Anna looked out the window of the plane and watched the
people run in frantic panic as the plane started to land in this foreign
country in the middle of war. Anna went through the briefing in a blur. She
tried to figure out what country she was in but she knew it didn’t matter. She
was sure God wanted her and that’s all that matter to her. She knew from the
briefing that she was to help those in need no matter the cost.
“Everyone needs to take one house and look inside and help whoever is inside.” The leader of the USA med team shouted over everyone. Anna looked at her and pulled her long dark brown hair in a ponytail.
“And if you hear someone calling for help that you can’t see,” Her voice grew stern and louder and everyone looked forward. “Then you come to tell me then you go, understood? Don’t go off without telling someone. And if you don’t come within the deadline when we leave,” Her voice was tight.
“We will leave without you.” She turned around and spoke to the man driving the plane. “Okay, we are about to get off. Get ready ladies!” She shouted and soon they were walking around with screaming people and hearing gunshots not far away. Anna listened to all sorts of cries for help before she heard a quiet cry and she looked around for the source. She looked into the trees and the cry sounded again. Anna looked around for the leader of her group. She couldn’t see her so Anna turned back to the trees and walked quickly towards the noise with her pack thrown over her shoulder. She walked till the sun was staring to go down. Anna knew she needed to head back but this person needed her. She felt drawn to go find this person and save him. “Someone please help me.” A feebly male voice called. Anna saw a small house and a woman lay across the porch. Anna didn’t have to check the woman to know she was gone. “Hello? Is someone here?” Anna’s voice called into the house as she opened the door. The smell of blood, dust, and death hit her like a punch. It made it hard to breathe. “Help me.” The male voice called again. She made her way into the older man’s room to find him lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. That’s so much blood. He’s going to die. There is nothing I can do but just wait till he is gone.
“I’m here, sir. Just stay calm. I’m here.” She knelt down next to the man and he grasped her hand as if she could keep him from slipping into the darkness surrounding him.
“Help me.” He said again his voice growing quiet.
“Shhhh. Just stay calm, sir. You’re going to be okay, I –” She was cut off by a flash of light and the crash of a missile in the house. Her vision went dark and the weight of the world of the weighed on her at full force.
“Everyone needs to take one house and look inside and help whoever is inside.” The leader of the USA med team shouted over everyone. Anna looked at her and pulled her long dark brown hair in a ponytail.
“And if you hear someone calling for help that you can’t see,” Her voice grew stern and louder and everyone looked forward. “Then you come to tell me then you go, understood? Don’t go off without telling someone. And if you don’t come within the deadline when we leave,” Her voice was tight.
“We will leave without you.” She turned around and spoke to the man driving the plane. “Okay, we are about to get off. Get ready ladies!” She shouted and soon they were walking around with screaming people and hearing gunshots not far away. Anna listened to all sorts of cries for help before she heard a quiet cry and she looked around for the source. She looked into the trees and the cry sounded again. Anna looked around for the leader of her group. She couldn’t see her so Anna turned back to the trees and walked quickly towards the noise with her pack thrown over her shoulder. She walked till the sun was staring to go down. Anna knew she needed to head back but this person needed her. She felt drawn to go find this person and save him. “Someone please help me.” A feebly male voice called. Anna saw a small house and a woman lay across the porch. Anna didn’t have to check the woman to know she was gone. “Hello? Is someone here?” Anna’s voice called into the house as she opened the door. The smell of blood, dust, and death hit her like a punch. It made it hard to breathe. “Help me.” The male voice called again. She made her way into the older man’s room to find him lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. That’s so much blood. He’s going to die. There is nothing I can do but just wait till he is gone.
“I’m here, sir. Just stay calm. I’m here.” She knelt down next to the man and he grasped her hand as if she could keep him from slipping into the darkness surrounding him.
“Help me.” He said again his voice growing quiet.
“Shhhh. Just stay calm, sir. You’re going to be okay, I –” She was cut off by a flash of light and the crash of a missile in the house. Her vision went dark and the weight of the world of the weighed on her at full force.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nick wondered around the forest looking for any
survivors. Nick being the last of the man of his troops but him on the edge
more than normal. Nick thought he heard a cry for help so he walked slowly
toward where the noise sounded then saw the ruble that use to be a house. He
looked around and he ran to the use-to-be-house hearing a cry and seeing
something move.
“Please send someone Lord,” He heard a familiar female say that made him stop in his tracks. He knew that voice. It sounded more feebly and strained but still familiar.
“People still need help, God. I need to help them.” She seemed to be pleading with God. Nick took in her tall figure, dark brown hair and pained blue eyes. Anna. He thought and started walking toward her. I haven’t seen you in 12 years, Anna. And I see you here? Her legs were trapped under the ruble and she wasn’t moving. Her voice was barely audible. Nick again stopped he saw the dent like mark on her head and the blood all over her. On her hands dried blood stained a hand print. Blood slowly went down her face and her lips moved with unspoken prayer to God. He went to the side and moved the ruble as Anna watched him silently. “You’re going to be okay, I promise.” Anna suddenly tensed up remembering the old man. “The older man. He was in the house. He was dying.” She whispered suddenly. Her eyes seem to close on their own accord. Nick removed the entire ruble off her and stared at her stiff figure. “Can you walk?” He asked and she kept murmuring about an older man that she couldn’t save. And I find you here, dying. He thought frantic. The old feelings he once he had for her burned again as fierce as ever.
“Anna, listen to me.” He took her face in his hands making her look at him. He had brown hair and deep brown eyes that looked so…. Nick. Nicky! It is you! Anna looked wide eyed at him thinking this was a dream. Her feelings that she never felt for any other man seared brighter than before. He was recusing her. He was here. Or was he? Could her mind be playing tricks on her? Her mind filled with doubts.
