lips and kissed them. Before he could blow you the kiss, the elevator door shut in front of you.
-
The sky was dark. There was no light in the sky except for the half moon. You had finally approached the front of your house, which appeared completely dark. The tires of your car hissed as you pressed on the brakes. You shifted the gear to park and you turned the keys to shut off the car. You slid out to avoid the black ice sitting next to your car. You succeeded this time around and you slammed the door behind you. You walked up to your front porch with baby steps as you rummaged in your handbag for your front door keys. There was a sound of footsteps behind you as you approached the door.
"Mrs. Tveit," a familiar, yet strange voice said mockingly.
You paused the search for your keys. You looked at your front door. You were too shocked to turn around. That sounded familiar. Too familiar. More than you should remember.
"I came back for you," the voice said.