"Alright, you're all done Mr. Brooks" Sabrina said removing her latex gloves. "Only 12 stitches. Not too bad considering."
"You're telling me. Next time I'll take my wife's advice and not try to put the Santa display on the roof by myself." He chuckled walking to the door of the exam room.
"Please do" Sabrina replied with a smile. "Have a great holiday."
"Thanks. You as well, Nurse."
Once Mr. Brook left, Sabrina began to sterilize the exam room to get ready for the next patient. As she wiped down the surfaces, her thoughts flashed back to the letter she received from Patrick the day before. She smiled to herself thinking how romantic the gesture was. She had been at work for a few hours nervously awaiting the first of many surprises he had in store for her. Every time the elevator dinged or someone called her named. She practically jumped out of her skin in anticipation. After Sabrina was done cleaning the exam room she looked down at her watch and wondered if maybe Patrick had forgotten about this little adventure he was to send her on.
"Waiting for something?"
Sabrina turned around to see Felix leaning up against the door frame with a smirk on his face. "Figures, you would have something to do with this" She said shaking her head.
"I don't know what you're talking about" He replied trying to keep a straight face.
"Felix please, you look like a Cheshire cat. What's your role in this?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh ok. I see how this is going to go. I have to get back to work." She said walking towards the door.
"Before you do" Felix said blocking her path. "Go to the place where your life changed."
"What? What is that supposed to mean?" She asked confused.
"You'll figure it out" Felix smiled before leaving the exam room and walking down the hall.
"Where my life changed…?" Sabrina pondered out loud. She went over the events in her life since she had been in Port Charles until the answer finally came to her. "Well here goes nothing."
DAY 1: Sabrina walked to the 10th floor nurses' station and smiled at the box sitting on the counter waiting for her. She picked up the card on top and read it to herself.
This is the very spot where you literally crashed into my life. I will never forget that day as long as I live. The beautifully shy creature who would alter my world forever. You are my firework.
Sabrina opened the box and found an iPod inside. The only song programmed to it was Katy Perry's Firework. Sabrina couldn't help but to light up as she thought about the song they once listed to together. She could still smell the scent of cologne and hand sanitizer on him from that day. It truly was the day that changed their lives.
DAY 2: "Sonny? Max? Anybody" Sabrina called out as she walked through the door with Eli in one arm and bags in the other from her Christmas shopping. "I could use some help here!" Sabrina placed her keys and bags on the table in the foyer and waited for someone to respond. "Guess it's just us, kid." She smiled walking into the living room. "You've got to be kidding me" She laughed as she noticed a plate of cookies, milk and chocolate sauce sitting on the coffee table. She said down on the couch, positioned Eli on her lap and grabbed the note from the table.
Sweets for the sweetest person I know. This could technically count as the first meal we ever shared together. It was also the first time I got a glimpse into the kind of mother you would be for my daughter. The influence you had on her and how quickly she bonded with you. Clearly she's smarter than the both of us combined.
"Your daddy is pulling out all the stops, isn't he?" She said kissing Eli on the head.
DAY 3: "So what's next?" Sabrina asked Felix suspiciously as he fumbled around with his french fries across from her at Kelly's.
"I don't know what you're talking about" he mumbled with a full mouth.
"That's your story and you're sticking to it, huh?"
"Yep."
"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt" Shawn said walking over to their table with a box in hand. "Someone left this here for you."
"Really? You're in on this too?" Sabrina sighed as she took the box from Shawn's arms.
"I have no idea what you're talking about" He winked before walking back behind the counter.
"If one more person says that…" She huffed. Sabrina opened the card to read what Patrick had to say this time.
There is only one night of the year where the entire world comes together to celebrate an end and a beginning. On this night some time ago, I looked over at you and knew in my heart that yours where the only eyes I wanted to stare into as the countdown began.
Sabrina opened the box and found a miniature model of the ball from Times Square around the size of a basketball. "Oh my God…" She lifted it up as the restaurant lights bounced off the metallic pieces and caused various rainbow reflections to streak across the walls. Her eyes began to fill with tears as she remembered the moment she always felt had changed their relationship forever. She realized the significance of that almost kiss early on but denied it to herself and everyone around her for fear of getting her hopes up.
"Oh, he's good" Felix smirked as he watched his friends face light up like New Year's Eve.
DAY 4: "Nice of you to join us, Nurse Santiago" Epiphany said sternly as Sabrina rushed off the elevator.
"I know I know. There was an issue with the daycare. I'm sorry" She apologized.
"Uh huh. There's a way you can make it up to me" She replied.
"Let me guess, food tray throwing Mrs. Green?"
"Actually, no. Her target will be Nurse Dubois today. There was a spill in the supply closet and we had to move something's into the chapel while it got cleaned up. Can you start to move some of the stuff back into the closet? We're pretty slow today as far as patients go."