“Nicky.” It wasn’t a question but she sounded so unsure that it broke Nicky’s heart.
“Can you walk, Anna? It isn’t safe here. We have to go. Now.” Nicky sounded panicked as he looked around.
“Can you walk, Anna?” He asked again when she didn’t respond.
“I’ll try.” She whispered as he helped her stand. She figured she couldn’t walk. She couldn’t even feel her legs at this point. But Nicky sounded so worried she had to at least try for him. Anna tried to take her first step on numb legs. She fell quickly toward the ground and Nicky barely caught her in time. She took in a shaky breath and looked into his deep eyes.
“I can’t feel my legs, Nicky.” She whispered panic swimming in her eyes. Nicky picked her up and looked around spotting an enemy in the trees not far from them. He started running toward the opposite side of the forest when the firing started. He ran behind a tree and leaned against it. Anna couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. Her head felt like in a fog and everything seemed to be in slowly motion. She looked at Nicky with blurry eyes and a feeling of terror that showed on her face.
“I’ll deliver you to safety, Anna. I promise you, I will.” Anna gave him a week smile and her eyes closed. Not five minutes later Anna heard feet running over rocks and twigs and tree roots. She heard gun shots and shouts in strange tongues. Then her back thudded against the ground with Nicky’s body tumbling over her, feeling like dead weight. Anna’s eyes slowly opened to find her legs bent in an awkward way and feeling dizzy. Nick! Where is Nicky? Anna’s foggy mind asked of her. Her misty eyes searched for Nicky in front and to the side of her. Anna looked over her shoulder to see him. He was close by face to the ground with blood flowing from his shoulder. Anna couldn’t move toward him, she could move at all. She panicked and feebly screamed his name several times. She looked in front of her again hearing a twig snap under a boot. The men with guns moved in the shadows, circling them. Just calling his name and falling to the ground had made the fog in her mind seemed to close in on her and her eyes almost closed on their own accord again.
“Nicky, please get up.” She feebly whispered and with the slow painful seconds tick on he slowly sat up. He looked at Anna then gently picked her up and started running again. Anna even with blurred eyes she saw the pain he was feeling in his face and that he was gritting his teeth to keep from screaming. I have to deliver Anna to safety. I can’t let her get killed. I can’t. I won’t. Please save us, Lord. Nicky thought and prayed when the sound of guns from in front of him fired. Nicky hugged Anna close and dove for the bushes. They heard the gun shots and screams. Anna’s face was pushed close to his shoulder so if worse comes to worse she wouldn’t see it happen. A hand pulled the bushes back and smiled at Nick not seeing the tall girl in his arms. Anna was falling back into unconsciousness when a man’s voice shouted close to her and Nicky.
“Guys, it is Nick! We thought you were a dead man.” When the words were out of his mouth when he noticed the lanky woman with dark long hair in his arms and spoke like he knew who Anna was, which frightened her.
“Is she-”
“Just barley.” Nicky’s reply cut him off. He didn’t want the words that could soon come true said aloud. Anna once again awoke a few hours later. Her entire body in agony. Her eyelids hardly obeyed her command to open when she heard Nicky’s voice.
“Thank you for finding us a plane, General.” It only took her a moment even in her state to realize she was still cradled in his strong arms.
“We know how much you care for the nurse, Nick. I’m just upset we can’t take care of her here.” The older man sighed with regret and Nicky joined him.
“I would let Doc look at her but her head…” Nicky trailed off and she felt their gaze on her.
“Are you sure we aren’t takin' someone’s spot on the plane for the US?” Nicky didn’t sound willing to be removed but asked anyways. Nicky stared at Anna’s now clean face as he spoke. The female Doc washed her up so infection wouldn’t set in on her cuts and marks. She had red marks on her cheeks and forehead and brow. She now had a deep scar from the corner of her outside corner of her eye to her mid cheek. She had a scar from the top of her ear to mid jaw bone. It pained Nicky to see her like that. It pained him even more if he looked at the small dent in her head or her blood covered hair or her deepest scar from her hairline to a little above her brow. Anna’s eyes remained close during his conversation with the General but he had a feeling she was listening.
“I told you, it is fine, Nick. Now get on before it takes off without you. I'll call the Anna's family and tell them to meet you there.” The General’s voice was dry as Nick hopped on just in time. The air plane looked like something from a US airport and it brought back the day he first left the US.
“Reminds me of home.” Nicky told Anna. He walked toward the closest row of seats to his right and sat down. The two closest to the window were broken so Anna stayed in his arms, which would have happened anyways even if they weren’t broken. Anna forced her eyes open and tried to pull her mind from the fog. Is this really him? It was hard to tell dream from truth in the haze she was in.
“Nicky, is it really you?” Anna placed on his cheek and Nicky smiled down at her. He caught her hand and held it tight over his heart. She felt the thudding of Nicky’s heart and got lost in his eyes.
“Yes, it's really me.” Not Anna, Lord. Please don't take her. Please.
“It's been 12 years since you moved away.” Anna whispered. She looked thoughtful as he starred into her eyes. Anna's head pounded in her ears and she tired not focus on the pain from waist up. Anna was no fool; she couldn't even feel pain in her legs. She knew she would never walk again and there was nothing she could do about it. It angered her in way that twisted her stomach in knots.
“I know.” Nicky whispered back. I need to tell Anna I fell for her all those years ago when she first walk into Sunday school. But how do I bring that up?
