Hopeless Romantics

Louis

I paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room, waiting on any information about Katherine.

"Louis sit down," Celene tried to calm me down.

"I can't sit still right now," I said.

"Katherine's going to be fine."

"How do you know that?"

"I just know."

Harry came back from the vending machine with a soda for Celene.

"You sure you don't want anything Lou?" Harry asked me.

"I'm sure."

He sat down next to Celene and wrapped an arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and he rubbed his hand up and down her arm.

"Come here Louis," Celene said, "just sit down."

I finally gave into her and sat down next to her. She allowed me to lay my head down on her lap while she stroked my hair.

"Everything's going to be okay Louis," she gently whispered.

"You're a good friend," I smiled, "I'm glad Katherine has you. She loves you you know."

"I know she does. I love her too."

"You've helped her so much with her GAD. I can't express to you how thankful I am for you."

Harry looked down at me in shock. I had forgotten that he didn't know about Katherine's GAD.

"It's okay Louis," Celene said, "he was gonna find out sooner or later."

"How come she never told me?" Harry asked.

"She's only ever told me and Louis."

"Oh," he sounded saddened, "she knows she can tell me anything."

"Don't worry about it Harry," I sat up, "it's just something that's very personal to her. It's hard for her to talk about it."

The doctor then came out asking if we were the family of Katherine.

"Yes, I'm her fiance," I stood up.

"Nice to meet you," he shook my hand, "I'm Dr. Ruffalo."

"How is she doing?"

"She's doing perfectly fine. She simply had another panic attack. This one was just slightly more severe than what she's used to. Has she ever fainted like this before?"

Celene stood up, "No."

"Is there anything going on in her life that might be worrying her?"

"Well we've been planning our wedding for a few months now. She's been pretty stressed about that."

"Then that was most likely the cause. Try not to put any burdens on her. Do something for her so she doesn't feel like she has to do everything."

"I try my best. She always insists on doing everything."

"Well try anyway. She's a pretty tough girl so I get that it's hard."

"Can I see her?"

"She's still asleep but yes you can see her. She should be waking up soon."

Dr. Ruffalo led me to her room where she laid asleep in the bed. After he left us alone, I pulled up a chair next to her and gently placed her hand in mine.

I gazed at her gorgeous face. She looked peaceful yet uneasy. All I wanted to do was take her home and make her comfortable.

"Katherine," I whispered on the verge of tears, "I love you... so much. I'm so sorry. I wish could protect you more. I wish it was me that had to deal with these panic attacks."