Beep…
Beep…
Beep…
Carla closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as she leaned back into the chair she hadn't strayed from for the last three hours. She really hated hospitals, but then who didn't? The rhythmic noise from the machines by his bedside were in a way comforting, as she watched her husband sleeping peacefully.
Her husband. She smiled as it once again hit her that they had really made it. They were married once again, and while she wished the day hadn't ended like this, she couldn't deny that she was glad his bloody mindedness had stopped the wedding from being cancelled. Together as one was how they should be, and she felt that bit stronger because of it, as ridiculous as that seemed. She hoped Peter felt the same, he needed all the strength he could muster right now. That, and a healthy dose of luck. The doctor who came to update her had been quite reassuring, explaining that today's collapse was mostly due to exhaustion and dehydration rather than any further deterioration in his overall condition. Peter hadn't woken up yet but was expected to in the next hour or so, and all being well would be home in a couple of days. Carla felt guilty, admonishing herself for not keeping a closer eye on him, but at the same time the news could have been so much worse.
She caught herself absentmindedly playing with the band now positioned on her ring finger. They had exchanged the rings in the taxi on the drive back to the street and it had somehow felt more intimate, more special this way. A private promise between the two of them that this time it really was for keeps. As they were leaving she had tried to persuade him to come straight to hospital from the hotel, but he had refused point blank, and Carla really hadn't wanted their first row to be within shouting distance of the venue so decided to let it go. In hindsight she wished she had insisted, he really was too stubborn for his own good sometimes. She'd be sure to tell him that later, although he would undoubtedly say the same about her.
"Hi Mrs Barlow."
Carla started at the noise, looking up to see Peter watching her, the glint in his eye that always made her go weak was still there, despite how ill he looked.
"How long have you been awake? You gave me quite a fright you know, and I don't mean just then."
"Well what's a wedding day without a bit of drama hey love?"
She tried to keep a stern expression, but failed miserably, her relief obvious as she lent forward and took his hand.
"Yes, well from now on I'm requesting drama free thank you very much. There's only so much my heart can take you know."
"Look on the bright side, if that had been it, at least I would have died a happily married man. And it still would have lasted longer than your marriage to Nick."
"You might be ill but that won't stop me giving you a slap you know. That isn't funny."
She couldn't hold back the smile that played at the corners of her mouth, shaking her head at him as he laughed at her indignation, before sighing gently, clearly struggling to keep his eyes open.
"I do love you, you know."
"I know, I love you too. Peter you should go back to sleep, you need your rest if you want to get out of here any time soon."
"Some wedding night, hey love" he murmured quietly, and she could see he was already beginning to drift back into slumber.
"We've got plenty of time for all that when you're feeling stronger. I'm bound to you forever now you know. I'm not going anywhere, so you just concentrate on getting better."
She watched him relax back into a deep sleep, her thoughts drifting again to how much they had overcome to get here. Her wedding vows may have been unconventional but she had spoken from the heart and had meant every word. The future may be uncertain, but of one thing she was completely sure. Here, by his side, was exactly where she was supposed to be.