“Nicky, can I tell you something?” For the first time since Nicky had lay eyes on her she had tears swimming around her big blue eyes. But not from the pain as Nicky thought and feared. He would actually be surprised to know that she was close to crying because she was overcome with happiness because God had brought them back together.
“Of course you can, Anna.”
“Nicky, if The Lord takes me home tonight then I want you to know, I've prayed for you so much over the years and I've missed you so much you won’t believe. You plagued my thoughts over the years and I wondered why, but I knew. I knew why. I want you to know, for the past twelve years I've been head over heels in love with you, Nicky.” Nicky felt his own tears roll down his cheeks. And the thought of him already married popped into her mind and she feared she ruined the friendship they shared.
“Forgive me if I've stepped over the line, Nicky.” She added softly, her love her eyes. Nicky shook his head.
“I love you, Anna Elizabeth Smith.” Her tears rolled down as well as she smiled. He leaned down and kissed her brow, still holding hand. Neither of them spoke for the next hour or so both of them lost in their own thoughts when Anna finally spoke,
“Where have you been all these years, Nicky?” Her eyes only half open as she asked. Nicky told her that as soon as he was old enough he joined the army and been here and there ever since. Not really spending time at home because his parents didn't support his decision to go into the army. Nicky watched Anna wince over something Nicky didn't see. She looked like she was in so much pain and Nicky felt helpless because there was nothing he could do.
“How are you feeling, Anna?” Nicky asked when her eyes were completely open.
“I'm fine.” She answered but Nicky looked doubt and she prepared herself for what he would say.
“I really am, Nicky.” Anna said again.
“Anna, there is a dent in your head. There are three deep scars in your face plus too many cuts and scratches to count. You can't feel your legs. And you broke your right arm and you sprained your left. I'm surprised you are letting me hold your left hand so long. I'm really shocked you haven't shed a tear over the pain you must be feeling. We don't even know what's messed up inside you.” If she doesn't feel pain could I lose her faster? Not Anna please, Lord. Oh please. Not Anna. Anna sighed.
“I am hurting, Nicky, but I don't want to focus on that right now or worry you over just how much I am hurting.” Her voice grew soft. “I just want to focus on that The Lord brought us back together no matter how short the time. And nothing else right now.” Tears swam in Nicky's eyes again. She's so brave, Lord. Please don't take her home yet. Give me more time with her please.
“It's okay to be afraid, Nicky. The Lord will take care of us. No matter what happens tonight I'll be fine. You know that.” This was Nicky's breaking point. He quietly sobbed as Anna laid her head on his shoulder and drifted to sleep. Hours later when Nicky opened his red puffy eyes he didn't remember falling asleep. It took a moment for Nicky to remember where he was. When his eyes found a pale Anna he remembered. She looks worse.
“We will be landing soon folks so please be ready. We will be letting Nicky and the dying woman in his arms go first.” Someone up front shouted.
“Anna, wake up. We'll be landing soon.” She only stirred. Please wake up, Anna. Please.
“Anna, wake up.” The panic in Nicky's voice could not be masked. Anna slowly opened her eyes and Nicky tried to slow his heart beat down.
“How's your shoulder?” She asked quietly.
“I've been so worried about you I haven't been focused on it. Doc back at the base camp patched me up okay.” He answered honestly then wondered.
“How did you know I got shot there, Anna?” Nicky watched her fight to keep her eyes open.
“I remember we were running in the forest and people were chasing us and guns were firing then we were down.” Her eyes widened slightly, remembering. “Blood was flowing out of your shoulder. I had to scream just to get you up. I was worried about you, I thought I lost you. You looked in so much pain when you picked me up I thought you would pass out.” She was so selfless it made Nicky smile.
“We are going to land soon. Then everything will be okay, Anna.” Nicky promised.
“Nicky, can I tell you something selfish?” She sounded weaker than before and Nicky was worried all over again.
“Of course you can, Anna.” He figured she would say she was hurting because that was about her it made it seem selfish in her eyes. It would take at least a year to understand her again. I pray we have that long. Nicky thought to himself.
“I don't want to complain but,” suddenly started coughing hard and fierce. No! Anna, NO! Please, Lord, don’t take her! She started to calm down and her soft eyes melted his heart again.
“I'm really cold, Nicky.” Anna said softly closing her eyes again. A few tears escaped before she shut the volt and her steady breathing returned
“Anna.” Nicky's voice broke with tears. Don't take her, Lord. Please. Please, Lord. Not Anna. Please not Anna.
As soon as the plane landed Nicky was looking around the airport for the Smith family with their dying girl in his arms.
“Anna? Anna, where are you? Anna Elizabeth Smith! Anna!” Three voices shouted. Nicky turned around and spotted three frantic people running around looking at every face they passed. Nicky towered over every person in the airport so it wasn't long before they saw him holding Anna.
“Anna!” Her father yelled and ran towered her.
“Daddy?” Anna whispered but couldn't open her eyes wide enough to see. Nicky looked down on the man and woman a foot shorter than him. Her father and blading grey hair and was slightly more round than he was 12 years ago. Her mother had blond greying hair and wide rim glasses perched on the edge of her nose that she kept pushing up. When Mrs. Smith's eyes fell on Anna's scared pale face she started to sob. Mr. Smith turned grey. Nicky looked at the young man, Anna's brother, and smiled. He had his sister's dark brown hair and blue eyes.
“What happened?” Her mother choked out.
“We need to take her to the hospital. I'll explain on the way.” No one said anything till they were in the waiting room.
“You didn't tell us what happened to our daughter.” Mr. Smith nearly growled his face still white as he paced the floor.
“She's going to die! I know she is!” Mrs. Smith shoulders shook with another hard sob.
