The first thing Patty was aware of was the searing pain in her right side. When she opened her eyes to look at the ceiling, she realized she was lying flat on her back in an unfamiliar bed. She sniffed the air, which smelled of cleaning fluid and antiseptic.

"Where am I?" Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.

"You are in the hospital." She heard Anton's voice and turned to gaze into his eyes. "Your appendix burst, P.B. If I had not removed it right away, you would have died."

"You did...surgery on me?"

"Yes. I was the physician on duty when they brought you in."

"How long ago...did it happen?"

"They brought you in a little after five yesterday evening. Albert said you collapsed in his office. As soon as I saw you, I knew there was no time to waste. I performed several appendectomies back in Germany, so I am familiar with the procedure. I did not want anyone else to touch you but me."

"You saved my life." Her voice was soft with awe.

"I did what any physician would have done." He smiled and clasped her hand. "I am so happy I was able to save you. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to lose you."

She heard the catch in his voice, and tears filled her eyes and began to roll down her face. Anton gently brushed them away with his fingertips.

"There is no need to cry, liebling. It is all over now, and you are going to be just fine. You simply need rest and a lot of pampering, which I am more than happy to provide."

As his fingers swept the hair back from her forehead, she closed her eyes, basking in his loving care.

Erich eased the door open, and he and Carrie looked in to see Patty lying in bed with her eyes closed while Anton sat at her side. He looked up to see them and held his finger to his lips. Then he stood and walked over to them.

"Is this a bad time to visit?" Erich whispered.

"You can come in, but please be quiet," Anton replied. "Patty is resting."

Patty's eyes fluttered open. "Who is it?"

"Erich and Carrie are here to see you," Anton told her.

"Hi, Patty," said Carrie. "How do you feel?"

"My side still hurts, but not as bad as before," Patty told her.

"We were both very worried when we heard what happened to you," said Erich.

"No need to worry," said Patty. "It was just my appendix, but Anton took it out, so I'm OK now."

"You did the surgery yourself?" Erich asked his cousin.

"I did not trust anyone else to do it," Anton explained.

"We were awfully glad to hear you came through all right," said Carrie.

"How's your family?" asked Patty.

"They're all fine," said Carrie. "The twins are really growing! Sylvia brought them by the day before yesterday. How's your family?"

"All right, I guess. None of them talk to me anymore, except Sharon. She came by earlier to visit. You just missed her."

Carrie gasped, unable to believe her ears. "You mean they didn't come by to see you, or even call?"

"No." Patty felt her eyes fill with tears once more.

"I don't believe it!" said Carrie. "If it had been me, you couldn't have pulled my Mom away from the hospital."

"They want me to give Anton up," Patty explained. "But I can't, and I won't."

The first few times Patty got out of bed to walk somewhere, she had to lean heavily on Anton for support, but she recovered quickly and was able to leave the hospital a week after her operation.

Anton took time off to drive her back to her apartment.

"Do you have time to come inside for a glass of tea?" she asked him when they got there.

He smiled. "I am sure that will not be a problem."

She unlocked the door, and they both stepped inside. She glanced around.

"It seems like such a long time since I was here last, even though everything's the same as before," she observed.

"A lot has happened," Anton reminded her.

He sat on the sofa while she made the tea, and when it was ready, she brought his glass to him.

"Thank you," he said as he took it from her. She sat beside him with her own glass.

"It's good to be home."

"It is good to see you healthy again." Anton grew quiet, staring down at his drink. "When I think about what happened - how I could have lost you - I feel frightened inside. I want to have you with me, by my side, for the rest of my life." He slipped to one knee. "Patricia Ann Bergen, will you marry me?"