You guys are so amazing with your reviews :) Honestly, it makes me so happy so thank you :)

Last regular chapter. Epilogue is next! I will try to post that tomorrow night :)

Sorry for the mistakes- I had about two hours to write this so please forgive me for that! The deadline is tomorrow so I'm trying to get this story done :)

Important A/N at the bottom.

Chapter Nine

My hospital room wasn't really a hospital room but I was only staying in here for a few hours. It was a large room that situated about ten beds that were filled with other patients getting surgery. Dimitri had closed the blue curtains to give us privacy but I could still hear the other people.

The person beside me was getting a lump removed and complained to his wife that he was uncomfortable.

"Do you want anything to read?"

I glanced at Dimitri who sat in the small hospital chair and shook my head. "I'm good."

I tried to smile in reassurance but he didn't buy it. "You have nothing to worry about. My mother is the best in her field. You'll be fine."

"I know, I'm just a little nervous. I think I have the right to be." It didn't matter if the best doctor was performing surgery, the risks still remained.

We had found out, two days prior, that I had been approved for the surgery and my hopes that I might survive increased. My mother cried and my father thanked the Lord for the good news.

"Are you serious? Oh my goodness! Thank you so much doctor," Janine spoke through sobs.

Dr. Belikova smiled at my mother before looking at me. "We are able to proceed with the surgery in two days. You have to follow a few rules before your surgery but I am positive that everything will be alright."

"Oh thank you doctor. Thank you God!" Abe smiled through his own tears.

I couldn't believe it. I was approved. I was going to have the surgery that could help me live my life.

"I know you have every right to be but I hate to see you upset." He scooted closer to the bed and took my hand. "I love you."

His words eased some of the worry. The surgery wasn't going to be as intense as most, but what worried me were the results.

"I love you too. I just want this day to be over."

The corners of his mouth lifted in a kind smile. I knew Dimitri was just as scared as me but he didn't show it. He was acting as my anchor that eased my fears and encouraged the situation. I was so happy that he wasn't leaving my side.

"Rose!" our conversation ended as Mason and Adrian opened the curtains and walked into the small space. Mason's crazy red hair stood out everywhere as he held a teddy bear.

"Hey Mason! Hello Adrian."

Adrian smiled before seating himself on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Anxious but I'm okay. Thanks for bringing Mase."

"Ya Adrian drove me in his car but we stopped for some burritos first. The nice blonde lady and Adrian went to the bathroom for a few minutes while I ate. Adrian came back really happy." Mason smiled gleefully as he spoke of his day with Adrian.

I eyed Adrian at the mention of the blonde. Adrian just shrugged.

"Well, I'm glad you had fun." I looked at the purple care bear and smiled. "Is that for me?"

Mason nodded and placed the bear in my hands. "I bought it just for you. He'll keep you company. He doesn't have a name but you can give him one."

I took the purple care bear and tried to remember its name. It had two lollipops on its stomach but didn't have anything written. I decided to just give it a name and figure out its real name later. "His name is Lolly."

Mason nodded with a serious expression on his face. "I like it. Works for him."

I laughed and hugged Lolly. "Thanks."

Mason walked closer to the bed and gently sat beside my arm. I glanced at Dimitri and Adrian who were talking before looking back at Mason. "Dimitri told me that Aunt Olena will look at you but you will be okay."

"He's right- it's just a little procedure."

Mason leaned his head to my shoulder and took a deep breath. I knew he was afraid, he told me that yesterday, but he also trusted Olena. I was scared that the hospital reminded him of darker days but he insisted on being here. Dimitri had told me what happened to Mason's mother and the story broke my heart.

She was messed up in every way. Took drugs, slept with random men, and became addicted to crack. She got pregnant with Mason and everything took a turn for the worse. She kept using and gave birth at seven months pregnant. Mason was underdeveloped and almost didn't survive. Meredith was twelve when Mason was born and instantly fell in love with her nephew. He developed slowly and the doctor's told his family that he would have some problems in the future.

Mason's mother died when he was four and went to the care of Meredith's grandmother. When Meredith turned eighteen, she became the sole guardian of little Mason. She worked hard and provided a suitable home for him. The progress he made was astounding and I was truly in awe of the boy who went through so much but lived so beautifully.

"That's good. A little procedure is not bad."