“Calm down mom. Anna isn't going to die, right sir?” Anna's brother looked at Nicky for help. They don't remember me.
“That's right; Anna is going to be fine.” Nicky promised then told them all that happened then told Mr. and Mrs. Smith he was in love with their daughter.
“You don't even know her!” Mrs. Smith said matter-of-factly.
“But I do. Know her I mean.” Nicky tried to reason with them.
“And how is that?” Mr. Smith snorted.
“'I'm Nick, she calls me Nicky, remember? We went to church together 12 years ago.” Each face showed that they did remember.
“I'm sorry I yelled at you-” Mr. Smith began but a creek of a door opening cut him off.
“Who is here for Anna Smith?” A doctor asked loudly and Nicky shot up out of his chair and all but ran towards the man in white. While the Smiths huddled together and prayed for Anna with all their might.
“Well?” Nicky asked and held the doctor's eyes with a hard look almost pleading.
“She's lucky to be alive, I’ll tell you that.” Nicky missed the warmth their hometown held and was glad he knew the doctor and that he knew Anna.
“She broke her right arm and sprained her left. She has a concussion, that’s pretty bad, Nick, and some scars that worry us. She lost some blood. And her legs,” The doctor looked at his charts and frowned. Nicky knew what that look meant.
“She can't walk anymore, can she? When it happened and I tried to help her walk she fell during the first step. She said she couldn't feel them. Not even pain.” Nicky told him.
“No, she may never walk again.” The doctor left saying one person at a time may go see her even if she isn't awake she might hear them so try to remain calm. Nicky walked back to the Smith family and repeated everything the doc said to them.
“I’ll wait here with Alex and Mrs. Smith why you head on back sir.” Nicky sat in between Alex and Mrs. Smith and she tried not to bawl again. Her baby girl was in there dying. Lord, please spare my daughter. She still has so much to do here, Lord.
“I’m going to go see if they will let family go together.” Mr. Smith said and started to walk to the desk. Without saying another word. They all knew he was close to breaking and Mrs. Smith stood to follow.
“Yeah, I don’t think mom can handle it alone.” Alex put in chasing after his dad.
“You go ahead, Nick. We’ll wait.” Mrs. Smith swallowed a sob but it didn’t work it flowed over once Nicky turned to visit Anna.
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith.” Nicky said politely. Nicky walked to Anna’s room and was surprised to find she was awake.
“Hey, Anna.” Nicky said gently and pulled a chair next to the bad.
“Hi, Nicky.” Anna answered feebly as Nicky reached for her hand. She’s so white. I don’t know if I can take this. It pained him to see her like this.
“What did the doctor say?” She whispered and Nicky smiled sadly while he told her what the doctor said.
“How long till you go back?” was her next question Nicky didn’t want to answer.
“When you don’t need me anymore.” He answered thinking he could talk the General into letting him stay till that was true.
“I’ll always need you.” She sounded exhausted and drained. She couldn’t keep her eyes open much longer and she knew the darkness swimming in her vision would soon consume her.
“Nicky?” Alarm sounded in her voice and she gripped his hand for dear life.
“Yes?” His voice held none of the terror he was feeling over this weak young woman in the hospital bed.
“I love you. No matter what happens, I love you.” She spoke the last three words breathlessly. Her eyes closed and their talk was already over.
“I love you, Anna. I’ve always had. I always will. That’s a promise.” He lightly kissed her scared cheek then began to leave. With one look back at the frail woman lying lifelessly in the bed he walked out the door and started for his parents’ house.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Please send someone Lord,” He heard a familiar female say that made him stop in his tracks. He knew that voice. It sounded more feebly and strained but still familiar.
“People still need help, God. I need to help them.” She seemed to be pleading with God. Nick took in her tall figure, dark brown hair and pained blue eyes. Anna. He thought and started walking toward her. I haven’t seen you in 12 years, Anna. And I see you here? Her legs were trapped under the ruble and she wasn’t moving. Her voice was barely audible. Nick again stopped he saw the dent like mark on her head and the blood all over her. On her hands dried blood stained a hand print. Blood slowly went down her face and her lips moved with unspoken prayer to God. He went to the side and moved the ruble as Anna watched him silently. “You’re going to be okay, I promise.” Anna suddenly tensed up remembering the old man. “The older man. He was in the house. He was dying.” She whispered suddenly. Her eyes seem to close on their own accord. Nick removed the entire ruble off her and stared at her stiff figure. “Can you walk?” He asked and she kept murmuring about an older man that she couldn’t save. And I find you here, dying. He thought frantic. The old feelings he once he had for her burned again as fierce as ever.
“Anna, listen to me.” He took her face in his hands making her look at him. He had brown hair and deep brown eyes that looked so…. Nick. Nicky! It is you! Anna looked wide eyed at him thinking this was a dream. Her feelings that she never felt for any other man seared brighter than before. He was recusing her. He was here. Or was he? Could her mind be playing tricks on her? Her mind filled with doubts.
“Nicky.” It wasn’t a question but she sounded so unsure that it broke Nicky’s heart.
“Can you walk, Anna? It isn’t safe here. We have to go. Now.” Nicky sounded panicked as he looked around.
“Can you walk, Anna?” He asked again when she didn’t respond.
“I’ll try.” She whispered as he helped her stand. She figured she couldn’t walk. She couldn’t even feel her legs at this point. But Nicky sounded so worried she had to at least try for him. Anna tried to take her first step on numb legs. She fell quickly toward the ground and Nicky barely caught her in time. She took in a shaky breath and looked into his deep eyes.
