22Gorgeous
Summary: When he finally got to see her for the first time, like, really see her, he realized just how beautiful she really was.
The true seeing is within.
-George Eliot-
"And you'll be here when I wake up?"
"You know I will be."
He groped through the darkness for her hand. She smiled and caught his in hers. He curled his fingers around hers appreciatively.
"Even if something goes wrong?"
"Nothing's going to go wrong."
"But…if it does?"
She gave his hand a squeeze. "It wont."
"Then you'll still be here?"
"I'm not going to leave you."
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick…"
He shuddered, "Don't finish that."
She smiled gently, but he didn't notice. "Sorry."
He shrugged, then bit the bottom of his lip. "I'm scared," he admitted.
"You don't have to do this," she said, squeezing his hand again.
"But I want to."
"If you say so."
"I do! I want…I want things to be normal."
She sat down beside him and ran her fingers through his hair. "Things are normal."
He turned his head away from her. "Sure they are."
"Mr. Watson? We're ready for you, now."
"Oh, god."
"You don't have to do this," she repeated.
He took a deep breath and turned to her. "I want to." Then he stood.
"I'll be right here," she told him. "I won't leave you."
"I know."
"Are you ready?"
"I'm ready."
"Mr. Watson, you can open your eyes now."
"I'm right here for you."
"I know."
He squeezed her hand tightly, and forced himself to move apart the two eyelids that were so tightly pressed together. Light and colors danced across his retinas, and he squinted into it. He quickly turned his head to look at his hand, where another was clasped into it, a gold wedding band prominent. The sight of it marveled him. He followed the hand up the arm and into a face.
"My god," he whispered, looking into her teary, joyous eyes, and her large, wonderful smile. All the air seemed to have left his lungs, leaving him breathless. He grinned up at her, and said, "You're more gorgeous than I ever imagined."
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
-Margaret Hungeford-
So do you guys get it?
This story was inspired by Hemmingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" but is, I think, more happy than that.
Let me know what you think,
Thanks for reading!
-Aria