Steve wandered the hospital looking for somewhere quiet where he could be with his own thoughts, but soon came to realise that a hospital wasn't the best place to achieve this. Every corridor had either patients, staff or visitors making a noise.
He'd nearly given up finding somewhere when he happened across the hospital chapel. Opening the outer door he stepped into a small ante room before pushing open the inner door. There was no one present and the rising sun was casting light through a stained glass window that bathed the whole room in a very peaceful light. It was just the place he was looking for.
Steve quickly took a seat on the edge of a row of chairs, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hoping the peaceful atmosphere would be calming. The sun's rays caught Kate's engagement ring that was still on his finger when he dared open his eyes and he pulled it off to study it. He could still recall how nervous he had been asking his best friend to marry him. So nervous that he'd completely fucked it up really. He smiled to himself as he remembered Kate informing him that he hadn't asked her a question when he had begged her to put him out of his misery and give him an answer. That had been nearly a year ago now. His ring had been on her finger for nearly 365 days and they hadn't made any progress in actually getting married. Granted it had been a bit of a busy year but they really must get around to organising something Steve thought to himself.
He was disturbed from his thoughts by someone entering the chapel. Steve looked up to find a middle aged man had entered who looked a little surprised to see someone in the chapel. The traditional dog collar of a vicar under his jacket gave away the fact that he probably worked here.
"Sorry," Steve found himself apologising, feeling he had been caught trespassing, "I was just wanting somewhere quiet," he said as he made to get up. "I'll leave if you need me to,".
"Stay where you are," the vicar ordered kindly. "This place is open 24/7," he added as he made his way over to another door and stepped inside, leaving Steve alone with his thoughts again. "I'm going to make myself a cup of tea," the vicar said, disturbing Steve once again. He hadn't noticed that the cleric had returned. "Can I get you one?".
"Thanks," Steve replied, realising he hadn't had much to drink recently. "Just milk," he added, letting the vicar know how he liked his drink.
The man disappeared again and it wasn't long before Steve heard the boiling of a kettle and the clinking of spoon against mug as the drinks were made. "Here you go," the vicar said as he handed Steve a mug.
"Cheers," Steve replied as he accepted the refreshment.
"Mind if I take a seat?" The vicar asked.
"Sure," answered Steve.
"You about to pop the question?" the vicar asked, having caught sight of the engagement ring in Steve's hand.
"I've already popped it," Steve said.
"Oh," replied the a little embarrassed and Steve realised he thought his proposal had been rejected.
"I popped it about a year ago," he clarified. "She said yes,".
"Congratulations!" The vicar replied. "When's the big day?".
"Don't know," revealed Steve. "We've been too busy to plan anything. I've only just realised that," he continued. "They've given me the ring for safekeeping,".
"Your fiancée is unwell?". Steve nodded. "Today should be one of the happiest days of my life," he said. "I became a father for the second time. Kate gave me a son,".
"Congratulations,".
"And now she's fighting for her life," Steve said. "She started bleeding out. She's in theatre at the moment whilst they try to stop it,". The vicar put a comforting arm on Steve's shoulder. "I don't know what I'm going to do if she doesn't make it. I'll be totally lost without her,".
"I'm sorry to hear that Steve," the vicar said. "It sounds like Kate is very important to you,".
"I know we haven't done things quite in the right order," Steve said, wondering what the vicar would think about him and Kate having kids before they were married, "but it's not rushed or anything. I've known Kate for ages. She was my best friend before we got engaged,".
"Are you religious at all?". Steve shook his head. "Well you may not believe in it, but I'd like to pray for you and Kate," the vicar said before he bowed his head in silence.
Steve sat there wondering what to do before the vicar lifted his head again. "Thank you," Steve found himself saying.
"You're welcome," the vicar answered before getting to his feet. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you like," he said, "but I've got my morning rounds to make,".
"You're kept busy here I presume," Steve said.
"Oh yes," the vicar added. Grabbing his bible he started to make his way out of the chapel. "I hope Kate is ok," he said to Steve. "Let me know,".
"I will," Steve promised. "Thank you. Sorry I didn't catch your name,".
"Pete," the vicar said. "I'm well known around here as Pastor Pete,".
"Thank you Pete," Steve said as he got to his feet. "It's probably time I head back and find out what's happening,".