“I can’t feel my legs, Nicky.” She whispered panic swimming in her eyes. Nicky picked her up and looked around spotting an enemy in the trees not far from them. He started running toward the opposite side of the forest when the firing started. He ran behind a tree and leaned against it. Anna couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. Her head felt like in a fog and everything seemed to be in slowly motion. She looked at Nicky with blurry eyes and a feeling of terror that showed on her face.
“I’ll deliver you to safety, Anna. I promise you, I will.” Anna gave him a week smile and her eyes closed. Not five minutes later Anna heard feet running over rocks and twigs and tree roots. She heard gun shots and shouts in strange tongues. Then her back thudded against the ground with Nicky’s body tumbling over her, feeling like dead weight. Anna’s eyes slowly opened to find her legs bent in an awkward way and feeling dizzy. Nick! Where is Nicky? Anna’s foggy mind asked of her. Her misty eyes searched for Nicky in front and to the side of her. Anna looked over her shoulder to see him. He was close by face to the ground with blood flowing from his shoulder. Anna couldn’t move toward him, she could move at all. She panicked and feebly screamed his name several times. She looked in front of her again hearing a twig snap under a boot. The men with guns moved in the shadows, circling them. Just calling his name and falling to the ground had made the fog in her mind seemed to close in on her and her eyes almost closed on their own accord again.
“Nicky, please get up.” She feebly whispered and with the slow painful seconds tick on he slowly sat up. He looked at Anna then gently picked her up and started running again. Anna even with blurred eyes she saw the pain he was feeling in his face and that he was gritting his teeth to keep from screaming. I have to deliver Anna to safety. I can’t let her get killed. I can’t. I won’t. Please save us, Lord. Nicky thought and prayed when the sound of guns from in front of him fired. Nicky hugged Anna close and dove for the bushes. They heard the gun shots and screams. Anna’s face was pushed close to his shoulder so if worse comes to worse she wouldn’t see it happen. A hand pulled the bushes back and smiled at Nick not seeing the tall girl in his arms. Anna was falling back into unconsciousness when a man’s voice shouted close to her and Nicky.
“Guys, it is Nick! We thought you were a dead man.” When the words were out of his mouth when he noticed the lanky woman with dark long hair in his arms and spoke like he knew who Anna was, which frightened her.
“Is she-”
“Just barley.” Nicky’s reply cut him off. He didn’t want the words that could soon come true said aloud. Anna once again awoke a few hours later. Her entire body in agony. Her eyelids hardly obeyed her command to open when she heard Nicky’s voice.
“Thank you for finding us a plane, General.” It only took her a moment even in her state to realize she was still cradled in his strong arms.
“We know how much you care for the nurse, Nick. I’m just upset we can’t take care of her here.” The older man sighed with regret and Nicky joined him.
“I would let Doc look at her but her head…” Nicky trailed off and she felt their gaze on her.
“Are you sure we aren’t takin' someone’s spot on the plane for the US?” Nicky didn’t sound willing to be removed but asked anyways. Nicky stared at Anna’s now clean face as he spoke. The female Doc washed her up so infection wouldn’t set in on her cuts and marks. She had red marks on her cheeks and forehead and brow. She now had a deep scar from the corner of her outside corner of her eye to her mid cheek. She had a scar from the top of her ear to mid jaw bone. It pained Nicky to see her like that. It pained him even more if he looked at the small dent in her head or her blood covered hair or her deepest scar from her hairline to a little above her brow. Anna’s eyes remained close during his conversation with the General but he had a feeling she was listening.
“I told you, it is fine, Nick. Now get on before it takes off without you. I'll call the Anna's family and tell them to meet you there.” The General’s voice was dry as Nick hopped on just in time. The air plane looked like something from a US airport and it brought back the day he first left the US.
“Reminds me of home.” Nicky told Anna. He walked toward the closest row of seats to his right and sat down. The two closest to the window were broken so Anna stayed in his arms, which would have happened anyways even if they weren’t broken. Anna forced her eyes open and tried to pull her mind from the fog. Is this really him? It was hard to tell dream from truth in the haze she was in.
“Nicky, is it really you?” Anna placed on his cheek and Nicky smiled down at her. He caught her hand and held it tight over his heart. She felt the thudding of Nicky’s heart and got lost in his eyes.
“Yes, it's really me.” Not Anna, Lord. Please don't take her. Please.
“It's been 12 years since you moved away.” Anna whispered. She looked thoughtful as he starred into her eyes. Anna's head pounded in her ears and she tired not focus on the pain from waist up. Anna was no fool; she couldn't even feel pain in her legs. She knew she would never walk again and there was nothing she could do about it. It angered her in way that twisted her stomach in knots.
“I know.” Nicky whispered back. I need to tell Anna I fell for her all those years ago when she first walk into Sunday school. But how do I bring that up?
“Nicky, can I tell you something?” For the first time since Nicky had lay eyes on her she had tears swimming around her big blue eyes. But not from the pain as Nicky thought and feared. He would actually be surprised to know that she was close to crying because she was overcome with happiness because God had brought them back together.
“Of course you can, Anna.”
“Nicky, if The Lord takes me home tonight then I want you to know, I've prayed for you so much over the years and I've missed you so much you won’t believe. You plagued my thoughts over the years and I wondered why, but I knew. I knew why. I want you to know, for the past twelve years I've been head over heels in love with you, Nicky.” Nicky felt his own tears roll down his cheeks. And the thought of him already married popped into her mind and she feared she ruined the friendship they shared.
“Forgive me if I've stepped over the line, Nicky.” She added softly, her love her eyes. Nicky shook his head.