"Sure, no problem" Sabrina replied walking towards the hospital chapel. Along the way she thought of how strange it was to put the supplies in the chapel considering the distance between the two rooms. She slowed her pace as she reached the chapel and noticed the amount of candle light shining through the stain glassed windows in the door. She slowly turned the knob and walked into the chapel. The breath in her lungs escaped sharply as she saw the entire room illuminated by candles and garnished with poster sized pictures of her and Patrick together throughout the years. She could barely contain her emotions and she walked toward the family portrait of her, Patrick, Emma and Eli taken just a few weeks before everything fell apart. She picked up the note that was sitting on the easel with the photo and sat down in the pew to steady her shaking.
A happy family is but an early heaven. Here, in this very room you let me in and trusted me with story of the family who raised you. The sadness in your eyes when you spoke of the only mother you knew broke my heart. I remember thinking to myself how much I wished that one day you would be able to have a family of your own to replace the one you lost. I didn't realize at the time that I would be a part of that but I thank God every day for it.
Sabrina pressed the note to her heart and lowered her head as her tears fell into her lap. She was beginning to realize that Patrick wasn't just a part of her family. He was her family.
DAY 5: "Hello, earth to Sabrina."
Sabrina came out of her own thoughts long enough to see Elizabeth standing next to her at the nurses' station. "I'm sorry what did you say?"
Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head "I said you're welcome."
"Huh for what?" She asked.
"For pushing you off the ledge." Elizabeth grinned as she handed her yet another note from Patrick.
"Not you too."
Elizabeth simply smiled and turned to walk down the hall. Once she was out of sight, Sabrina took a deep breath and opened the envelope.
The only thing better than a friend is a friend with pushes you beyond your limits. Elizabeth has been that for both of us. From her encouraging you to tell me about your feelings to her convincing me admit mine. She and Felix have in their own way been our biggest cheerleader. Don't be too mad at them for helping me out. I didn't really give them much choice.
Sabrina looked up from the note to see Elizabeth and Felix standing by the elevator grinning from ear to ear.
DAY 6: "Sabrina, hey" Carly said rushing through the Metro Court entrance ."Sorry I'm late."
"It's ok. I just got here myself. What's this about?"
"Felix didn't tell you?"
"To be honest, Felix has been rather preoccupied with other things lately" Sabrina said rolling her eyes.
"Oh ok… well anyway. We thought it was time to start planning the Nurses Ball. It's only 5 months away and all."
Sabrina shook her head "I completely forgot about that."
"So Felix hasn't been the only one preoccupied." Carly laughed.
"Yeah I guess not."
"Miss Jacks, you have a phone call." The receptionist interrupted.
"OK. I have to take this. In the meantime, can you go into the ballroom and I'll meet you in there in a few. Lucy should be on her way too. She has a ton of ideas. Most of which she has left on my voicemail."
"Sure" Sabrina began walking the halls of the Metro Court. Thinking along the way why she hadn't put much thought into the Nurses Ball this year. Not only had she been preoccupied with her own life, she had also lost interest in the event that brought her and Patrick together. She took a deep breath when she reached the entrance to the ball room remembering that the event was bigger than her and Patrick. It was about the charity it supported. She was determined to muster up enough energy to make the Ball a success.
When she walked into the ball room she gasped. The entire room was decorated exactly as it was that night. From the table settings to the flowers to the lights. It was as if she had been transported back into time. She walked closer to the stage and picked on the note that lie on the ground.
This night may not have ended with way either of us wanted, but it started off with a bang, didn't it? When you turned around in that hotel room, I momentarily lost my ability to breathe. Watching you on stage with Emma, simply having you on my arm, I was the luckiest man in the room.
Day 7: "Hey sis."
A half sleep Sabrina looked up from the couch in Sonny's living room to see Kristina walking out of the kitchen with her hands behind her back. "Kristina, I didn't even know you were here."
"Yeah had to talk to Dad about something. You were out cold when I came in. Rough week?"
Sabrina sat up and rubbed her eyes. "You could say that."
"Well I have just the thing for you." Kristina brought her hands around and placed a red velvet cupcake with an S written in icing on the top on the coffee table and handed Sabrina a note. "Enjoy."
"You too?" She called after Kristina who was making her way to the front door.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" She called back before closing the door behind her.
"This is becoming ridiculous" Sabrina sighed as she opened the card.
This was a night I will never forget. It was more than just a date, it was the moment when two became one. I remember everything about it. The smell of your hair, the taste of your skin, the way that pink dress fell to the floor. God, you are beautiful.
Sabrina blushed thinking back to that night. The care that Patrick showed not only her body but her soul. Sabrina looked back at the card and notice the writing on the back.
P.S. Tomorrow go to where our love lit up the sky.
"Huh?" Sabrina said to herself. She read the instructions a few more times in confusion before it finally hit her.
