It had been three weeks since Clara's accident. She still wasn't awake yet. Ben pretty much lived at the hospital. The only time he left was to go to class or play in a football game. Christy was still at the hospital but Nick went back to run the pizza shop. He didn't want to but without it they had no income. Ben had just gotten back to Clara's room.

"Hi Ben." Christy said.

"Hi."

"How was class?"

"Fine." He looked at Clara. "Hi babe, how are you?" "Are you ready to open your eyes for me yet?" "No?" "That's ok." He sat down next to Christy. "I want to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"Well I probably should be talking to Nick about this but when she gets better, I'd like to ask Clara to marry me."

"Ben it's not that you're not a great guy." "Nick and I both like you." "I just think it's a little soon for you to be thinking about that."

"Well we wouldn't get married until after college." "I want to make sure Clara gets her degree." "I was going to wait until the end of my senior year but her accident made me realize, I don't want to wait."

"Let me talk to Nick about it."

"I won't do anything without your blessing."

Two days later it was the afternoon. Ben was at class. Christy was in Clara's room. To her surprise Clay walked in.

"Clay." Christy said surprised.

"Hi." "I wanted to see Clara."

"I'll give you two a minute." She left the room.

"Hi Clara." He said going up to her bed. "Listen, I need you to wake up." "I just need to know that you're alright." He held her left hand. "I don't know if you can hear me, I love you." She squeezed his hand. He kissed her forehead.

Two nights later Christy had convinced Ben to go home and get some sleep. Christy was sleeping in Clara's room. Clara's eyes fluttered open.

"Clay." Clara said before shutting her eyes again.