Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir - Silence and Sound

Chapter 12: Proposal

Note: No, this is not clickbait. 

*** Present *** 

Persephone listened to Tessa and Scott describe what happened in 2008. 

"I lost Tessa," Scott said. 

His wife shook her head, "I had surgery, and the distance was trying. Not being with Scott at the rink every day was...such an empty feeling."

"And knowing nothing I did was enough to help her was defeating," Scott continued. 

Clasping her hands together, Persephone asked, "And how did you survive that drought in your relationship?"

"Communication," they both responded in unison. 

[When Scott was too afraid to see Tessa in pain, he would leave voice messages behind. After three days, he gathered the courage to finally speak to Tessa in person.]

"Why were you so distant at first, Scott?" Persephone inquired. 

"I wasn't able to process the pain, and I was worried that my feelings would continue to hurt Tessa."

"But you didn't hurt me. It was the strenuous exercise that did," Tessa interjected.

"That's not what I mean. You used to be so open with your emotions when we were young. It was you who told me you liked me first. Always you, with the first steps."

"Well, not all the steps."

--- 2008 ---

It was Tessa's third day of recovery, and she couldn't understand why she was still in the hospital. Post-op appointments for the fasciotomy were due in a week.

Why isn't my calf moving?

Distracted by the numbness in her lower leg, Tessa almost missed the sight of Scott glimpsing at her from the door. His hands were behind his back, and he was dressed in formal attire he only wore to galas. She was curious to ask what the occasion was, but still held a grudge against him for his absence. 

"Hey," he whispered in an airy voice only she could hear. Was he trying to be seductive? After all this time?

Immediately, she crossed her arms, waiting to see what excuse he could muster.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here, I thought maybe you were cross with me."

Definitely not as cross as I am with you right now. She shot daggers at him in her mind.

Scott played with his hair. "Did you get my voicemails?"

She raised an eyebrow. We were together for over five years. We were closer to each other doing our jobs than we have been personally in days.

Understanding that he needed to explain, Scott continued. "Look, I'm sorry I haven't been with you. I can understand that you are in tremendous pain, and I haven't been the most reliable partner to you. I've hurt you before, I have a tendency to do that. But that does not mean I love you any less."

He stepped closer to her. "Oh Tess, I know you long to be out of this hospital. Believe me, we're getting you back home. That's why I need to ask you -"

She knew where he was going with this, it made sense now. He had mulled over her surgery, and taken it upon himself to oversee all the responsibilities that were once hers. But it would overwhelm him, he would resent her, he would mess up, and they would be right were they began. 

"Scott." She stopped him. "I'm not sure I can trust you. I know you weren't the reason I fell, but I needed you the moment the doctors made the incision. I needed you the moment this room fell silent, and the nurse left. You know we're alone here." 

"But we have friends here too."

"But they're not you."

Her eyes read of consternation, he could feel her agitation. "I know, that's why I can't afford to lose you, ever. You're everything."

She let him hug her, as she passively replied, "I know."

"I've carried this with me for so long, you can't imagine. I needed you to know that I'm not going to leave you. That I couldn't. And I know those are just words, but I didn't know how to face you in pain. You didn't respond to the voicemails, and I wasn't sure if you were upset or furious with me. It would be my honour if it were either, because as long as I have you, Tessa, I will survive. Even if I don't do it for me, I will always live for you."

Indeed he did bend down on one knee, on the cold hospital floor, utterly concentrated on her. Revealing his hands, he produced a white emerald ring.

"Marry me, Tessa, because I've already been married to you in mind - this whole time. Will you do me the honour of spending the rest of my life with you?"

She would forgive him eventually, maybe not quite yet. But the ring was exactly what she had asked for when she had gone to the antique store with her mother five years ago. 

"You're not quite forgiven, but yes. Yes Scott, I'll marry you in my mind and you can marry me in real time."

His eyes lit up in awe, as if he had expected her to say no. "I'll do anything to make up for it." He whispered into her hair, as he caressed her lovingly.

---

So you see, dear reader, I wouldn't dare deceive you. Initially, Tessa and Scott would have rarely spoken over the course of several months. However, I would never forgive Scott for severing such contact, or accept that Tessa could forgive him for ignoring her so profusely. There is yet more tragedy to come, but these lovers prove that they could create light in even the bleakest of times. As always, please do let me know what you think, and thank you for reading!

Twitter: twitter.com/CelestialHolmes