heartbeat 4 u

28. from the heart

Leo, and Mr. and Mrs. Emerson walked into the room with big smiles on their faces which quickly changed to a frown when they saw Maddi.

She was pale as could be and was lying still in her bed, except for small, short breaths she was taking.

Leo ran to her first and starting tearing up at the sight of her.

"Maddi! Maddi!"

She didn't turn her head, but slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Maddi..." He said softly as he touched her face with his hand.

He turned around to get a nurse, but saw that her parents already did.

The doctor came and quickly told them to leave the room.

They waited and waited, worrying for Maddi every second, hoping she lives.

After a while the doctor came back out and spoke with them.

"We almost lost her, but she's alive,"

They cried tears of joy.

The doctor then took aside Maddi's parents to tell them of her situation.

They knew that if a heart doesn't come soon, she really would be lying there motionless, pale, and not breathing one breath of air.

"Maddi." Leo said with a smile as he stepped into her room.

It seems they added more tubes and such to her to help her body function well enough for her to survive.

He tried to keep a strong smile for her, yet he was hurting so bad inside.

"Maddi..." he said again as he dropped his head in sadness and let a tear fall down his face.

He hopes he'll never have to see her in that condition again.

The next day, Leo talked with Maddi's parents again.

"I'm going to buy the ring today." he said.

"Wonderful. Leo, we really couldn't have asked for a better man to be Maddi's husband," Mrs. Emerson said with a smile, then started tearing up, "You've done so much for Maddi and us, we could never repay you. If it weren't for you, Maddi might've given up long ago. You're like a son to me already." she hugged him tightly then tried to wipe away her tears.

"She's right," Mr. Emerson said, "we really can't thank you enough. I know you love Maddi and will do anything for her. We really couldn't have asked for a better man to take care of her." He said, starting to cry. He hugged Leo, "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Leo couldn't help but cry as well.

"I know you must've really disliked me before, but thank you for allowing me to be with Maddi and even have the honor of marrying her. I really do love her and I probably need her as much as she needs me. You've been such great parents to her. And I'd love to be part of your family."

After clearing his eyes of his tears, he went to see Maddi.

She smiled as soon as she saw him.

"Hey."

"Hey."

He walked up to her bed and sat beside her.

He looked straight into her eyes.

"Maddi, I love you."

"I love you, too."

"There's really no one else I would love if you didn't exist."