Eidola

Brightest Before The Dusk: Part I

Part I

Rosalie and Darly

*

Outside the hospital room window, behind closed curtains, Rosalie Redmond watches in melancholic interest as a nurse turns away from the weak figure on the bed and made her exit. Rosalie was entirely aware that the woman had left, and now her attention shifts back to the woman lying on the bed. She slowly unlocks the window and slide it slightly open, stealthily making her way into the room and closing the window behind her.

The room's lights have been set to a dim, and the haunting grey that masks the room's walls caused Rosalie to feel a little claustrophobic. Her semi-cerulean eyes roamed over the features of her Darly's pale face. She was amazed that this woman, who long ago gave her the strength she now posseses, could suddenly look so fragile as glass.

Rosalie was hypnotized momentarily watching her lover, because even though she was sick, she still looked as breathtakingly beautiful as she did before. She thanked the gods that she was still breathing. A tear gathered in the corner of her eye, but she wiped it off before it had a chance to slide down her cheek. Rosalie leaned over, took Darly's frail hand, and softly kissed the back of it. She allowed her lips to linger there, not wanting to break this tender connection.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?'', a weak giggle stifled above Rosalie's bowed head.

Rosalie broke away from her hand, looked up, and met Darly's weak gaze, ''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up.''

She chuckled, rubbing her eyes wth her hand, ''It's fine, but don't you have work tonight?''

Rosalie's eyes saddened,'' I was just worried about you. There's no way I can face tonight without knowing whether you're doing okay.''

Darly reached out to brush the stray blond curls from her lover's face, ''You worry too much, I'm fine. ''

'' Mmmm.. ''

They both fall into a moment of comfortable silence.

"You're beautiful.'', Rosalie suddenly whispers. ''You're so damn beautiful. I'm so lucky..."

"Don't say things like that, you corny idiot.''

"I will never stop. It's your fault for allowing yourself to fall in love with this corny idiot."

''But I just wanted to make sure you were okay'', Rosalie continued, frowning, but the frown slipped when Darly weakly raised Rosalie's hand to her dry lips and give it a small peck. Deep emerald met cerulean-violet, and the love that burned between them intensified. It was but a brief moment because the patient eventually slipped her hand away from the trespasser's, sighing as she did so.

''You should go Rosalie, before Gregory bites down your ass for being so late again.''

''I'm not concerned. He's not into women's asses.''

A giggle and then Rosalie smiled and watched her drift off to sleep completely.

When she was sure that she was fast asleep, Rosalie rose and placed a kiss on Darly's smooth forehead. "I love you," she whispered before she finally looked away from her. The blonde sighed and reluctantly left the room through the same window.

---x

Rosalie winced as the familiar scent of smoke hit her senses. She had never liked Friday nights, as it is always the time when she had to go and do her job. But what she really hated wasn't the day nor the job, but her employer himself. That bastard of a man does nothing but laze around and suck on his cancer sticks all day.