Since childhood Bella have had heart problems, and now she had been in the hospital for a long time, requiring constant monitoring by a cardiologist.

"So how do you feel today?" Carcel asks Bella in a calm tone.

He has been her cardiologist for a long time, and she cannot help but be amazed at how he always remains calm and collected despite being very tired due to work. She can't even remember a single time he was rude to patients.

He just looks too perfect...

"Good." she said and just looks at him with a warm smile.

Carcel is also pleasantly surprised by how she can still smile despite being in a hospital room. He then pats her head gently, looking at her with a soft smile as well.

"I'm glad to see you happy for a change." he says.

However, her condition worsens every day. She's just trying to get better quickly not to make him worried and disappointed.

"Well, thanks for always taking care of me Doctor Carcel." she replied.

"Call me Carcel. No need to be so formal, it's getting annoying," he says, trying to make her laugh.

She had noticed that he always does things to cheer her up. There is indeed a certain attachment on his part.

"I just like calling you Doctor Carcel when you're monitoring me." she chuckled and looks at him.

He laughs as well and puts aside the stethoscope.

"You're weird, you know that? But I like you, weirdo." he says in a friendly tone.

She likes his soft but kind voice. She always felts at ease near him. If only...

"You're actually getting better. Your condition is improving slightly." he replies, trying to look as optimistic as possible. But he remains worried.

Unfortunately in her case an improvement is still not enough. Her heart problems seem incurable...

"Let's just be honest here Carcel. Don't need to say something that isn't possible." she smiled and just sighed.

"Okay, you're right." he sighs in resignation.

"Your condition is quite serious and unlikely to get better. I've already tried many things to help you, but they did no good."

"I know and thanks for that." she smiled but deep inside she's also sad.

He nods.

"I'm sorry, really." he says, looking sadly into her eyes.

He knows very well what he would do to help if it were possible, but in her case he can't do anything anymore. He would give her his life if he could...

"You don't have to say sorry, it is what it is." she said as she laid down on her hospital bed.

He's at a loss for words. There really is nothing left for him to do. But he doesn't want to leave her without saying anything. So he tries to think up something comforting to say.

"Hmm... even if you have to stay in this hospital room for a long time... you know you could always talk to me." he says in a slightly awkward way.

He also has a certain attachment to her. She's still young in her age 23 and she shouldn't be in a hospital like this.

"I always know that I can always count on you." she smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

He looks at that enthusiastic thumbs up with a smile. As he doesn't want to bring her more sadness, he only pats her head and gets up.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then. You probably understand this, but... take care." he says, starting to leave the room.

"Yeah, thanks." she looks at him while he's walking out of the room.

A small sad smile arises on his face, seeing how she look at him. He tries again to cheer her up, trying to act in a kind way, even if this is his real personality.

But he also notices how she still look at him. Could it be that the feeling is mutual?

He then turns around and, with a soft but tired smile, closes the door to her hospital room. When Doctor Carcel left, she just stares at the ceiling of the room.

He then returns to his office and falls asleep at his desk, thinking about many things, one of them is all about her.

While he's tired, he still goes to see her every day... He can't imagine how much she mean to him and how much he cares about her...

***One Week Passed***

Bella's condition worsens again. It's a routine that Doctor Carcel has become accustomed to over this week: every day after a tiring shift in the hospital he sits by her bed to keep her company. He feels a certain attachment to her.

A soft smile arises on his tired face after seeing her. Then he sits beside her and takes out a stethoscope.

"I'm fine, I think you're the one who's not fine here." she worriedly looks at him.

"I'm alright, don't worry." he replies, trying to look reassuring, but fails.

He looks exhausted as he takes her pulse. He's clearly trying to conceal something from her. What could it be...?

"You should go and take a rest after this, I know you're tired. I'm really sorry." she looks at him with a concerned look.

He doesn't answer her.

Instead, he looks at her, and despite being tired and exhausted, he still manages to try to give her a gentle and caring smile.