I patted his red hair in assurance. "That's right."

The next hour was spent in light conversation. Adrian, not so subtly, spoke about his fun morning with the blonde as Mason talked about his new DS game. Dimitri stayed close to me and only spoke when a question was directed towards him.

Abe and Janine came back, after getting some breakfast, and joined the conversation. There wasn't a lot of room so Adrian and Mason left to the waiting room.

Dr. Belikova pushed the curtains aside, holding my charts. "Hello Rosemarie, how are you today?"

I squeezed Dimitri's hand for support. "I'm good."

She smiled slightly before glancing back at my charts. "Everything seems to be in good order. We are all ready for you so we will prep you and take you to the operating room. No one is allowed inside but since this is a new surgery there will be several people watching so your parents can watch also."

We knew all of this but I guess she had to remind us of what was going to happen. Dimitri was also going to watch the procedure.

"Can Mason and Adrian be there? They said they wanted to see," Dimitri spoke.

"I don't know if Mason should watch but if you think he will be okay then its fine. There isn't much to see and Rose will be covered but the tubes and wires might scare Mason."

Dimitri decided that Mason and Adrian would just wait outside.

Dr. Belikova left but a few nurses came in to prepare me.

"We are going to have to wheel you out sweetie." The young nurse spoke.

"I just need a few moments with her," Janine replied.

She nodded and stood on the side of my bed.

Janine took bent down to kiss my forehead. "We'll be waiting for you to come out okay and we'll be there with you the entire time."

"I know. I love you."

She smiled softly and took Abe hands beside her. "We love you too."

Abe kissed me as well and told me that I would be in his prayers.

Dimitri came around the bed and hugged me tightly to his chest. I could smell his soap mixed in with the hospital scent but that didn't bother me. It just made this moment real.

"I love you so much and I'll see you in a few hours," he promised. I heard the slight tremor in his voice so I backed up to see his face.

His eyes watered but he tried to keep it together. "Dimitri," I whispered. I hated to see him in any kind of pain. "I'll come back to you." I truly believed those words. I felt confident that everything would be okay.

He laughed slightly before bending down to kiss me. His lips were soft, warm, and what I needed at the moment. "You better," he mumbled against my lips.

He kissed me again and gave him Lolly before giving the nurse the space to work. I looked into the faces of the three people I loved most in the world before leaving the room.

The nurse took me to another room-a smaller room- where the anesthesia would be given.

I took deep breaths as I waited for the doctor to arrive. There was a separate doctor that would put me to sleep. He was a well respected man who had explained what he would be doing the day before. It was weird to think about being put under but it was a necessity.

The anesthesiologist came into the room with a wide smile on his face. He was an older gentleman in his 50's who reminded me of my grandfather. "Are we ready?" he asked kindly.

"Yes sir."

The nurse behind him brought the materials he would use to put me under. "We are going to start the induction process. I'm just going to place the mask on your face. You will breathe in deeply and the medication will make you very sleepy. I'm then going to administer the rest through your IV. I know we discussed this yesterday but I am supposed to explain everything while I'm doing it."

"That's fine." I glanced at the mask and pointed towards it. "How long will I wear that?"

"Not too long. You'll be out of it before we take it off."

"Okay."

He smiled and grabbed the mask before walking back towards me. He placed it on my face and instructed me to breathe deeply.

I did just that and felt my eyes getting heavier. His face blurred and all my thoughts drifted as I fell asleep.

Some people say that they did not remember what they dreamt about when they were under and that was the case for me.

It wasn't a normal sleep because I was medicated but I think I dreamt. I remember some swirls and maybe the ocean but that was it. It didn't seem like a long time but I was under for a few hours.

In those few hours I was being fixed. Several people watched my surgery and a nurse even videotaped it. It was a small surgery compared to others but it was just as important.

It felt like minutes as I began to awaken. I felt dizzy and confused as I looked around the room. A nurse checked something beside my head and another watched the beeping machine.

The beeping machine fascinated me for a few moments.

It was insistent in its beep. Beep. Beep.

I groaned and wished to go back under.

"Rosemarie, I know...feels weird...anesthesia is...the surgery went...no complications."

I didn't recognize the voice and I couldn't hear everything but I got the important part. The surgery went well!

I think I smiled before going back to sleep.

