Alone in the hospital room with Niles, she didn't dare look at him. She couldn't. Instead she moved past him to the window. As she stared out of the badly scratched glass looking out over the city, the sun reflected onto the buildings giving Seattle an even more romantic glow. It looked so peaceful and calm.
"Oh, Niles you have to see this! It's so-."
She stopped suddenly remembering that everything had changed. With Niles in a wheelchair, his low height wouldn't allow him to see the expansive view.
What was wrong with this bloody hospital? Didn't they have any regard for their patients? Not everyone was tall and not everyone had perfect mobility. It simply wasn't fair. She considered coaxing him out of his wheelchair but then she remembered Dr. Watson's words. Niles was still much too weak.
And again she found herself sniffling, forcing the tears away.
"What is it my love?"
Niles' sweet name for her warmed her heart and she wanted so much to share this moment with him. But if he couldn't see entire view, what was the point? To describe it to him seemed cruel and heartless now.
When she returned her gaze to the city below, she thought about the people who were in those buildings, and the surrounding areas. How many of them, she wondered, loved someone else or was loved by someone else. And how many of those were completely unaware of that love until it was too late?
How horrible it would have been if Niles hadn't survived that horrific car crash. Not only would she have lost the best friend she'd ever had, but she would have never known how much he loved her, or that he even loved her at all.
She swallowed hard, but the hot tears slid down her cheeks and as another sob escaped, she fought unsuccessfully to stop it, even by covering it with her unsteady hand. Behind her she could hear the soft, squeaking sounds of his wheelchair rolling across the floor and seconds later a beautiful pink rose appeared before her. She took the rose in her trembling fingers and inhaled its sweet scent. And then she turned to find Niles smiling at her from his wheelchair, the tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Niles…" She breathed, as he took her hand. She grasped his slender fingers as they slowly moved across the room. It was then that she noticed he'd guided her to a chair where he motioned for her to sit. And as she did so, he reached for her with his free hand, drawing her as close as possible. Instantly she leaned against his chest, crying softly into his shirt.
"I'm so sorry, my angel." He whispered, filling her damp cheeks with kisses. "I'm a selfish jackass."
"Hush now." She said quietly as her fingertips stroked his cheek. "It's all right. I understand."
But he silently shook his head. "No… I'm feeling sorry for myself and that's wrong. I just…"
She held him a bit closer and kissed his forehead. "I won't pressure you into anything. I know you want to get better but it will take some time. And I promise you I'll do everything I can to make sure that you're well taken care of. If there's something I can't do, I'll find someone who can. But please, Niles. Please know that I love you, no matter what."