9 September 2012

Things between Lily and I were tense, all our conversations felt false and when we laughed I knew it was only because if we didn't we would both break down and cry. I missed the feeling of holding her close to me, the feeling of her lips on mine, the sweet innocence of her view on life, but most of all I missed her, not this new fake version of herself that she had created. 'Lily...' I said quietly. 'yes...' she replied sweetly. 'I'm sorry, please forgive me. I love you Lily and if you don't want to go through with the operation then I'm one hundred percent behind you.' I said lovingly, the barriers that she had surrounded herself in fell away at those three little words. She collapsed into my arms, kissing me repeatedly, until I held her head to mine, kissing her slowly, until we both pulled back to breathe in, a much needed breath. 'We will find a way Ethan, I promise.'

I fiddled one last time with my black tie before ringing the doorbell. 'Ethan! Come in, Lily's just finishing off getting ready.' Lily's mum said cheerfully. I nodded, and followed her inside. 'Ethan' she said lowering her voice. 'I just wanted to thank you for being there for Lily. For looking past the fact that she can't see and for supporting her.' I smiled, 'Its my pleasure, you've got a wonderful daughter.' We heard somebody clearing their throat and both turned to where the noise came from. Lily stood smiling, her golden hair hung in waves, framing her face. Her dress made the blue of her eyes stand out. She looked like an angel as she smiled happily. I took her hand in mine, as she kissed her mum goodbye before I whisked her off into the warm summers evening. As we walked happily towards the venue where the prom was being held, I realized that until her wedding day this was going to be one of the best nights of Lily's life, and I was determined to make it live up to her expectations.

The hotel was full of people, girls were chatting excitedly to their friends about their new dresses and complementing each other on their hair and make up. The boys were nudging each other, encouraging someone to go and ask one of the girls for a dance, I wrapped my arm around Lily's waist protectively, so that people would know she was taken. A group of Lily's friends ran up to her, engulfing her in their circle. I wandered away to talk to some of my friends, while Lily was being admired by her friends. The night grew later and the slower songs were being played. I went and found Lily talking quietly to her friend. 'Lily will you dance with me?' I asked jokily, 'I thought you'd never ask.' she smiled, placing her hand in mine and allowing me to lead her away.

I took her into the hotel garden, pulling her towards the tiny rose garden, there were speakers outside so the music gave the place a magical feel, fairy lights were strung up in the white rose bushes. The sweet smelling roses perfumed the air and there was a small, bubbling fountain with lights shining upwards illuminating the pool of water. I took Lily's hand in mine and placed the other on the small of her back, swaying softly to the music. Lily rested her head on my shoulder as I guided our bodies to the melody of the music. 'what does it look like?' she asked quietly. 'it's beautiful, there are huge white roses everywhere and there's a small fountain, can you hear it?' I said enthralled by the beauty of the place. She sighed happily and I assumed that she was building a mental picture of the place. Her hands snuck up to my face as she felt the plains of my face, she did this frequently to help her imagine what I looked like, I smiled as she twirled her fingers in my hair. 'I wish I could see you, just once. That would be enough.' she sighed sadly. Excitement bubbled through me as I prepared to tell her something that would change her life forever. 'There is a way.' I smiled, Lily looked puzzled. 'I've been doing some research and you can get stem cells another way. When a baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut because they no longer need it. Well the blood inside the umbilical cord has stem cells. Do you know what that means Lily! You might be able to see, without harming anything.' I said excitedly as I saw the smile spread across her face. 'You're amazing, Ethan.'

Lily's P.O.V I slid up resting against the firm pillows that the hospital had given me. There was slight pressure on my eyes. Ethan told me that they had wrapped white bandages around my head which was what I could feel, when I touched it, it felt rough and squidy. The doctors said that I could take my bandages off today, my stomach had a fluttering feeling inside, I wasn't scared that the operation hadn't worked or had gone wrong as there was no way of making my vision worse. I was scared of the disappointment that Ethan would feel if the operation was unsuccessful. I heard footsteps approaching my bed, the heard Ethan's familiar voice, 'You can take the bandages off now.' I could hear the smile in his voice. 'I want you to do it.' I whispered nervously. I felt the bed depress as he sat beside me, then I felt the pressure slowly release as unwound the bandages from my face, as the pressure decreased everything seemed to be getting brighter and the nervous feeling in my stomach got stronger. As the final piece of bandage fell away from my face I squeezed my eyes shut. 'Lily you can open your eyes now.' Ethan said his voice dripping with anticipation. 'I'm scared' I whimpered keeping my eyes firmly shut. 'I'm here.' he said soothingly, taking both of my hands in his, 'On the count of three. Three. Two. One.' my eyes flashed open and I gasped as a barrage of colours appeared. 'Lily...can you see?' Ethan said nervously. I turned to him and smiled as his face came into focus. He had piercing green eyes, full red lips and wavy brown hair. He was even more perfect than I had imagined. I nodded happily as my eyes flooded with tears. He grinned madly and pulled me into his arms. A doctor came in, 'I assume it worked then.' she smiled. 'Here your probably wondering what you look like.' she handed me a small object, when I looked at it a pretty girl with golden hair and blue eyes looked back. 'Who's...' I began before I realized the girl was saying the same thing, I raised my hand, touching my cheek. The girl did the same. 'Lily that's you.' Ethan smiled. I looked back dumbfounded that the pretty girl was me.

After the doctor left I turned to Ethan, 'Why did you do it?' I asked. 'Do what Lily?' he said confused. 'Why did you stay with me, when you didn't know if I'd ever be able to see?' I asked. 'Because Lily, when you love someone, nothing else really matters.'

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