Chapter 5
The Engagement
Pogue was sitting in a chair next to Kate's hospital bed, holding her hand gently, a tear trickling down his cheek. He hated seeing her like this. Chase had removed the spell but she was still very weak. She was still unconscious. The doctors had given Pogue a few stitches on his head and he had a couple broken ribs. They bandaged it up and now he was fine. The doctors didn't want him to leave, but he had to come see her. He stroked her cheek softly, wishing she would wake up. He hated it that the last thing they'd said to each other had been in anger, that they'd been in a fight. He felt another tear begin to slide down his face, but he wiped it away quickly, not wanting her to wake up and see him like this. But it was no use. The tears just kept coming, and then she finally woke up.
"Pogue?" she whispered weakly, touching his bowed head, lovingly. He looked up as another tear slid down his cheek. She smiled and wiped it away with her thumb. "What's wrong, baby?" Pogue didn't know what to say. He couldn't decide if he should tell her the truth or lie to her. He finally decided to tell her the truth. She had a right to know after what she'd been through. In just a few short minutes, he explained everything to her, from the Salem with hunt, to their powers, to Chase. Everything. When he finished, Kate was looking at him, frowning. He couldn't read her expression. He couldn't tell if she was angry or sad or happy or what. She just lay there, watching him silently. Then she smiled.
"Is that the truth?" she asked softly. Pogue nodded. "The whole truth?"
"Yeah. It is." He replied honestly. Kate sighed, touching his cheek.
"So what happens now?" she asked, a tear sliding down her cheek now. "Do you have to go…be Chase's prize?" Pogue closed his eyes and turned his head away, nodding. He turned back to her, wiping her tears away.
"I love you, Kate." He told her, quietly. "I always will. You're the one. No one can change that. And one day…I'll get away from Chase, and come be with you. Will you wait for me?" Kate nodded, smiling.
"Of course I will." She promised him, kissing his forehead. "I'd do anything for you." Pogue looked up, his face lighting up.
"Anything?" he asked eagerly. She nodded again. "Then will you marry me?" Pogue reached into his pocket and took out a small blue velvet box, opening it to reveal the most beautiful ring Kate had ever seen. She almost screamed with joy and sat up to hug him.
"Yes!" She cried happily. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Pogue laughed out loud and kissed her, both of them completely forgetting that they were about to separate for most likely a very long time. Pogue took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. He held her hand and kissed it gently, and didn't let go. It hit them once again that he was leaving, and they were dreading it. Pogue moved forward and put his head on her lap, squeezing her hand tightly, as if that would make it impossible for them to be separated. Kate rested her other hand on his head and they just lay there, hand in hand, for a long time. It was so peaceful. They felt like it would and should never end. But of course, it had to.
"Time to go, Pogue." Chase announced, coming into the room. Pogue lifted his head and looked and Chase, pleadingly.
"Just a little longer. Please." He begged him, not letting go of Kate's hand.
"I've given you half an hour. That's already longer than what we agreed." Chase reminded him. "Let's go." Pogue turned back to Kate, a tear trickling down his cheek. She looked back at him sadly, also crying. She sat up and they had a long, beautiful kiss, but then it was interrupted, of course, by Chase pulling Pogue away.
"I love you, Kate! Don't forget that!" Pogue called to Kate as Chase pulled him away. "I love you!"
