In a familiar corridor in front of the ER, Finnick wrapped his arm around Vivian’s shoulder, comforting her in a gentle tone. Beside the couple on a bench, there was a conspicuous, towering figure with his back facing her.
“Larry?”
Her voice was soft, yet he heard it. Just like a slow-motion scene in the movie, the man turned around and looked at the misty-eyed woman. The sorrow and grievance in her heart were replaced by excitement the moment she saw him.
Larry smiled warmly at her. How can he still smile in such a situation? Is he really Leslie’s biological father? As the woman was finding fault with him, she blamed herself too. Hold on. How can I be in the mood to find fault with him at a time like this?
The two stood rooted to their spots, staring at each other. None of them took the initiative to walk closer to the other person. At the moment, time seemed to have stood still, and both their watches and the clock on the wall stopped ticking. They could see no one else other than each other.
A doctor in a white cot came out of the ER while taking off his mask.
“Who is the family of Leslie?”
“It’s me!” Joan and Larry answered in unison.
They glanced at one another before Larry stepped forward to sign the document.
“The child is suffering from acute gastroenteritis. But don’t worry, this illness is rather common among children. It can be caused by the child’s eating habits, the amount of nutrients he received when he was in his mother’s womb, and genetic inheritance. Once it’s been triggered, it’s impossible for the child to be completely healed of this illness. However, it’ll be under control as long as you pay attention to his diet and take good care of him.”
Afterward, the doctor made some arrangements regarding his hospitalization before he waved at them and said, “Don’t worry, he’ll be discharged tomorrow morning.”
Initially, Finnick wanted to stay back to visit his grandchild, but Vivian shot him a look, hinting at him to give the young couple some space. Later, the two left hurriedly, using the excuse that they were going to pay for the admission and leaving Larry and Joan alone.
“You…”
Unexpectedly, they spoke at the same time again. The two broke into a fit of giggles, though none of them knew why they were laughing. Perhaps that was the thoughtfulness they both had after going through such a conflict and the tacit understanding between a husband and a wife.
“You go first,” Larry said.
Joan did as he asked. “Are you still going to question me about my relationship with Dustin?”
Without hesitation, the man shook his head.
“Why?”
Right after asking that, she couldn’t help but laugh with amusement. The woman added, “I shouldn’t ask you why. I’ve been in deep contemplation over the past few days. If we’re really going to stay together for a lifetime, we have to overcome all our incompatibilities, distrust, and misunderstandings. My mindset, beliefs, values and perspectives must be in line with yours.”
“These thoughts have been running through my head these few days as well. When that incident happened, I kept questioning your fidelity. However, after I simmered down, I realized I should ask myself whether I trust you and agree with your viewpoint, instead of demanding a satisfying explanation from you. So what if I get it? I should believe in you even without an explanation from you.”
“Trust is crucial in a marriage. We should understand, tolerate, and trust each other in all things, big or small. So Mr. Norton, are you willing to trust and tolerate me and face every obstacle coming our way together?”
During their sacred wedding ceremony, he made a vow to love and cherish her until death did them apart. She had imagined many romantic episodes that they might go through, but she didn’t expect to experience a heart-warming moment under such a circumstance.
