Luelle's Recovery Room – Late Afternoon Light – Soft, golden and warm.
Luelle stirs slowly, her fingers twitching against the hospital blanket. There's a dull ache in her chest, but something... feels different. Safe. Light. She opens her eyes.
The room is decorated with pastel balloons, gentle fairy lights strung along the curtain rail, and a huge "GET WELL, SUPERSTAR" banner scrawled in metallic gold across one wall.
Laughter echoes softly from the hallway, and then—her eyes found Liam.
Liam, standing at her bedside, arms crossed with a crooked smile, looking like he hasn't slept—but still managing to be the most beautiful mess she's ever seen.
Luelle said with a raspy voice.
"Am I... alive, or is this an overly sentimental coma dream? You're a mess but you still look so handsome. The most handsome mess I've seen.'
'I can't believe you'd still say something so mushy in your condition. You're something else luelle.'
'What's all these doc?.'
"You flatlined for 11 seconds. I figured balloons were cheaper than therapy."
Luelle lets out a weak laugh. He moves closer to gently brush her hair from her forehead.
Luelle became teary.
"You came."
"I never left."
The door creaks open behind him, and a new voice—warm, older, trembling with emotion—fills the room.
"It's really you, Luelle. You're alright, my granddaughter '.
Luelle turned her head slowly, eyes widening in disbelief. Her grandfather—stooped but proud, wearing his old wool coat, eyes brimming with tears—steps into view.
"Grandpa?"
The old man crossed the room faster than expected and hugs Luelle carefully in his arms.
"You scared us, child. But look at you... my strong little bird."
Luelle breaks down into a soft sob, leaning into his shoulder as Liam steps aside, watching quietly.
the old man winked at Liam.
"This one's got good instincts. Not many men would fly halfway across the world for a woman and not be the surgeon."
Luelle laughs through her tears.
"Trust me, Grandpa. If he had operated, we'd both be in ICU."
Liam smirked .
"You're welcome."
The room fills with quiet laughter, warm like sunlight. For the first time in a long time, Luelle feels like everything might finally be okay. What she didn't know was that things had just started to get worse.
Xavier soon came in with a big bag filled with gifts.
'Hi sister in-law! I'm here! Oh my, where is your ring?. Don't tell me you dumped my cousin again? Now I won't be supporting you this time. Do you know that my cousin didn't sleep a wink during the surgery. He was so tense, that's the first time I've seen him tensed you know .....I....
Liam immediately put a cookie in Xavier's mouth before he completely exposed him.
'Why did you stop him Liam. I didn't dump him Xavier. I can't wear a ring during surgery right? It's here and thank you for telling me all these. I would have never known that Liam could do all that.'
'It's no problem sister in-law, I'm here for you if you need to know anything.'
'Thanks brother in-law but I think I'll slowly get to know him. Speaking of that, you don't seem surprised to hear all this grandfather.'
'Well, I already know about it.'
'Huh?'.
*** FLASHBACK
'What if I can change that?.'
'Change it, how doctor liam.'
Liam held the old man's hands.
'Sir, I won't lie to you. I can't say that I love Luelle but I do like her and I think everything will be okay if we get married. I promise sir, I won't let anything bad happen to her.'
'She will say yes to you but what about my daughter's safety?.'
'You don't have to worry grandfather. You have my word.'
'Alright. I'll tell you where she is and the hospital she's admitted to.'
'Thank you.'
***PRESENT
'Wow grandfather, you both were in this together right?.'
'You could say so.'
'This is great. Sister in-law, get well soon .'
'Thank you.'
'Alright everyone, let's allow her to rest for a bit.' the doctor came inside and everyone had to leave.
'Sir, I can't thank you enough for trusting me.'
'It's okay dear. You should call me grandfather from now on. I have accepted this but I hope your family will as well.'
'It's okay sir.....I mean, grandfather.'
'Good, do one thing for me please. You should take Luelle with you first. I have to deal with some issues.'
'No problem grandfather.'
***
Luelle had no problem with following Liam. She recovered very fast within a few days.
'Liam, if you want me to go with you, I need to get your family's permission first. Let's get their permission then we can live with the others as well. I don't want a situation where your family will think that I am keeping you away from them. I still don't know what to do about your mom.'
'I found out from Xavier that you two met and she wants you to stay away.'
'Yeah but I'm doing the complete opposite now.'
'You're right but have you thought this through? We can stay in my villa, you need to recover first. If you go to that house, it will be nothing but chaos.'
'I can handle it Liam. I really think we should go. Please liam.'
''Alright but think about it again. I may not always be around, I can't let you stay alone with those people, do you really want to stay with them. They're all toxic and crazy people.'
'I can be toxic and crazy as well Liam. I'm sure of this, let's get their permission.'
'Alright. Now, let's talk about your career. What do you plan on doing?
'I want to do what I've always want to do'.
***
THE AIRPORT
A young woman slowly made her way through the airport as she tried to find someone. Finally, she saw someone holding a sign that said 'Kaelani'.
'There he is'. she walked towards him.
'Hi there, I'm Kaelani'.
'Oh, well uhm...
'Are you okay?'.
'Yes ma'am. Mr Tom asked me to pick you up'.
'Thank you, we have to hurry though. I need to see someone'
'Sure ma'am, where do you want me to drop you'.
'Well...
*** THE HOSPITAL
'Are you sure about this?'.
'Yes Liam, I am done with all the attention and now, all I want to do is rest for a bit and then do what I've always truly loved'.
'Which is...
'Luelle!'.
'Huh? who is.....? Kaelani? oh my goodness!'.
'I'm back!'.