“I love you, Anna Elizabeth Smith.” Her tears rolled down as well as she smiled. He leaned down and kissed her brow, still holding hand. Neither of them spoke for the next hour or so both of them lost in their own thoughts when Anna finally spoke,
“Where have you been all these years, Nicky?” Her eyes only half open as she asked. Nicky told her that as soon as he was old enough he joined the army and been here and there ever since. Not really spending time at home because his parents didn't support his decision to go into the army. Nicky watched Anna wince over something Nicky didn't see. She looked like she was in so much pain and Nicky felt helpless because there was nothing he could do.
“How are you feeling, Anna?” Nicky asked when her eyes were completely open.
“I'm fine.” She answered but Nicky looked doubt and she prepared herself for what he would say.
“I really am, Nicky.” Anna said again.
“Anna, there is a dent in your head. There are three deep scars in your face plus too many cuts and scratches to count. You can't feel your legs. And you broke your right arm and you sprained your left. I'm surprised you are letting me hold your left hand so long. I'm really shocked you haven't shed a tear over the pain you must be feeling. We don't even know what's messed up inside you.” If she doesn't feel pain could I lose her faster? Not Anna please, Lord. Oh please. Not Anna. Anna sighed.
“I am hurting, Nicky, but I don't want to focus on that right now or worry you over just how much I am hurting.” Her voice grew soft. “I just want to focus on that The Lord brought us back together no matter how short the time. And nothing else right now.” Tears swam in Nicky's eyes again. She's so brave, Lord. Please don't take her home yet. Give me more time with her please.
“It's okay to be afraid, Nicky. The Lord will take care of us. No matter what happens tonight I'll be fine. You know that.” This was Nicky's breaking point. He quietly sobbed as Anna laid her head on his shoulder and drifted to sleep. Hours later when Nicky opened his red puffy eyes he didn't remember falling asleep. It took a moment for Nicky to remember where he was. When his eyes found a pale Anna he remembered. She looks worse.
“We will be landing soon folks so please be ready. We will be letting Nicky and the dying woman in his arms go first.” Someone up front shouted.
“Anna, wake up. We'll be landing soon.” She only stirred. Please wake up, Anna. Please.
“Anna, wake up.” The panic in Nicky's voice could not be masked. Anna slowly opened her eyes and Nicky tried to slow his heart beat down.
“How's your shoulder?” She asked quietly.
“I've been so worried about you I haven't been focused on it. Doc back at the base camp patched me up okay.” He answered honestly then wondered.
“How did you know I got shot there, Anna?” Nicky watched her fight to keep her eyes open.
“I remember we were running in the forest and people were chasing us and guns were firing then we were down.” Her eyes widened slightly, remembering. “Blood was flowing out of your shoulder. I had to scream just to get you up. I was worried about you, I thought I lost you. You looked in so much pain when you picked me up I thought you would pass out.” She was so selfless it made Nicky smile.
“We are going to land soon. Then everything will be okay, Anna.” Nicky promised.
“Nicky, can I tell you something selfish?” She sounded weaker than before and Nicky was worried all over again.
“Of course you can, Anna.” He figured she would say she was hurting because that was about her it made it seem selfish in her eyes. It would take at least a year to understand her again. I pray we have that long. Nicky thought to himself.
“I don't want to complain but,” suddenly started coughing hard and fierce. No! Anna, NO! Please, Lord, don’t take her! She started to calm down and her soft eyes melted his heart again.
“I'm really cold, Nicky.” Anna said softly closing her eyes again. A few tears escaped before she shut the volt and her steady breathing returned
“Anna.” Nicky's voice broke with tears. Don't take her, Lord. Please. Please, Lord. Not Anna. Please not Anna.
As soon as the plane landed Nicky was looking around the airport for the Smith family with their dying girl in his arms.
“Anna? Anna, where are you? Anna Elizabeth Smith! Anna!” Three voices shouted. Nicky turned around and spotted three frantic people running around looking at every face they passed. Nicky towered over every person in the airport so it wasn't long before they saw him holding Anna.
“Anna!” Her father yelled and ran towered her.
“Daddy?” Anna whispered but couldn't open her eyes wide enough to see. Nicky looked down on the man and woman a foot shorter than him. Her father and blading grey hair and was slightly more round than he was 12 years ago. Her mother had blond greying hair and wide rim glasses perched on the edge of her nose that she kept pushing up. When Mrs. Smith's eyes fell on Anna's scared pale face she started to sob. Mr. Smith turned grey. Nicky looked at the young man, Anna's brother, and smiled. He had his sister's dark brown hair and blue eyes.
“What happened?” Her mother choked out.
“We need to take her to the hospital. I'll explain on the way.” No one said anything till they were in the waiting room.
“You didn't tell us what happened to our daughter.” Mr. Smith nearly growled his face still white as he paced the floor.
“She's going to die! I know she is!” Mrs. Smith shoulders shook with another hard sob.
“Calm down mom. Anna isn't going to die, right sir?” Anna's brother looked at Nicky for help. They don't remember me.
“That's right; Anna is going to be fine.” Nicky promised then told them all that happened then told Mr. and Mrs. Smith he was in love with their daughter.
“You don't even know her!” Mrs. Smith said matter-of-factly.
“But I do. Know her I mean.” Nicky tried to reason with them.
“And how is that?” Mr. Smith snorted.
“'I'm Nick, she calls me Nicky, remember? We went to church together 12 years ago.” Each face showed that they did remember.
“I'm sorry I yelled at you-” Mr. Smith began but a creek of a door opening cut him off.
“Who is here for Anna Smith?” A doctor asked loudly and Nicky shot up out of his chair and all but ran towards the man in white. While the Smiths huddled together and prayed for Anna with all their might.
“Well?” Nicky asked and held the doctor's eyes with a hard look almost pleading.
