Above All Else

Chapter Twenty-One

I rest my head into the cold wall, head tilted back in the small waiting room. I stare at the ceiling, at the small white bricks. I'm shaking but calm. It's been an hour, and the doctor hasn't come out so I'm still trying to stay positive.

I hope he knows that he has my entire world in his hands.

Ivan is standing beside me. He hasn't moved from my side all night. Mrs. Ike left to put Alexander back to sleep so I don't even have him to distract me. I breathe in with difficulty, looking to the seat next to me. The letters are there. I hesitantly pick them up, looking at Mia's scribbled handwriting on the top of the first.

Alexander's 18th birthday

Alexander's wedding day

Alexander's coronation

Henry's wedding day (don't you dare throw this out!)

I chuckle to myself, despite the immense pain I feel even seeing those words. I set the letters down, looking to the double doors.

...

"God, why haven't they come out yet?" I utter, pacing the small waiting room. I'm seconds away from walking through the doors she went through and demanding as King to find out.

"I'm sure it will be soon, sir," Ivan says, sounding calm.

"It's been hours," I whisper with anger. "Not a damn word. No one to say it's running smoothly? Nothing?"

My mind is at war. One part positive that Mia's strength with pull her through this. The other believing that she's been sick for so long already, her body may not have the same will as her mind.

"Sir, you must have patience," Ivan says. "Mia isn't ready to leave you. I am sure they will come out any minute and inform you that she is well."

My gaze shifts to Royce and Angie asleep in the chairs along the wall, her head on his shoulder. Such friendship they have. I cannot imagine being married to someone that I cannot have in every way possible. Mind, body, soul. They do without the body. I think that makes them stronger than I.

I walk to them, resting a hand on Royce's shoulder, waking him. "You have been here all night... you should go home."

Royce shakes his head, eyes squinted. "We want to be here for you."

I smile, nodding. "I know you do. I am grateful... but... we may not know of her condition until early morning. Go get some rest and come back then."

He nods after a moment, resting a hand on Angie's arm. I turn, walking back to Ivan. He eyes me cautiously.

"What?"

He presses his lips together. "The operation will be well over by early morning."

I look down, feeling a vicious twist to my beating organ. "I do not want them to be here... if- things were to take a turn for the worse."

"Sir, you are too fearful."

I look at him firmly as Angie and Royce stand, gathering their things. "Mia said goodbye to me in that room, Ivan. I possess every right to have fear."

Angie approaches me, lifting onto her toes to kiss my cheek. "I will pray for her," she whispers.

"Thank you," I murmur, breathing in. Royce nods once as he passes by towards the exit. I watch them go, knowing they will be bombarded by reporters the second they leave those doors. Our location has leaked, we can keep reporters from trespassing but the road holds no such power. They will be there, whether or not I'm walking out with Mia.