Ariel stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the bustling ER below. The familiar chaos of Angels Memorial Hospital surrounded her—the beeping monitors, hurried footsteps, and hushed conversations. But today, everything felt different. Max was alive.
"Hey," Max's voice interrupted her thoughts. He leaned against the doorframe, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his eyes held a mix of relief and uncertainty.
"Hey," Ariel replied, her heart racing. She'd thought she'd lost him during that surgery—the fear, the grief—it had all been too much. But now, he was here, standing before her.
Max crossed the room and took her hand. His touch sent a jolt of warmth through her veins. "I owe you my life," he said softly. "Thank you for believing in me."
Ariel shook her head. "It wasn't just me. Leanne, Will, Jesse—they all fought to save you. And you fought too, Max."
He chuckled. "Stubbornness runs in the Edwards family."
She squeezed his hand. "I meant what I said, you know. When you were lying there, I realized how much I care about you."
Max's eyes searched hers. "Ariel, I—"
Before he could finish, she pressed her lips to his. It was a kiss filled with relief, hope, and the promise of something more. Max responded, pulling her closer, as if afraid she'd disappear.
When they finally broke apart, Ariel rested her forehead against his. "We've been given a second chance," she whispered. "Let's not waste it."
Max nodded. "Agreed. Life's too short to hold back."
They spent hours talking—about their dreams, their fears, and the future. Max wanted to travel, see the world beyond the hospital walls. Ariel dreamed of opening a clinic in underserved communities. Together, they made plans, weaving their lives together like a tapestry of hope.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the room, Max traced his fingers along Ariel's jawline. "You know," he said, "I've never seen colors the way you do."
Ariel raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
He grinned. "When I touch you, it's like the world comes alive. The walls aren't just white; they're ivory. Your eyes aren't just brown; they're a thousand shades of warmth."
She laughed. "Max, that's—"
"—crazy?" he finished. "Maybe. But it's true. You're my color, Ariel."
And in that moment, surrounded by the hum of life-saving machines and the promise of a shared future, Ariel believed him. Max was her color too—a vibrant, living testament to hope and love.
