“Let me end.” From the nook of my eye, I see her nod. “And now I’m hoping that collectively we will make yet another good selection as a result of I would like extra. I would like extra probabilities of throwing warning to the wind, extra selections. I would like all of it. And I would like it with you.”

Lastly, I elevate my eyes and discover her staring straight at me with tears streaming down her face. The loving emotion on her face is sufficient to give me the boldness to maneuver ahead. I convey my different hand up and reveal the black velvet field. I flip it open and unveil a surprising classic engagement ring with vine-like patterns on the perimeters of the band that result in a diamond resting like a flower open in bloom.

Taking a deep breath, I proceed, “Marry me, Rose O’Leary.”

Rose covers her face along with her arms and sobs. For a second, I concern she might say no, however then she lowers her arms and smiles by means of her tears. “After all, I’ll marry you. Sure. A thousand instances, sure. I like you a lot, Michael.”

I pull the ring free and slip it on her hand, happy to see that it suits her finger completely. Rose breaks into one other sob as she stares on the ring in astonishment earlier than she smiles once more and grabs my face. She pulls me ahead, and our mouths crash collectively. After I pictured tonight, I didn’t count on I’d be proposing bare in mattress with my cock nonetheless buried inside her. However so far as selections go, this can be a rattling good one.

Our story might have began out surprisingly and took some surprising detours. We might have gotten misplaced on the best way again to one another, however I don’t remorse a single alternative as a result of each led us to this second.

And if I had the selection to do it yet again, I might.

The Finish

Epilogue: Lily

Six years in the past

Columbia

One other monstrous mosquito lands on my arm. One so giant, I can really rely the stripes on the blood-sucking dinosaur as I watch it stick its needle into my flesh.

Bastard.

I might smack the rattling factor and ship it again to the hell it got here from, if I wasn’t busy serving to maintain a person’s intestines inside his physique.

As painful because the sting the bug leaves behind on my physique after it drinks its fill and flies off to seek out its subsequent sufferer, it’s nothing in comparison with how our tent of war-torn sufferers feels. I gaze on the overflowing cots and makeshift gurneys with an inward sigh. One other assault on a helpless village has left dozens of harmless males, ladies, and kids useless or injured. So many households have been torn aside on account of a struggle they by no means needed. So many lives destroyed…

I used to be an emergency physician in Chicago for a few years and noticed all of it. At the very least, I believed I had. Bullet holes and stab wounds are elementary when confronted with full-body chemical burns and partial disembowelment. I as soon as saved a person who got here in with a knife protruding of the facet of his neck, however right here…I’m shedding sufferers left and proper as a result of there’s simply not sufficient assist, medication, or know-how.

Accepting and understanding the cruel actuality round me is sufficient to make me ache for residence, and I take nothing with no consideration anymore.

My present staff and I’ve been in Columbia for just a few weeks now doing aid work. That is my third rotation over the past 12 months. It’s not at all times like this—no, that’s a lie. It’s. I wish to suppose my presence right here helps, nevertheless small or giant that’s, and for essentially the most half, that’s why I maintain coming again. However to be fully trustworthy, the pay for 3 months’ work right here is sort of the identical as a whole 12 months’s wage again residence, and I’ve a mountain of scholar debt to repay with huge plans for the longer term. I wish to purchase a apartment, get a brand new automotive since my previous beetle is on its final leg, and take a very lengthy trip the place I spend extra time in a bikini than scrubs.

“He’s crashing! Get the paddles!” the lead physician shouts. A second later, she’s yelling, “Clear!” All of us step again with our arms within the air.

My eyes lock on the black laptop display screen, prepared the inexperienced line to appropriate itself, nevertheless it stays flat.

“Once more! Clear!”

I look on the affected person, and my coronary heart sinks on the sight. His face is pale, and his lips are turning blue. He’s gone. It’s clear as day, and the lead physician is aware of it too as a result of after one ultimate try, she calls time of demise.

“Dr. Track!”

I elevate my head and switch within the course of the one who known as my identify. It’s Dr. Cole, and he’s waving me over frantically. I snap my gloves off and tug my protecting apron off, tossing each within the trash bin, and hurry over. After I step up, a nurse arms me a set of recent gloves and an apron.

“What do we have now?”

“Six-year-old lady with an open compound fracture to her left arm. I have to set it, however she solely speaks Spanish and gained’t settle down.”

I lean ahead and provides the terrified lady a form smile earlier than asking her in Spanish. “What’s your identify?”

She whimpers in a great deal of ache however latches on to the acquainted language. “Louisa.”

“Hello, Louisa. My identify is Dr. Track, however you possibly can name me Lily. All of my favourite sufferers do.” I wink at her and earn a small smile and giggle in return. I look over at my co-worker, and he nods. Turning again to Louisa, I attempt to guarantee her as greatest I can. “Now, I perceive your arm hurts, proper?” She nods meekly. “Nicely, my pal right here will enable you to really feel all higher, okay? However first, inform me what’s your favourite coloration?”

“Pink,” she admits instantly.

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