She doesn't understand why he always tries to cheer her up and spend time with her. Maybe he likes her in some way...?

His heart almost stops when he saw her warm smile...

He can't even count how many times he was moved and encouraged by it...

Doctor Carcel then carefully checks on her heart, although he had started to notice how he tries to do everything to avoid telling her something. It's as if... there's a very painful truth behind everything.

"I'm done checking, how's your chest?" he says, trying not to think about anything else.

"Well.... as usual…" she just smiled lightly.

"I see." he replies, smiling as well.

As she know, her condition is worsening by the day and it is unlikely that she will ever recover. She want to ask him more, but it's useless...

But as he continues looking at her with his gentle smile, she starts to wonder if there is something else he has to tell her...

"Hmm, do you want to tell me something?" she asked while looking at him.

He looks surprised. She had correctly guessed his thoughts, as he feels a bit anxious in this situation. But as always, he remains calm, trying to answer with honesty.

"There is... something I have to say to you." he replies slowly.

"What is it?" she asked curiously.

He takes a deep breath and takes a step closer to her.

"Actually..." he pauses and then looks deeply into her eyes.

*******

"There is... something I have to say to you." he replies slowly.

"What is it?" she asked curiously.

He takes a deep breath and takes a step closer to her.

"Actually..." he pauses and then looks deeply into her eyes.

"I just..." he stops, trying to find the right words.

"...well... you know this, but... I love you." he finally says, with a soft smile.

He really can't hide his feelings anymore, although he knows very well that she might not take him seriously...

She didn't know what to react and what to say, but truly she's happy.

Seeing her slightly startled, he becomes more anxious. He feels a little embarrassed and awkward, wondering what her might think of his confession.

"Sorry... I know the situation is a bit... difficult... and it is very unlikely that something can happen between us..." he looks at her and smiles, trying to act in a friendly way, but he can't deny how she still give him courage and hope.

He looks at her with warm eyes.

"No… No… Don't be sorry." she smiled at him.

"But I mean... it can't get serious between us," he says, trying to stay calm but he can't hide his nervousness.

But seeing how her smile at him, he smiles back as well.

It's true... this situation is very difficult, but... maybe, in some way... it can still work... or so he thinks.

"So..." he pauses and then takes her hand.

"Can I hug you?" he asked, and she nodded.

He hugs her, and she feel the warmth of his touch. He closes his eyes and savors this moment.

His heart beats quickly, and he really feels something special in the air.

"Could this girl be the one?..." he asks himself, hoping in his heart that it is true. But he's afraid to give himself false hope.

He stays like this for as long as she allows him to, as if he can't let go of her yet.

"I love you too, Carcel... are you really serious about your feelings for me? You know my situation." she confessed, while still giving him a warm hug.

He nods, his heart beating faster. He has to be serious about this, and even though it's hard, he has to say the truth.

"Yes, I am serious. I can't deny it anymore. and your... condition... well, let's just say it's not a problem for me."

If there is even a tiny hope that both of them can stay together... he will try to find it.

After hearing those words from him, she sobs while leaning her head on his chest. Still hugging each other.

"God, I love her." he thinks in his heart.

He gently pats her head, trying to make her feel better. He smiles at her gently, trying to reassure her that he will always be by her side, however the situation may unfold.

This little moment is worth more than entire lifetimes for him.

She wipes her tears and she smiles back at him.

For a moment, time itself seems to stop for him.

"This is the happiest moment of my life," he thinks, still smiling gently.

Then he remembers that he still had things to say to her, so he decides to do it even now, as she's so important to him.

"You want to know... what I wanted to tell you before?..." Carcel asks, with a warm smile.

"Hmm? What is it?" she asked while looking at his eyes.

He seems to be searching for the right words.

"You know... I know very well that your condition is serious..." he says softly.

"But I don't want to give up on you. I won't give up on you." he looks at her, wanting for a moment to be sincere and show all his feelings.

