dun duun duuuuun, here we are Chapter 5 - woo woo! I hope your all enjoying the story because there's many more chapters to come ahaha! Oh - and once again I will be skipping a few days just so that the story doesn't drag becasue I hate stories that drag, dont you? hehehe...
As ever, I don't own titanic - Do I need to keep repeating this?
lets begin:
Paolo was rushed into the medical bunker upon deck 3. He'd been in there for 3 hours already and not one person had had the ordasity to explain to Annie what had happened, and how he was. Instead she sat, tired from weeping upon a plush lounge chair, her eyes stung from the tears and her throat ached from screaming. Why did this have to happen, after everything they had overcome. Her mind unwillingly returned to those careless few days upon the - once - grandest ship in the world, even that fateful night, they had taken life for granted then, never knowing or even thinking that if a few days - even hours time - this beautiful ship and more than half of its passengers with perish in the freezing ocean.
Annie thought of poor Mario, she had only met him very briefly but, if he was anything like his brother, the sea was cruel mistress to rid him of a long and fulfilled life. She knew that deep down Paolo was still in mourning, but she preferred not to mention anything about Titanic as it would give them both unwanted nightmares.
The minutes ticked by as she waited impatiently for any news of Paolo, her eyes brimming with new tears as she feared the worst. It could not happen, he was strong, he is strong, she reassured herself just as a Doctor came into the waiting room.
''Mrs Sandrini?'' He asked. Annie would never get tired of hearing her new - but not yet legal - name. ''Yes'' She asked rising from the chair. ''How is he?'' ''What happened?'' The doctor came over and sat accross from her, his face serious.
''Your husband has contracted a mild case of Pneumonia due to the excess water in his lungs.'' Annie stared blankly at the floor and asked ''Will he be okay?'' She didn't want to hear the answer, for she feared the worst.
The doctor stood stationary for a moment, then began: ''Due to the severity of his condition, I believe that the next 24-to-48 hours are vital for Master Paolo's health, as, if Mr Sandrini's health detiriorates during any time within these next hours, his condition'' The doctor paused, ''Could prove fatal.'' Annie's face drained of colour as she latched onto the wall to keep herself upright. ''I will make sure to keep you updated madam.'' The doctor retreated back into the ward. She slumped exhaustingly into the chair and weeped silenty.
21st April - 10.33pm
Still Annie remained slouching uncomfortably in the same chair which sahe had been occupying for the past 4 hours. She had not heard a peep from the doctors about Paolo and her eyes were beginning to weaken, however she vowed that she would not rest untill she recieved conformation that Paolo was going to be okay. As if by fate the Doctor appeared at the door and beckoned her forward. When they reached the door which lead to the hospital cabin, the doctor halted, ''Mrs Sandrini, your husband's condition has some-what improved and he is now steadily consious, he has requested you see him, do you accept?'' Annie nodded without hesitation and the doctor opened the door.
Paolo's eyes strained against the glaring electric bulbs, he had just woken up, sweating but cold, Doctors had informed him that he had contracted some from of pneumonia, blatently from the time he had spent swimming for his life inside the Atlantic ocean.
His head had stopped pounding and it seemed his breathing rate had decreased though it did not seem quite normal. Paolo heard distant but distinct voices which seemed to be coming from the doorway, me averted his eyes and saw Annie, his 'wife' - for all intents and purposes - standing before him. Though he could not quite make out her face through his squint quite yet, he knew it was her.
He saw that she sat on the edge of his bed, and he spoke: ''I'm very sorry to have scared you'' Paolo reached out managing to gently stroke her arm through his ever increasing eye sight. To his suprise she laughed, ''You don't need to appologise, how an you help being ill?'' She moved closer towards him, placing her cool hand upon his burning flesh. ''How are you feeling?'' She wondered aloud smoothing his hair.
''Little better, I believe the doctors were a little mistaken in my diagnosis, Doctor Zelderson (whom Annie took to be the one who had escroted her) notified me that they had misjudged the symptoms, and I do not have pneumonia.'' He coughed harshly ''But a mixture of the flu and severe migranes, apparently due to trauma.'' Paolo eyes averted to his bed.
''I'm sorry'' Paolo vowed again
''What ever for?'' She exclaimed
''I forced you upon this ship. You should have stayed in America'' She guffawed at his hainous remark. ''You Mr Sandrini did not force me to do anything and it was your dream to live and work in America. I should be a apologising for forcing you to squander your dreams just so we cna be together.'' He was about to protest but Annie carried on ''No, truely Paolo, I am sorry. I know how much living in American really meant to you...and your brother.'' She bowed her head in shame. ''You should have stayed.'' Paolo stuggled upright before consoling his tearful 'wife'.
''Do not worry.'' He soothed gently stroking her cheek.
''I will let you rest'' She got up to leave. ''Goodnight Paolo'' She kissed him lovingly on the lips which he mirrored, when them pulled apart he smiled weakly, ''Goodnight la mia bella moglie'' Annie reached the door.
'' and Paolo.'' He nodded.
''I love you.'' At her words his eyes opened slightly and he smiled from ear to ear. ''and I love you.'' She went back towards the bed and they kissed passionately. Only breaking apart when they heard the door click shut.
The doctor whom had just bare witness to the couples embrace shuffled uncomfortably from one foot to another. ''Ah, Mrs Sandrini I'm afraid you must leave, as Mr Sandrini needs rest, However I am sure you will be allowed to visit him tomorrow.''Annie nodded. Paolo kissed her hand and Annie departed the cabin.
She returned to their room, it felt somewhat bigger and emptier without her other half. Annie lay down upon the bed exhausted with emotion, the last couple of days had no doubt, changed her life forever.
24th April 1912 - Arrival in Southampton
SS Lapland docked in Southampton at around 9.35am. Paolo was dismissed from the hospital wing a little over an hour earlier with strong medication to keep his symptoms at bay. Though still slightly under the weather he felt exasperated to be back in England. He did not mind one bit that his earlier dreams, those of golden, grand America, had been overlooked, in a strange way he felt proud to be back to where it all began, it felt right.
As they were departing the ship a First officer called them aside.
''Mr and Mrs Sandrini?''
''Si'' Paolo replied
''It seems that you, Sir, contracted acute yet near-fatal influenza after having been immersed in freezing water due to the sinking of RMS Titanic.''
Paolo nodded
''In that case Sir, White Star Line are granting you a £600 cheque for your damages in the hope that your experiences will not tarnish your most important opinion of our company, thankyou for your time.'' Dumbstruck Paolo and Annie did not witness the man leave them.
Paolo had never held so much money in his hand. Annie clung onto his arm with glee. ''Oh Paolo!'' she exclaimed kissing him passionately. ''I'm so proud of you!'' Her eyes twinkled as they departed the ship.
''For getting ill?'' He asked confused.
''Si'' Annie replied in her best accent. Paolo laughed placing the cheque inside of his breast pocket.
''Now...'' Paolo began wrapping his arm around Annies waist, ''We begin out life.''
ooooh, sorry there wasno cliffhanger but I thought I'd let you breathe easy this time ahhaha! Thankyou ever so much for reading and reveiwing and if you have any criticism I am open to it, as long and it is instructice and not too harsh ahaha. The next chapter will be avaliable shortly :) xx