Even in the hustle, bustle, and noise of the hospital, her room was nearly silent. She sat there, staring at him, and waited. She was waiting for an answer that many never come, and that worried her. Then again, what had she expected? What could a person say to something like that?

Instead of words for now, he just sighed.

He wanted to tell her what he felt, more than anything, but how could he be sure? What if his feelings changed? What then?

Even though it was hard, impossible, he had to say it. She was already beginning to cry.

“Sarah, I don’t care. I don’t care if you’re dying, or if I only have a short while with you. I need you more than anything, and I’ll follow you until the end of the world, if I can. Of course I still want to be with you. What sort of man do you take me for?” Though he meant his words to be funny, she just began to cry harder. “Did I.. say it wrong?”

Instead she just smiled, and shook her head, tears streaming down her gaunt face.

“No. You said exactly what I needed to hear.”