Chapter 111: Epilogue…
***Selene.***
***New York.***
***A month later…***
“How is he?” I turn to Levi’s voice. We're in a hospital.
He hasn’t stopped visiting since he helped us return to the states. Well no one has stopped visiting and calling. Not Kirsten or Henry, not my parents. Everyone has been very supportive, since we got here.
That day we left the temple, thanks to Raoul’s call to Levi, he was able to break the protocols of the Benin Kingdom to bring us back to the States. Because we didn't have our passports, we had trouble leaving the airstrip with Albert. They thought we were criminals.
When the jet lifted in the air, I felt relieved. Certain Albert would eventually be fine. He didn’t even stir. Only the weak heaving of his chest, as he breathed, showed any sign of life in him.
Arriving the States, Albert was rushed to this hospital in New York and Levi ensured all went well.
Immediately Albert was brought in here, doctors carried out tests and the necessary procedures. But since then, he has remained like this. Laying here, not stirring.
Sometimes I wonder if he listens. I wonder if his body hurts. It’s like he’s wasting away and my heart aches just thinking of it. Isabel is in his house here in New York with Faye. We had to move here because of Albert’s situation.
The doctors have no idea the issue. His vitals are fine. He’s breathing fine, but he's been in a coma for a month.
I’m losing my mind.
Levi’s gentle hand squeezes my shoulder, in an attempt to ease me. Kenya just left, an hour ago. It’s already 3pm on the clock.
“He’d wake up. The doctors say nothing is wrong with him. Whatever it is, he'd be fine.” Levi tries to assure me.
I nod, weakly. I’ve lost all hope. It’s like my entire existence lies in this moment. Watching him as he takes weak breaths.
“Would he ever wake up, Levi? Isabel misses him very much. She calls him every moment.” I sob harshly.
Levi holds me, while I break in his arms. Sobbing like a child, my entire heart cracking as the last shreds of hope leave me.
Albert isn’t waking up. He’s just there, the machines beeping.
His wedding ring on his finger; the symbol of our fidelity.
“It’s okay Selene,” Levi mutters softly. “He’s a dogged fighter. I remember that of him very well. And he loves you very much. He wouldn’t leave you alone.”
I nod quietly. Levi’s phone rings and he pulls away, to answer.
“I close my eyes to rest for a minute and you already hitting on my wife.”
The voice is hoarse, weak, but it’s recognizable.
Albert.
I turn abruptly to the voice, unconvinced. Levi halts in his tracks and I feel him come to stand beside me.
Albert gazes at us, his eyes fully on me. He blinks several times, but he still has his eyes on me.
A lazy smile tugs his lips and I’m sure am not hallucinating.
“Albert…” I scream in delight, falling on him.
Hugging him tight. His arms wrap around me, weakly, but I still feel his strength. I smell his familiar scent. That scent I’ve missed.
“Albert…” I cry.
Tears of joy falling from my eyes.
“I missed you. I missed you. I love you.” Albert breathes into my ear.
His weak kisses invade the crook of my neck, sending sparks of life into me.
“Welcome back man. I was already thinking if I had to go into Hades’ lair to pull you out of the jaws of death myself.” Levi teases, his voice thick with emotion.
I reluctantly pull away from Albert, our eyes locked in this passionate gaze.
“Oh I fought Hades myself. He’d tell you how much I pummeled his face into hell.” Albert teases back, his eyes crinkling with mischief.
Levi’s phone rings again. It’s an opera music actually. I find it kinda odd, for a man of his status.
“I really need to take this call. I’d be right back.” Levi backs away. “Yeah, hello. Senator Ruthford speaking.” His voice continues as he goes outside, shutting the door behind him.
Albert and I are alone in the room and we just watch each other, tenderly. He gestures for me to climb in after him and I do. Am careful not to shake the tubes on him. I clutch him tight, my heart filled with joy.
He finds my lips and kisses me tenderly. The kiss weak, yet it breaks through my hurt heart, taking root inside me again.
“I thought I would never feel your lips on me again…I thought…”
“Shh…” Albert hushes me.
His lips closing in on mine.
When we’ve had our fill of our kisses, he pulls away, tilting my jaw, until my eyes gaze into his eyes. The way he looks at me, it’s like am his reason for living.
*What am I saying? I am his reason for living, just like he's mine.*
When we were in that inferno of a place, at the brink of death, I thought we would never grow old together and see our descendants. I thought we will never see Isabel again. And when he didn’t wake up this past month, I was devastated.
My entire life lost.
The hopelessness I had felt was imploding. My senses lost focus. I even had to take leave from work, and Henry was so kind, he granted me this time to gather myself.
He said I needed to heal as well from the entire ordeal. And my sister, she didn’t let me and Isabel out of her sight for weeks, when I just returned.
“Don’t leave me again, Albert.” I plead, tearfully.
He kisses each eye, tenderly.
“I’d never leave you, Selene, even if you asked me to. I promised you my eternal love. And I’d forever keep my promise.”
He kisses me deeply, my heart holding onto his promise.
***The End***.