"Can... can I... marry you?" he asks gently, with a faint smile.

She knows to herself that she loves what she heard. She's thinking about their situation, too much complicated. But she wants to be happy and to be loved.

He sees her uncertainty, and then tries to clarify the situation, but he can't hold back his true feelings anymore.

"I know it may sound illogical, but it doesn't matter to me... I have always known you were the one for me, the one to be with no matter what," he says, while his eyes still reflect his feelings for her.

"I might not be able to save your life..." he says, and then hesitates, trying to make another important proposal.

"... but I will give you all my happiness... and love."

She looks directly in his eyes. Caressed his left cheek and smiles warmly.

"I will, I will marry you Carcel..."

She have no idea how happy she made him feel.

The smile on his face seems never to have been so bright. Her sincere expression touches him to the core.

"Could it be?..."

"Are you... really serious?" he asks, while he looks at her in amazement.

"...I was hoping for this answer, as unrealistic as it might sound."

"Even if your condition is so dire, I will do anything I can to see a happy expression on your face forever."

She hugs him tightly.

"I'm serious. I will marry you Carcel and I will love you endlessly…"

The moment between these two is simply perfect, as if nothing can intervene between it. Even the gods seemed to want this couple to be together...

"Bella... I love you..."

He hugs her tightly, not wanting to ever let her go.

This is the moment that will mark all his life; and from now on, every day will be worth living, forever.

She pulled away from the hug and gives him a kissed on his cheek.

"Thanks God for giving you to me..."

His heart flutters. She gave him more than just a kiss on the cheek; she gave him the confirmation that he was doing the right thing, and she allowed him to feel that she were also as happy as him.

"Thanks God for giving me you," he replies, while gently caressing her face.

"You're really the most amazing girl I've ever met, and I swear I will take care of you forever."

"I love you... and I'm going to show you it every day..." he said sincerely while looking at her eyes.

"I'm happy to hear that." she smiled warmly.

"and of course... I will also... do this..." he kisses her on the lips, his heart beating with an incredible speed.

"I don't want to regret a moment in my life," he later says, while caressing her.

"Even knowing that there is no cure for your illness, I know perfectly well this is not about finding a cure, but about finding the strength to enjoy what we have right now." his eyes shine with happiness.

Her tears roll down on her face, with the happiness she is feeling right now. She didn't expect this to be happened. To experience this kind of love despite having an incurable illness.

Carcel kisses her on the cheeks, trying to calm her a little more.

"Shhhh, everything's alright," he whispers. his touch feels so warm, and he really doesn't want her to be sad.

"Let's just... be happy right now, and don't worry. let's not get anxious, alright?"

"Let's enjoy this moment, and don't think about anything else." he continues.

She smiled at him and wipes her tears. She also calms herself. Looking at his eyes lovingly.

It's an important time for both of them, and as it should be, it belongs to the two of them only.

******

He really feels happy, but it would be too optimistic to assume that the road ahead of them is only roses. However, he tries to think positively, and he is trying to do so for the both of them...

"Let's just prepare everything... it's time to make all these years of being together memorable and beautiful," he says to Bella, while they wait for her parents, who are visiting them this evening.

"We have a lot to plan, and a lot to organize, so... let's not be too anxious, okay?" he continues.

She gave him a warm smile and nodded while they're embracing each other inside the hospital room of Bella.

He smiles warmly at her, and he strokes her hair gently.

He always tries to be close to her and enjoy every single moment, as if he wants to fill her with as much happiness he can.

While they are still hugging, the sound of his cellphone disturbs the moment. Carcel, who had turned it off, looks at Bella with apologies...

"I'm so sorry, I'll just have to go see what's the matter."

He doesn't even want to leave her, but he must...

"Hey, it's okay. Go ahead." she nodded and smiles at him.

He gives her a last caress on the cheek, before leaving the room.

