Stay

It was warm. Much warmer than I was just two seconds ago… or that’s what it felt like. I could hear people talking around me in half whispers and murmurs.

“Should we take her to the hospital?” said one male voice.

“We should wait until she wakes. Her breathing is fine and her temperature has pretty much returned to normal,” said a female.

“Thank goodness you know how to treat hypothermia,” said the male.

“I only helped because of her, you know, Harry,” said the girl.

“Well… yeah, I’d expect nothing less. You’re a very good friend of hers,” said Harry.

“Thank you.”

“I just… I wish I could turn back time. I wish I could have done better by her and not fallen for the trap.”

“Yeah, well you were a bit of an idiot, Harry. You meant so much to her. I don’t know what’s going to happen when she wakes up but… I know I was a bit mean but… well I hope everything is going to be all right, I mean… yeah.”

“I… thanks, me too.”

“I know you’ve beaten yourself up about this, Harry. But she’s here and you can make it right… and I want you to make it right because there’s no two people I’d rather see together and I want you to do the right thing.”

“Thank you, I… you know how much I want to start all over but I just don’t think it’ll be that simple… she’s going to hate me.”

“Yeah, well… I don’t know, Harry. We’ll just have to wait.”

“I suppose.”

And there was silence and I felt the floor vibrate slightly as someone walked away. I didn’t know who until I felt someone take my hand. That hand had been in mine so many times before. I knew straight away who it belonged to. And then he started to talk.

“I’m sorry, Claire. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I thought going along with it would have been a safe option but look where it got us. I fell into the trap and I’m so… I’m so stupid,” his voice cracked slightly and I heard him sniff before continuing. “I love you, Claire… more than anyone and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you. But I can’t make any excuses for myself because it was all my doing and I’m so so sorry,” he took a deep breath before continuing. “I have your ring here and I wanted to give it back to you. You have no idea how much I look up to you. You’re so strong and I’m just weak and… I don’t want to be… so I got one too. I going to make a vow and I know that you probably can’t hear it but… yeah. I promise, Claire, I promise to save myself for you because you deserve that. And I promise to stay. This ring is for you,” and I heard another pause. “And here’s yours,” and I felt the cold ring slide onto my finger and I twitched.

“Claire?” said Harry. He seemed to have noticed. It was now that I was aware of how alert my senses were. I took in a deep breath. It was hard, but I did.

“Claire, babe. Open your eyes for me,” said Harry and I felt him squeeze my hand. Every part of my body was so tired but I tried and I discovered that it wasn’t all too hard. I slowly opened my eyes and blinked a few times. Harry’s face came into focus and I smiled as soon as I saw him.

“Oh, Harry… you look like I’ve come out a coma or something,” I said, hoarsely.

“Trust you to be cheeky, Claire,” said Harry, a wide smile spreading across his face.

“You know… I wasn’t that out to it,” I said, deciding to break the news that I’d been listening.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I heard everything you said… and it was beautiful,” and I felt tears prickling in my eyes.

Harry leaned in to wipe them as they fell and as he did I saw the ring and I took his hand and looked at it.

“It’s for you, babe,” said Harry, smiling hopefully.

“I heard… thank you,” I said and I kissed it before taking his hand and holding it up to my heart.

“I’m sorry,” said Harry.

“Harry… can we not talk about that? Can we forget that? I’m sorry… but you know I’m a live for the moment kinda person,” I said, smiling at him.

“I… but I’m still sorry.”

“I know,” I said as I let go of his hand and ran it through his curls, which made him smile again. “Come here,” I said, motioning him to lie down next to me and he did so. We stayed like that for a while and I swear I heard Amy come in at one point. I was happy… properly happy for the first time in what felt like an age… all because that day had come where I could forever be in his arms. And he could be in mine.

Notes