Chapter Nine: What Takes More Courage, Life of Love?


It was now three hours after Tia has gone under and Brian sat waiting impatiently, his elbows resting on his knees, his left leg shaking incoherently as he bit on his fingernails until he had no more.
A few of the Boys had stopped by earlier to give him support, but had already left.
Tia’s parents sat across from Brian in another set of chairs, her mother in tears as her dad tried to talk to her and calm her down.
Brian’s head was racing as he realized what he needed to do.
The walk from one side of the waiting room to the other would take forever as he slowly got up and nervously walked over to her parents.
“Brian,” her father replied with not much of a tone.
“I’m really sorry Mrs. Lowell,” Brian took her hand in his and smiled at her.
“Thank you Brian,” she tried smiling at him. Tia’s mom really loved Brian, she had since they were children and the time they’d spent together in the past few weeks meant everything to her because she saw her daughter happy.
“Is there something we can do for you Brian?” her father asked.
“I, uh, I was wondering if…if I could have permission to take your daughter’s hand in marriage?” He asked quietly, his blue eyes gazing into her father’s dark brown.
Both parents looked at Brian for a moment and then smiled.
“Brian we don’t think-“
“I know Mr. Lowell, just please,” he pleaded.
Tia’s father smiled, realizing what Brian was trying to do.
“Alright,” he smiled, tears nearly running down his face.
With that Brian got on his cell phone and within and hour was holding the ring he knew she would love.
Brian thanked A.J. and Howie for their help and sat down next to Tia’s mother and showed her the ring. It was a perfectly cut diamond heart that was set in the middle of several diamonds shaping into what looked like leaves. He knew they had been joined together by their heart conditions and he wanted her to where this. Below the engagement ring was an attached band that would be the wedding ring. It was a plain gold band because he knew how she hated fancy jewelery, inscribed it read: Tia, two hearts, one love, forever more, love Brian.
Tia’s mother’s eyes were blurred with tears as she hugged Brian tightly.
“She’s going to love it,” she replied as she sniffed and smiled at him lovingly.
“Mr. And Mrs. Lowell, Mr. Littrell,” the surgeon took off his hat and approached them.
“How is she?” Her father asked quickly.
“I’m afraid it’s not good news,” he looked solemnly at them as you heard a small cry escape her mother’s mouth. A.J. and Howie looked on from across the room.
“The hole couldn’t be completely sewn back up, it’s too far damaged, the blood that is running from it is what caused the incident earlier today. IT’s only a matter of hours before she loses all the blood that is suppose to be running into her heart. We brought her out of recovery a few minutes ago, she’s still really out of it, but she knows what’s happening to her. I advise you to call everyone who needs to see her and spend what time you have left. I’m sorry, we tried everything,” he then walked away, a nurse approaching to show them to the room.
Tears fell down Brian’s face as he stared at the ring with a look of devastation on his face. He had faith that she would be okay…but now she wasn’t going to be, she was dying.
Tia’s mother was barely audible as her and Tia’s father spoke with her for a few minutes.
“Tell them I’ll be right back,” Brian informed A.J. who looked into the window of the recovery room and saw Tia’s lifeless body laying there.

~FIVE MINUTES LATER~
Brian knocked on the door gently and then let himself in, the reverend in tow.
Tia smiled when she saw him, wanting to move but she couldn’t. Her body was strapped to a ton of IV’s and a little nose one that helped her breath. Brian gasped at the sight, but nevertheless held it together.
He sat and talked to her for an hour, her parents and him making her laugh and remember the good times. Her face started falling more sad looking, her skin getting paler. Brian knew she wasn’t scared to die, but she had a feeling she was scared to leave him.
“Tia, I have something to ask you, but you have to make up your mind quick,” he smiled a big smile as he reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring. She looked at him curiously and when he opened it tears came streaming down her face.
“Tia Marie, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I can’t believe that I let it go so long ago. I missed out on so much of your life and I’m sorry for that. But I do want to be a part of the rest of your life,” he pulled out the ring as she cried hysterically, knowing that was now not possible, but knowing that forever, somewhere, they would always be together. “We were brought together by two hearts, but they beat now as one, I love you for all the days of my life and in heaven and beyond,” he slipped it on her lifeless finger, “Tia, will you be my wife?” She cried loudly making everyone around her begin to bawl as well.
“Yes, Brian, yes,” she shook her head in between breaths as he lay down and took her in his arms.
He signaled for the reverend to come over and as he did Brian lay back in her bed, pulling her in his arms. She cried into him helplessly as she felt the life slip from her.
The reverend read pieces from the bible and proclaimed how love shattered all boundries of heaven and Earth. That they would always be together in a place they called their hearts and that one day would walk together in the sunset.
“Do you Brian Thomas Littrell, take Tia to be your lawful wedded wife?”
“I Do,” he pulled her in tightly, her eyes fluttering open and shut as tears fell down her face.
“Do you Tia Marie Lowell take Brian Thomas to be your lawful wedded husband?”
“I do,” her voice was weak.
“By the state of Kentucky and all of the God’s children I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride,” he smiled at the too, blessing them.
She kissed him lightly, he felt her lips beginning to get cold.
"Just imagine all those moonlit walks we’ll have together Tia, we can go get ice cream down at K-Cee’s like we use to when we were younger…and…”
She fell even limper in his arms and let out a small chuckle.
“Brian you’re kidding yourself, we both know the truth,” she coughed.
The doctor’s began to file in as her heart monitor began to skip beats.
Her parents kissed her lightly as she still lay in Brian’s arms, each saying “I love you.”
“I’m not kidding myself Tia, I love you…”
“Brian you have to be strong for me,” she could see the tears streaming down his face. “You’re the courageous one, remember?” she added.
“But Tia, you’re fighting for your life…”
“But you’re fighting for our love,” her heart monitor slowed.
“I’ll fight for you forever, you know that,” he muttered his chest shaking from the tears. “I love you Tia Marie.”
“I love you too Brian…”
There was a silence that cast over the room as Brian was released from her now limp body and the doctors tried to revive her. Her dad shooed them away, the constant sound of a steady beep annoying him.
“Let her be,” he replied angrily.
Brian sat looking at her now lifeless body, knowing somewhere right now she was on her way to Heaven and he made a vow then and there, to see her again.



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