I remembered my dreams after falling asleep the second time. I was skipping rope with Pikachu and the purple care bear. It was the oddest dream I ever had.

"Pika Pika."

I giggled at Pikachu as he tried to jump. His small legs weren't helping in the situation.

"You can't do it! Just give up Pikachu." The purple care bear spoke.

I looked at the purple care bear and addressed him, "hey, what's your name anyways?"

He giggled and pet his stomach. "It's Share Bear silly."

"Hmmm, I like Lolly better."

The dream ended and I awoke slowly. My mind still felt heavy but I was able to open my eyes again. I was in a real room this time and was happy to see that it was a private room.

Dimitri looked at his phone and frowned when it beeped. I noticed Lolly- or Share Bear- seated on the desk with other gifts and flowers.

"What's wrong?" I asked. My voice sounded hoarse and it hurt when I spoke. I tried to clear it.

He looked up and smiled at me. "You're awake!" He placed his phone in his pocket and stood up. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he approached me.

"I feel a little dizzy but otherwise, I'm okay." It was the truth. I felt surprisingly fine. Just a little achy if I moved too much.

"The doctor said you would feel funny because of the medication," he explained. He kissed my lips chastely a few times before speaking again. "It should wear off soon."

My stomach grumbled and I realized how hungry I was. I hadn't eaten anything since the day before. "I could go for a cheeseburger."

He laughed but shook his head. "Sorry, no cheeseburger just yet."

I pouted but didn't argue with him. I noticed he was the only one in the room. "Where are my parents?" I asked, confused why they weren't here.

"Janine and Abe should be back soon- they went to get some coffee. I'm happy to say that everything went as planned."

I smiled at the information. "I know, the nurse told me when I woke up the first time. So no complications?"

His placed his arm around my body. It was awkward because I was still lying down but I was happy for some physical contact. "No complications at all. Mom even says you can go home tomorrow."

I smiled in absolute happiness. The surgery worked and I would be able to live much more normally. I wouldn't need as much medication and my heart valves could pump blood much better. This was definitely a happy day.

"I can't believe it worked. I'm just...I'm so happy."

His dark chocolate eyes held a peace to them that I hadn't seen in weeks. "We're all so happy. We still have to make sure the valve will do its job but everything is good now- mom says your heartbeats sound normal. You're fine and everything will be better."

"Does that mean we can go back to some physical activity?" I asked in a teasing manner. Dimitri had stopped with anything that was too dangerous but I missed it. I missed the surfing and the rock climbing. I also missed other physical activities that Dimitri had slowed down. We hadn't made love since the morning after and I missed his body against mine. We tried but every time my heart beat faster Dimitri would stop. He just wanted to make sure my heart didn't work too hard.

"We can do whatever you want now."

"Anything I want?" I asked.

His eyes sparkled in mirth. "Anything."

I bit my lip as I thought about everything we could do. "Well," I spoke slowly. "There is something that I'm just dying to do again."

He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Is there now? And what would that be?"

I internally laughed at the action I would say. We both knew what I really wanted but it was fun to play with him. "Rock climbing- I'm just dying to go rock climbing again." The way I said rock climbing sounded like I was saying something else. Something more intimate...

He chuckled before kissing my lips. I noticed my lips were dry but he didn't seem to mind. "If that's what you want..."

I nodded in fake enthusiasm. "Yes it is, but I guess we can do other stuff before that. I don't know- whatever we can come up with."

"Oh Roza," he murmured. His hands caressed my face before he kissed my lips again. "I love you and now I have forever to show you how much. I promise that we can go 'rock climbing' as many times as you want, just as long as we do it together."

"I like the sound of that."

The heart monitor jumped as he continued to kiss me. There was nothing wrong with the sound- no disfigurements or irregularities. There was just a normal heart that beat a little quickly as her boyfriend kissed her. It was the most beautiful sound in the world.

A/N PLEASE READ: Voting for the Bunny Banner Contest starts the 18th! Please read all the stories and if you like mine then I would appreciate a vote :) I'm also up for new new author :) Go to www (dot) mandy52799 (dot) blogspot (dot) ca and scroll down for information on the other stories and contest- That's also the place where you will vote! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT and please read the other stories :)

REVIEW and let me know what you thought! Epilogue tomorrow!