“She's lucky to be alive, I’ll tell you that.” Nicky missed the warmth their hometown held and was glad he knew the doctor and that he knew Anna.
“She broke her right arm and sprained her left. She has a concussion, that’s pretty bad, Nick, and some scars that worry us. She lost some blood. And her legs,” The doctor looked at his charts and frowned. Nicky knew what that look meant.
“She can't walk anymore, can she? When it happened and I tried to help her walk she fell during the first step. She said she couldn't feel them. Not even pain.” Nicky told him.
“No, she may never walk again.” The doctor left saying one person at a time may go see her even if she isn't awake she might hear them so try to remain calm. Nicky walked back to the Smith family and repeated everything the doc said to them.
“I’ll wait here with Alex and Mrs. Smith why you head on back sir.” Nicky sat in between Alex and Mrs. Smith and she tried not to bawl again. Her baby girl was in there dying. Lord, please spare my daughter. She still has so much to do here, Lord.
“I’m going to go see if they will let family go together.” Mr. Smith said and started to walk to the desk. Without saying another word. They all knew he was close to breaking and Mrs. Smith stood to follow.
“Yeah, I don’t think mom can handle it alone.” Alex put in chasing after his dad.
“You go ahead, Nick. We’ll wait.” Mrs. Smith swallowed a sob but it didn’t work it flowed over once Nicky turned to visit Anna.
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith.” Nicky said politely. Nicky walked to Anna’s room and was surprised to find she was awake.
“Hey, Anna.” Nicky said gently and pulled a chair next to the bad.
“Hi, Nicky.” Anna answered feebly as Nicky reached for her hand. She’s so white. I don’t know if I can take this. It pained him to see her like this.
“What did the doctor say?” She whispered and Nicky smiled sadly while he told her what the doctor said.
“How long till you go back?” was her next question Nicky didn’t want to answer.
“When you don’t need me anymore.” He answered thinking he could talk the General into letting him stay till that was true.
“I’ll always need you.” She sounded exhausted and drained. She couldn’t keep her eyes open much longer and she knew the darkness swimming in her vision would soon consume her.
“Nicky?” Alarm sounded in her voice and she gripped his hand for dear life.
“Yes?” His voice held none of the terror he was feeling over this weak young woman in the hospital bed.
“I love you. No matter what happens, I love you.” She spoke the last three words breathlessly. Her eyes closed and their talk was already over.
“I love you, Anna. I’ve always had. I always will. That’s a promise.” He lightly kissed her scared cheek then began to leave. With one look back at the frail woman lying lifelessly in the bed he walked out the door and started for his parents’ house.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Anna and Nicky were in the park a year later talking
about Nicky’s decision about leaving the Army. Nicky was sitting on bench
across from Anna in her wheelchair. She was just getting comfortable going out
with it just this week so she wanted to go for a walk in park.
“Are you sure you want to leave the army, Nicky?” Anna was getting stronger every day and loved it when her parents, who she moved back in with because of the drama she went through, let her go out with him alone, like today.
“Yes, I’m sure.” He smiled a secret looking smile at Anna. She was lost on what it meant and wondered about it for the next few minutes before asking him.
“Why are you smiling at me that way?” Anna asked looking down at her legs laying there in the wheelchair. Nicky felt for the young woman. She couldn’t walk anymore, like the doctor had thought, and her parents are now more over protective than ever. And she is more insecure than ever.
“How are you doing at home, Anna?” Nicky asked her and reached for her hand and held it.
“You would think I killed a person the way they act sometimes.” She answered quietly, still looking down.
“If I try to do something like take the trash out or get myself food they freak out. They think I can’t do anything without them.”
“How are you adjusting?” He asked slowly. He didn’t want to treat her any different now that she was in a wheelchair. Like her parents do now.
“My parents make it difficult. My mother cries a lot more. My dad is always over my watching my every move. My brother still treats me like an alien when he’s around; he spends most of his time at his job now a days. Other than that everything is okay.” Anna blinked tears away from her eyes and tried to force the oncoming headache to leave before Nicky noticed. Nicky smiled at her like she was his favorite girl in the world. Which she was. And he wanted to make it official. They didn’t ‘go out’ per say because Nicky was in the army and gone for months at a time and it would put strain on their relationship. But they still held each other’s hearts and they both knew. They acted like a couple in some ways and felt like it but didn’t ‘go out’ to do couple things. Like dates or but presents or any gushy stuff.
“When are you seeing the doctor again?” Nicky didn’t seem to be running out of questions today. He normal didn’t ask so many questions, he normal sat there and listened to her talk about things that happened to her in whatever time period he was gone for. Then he would leave and she would miss him and pray for him every single day. Her love only grew for him each day.
“In about a month, they still worried about me because of how strong my headaches are. It’s still as bad as when I first got hurt, Nicky.” Anna looked up at him and saw him watching her.
“Do you like my last name, Anna?” He asked suddenly hoping she would know where he was going. She didn’t.
“Yes, Davidson is a very nice last name.” Anna tilted her head and her eyes questioned him. He smiled, still holding her hands he went down on one knee, on the way down he said,
“How would you like it to be your last name?” She could only stare. Yes! Yes! Her heart sang.
“Anna Elizabeth Smith, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I can’t imagine what it would be like without you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” Tears wet in her eyes she answered, “I couldn’t see it any other way. Yes, Nicky, yes.” He took hold of her, pulling her out of her wheelchair and kissed lightly.
“Nicky?” She whispered when they broke apart.
“Yes, Anna?” He pulled her closer and held her tightly. She laid her head on his shoulder.
“Thank you for,” She looked up into his deep brown eyes and smiled. He tilted his head down to kiss her again. Before their lips touched she whispered,
“Finding me on the battle field.”
