The Love That Passed

Third Person’s POVCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Jared, Claire and Ingrid were in Colleen’s hospital room early in the morning. “I called Betty and I asked her to prepare clothes for you and bring them here. You packed Colleen’s clothes but you didn’t have any for you.”

“Thanks mom,” he said and took the bag from Claire.

“How are you dear?” she asked when she looked at Colleen. “Did you sleep well last night?” she asked.

“Yes mommy Claire. Jared took care of me.” she replied. “I was the one who was actually worried for him and I don’t think he sleeps well either.” she added, looking at Jared worriedly.

“I did sleep well last night,” he replied and sat beside her. They were talking about how Jared was having a hard time sleeping on the sofa because he was tall and he couldn’t fit himself in there when someone knocked on the door and came in.

“Mom!” Colleen exclaimed,

“Oh, dear.” Lucy said then came in with Diane. She approached her, touched her face and said worriedly. “What happened?”

she asked.

“How did you find me here?” Colleen asked.

“I was worried when you didn’t call me back, so I called you again. A man answered and told me that you are here. I cannot leave yesterday because I might get here really late in the evening so I decided to come here this morning instead.” she replied and Colleen nodded and looked at Jared who was nodding at her. Telling her that he was the one who answered her call.

“Can you tell me what happened now?” Lucy asked.

“Mom was really worried. She called me last night and wanted to be here so I told her that I am going to come with her.” Diane said.

“Thank you, Diane.” Colleen said and before she could say a word, Dr. Gerard came in with a nurse.

“Good morning,” he greeted and looked at the people there and noticed Lucy and Diane but went straight to Colleen. “How are you? I guess you’re really happy today, you have a lot of visitors early this morning.” he said and Colleen nodded, smiling. She was indeed happy.

“The results are out now and I’m sure that you are brave and prepared, right?” he asked and she nodded. Everyone was listening, especially Jared, he didn’t want to miss any information about Colleen’s condition so he didn’t leave her side and hold his hand that’s holding hers as well.

“You know that you needed the surgery as soon as possible, right?” Dr. Gerard asked, he looked very sad and as though he didn’t want to tell her what he needed to say. “It is not going to happen even if we have a donor available for you.” he said,

“Why not?” Jared asked, he doesn’t see any reason why she can’t.

“Because she’s pregnant.” Dr. Gerard said.

“That’s good news, why do you look sad?” Lucy asked. Dr. Gerard looked at her with a questioning look on who she was.

“She’s my mother.’ Colleen informed him and he nodded.

“I guess none of you knew exactly Colleen’s condition,” he said.

“Dr. Gerard, can you tell me that to me, alone?” she asked.

“No, I want to know dear,” Lucy said.

“Me too, are you hiding something from us?” Claire asked.

“No, it’s just I wanted the result for myself.”

“But we are family, we have the right to know.” Lucy said, a little hurt.

“Colleen, they need to know so they can be ready and they can help you decide.” Dr. Gerard said, trying to make her understand that she needed her family. She couldn’t do anything but nodded her head in agreement and held Jared’s hand very tight. She was afraid that he would be mad at himself.

“Jared, whatever it is, promise me that you are not going to leave my side now. OK?” she asked and Jared nodded his head too, confused.

“You are pregnant and we can’t do the surgery because of that.” Dr. Gerard said,

“How about after she gave birth?” Jared asked and noticed, Claire and Ingrid backed out and sat on the sofa.

“It might be too late for her even if she gives birth via cesarean section. She has less than a year to live.” Dr. Gerard. “She’s not allowed to get pregnant to begin with and I don’t know why she let it happen.” Dr. Gerard added and looked at Colleen as everyone gasped covering their mouth with their hands. Lucy’s tears started to fall down her face and Jared looked at Colleen, wanting to know whether what Dr. Gerard said was true.

She couldn’t look at Jared, she was happy that she was pregnant but she was worried for her child, “Doctor, how about my baby? Is she going to be alright even if I am this week?” she asked.

“The baby will be fine and you don’t have to worry about it. What you need to think about is whether you want to go on and continue the surgery or not. But judging the way you look, I already got the answer.” he replied.

“What do you mean? After she gives birth, she can still have the surgery, right?” Jared asked.

“We can’t, she will be too weak by then and the chance of her surviving is really low. If she does, there is no guarantee that she will be able to use her new heart even in a minimum year that it can extend her life.” he explained. “Another thing is she had a donor now but I don’t know if she will be lucky enough to get the third one.” he added. Colleen holds Jared’s hand really tight, afraid for what he will do.

“What do you mean, third time?” Jared asked.

“Two years ago, she had a donor as well,” he replied. The others were just listening and Claire stood up from the sofa.

“Two years ago, she was already married to Jared, why didn’t she undergo surgery. She should not have any problem with money at that time.” Claire asked Dr. Gerard who couldn’t answer but looked down. He didn’t want to say the reason himself because of Colleen.

Lucy was crying as Diane tried to soothe her. When she heard that she was married, she looked at Jared and realized that he was her husband. “Colleen, didn’t you say that you are going to ask Jared for money when the time comes? That’s why you agreed to marry him so you won’t get shy and don’t have to burden others.” Claire said.

Jared looked at Colleen and remembered the time when she asked him for money and even remembered what he told her. He closed his eyes. He wanted to cry right there and then as he was the reason that Colleen was suffering now.

“What’s wrong?” Claire asked.

“She did ask me.”

“Jared,” Colleen said worriedly.

“What do you mean?” Claire asked.

“She did asked me two years ago but I didn’t give her.” Jared said. Ingrid who was sitting on the couch stood up in shock and Lucy and Diane looked at him as well. They didn’t understand why, but they feel like Jared was the reason why Colleen was in her current state now.

Then they were more shocked when Claire slapped Jared. “Mommy Claire!” Colleen exclaimed and held Jared’s hand tighter.

“Whose son are you? I told you and made you agree before you got married. When Colleen asked for money, you should give her that no matter how much it is.” Claire said accusingly. “How can you betray me?” she added.

Jared couldn’t look at Claire and Ingrid. He just realized how selfish he was that time and he thought that he was not worthy of Colleen’s love anymore.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice. Get down from the bed and kneel before Colleen He couldn’t find a word to say how sorry he was..

“Jared,” Colleen called him and he looked at her. They were both crying but Colleen had a smile on her face. “Don’t overthink about it. It’s my decision and if I had been too eager when I asked you for money, I would tell you, you can’t do anything about it and you will only do what I want. You don’t know how stubborn your wife is.” she said. She tried to reach his face and Jared near himself even more then she wiped his tears. “Get up and sit back here. I didn’t want to see my hubby looking like that. I am not dead yet, you know.” she added and even if she was weak, she tried to pull him up.

She is happier now than ever and she will never let her condition be a hindrance to her and Jared’s relationship.