DAY 8: Sabrina adjusted her winter coat to block out the cold breeze sweeping through Port Charles. She hurriedly rushed towards the spot in the park where Patrick had instructed her to go the day before. Once there she spotted the note waiting for her on the picnic table.
I won't keep you long. You're probably freezing. I remember this day too like it was yesterday. How great you were with Emma, how cute you were when you shied away from telling me you loved me. I remember wondering to myself how crazy I was to be waiting to say it. I meant it then and I mean it now.
Sabrina smiled remembering how the words Patrick spoke that day rendered her breathless. Never did she think she would hear those words from his lips.
Day 9: Nurse Santiago to room 610
Sabrina logged out of her computer at the nurses' station and walked towards the room as paged. She opened the door and looked around puzzled as the room was completely empty. No patient, nothing to clean up or prepare. She walked closer to the hospital bed and found a note laying on top of the blanket. "I should have known" she chuckled to herself. She picked up the note and sat on the edge of the bed.
This is where it all changed for me. Right here in this room, I sat by your side for hours praying to every God I knew, making every deal I could for you to come back to me. It wasn't until I almost lost you that I realized how much I needed you. I needed your eyes to see, your touch to feel. The moment you woke up was the moment I promised to be all of those things for you in return.
Sabrina looked around at the hospital room she was in after the ordeal she and Emma went through at the hands of Dr. Obrecht. She hadn't even remembered the room number. If she had, she probably would have avoided it during her rotation. Thinking back to the look on Emma and Patrick's face when she woke up brought tears to her eyes. She returned to them once. She wondered to herself if she could do so again.
Day 10: Sabrina closed her locker and sat down on the bench to tie her shoes.
"Girl, let me tell you. Epiphany is like the scrooge of my life." Felix huffed as he walked into the locker room.
"What did she do now?" She asked.
"You mean other than kill my Christmas spirit? I thought evil took off on holidays."
Sabrina laughed, rose to her feet and began walking to the door "Don't let her hear you say that."
"Hey before you go, can you do me a favor?"
"No I will not take over your bed pan duty."
"Funny. No not that."
"Then what?"
"There is a divine moment in our lives when two spirits become one. From that bond can result the conception of the best of both. Go there."
Sabrina looked at Felix as if he had lost his mind. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"
"You'll figure it out." Felix said coyly as he made his way to the showers.
Sabrina leaned up against the doorway pondering over Felix's riddle. "The conception of the best of both…? What on earth…" Sabrina stood lost in the puzzle for a few minutes before bolting towards the elevator. Once inside she hit R and waited anxiously as she rose to the top level of the hospital. She opened the door to the hospital roof and smiled at all of the blue balloons scattered about the area. She rushed over to the note and box that was weighing down one of the balloons.
Who would have thought that a surrendering moment of passion would result in the greatest gift of our lives? The second, not the minute or the day, but the second I found out we were going to welcome a new life into this world, I knew that I wanted it more than anything. You have given me more than I can ever thank you for. If our son grows up to be a noble, caring man it will be because you are his mother.
Day 11: Sabrina walked into the Port Charles Court House and practically ran into Alexis as she was coming out. "Alexis, hey, what's going on?"
"Sabrina, there you are. Sorry to call you on such short notice about this. There are just some documents I need you to sign."
"What kind of documents? Is this about Eli?"
"Actually there is a mini crisis with Sam so I was actually on my way out. Here. Take a look at these and get back to me." Alexis was halfway out the door before Sabrina could even reply. She sat down on the bench in the hallway and took the papers out of the folder.
"A License Of Marriage?" Sabrina looked over the documents and saw her and Patrick's name staring back at her. She pulled out the letter inside.
Well here we are. It all comes down to this I suppose. I hope you have enjoyed the last several days as much as I have enjoyed planning them. I hope that it reminded you of not only how far we have come but also how far we have to go. I guess I shouldn't take all the credit. As you can see, I have had a very supportive cast helping me along the way. I am sitting here writing this letter thinking of what I can say to you to make you come home. What can I tell you that I haven't already? What more can I give? I don't know the answer to that. I don't know what's left. All I know is that if I had it to do all over again, I would. Every year for the rest of my life if that's what it takes. What I feel for you will not die. It will not fade away or dwindle. You are my greatest wish. The day I fell to my knees and asked you to trust me with your heart, was the most humbling day of my life because I knew that no matter what your answer, I would never be worthy. I planned on spending the rest of my life earning you. That is my plan still. So tomorrow is Day 12. Christmas Day. Instead of sending you another reminder of our love, I am asking that you simply go to the place where you belong. That is all. Just have faith in us and I will do the rest. Be my Christmas miracle, Sabrina.
Love always
Patrick.
Sabrina's tears streamed down her face as she looked back and forth between the letter and the yet to be filed marriage license. Patrick was right. He had done all that he could and now it was up to her. The choice was hers alone. To live in fear of being hurt again or to trust in the pain being worth it.