“Are you sure you want to leave the army, Nicky?” Anna was getting stronger every day and loved it when her parents, who she moved back in with because of the drama she went through, let her go out with him alone, like today.
“Yes, I’m sure.” He smiled a secret looking smile at Anna. She was lost on what it meant and wondered about it for the next few minutes before asking him.
“Why are you smiling at me that way?” Anna asked looking down at her legs laying there in the wheelchair. Nicky felt for the young woman. She couldn’t walk anymore, like the doctor had thought, and her parents are now more over protective than ever. And she is more insecure than ever.
“How are you doing at home, Anna?” Nicky asked her and reached for her hand and held it.
“You would think I killed a person the way they act sometimes.” She answered quietly, still looking down.
“If I try to do something like take the trash out or get myself food they freak out. They think I can’t do anything without them.”
“How are you adjusting?” He asked slowly. He didn’t want to treat her any different now that she was in a wheelchair. Like her parents do now.
“My parents make it difficult. My mother cries a lot more. My dad is always over my watching my every move. My brother still treats me like an alien when he’s around; he spends most of his time at his job now a days. Other than that everything is okay.” Anna blinked tears away from her eyes and tried to force the oncoming headache to leave before Nicky noticed. Nicky smiled at her like she was his favorite girl in the world. Which she was. And he wanted to make it official. They didn’t ‘go out’ per say because Nicky was in the army and gone for months at a time and it would put strain on their relationship. But they still held each other’s hearts and they both knew. They acted like a couple in some ways and felt like it but didn’t ‘go out’ to do couple things. Like dates or but presents or any gushy stuff.
“When are you seeing the doctor again?” Nicky didn’t seem to be running out of questions today. He normal didn’t ask so many questions, he normal sat there and listened to her talk about things that happened to her in whatever time period he was gone for. Then he would leave and she would miss him and pray for him every single day. Her love only grew for him each day.
“In about a month, they still worried about me because of how strong my headaches are. It’s still as bad as when I first got hurt, Nicky.” Anna looked up at him and saw him watching her.
“Do you like my last name, Anna?” He asked suddenly hoping she would know where he was going. She didn’t.
“Yes, Davidson is a very nice last name.” Anna tilted her head and her eyes questioned him. He smiled, still holding her hands he went down on one knee, on the way down he said,
“How would you like it to be your last name?” She could only stare. Yes! Yes! Her heart sang.
“Anna Elizabeth Smith, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I can’t imagine what it would be like without you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” Tears wet in her eyes she answered, “I couldn’t see it any other way. Yes, Nicky, yes.” He took hold of her, pulling her out of her wheelchair and kissed lightly.
“Nicky?” She whispered when they broke apart.
“Yes, Anna?” He pulled her closer and held her tightly. She laid her head on his shoulder.
“Thank you for,” She looked up into his deep brown eyes and smiled. He tilted his head down to kiss her again. Before their lips touched she whispered,
“Finding me on the battle field.”
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
Epilogue
Ten years later.
“You can’t get me! You can’t get me!” The little
five-year-old sang out. She was the spinning image of her mother. She had her
mother’s dark long hair sparklingly blue eyes and tall stature. She ran back to
the giant oak tree where her mother and father were sitting.
“Where’s Alex, momma?” The little girl asked as Alex tagged her from behind. She spun around and looked at him with angry eyes.
“Got you!” He shouted triumphantly. Anna and Nicky laughed at their children. Nicky picked Alex up and held the spunky five-year old in a bear hug. He looked just like his father and acted like him too.
“Meany!” Anna wheeled her chair a little closer to the girl and patted her lap. The little girl crawled up without another word but glared at her twin brother.
“You know what I think will make you happy, Nat?” Anna asked smiling.
“A story.” The children sang out. Anna and Nicky smiled at them and nodded.
“I wanna hear the one of the nurse and the army man. The one you wrote a book about, Momma.” Alex said happily and Natasha nodded quickly. Their parents laughed and Nicky sat close to Anna and Natasha with Alex in his arms and listened.
“Yeah! It’s my favorite, Daddy. It has our heroes in it!” Natasha said smiling a toothy smile.
“Okay, you want to hear about the nurse and army man… Now how does that start again?” Anna looked at her husband with her love in her eyes as the children started telling the story. Nicky listened and thanked God for his wonderful family and wondered how old the kids would get before they realized the nurse and the army man, their heroes, were their own parents.
“Where’s Alex, momma?” The little girl asked as Alex tagged her from behind. She spun around and looked at him with angry eyes.
“Got you!” He shouted triumphantly. Anna and Nicky laughed at their children. Nicky picked Alex up and held the spunky five-year old in a bear hug. He looked just like his father and acted like him too.
“Meany!” Anna wheeled her chair a little closer to the girl and patted her lap. The little girl crawled up without another word but glared at her twin brother.
“You know what I think will make you happy, Nat?” Anna asked smiling.
“A story.” The children sang out. Anna and Nicky smiled at them and nodded.
“I wanna hear the one of the nurse and the army man. The one you wrote a book about, Momma.” Alex said happily and Natasha nodded quickly. Their parents laughed and Nicky sat close to Anna and Natasha with Alex in his arms and listened.
“Yeah! It’s my favorite, Daddy. It has our heroes in it!” Natasha said smiling a toothy smile.
“Okay, you want to hear about the nurse and army man… Now how does that start again?” Anna looked at her husband with her love in her eyes as the children started telling the story. Nicky listened and thanked God for his wonderful family and wondered how old the kids would get before they realized the nurse and the army man, their heroes, were their own parents.
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