(Chapter Twenty-Three)
The Battle is Over
The next day at the infirmary, Carson was quiet most of the time. It was a very long day, and by the time they were finished it was dark and the moon was softly glowing. When all the work was finally completed, Carson made his move.
"Faith – " he started.
She was very surprised, but over-joyed that he called her "Faith" once again.
"Would you mind if we stepped out for some fresh air?" he asked slowly.
"Of course," she said quietly, hearing his unsteady voice. She wanted more than anything for him to share with her what had been going on.
"Grab your wraps. It's cold out there," he warned her.
"Oh, silly me! I was so anxious to get out of this stuffy, old building, I almost forgot." Her voice was extremely skitterish.
Faith scurried about to grab her wraps, and Carson openned to door for her to step out before him.
"Thanks," she said quietly as she stepped out into the cool air.
Faith fell into step beside Carson. Both were silent as they walked in the semi-darkness. When Carson stopped walking, Faith did the same.
"Faith," he started. She looked deeply into his eyes and waited for him to continue.
"I'm sorry I haven't been much fun lately."
Faith nodded and again waited for Carson to make his next move.
"My battle," he said after a moment of silence. "My battle was very personal."
"It's alright," Faith tried to be of some help to him in his struggles. "You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to, Carson."
"No, I would like to. I want to tell you all about it," Carson was quick to decline her offer to hush it up.
"Alright," she whispered so quietly, she could hardly hear the words herself.
"Well, I might as well start from the beginning," he said, staring out into the darkness.
"When I came to Hope Valley for the first time, I was confused and hurting. Well, you know why. Then Sofia – Rosemary's friend – came along."
Oh no! Faith thought to herself. What is he doing? Is he trying to tell me that there was never anything between us; that he loves Sofia? She had to break free from her thoughts to understand what Carson was saying.
"Sofia taught me how to open my heart again. She showed me that it's alright to love someone again. And that I can't be afraid to take chances with love. And you were there through it all. I was reall stuggling with that thought. Then Sofia came back, and you were still here. It all became so confusing. I didn't know what to do anymore, so I took a break from it all. From work, from Sofia, from you – Faith. I prayed and thought very long and hard on this trial. And I came up with one conclusion."
Faith held her breath. What was he about to say?
He said only one word – "You."
She looked up into his deep blue eyes. "You" was all he said . . . Whatever did he mean by that?
"Faith, I made up my mind. It's you I want, Faith. You're the only one I want. I need you. Really I do. I need you as my nurse, as my friend, and most importantly, Faith, I need you as my – what would you call it? As my – more than a friend?"
She chuckled softly. Oh, how she had longed to hear Carson say those words!
"I – I love you, Faith."
Faith was astonished. She had longed for this moment, and now that it had come she did not know what to say. Carson looked deeply into her eyes. They seemed to say "I love you, too." But she felt the need to verbalize the words incase he read to look wrong.
"I love you too, Carson, she whispered so quietly. Her eyes glowed in the moonlight. Carson thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. Even Amber, at this moment, could not look so delightful.
He reached down for her and his head slowly reached her's. As his lips melted into her's, they both truly saw why hardships had happened in their lives. It all brought them to this wonderful moment. They both reluctlantly withdrew and Carson smiled one of his dashing smiles. Faith followed with a shy grin.
As they slowly walked back to the infirmary, they both thought of how blessed they truly were. As they reached the small building, Carson spoke. They were the first words since their kiss.
"Walk you home?" he offered.
She took his arm as they set off, walking at a very slow pace. It semmed as though Abigail succeeded after all.