2:15pm
My hand hurts. I shake my hand to relieve some of the pain.
"This is nice! I'm sure he'll love it." Suzy looks at my handmade card with a smile.
I don't really do these things but after hearing how passionate Mark was about Valentine's day, I just had to get him something.
Or make him something.
"You ready to go back?" Suzy asks.
I nod my head.
Grunting, I stand up from the comfy chair. My red slippers slap on the floor of the hospital once I exit the carpeted library.
I tighten the tie on my long red flannel robe as I walk back to my room.
I've finally rebuilt my strength. I can walk normally, I can get out of bed without people helping me and I can shower without falling.
My wounds have healed too. Ugly scars litter my body.
My physical therapist makes me do subtle exercises and I eat light foods. Healthy foods. My stomach can't handle heavy foods just yet.
I sit on my bed and stare at the pink construction paper that I used to make Mark's card. I hope he likes it.
"Happy Valentine's day!" Mark skips into my room with a big smile on his face. He throws his arms around my shoulders and hugs me tightly.
"Happy Valentine's day." I smile.
Mark sits beside me on my bed. His eyes drift to the pink card in my hand. My eyes drift to the small red box in his hand.
"What's that?" I ask first.
"My gift to you." Mark smirks as he hands me the small box.
I stare at my first gift. No, my first gift was the strawberry flavored lollipop that Mark gave me months ago.
Everything with Mark is my first.
My large hand covers the entire lid of the box. I open the box to reveal the contents inside.
"Ta-da!" Mark cheers. "It's a necklace."
I lift the silver necklace to my eyes. There's a silver heart shaped pendant dangling from the silver chain.
I open the pendant and read it:
Best Friends Forever:
Mark and Jackson
I close the pendant and bring the necklace close to my chest. This is close to my heart.
Mt first friend. My best friend. My everything.
"Thank you." This time, I hug Mark. I squeeze his slim shoulders with my scarred arms. I breath in his sweet scent and adorn his warm presence.
"You're welcome, Jackson." Mark rubs my back.
I release him from the hug and hand him my very own gift.
"You made this for me?" Mark smiles happily once I nod my head.
He smiles as he opens the folded peice of paper and reads the words that I've written.
His smile gradually drops as he continues to read. Once he finishes reading, he looks at me with teary eyes.
I smile.
It's a thank you letter.
Thanking Mark for all he's done for me. How I feel when I'm around him, how I feel when I'm not around him. How his smile is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen with my eyes. How I've enjoyed every moment we've had together.
He's my angel. I want him to know how important he is to me.
I want him to know how much I love him. I love him from the bottom of my heart.
I take his hands in mine. Stray tears roll down his cheeks.
"Mark." I say his name, out loud, for the first time.
His tears double in their intensity and fluidity.
"I love you." I gaze into his tearful eyes as I smile.
He sniffles and wipes his face with the sleeve of his black trenchcoat. Through his tears, he looks at me.
"I-I love you too." He smiles and sniffles.
I pull him into a hug and let him cry into my shoulder. He holds me just as tight as I hold him. My face burrows into his warm neck.
"I love you so much, Mark." I whisper.
He chokes out a sob. These aren't tears of disgust, these are tears of joy. Joy that Mark could never see was imaginable.
My hand glides up and down his back to settle his tears.
After gathering tissues from the bathroom, Mark wipes his face and blows his nose.
"I'm okay." He smiles reassuringly as I stare at him.
I stroke his fluffy blond hair. It's as soft as dog fur.
He turns to me with a soft smile playing on his lips. We stare at each other, enjoying the silence together. Enjoying the time we spend together.
My hand stops stroking his hair. Instead, my grip tightens on his head as I lean closer to his face. Our noses could almost touch.
Mark's cheeks turn a faint pink as he stares at me. My eyes dart to his lips then back to his eyes. He does the same.
I lean closer. Mark's eyes drop and close once our lips connect.
I bring my other hand up to his neck as we kiss. Mark wraps his arms around my neck as his back meets with my bed.
We pull away from each other's lips and stare into each other's eyes.
There's no need to say any words, our eyes are expressing how we feel.
Mark giggles.
I smile.
We separate just before Suzy comes in to tell us visiting hours are over.
I walk Mark to the entrance of the hospital.
"Bye Jackson." Mark smiles at me happily.
"Bye Mark." I smile sincerely.
Mark blushes once he hears his name in my deep, husky voice.
"Bye!" He waves goodbye and walks out of the building.
My lips still feel warm from earlier...
We kissed.
I smile to myself.
Happy Valentine's day.
