Dandelion Lover

An insistent knock pulled me awake from my dreamless sleep.

"Vivian?"

"Morning Kate, how are you feeling?"

"Umm fine, what are you doing here?" A throbbing headache was slowly creeping up on me. Looking around I realized that I was not at home, but in a car, in the hospital's parking lot.

"I brought you some clothes to change into and some food as ordered."

"Ordered? Ah, Gray." I then realized he was not in the car with me.

"And he promised," I muttered to myself but was interrupted by Vivian.

"I already met with him, I told him to go wash for a bit and I'll stay with you. Did you guys not sleep at all last night?" She asked entering the car and pushing over one of her bags.

"Here, I brought you some changing clothes. I hope they fit you. If you want we can go over to your place and change in your own."

"No, this is fine, thank you." I took the bag and looked over what she brought. It was a simple hooded jersey and a pair of long shorts. In a smaller bag, there was a pair of red u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r with the tag still intact.

"Sorry, I don't really have another style of u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r over at my place." She explained seeing me look weirdly at them.

"No, it's fine, I was just thinking where I could change."

"I'll come with you to the bathroom to change if you want."

It just dawned on me, that I was really lucky to have befriended Vivian, despite the first impression I had of her, she has repeatedly been there for me when I needed it, silently offering her help and support. I'm not sure if I've ever done anything to help her in exchange, but at that moment I realized I had found a real friend. Unlike the usual, shallow interpersonal relationsh.i.p.s I had with most of my so-called "friends", with Vivian I had something more. She became more than just an acquaintance, she was a sister.

"Thank you, Vivian." I had to forget about the awkwardness I feel and sincerely thank her.

"Oh, don't worry Kate, it's just running some errands. No biggie."

"Not just for these, but for everything. For being there when I needed support and not judging."

To be honest, even if people have an inkling about me and Gray being closer than we should have, it was not something many would accept as readily, especially if you consider that her and Gray's wife knew each other for several years now. Recalling my ambiguous situation with him and the fight with my grandma made tears swell up in my eyes before I had a chance to stop them.

"Oh, honey, you don't need to cry. I'm doing it because I want to and I care for you and your quirky ways."

Hearing her trying to make excuses for being a friend made me almost choke from laughter.

"Yeah, I know. Thank you!" I managed to say between tears and coughs.

"I also brought the three of us food so we can eat as soon as Luke gets back."

Just as she said this, The door on my side opened and the cold and moist morning air traveled into the car, making me shiver.

"Vivian, what did you do?" Gray looked at me with eyes full of worry.

"I didn't do anything, we're just chatting. Talk about overprotective..." She mumbled more to herself than to him.

"Kate, are you okay?" He took my hands into his and used his palm to raise my head, forcing me to look at him. Strangely enough, the cough subsided at that moment.

"I'm fine, I was just thinking how lucky I am." And indeed I was. Together with my friend and my loved one. If only my grandmother would see how precious they are to me, I am sure she would understand.

"Any news?" I asked hopefully looked over at Gray.

"She's still sleeping. There is still some time until the visiting hours open, so let's get something to eat and change. Do you want me to drive you home and wash up?"

"No, I'm fine, I don't want to go away until she wakes up."

"That's fine, let's get some food then."

"I already brought some breakfast for you guys, as per your orders your Majesty." Vivian jokingly replied.

"Oh right, thank's Viv."

"No problem. They're only some sandwiches but should be enough for a while."

"They're great, thank you!" I replied while placing the clothes bag at the back of the car and looking over the one with the food.

"Eat this one first, it's good. I also brought us some hot coffee from the vending machine, we'll have to do with this until the cafeteria opens." Gray said handing me a hot coffee can and opening one for himself.

"Thanks. Here, you should eat something as well. Why don't you come in the car?" I gave him one of the sandwiches as well.

"Viv took my spot," Gray complained and Vivial only snorted at his whining.

"Sure, blame it on me. Just tell me to get lost in a straight way, you ungrateful prick."

"I would never do that, Jhonny would hate me if I upset you."

"Please, those are just excuses, want me to call him? We can even call Adrian and make a party of it."

"You're bluffing!"

"Try me!"

