Chasing Anne

With You

Mark couldn't really remember what happened next. Anne's bloodshot, tear-filled eyes shot open wide and a gasp escaped her throat. Her head spun towards the direction his voice had come from and for one short moment, she just stared at him, tears returning to her eyes. But then she forced herself to stand from the wheelchair, her weak legs trembling as she tried to move towards him. But she'd hardly made it a single step when her knees gave out and with a cry, she collapsed to her knees. Mark ran to her, forgetting his intentions of trying to take it easy lest he still be hurt and dropped down to the floor of the balcony, catching his beloved in his arms. Her weak, frail body melted into his as her sobs of pure joy were muffled into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle squeeze, relishing every second that passed. The world seemed to slow around them as they sat there in the warmth of the rising sun. Anne huddled as close to him as she possibly could, her head pressed against his chest and her arms tightly wrapped around his torso. She didn't want to let him go and neither did he want to let go of her.
Anne finally looked up at his face and as her eyes met his, a smile flickered across her face. "I thought I was going to lose you," she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Mark smiled and shook his head slightly, holding her all the more closely. "So did I," he replied, tears of joy streaming down his face.
Anne smiled and then laid her head back against him, sighing deeply. Again, silence fell like a curtain over them. Not that either of them cared about how quiet it was. As long as the two were together, nothing else mattered to them. Mark looked down at Anne and tenderly laid a hand on her cheek, wiping back the tears that unceasingly flowed down her face. She smiled to his touch and opened her eyes, glancing up at him.
"I love you," she whispered.
Mark smiled and nodded. "I love you too, Annabelle."
Anne's eyes narrowed a moment as a puzzled look crossed her face, but then she just sighed and shook her head, closing her eyes once more. "Mark?" she began softly.
"Yes?" Mark replied, looking down at her once more.
"Is it true that . . ." she paused, collecting her thoughts, and then continued. "Is it true that you were in both an elevator and a car accident because of me?"
Mark sighed and nodded slowly. "I wasn't letting you go without a fight, Anne."
Anne blushed and looked at the ground. She had never deserved a man like this. She smiled and released her grip around his waist, laying her hands in her lap instead. "Thank you," she whispered.
Mark smiled. "I didn't do it alone, Anne," he replied.
Neither of the two said anymore after that. They simply let the still peace of the morning surround them. Birds sang in the distance, and a gentle breeze made the tree leaves rustle as their branches swayed in the wind. Wildlife scurried along the ground below and the dew covered grass glistened in the light of the new day. The beauty was overwhelming, but Mark was just grateful that Anne was back in his arms again. He gave her another squeeze and then gently raised his hand to her cheek, brushing back her hair and tucking it behind her ear. Anne laughed softly and looked back up at him, her eyes jubilant. Mark had never remembered her ever being as beautiful as she was in that moment. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words caught back in his throat. Anne seemed to notice and reached to touch his cheek.
"Mark, are you all right?"
Mark nodded, his eyes once again brimming with tears. "It's just . . ." he began, trying hard to speak. "Seeing you alive, and holding you so close, knowing that you're safe . . ." his voice choked out again. "It's overwhelming," he finished. "I was so scared I'd lose you and that I wouldn't get to you in time. I-." His voice faltered and he lowered his head.
Anne smiled and strained to sit upright, her body aching for her to keep still. She wrapped an arm around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Mark, I'm alive. Please, just for a moment forget that I was ever apart from you," she whispered.
Mark just held her close and kissed her forehead. "I'll try," he whispered.
Seconds turned to minutes, and slowly, minutes began to drag into hours. Anne slowly relaxed into Mark's embrace and within a few moments, Mark knew she was sound asleep. He carefully slipped his arms under her and lifted her, letting her lean against him. She moaned softly and nestled herself in his arms, but remained asleep regardless. Mark couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you," he whispered as a prayer to his heavenly father. "Thank you for saving her."
Mitchel was gone when he walked back out into the hall that led out to the balcony, but Mark didn't really care. He knew where he would find Andrew and Andrew could take him back to wherever Anne's room might be. So, with his beloved nestled in his arms, he began to walk towards the stairs. He made his way down two flights of stairs and then turned left towards his old hospital room. It was a place he never really wanted to return to, but at this moment in time, he knew he didn't have much of a choice. He went to the door slowly and knocked with his foot, careful to keep a firm but gentle grip on Anne. Andrew opened the door and smiled, shaking his head.
"You, Mr. Normand, do not know how to take it easy."
Mark shrugged. "Where's her bedroom?"
"Upstairs," Andrew replied, nodding upward. "Isn't that where you just came from?"
Mark shrugged again. "I suppose so. I was counting on Mitch to lead me back to her room, but he's gone."
Andrew sighed and shook his head. "There's no telling where he went. Come on, I'll show you the elevator."
By the time they had reached Anne's room, Mark was exhausted. As he gently laid Anne down in her own bed, his arms ached, trembling from the work they'd been forced to do. Andrew gently slipped off Anne's shoes and then covered her in a soft blanket, tucking it around her. Mark watched him silently, his eyes anxious for any sign of danger. Andrew laid a hand on his shoulder and tried to reassure him.
"Mark, she's fine. I assure you. She's just tired."
Mark nodded and then sat down in a small chair beside Anne's bedside. "I understand that, Andrew. But I'm not leaving her. Not if I don't have to."
Andrew nodded in understanding and sat down across from him, folding his hands in his lap. "She won't sleep for long. She'll probably be awake in a few hours."
Mark again nodded. "I'll wait here for her to wake then," he said, as his hand took hers and he squeezed it tenderly.
Andrew knew that the two could not be separated. Not at a time like this. So, with a sigh, he stood to his feet and walked over to the door. "If you need anything, call me. I'm sure Ryan is going to want to see you once he knows your back on your feet, so he'll be coming around soon. He's been working on something for you, though I'm not sure what."
Mark raised a brow. "What on earth could he possibly be trying to make me?" he asked.
Andrew shrugged. "Don't ask me, ask him. I'll see you later, Mark. Take care."
Mark smiled and raised his free hand to wave. "Thank you for everything, Andrew. I really appreciate it."
Andrew nodded and grinned. "I'm always at your service, Mark. Farewell."
Then he turned, went to the door, and opened it, disappearing into the hallway.