Rescued [[Nicola Philippaerts]] #wattys2017

Just In Time

I had been out with Alaska for about forty minutes and I only had twenty minutes before I had to go back. When I reached the gate that led onto the mountain, it was open and faint hoof prints were dented into the snow. I followed them to the rocky bit and had to look no further.

Nicola was laying unconscious against the rocks, snow surrounding him and his skin a deep shade of red/a very light shade of blue. I threw myself off of Alaska, holding his reins and knelt by Nicola. I shook him but got no response. His hat had snapped at the chin strap and a cut was showing above his left eye. He wasn't going to wake up so using all my strength, I lifted him up and sat him on Alaska's back before laying him on his chest on Alaska's neck. I vaulted on behind and held the reins with my arms around Nicola's ribs to stop him falling. I then kicked off in a trot back towards home.

On the way Ludo called.

"Ludo I've got him but he's in bad shape. There's a cut above his left eye just below his eyebrow and he's got the first stage of hypothermia. Get Jemima there now" I said.

"Ok. Hurry back" Ludo said and hung up. I kicked into a steady canter, being careful that Nicola didn't fall and soon reached the yard. I dismounted first and Olivier helped me lift Nicola from Alaska's back whilst Anthony took Alaska back to his stable.

"We'll have to lay him in a stable with straw. The heating in the house has gone." Ludo said and showed us to the spare stable next to Alaska's old one.

We laid Nicola on the straw and I sat behind him with his head in my lap. I pulled a thick black turnout rug off of the rack behind me and threw it across Nicola. The on site doctor Jemima came in looking relieved.

"Good. Keep him covered and keep his head above his heart. Get him a hot water bottle and other than that, keep him warm." She said after examining him and cleaning his cut. Tears began to fall from my eyes onto my knee.

"I should have included him in the celebration." I sniffed.

"It's not your fault." Olivier said. I nodded.

"Here you are Chels." Ludo said, handing me a hot chocolate and the hot water bottle. I laid it inside the layers of the rug and sipped my hot chocolate.

"We're going to go back to the house to try and fix the heating. Will you be alright with the horses and Nicola." Ludo asked.

"Yeah. I'll call if anything happens" I said. They left my stable light on and turned the others off. I really hope Nicola is awake soon.

TTIMESKIP

Around 3 in the morning, Nicola began to wake up. He groaned, twisted his head to the side and pulled the rug further onto his body, snuggling into it. Happy that he was now asleep, I closed my eyes and also got some much needed rest.

When I next awoke, my head was in someone's lap, hot chocolate filled my nose and there was a small conversation going on.

"She saved my life Olivier. Now I realise what my feelings are." Nicola said.

"What?" Olivier replied.

"I love her." I twisted round so my head was facing the person's stomach. I'd recognise the blue top's smell anywhere. Nicola.

I sat up and yawned, rubbing my neck and moving my jaw around.

"Afternoon Ms Philippaerts." Olivier said.

"Huh?" I replied as Nicola picked a bit of straw out of my hair.

"This morning when I woke up in your lap, I moved you into my lap and you mumbled 'Yes I will Marry you Nicola if it means I get more sleep.' Nicola said. I blushed crimson and Olivier walked off laughing.

When I looked at Nicola, he suddenly crushed his lips onto mine. Not thinking, I kissed back tiredly.

"What was that for?" I asked when we broke apart, realising what just happened.

"I love you" He said. My heart stopped. Finally he admitted it.

"I love you too Nicola" I said and pecked his lips.

"Wanna go back to the house and watch movies all day?" He asked, standing up. I nodded and he picked me up bridal style, carrying me back to the empty house.

At some point, we both fell asleep on the sofa because the TV was turned off and a blanket was lid over us. All I remember was that my head was on the left side of Nicola's ribcage (just below the heart) and his left arm was wrapped around me whilst our legs were tangled together. One word to describe this moment:

Perfection.