The childish bantering made me momentarily forget about my worries and I could enjoy my meal in a fun environment.

"You sure are good friends..." I said, myself unaware of my pouting.

"Comes with the territory, or in this case the years we knew each other," Vivian replied.

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Gray added.

Laughter filled the atmosphere and it made me feel better.

"If you're done Vivian, let's go change."

"Sure thing. We'll be right back Lukas."

"Take your time."

I grabbed the bag with the clothes and headed out with Vivian to the hospital bathroom. While I was changing, I heard a phone ringtone.

"Kate, I got to answer this phone call. I'll be right back."

"Sure thing. Go ahead."

Apparently, Vivian had quite a lot to talk about on the phone as it had already been half an hour and she was not back. Seeing that this much time passed, I decided to return to the car before her. On the way, I passed the ICU ward, I couldn't help myself and dodged over to see my grandmother, although it was still outside visiting hours.

Closing into the section where she was, I could see a shadow standing on the chair near her bed. At first, I thought it was a doctor, but soon I heard my grandmother's voice.

"This must seem strict to you but Katryn is still young, she doesn't know what it means to be judged by others for something she has no control over. Do you really think she will be happy? Being pointed at, and accused of breaking up a family."

The topic of discussion was obviously me and Gray, but whom was she talking to?

"Indeed, she is still young, but she's not a child." The sound of his voice surprised me so much that I became frozen, unable to distance myself or to make my presence known to them.

"I am not perfect, and I know she is aware of that, nevertheless she has chosen me, and I have chosen her. If you're afraid she will crumble from the outside pressure, you needn't be. I will be there for her, covering her ears if she doesn't want to listen, and covering her eyes if she doesn't want to see. But she is stronger than both of us give her credit."

"Even if it is so, how long can you protect her? After all, you can't always be together."

"That might be true, and I know that things don't always go as we plan, but I don't want to give up on her just because of a 'maybe'."

"Then will you ignore the 'maybe' and risk her happiness?"

"I don't see it as risking her happiness. I am simply giving 'us' a chance to grow, as long as she is willing to do it."

"Then what if she isn't willing?"

"She is."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because I know… I know that she loves me just as much as I love her. And as immoral our relationship would seem to others, for us it is the most natural thing."

Hearing him say this, I felt my heart break, because for just a little time, giving up crossed my mind. But he was right, at that moment, I was reminded that for us this is something that we cannot fight against, nor do we want to.

"Then what about your current wife?"

"Just yesterday we signed the paper for divorce. It will be finalized in several months. She's also leaving the country for a job relocation."

"It sure is convenient. I can just imagine how people will say she was a homewrecker."

"Our decision to split up was not because of Kate. I won't lie, she had a big part in making me realize that we were not happy, but it is a decision me and my soon former wife, took in order to better both our lives."

"This might be the truth, but people will not see it as such. The timing is too precise."

"Even if people will gossip, so what? Those who judge without knowing all the facts are not worthy to be kept around, and those who get to know Kate would judge for themselves. In the end, it all boils down whether we let public opinion rule our lives, or if we strive for our own happiness."

"You're simplifying it too much."

"It is simple. A simple wish to make Kate happy and for us to be able to enjoy each other's company, no matter what others might think. It's only, in the whole world, Kate places the biggest importance on what you say, so I hope you will not oppose us."

"And what if I do oppose you?"

"Then I will have to keep trying to convince you every chance I get."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I am simply honoring the promise I made to stay with her."

"..."

I couldn't see their expression from the white curtain but I could feel the tension all the way over where I was standing.

"I cannot force her to do as I want, I can only hope that she makes the right choice for herself and does not end up regretting it. "

"I can swear to you right now, as God as my witness, that I will care for Kate and cherish every chance we get to be together. I will do my utmost to protect her and the people dear to her, no matter what."

A deep sigh was heard followed by a long silence.

"Do you love her enough to risk your everything?"

"Yes, I do."

I felt like melting from the myriad of feelings rushing into my heart from his simple response.

"Does she love you enough to give up on everything?"

"..."

I was about to answer the question for him when a shrill, loud voice interrupted my thoughts and gave away my presence to the people beyond the curtain.

"Miss, it's not visiting hours yet, please return to the waiting room..."