.
Nelson took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had managed to create a means to communicate but he felt doubt creep into his mind. All the possibilities of what could go wrong were dancing around his in his brain. Worst case scenarios were playing themselves over and over again.
He chastised himself for dwelling on the negative. There was no reason to believe this wouldn't turn out with a happy ending; of course, there was no reason to believe this situation would end happily either.
Jamie had mentioned Elaina; something the two of them had not talked about in years. The four of them had been inseparable when their careers allowed them to be together. When he and Jamie were gone, he knew that Elaina and Lillian spent a fair bit of time together. As things tend to go, the group began to spend less time together and focus on their own interests.
Not only did the group start to spend less time together but Nelson and Elaina started to spend less time together. He always had something on the go. She grew tired of watching him in a lab and began to travel and write articles for a travel magazine.
He used to focus on the positive possibilities when he was younger, but age had caused him to realize that things didn't always work out the way you wanted. His relationship with Elaina had demonstrated that fact many times over.
"Stop pacing or you'll wear out your shoes," shot Harry as he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket.
Will stopped and glared at his friend for a moment before he continued pacing the length of the room again.
"It's natural to be nervous. I was on my wedding day," reasoned Nelson.
Jamieson huffed but didn't stop. He and Lillian had been a couple for four years. He had been absolutely sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her when she agreed to marry him last year. His only concern now was what if she didn't feel the same way still? Lillian had accepted the proposal but what if she had a change of heart when the priest asked if she would be his wife. Will had never been this nervous when operating or at any other point in his life.
Sensing his friend's distress Nelson walked over and placed his hands on Will's shoulders to stop the pacing.
"I promise you everything will be fine. Just relax and enjoy your day."
"Thanks Harry. I don't know what I'd do without you."
The only moment of the day that registered in crystal clear clarity was the moment that the bride took her first step down the aisle. At that moment, all Will could see was the way the light reflected off of the crystals on her elegant dress; the way her hair was pulled back falling in chocolate-colored waves down her back. He had never seen her so happy before.
When Jamieson slipped the silver band onto her finger he vowed not only to love her forever, but to make sure she was this happy for the rest of her life.
The reception afterwards was lovely. The dinner was excellent, the cake turned out perfect, and during the first song the doctor only managed to step on the blushing bride's feet once. When the best man gave his toast everyone raised their glasses to salute the happy couple. When Elaina put down her wine glass she knew the newlyweds would be just as happy as she was with Harry, the best man indeed.
The small fire sputtered and sparked as Nelson put more wood on top of the glowing embers. Will came to for a few moments and seemed to know where he was and what was going on. Nelson gave him some more pain medication and water.
They had already spent the night here; if help didn't arrive soon he was going to have to go and scavenge for food. Years of survival training ran through his head providing many unappetizing possibilities for lunch.
How long the Admiral tried to contact someone, he could not say. Every turn of the dial brought more static and no replies. The ray of gleaming hope was slowly fading away to the first rays of sunlight stretching over the mountains.
Determination would not let him give up. Elaina had said he had determination. Was it determination or obsession? And when did she stop seeing it as an admirable trait?
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