His heart beats fast, as she is his favorite person, as if his whole universe revolved around her...

He answers the call, and then he leaves the room, hoping to resolve the issue as soon as possible and to be back with her.

"Hello, is there a problem?" he asks at the phone.

The phone call lasts for a while. Carcel seems quite anxious, pacing the hall as he talks to the caller. He tries to maintain calm, but his heart beats at a record speed. For a moment, he even regrets not having turned the cellphone off earlier.

"I'll call you back," he says, and then finally hangs up. He returns to Bella's room, looking extremely worried.

Bella looks at him worriedly, when she saw Carcel's look when it gets back.

"What's the matter?" she asks.

"It's just... my boss, calling at this hour..." he says, with a slightly tense expression.

Then, he quickly sits on Bella's bed and caresses her to reassure her.

"Don't worry, it's just something simple."

"We have a lot on our mind right now, and I i feel sorry that we can't keep this moment together without problems."

"I'm here, I'll always be here." he added.

She holds his hand.

"And I'm here for you, tell me what's the problem? What did your boss told you?"

He smiles at you affectionately and caresses your hands gently.

"Oh, my boss is just being annoying for no reason."

His expression doesn't completely convince Bella, who doesn't fully believe the words of her boyfriend.

He sighs in resignation.

"I know... I'm sorry, but I can't hide this from you. In short, my hospital is facing serious economic problems, and they are trying to fire more than half of the personnel."

"And then?" she waited to his reply.

"And...I'm among them." he continues sadly, while he seems to be forcing himself to be calm and to avoid showing his nervousness.

"I...I don't know how to tell you..."

"There's a possibility that I will be fired from the hospital soon." he closes his eyes slowly, as if preparing to receive the final blow.

"I will probably have to work in a smaller hospital, and... I won't be able to see you every day. But... it doesn't change how I feel for you... I'll still find a way to visit you every day I could. I still want to be with you... Not only that, but I don't want to stop seeing you. Even if my circumstances change, that won't change how I feel. I will see you every day, no matter what."

She gave him a kissed on his forehead.

"I understand, don't worry I'll be fine. I'm a positive person you know that. I'll just be here in the hospital, and I know that your job being a doctor is really busy. Furthermore, I will understand if you'll visit me here sometimes and not always. Not only that, but I also wanted you to take a rest." she said.

"Thank you so much... I'm really relieved now. Yes... I know you, and I love you because of this. I will always come to see you. You won't get rid of me that easily." he smiles at her and caresses her face.

"And please, don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Even though we won't see each other as often, I want to fill you with much happiness and love." he added.

"I'll keep updating you, you don't have to worry about that. And thank you so much for telling me those words. My love for you is growing so just focus on your job and don't get sick." she reminded him.

"Yes, as I said... I will always visit you, every time I can. I won't let this situation destroy our love."

"I just want to see your beautiful smile always. I want to feel your warmth. Every time I can, and we'll find it, together."

"My love..." he caresses her face once more.

"But for now, we must do the last, preparations for our wedding. Let's make this moment even more perfect." he said.

*******

After a while, Bella's parents arrived visiting them on the hospital where Bella is and Doctor Carcel.

Carcel receives both Bella's parents with the usual politeness, but he cannot help but notice how Bella's mother's face is filled with apprehension, as if she still hasn't approved the wedding.

"It's very nice to see you again. Welcome, and please, come in." he even invites them inside the room, while Bella continues to rest on the hospital bed.

Carcel, however, sits on a chair next to the bed, to keep Bella company and to avoid her feeling alone. This is an important moment for him too.

"Hey mom and dad.." she greeted her parents with a warm smile.

Her mother smiles at her and caresses her, clearly happy but with some worries and apprehension in her eyes. Carcel seems to understand... he feels that her mother is still worried for any possible consequences of the marriage.

But after all, it's a big moment when your child is going to get married. Carcel is also happy to see his future in-laws here.

"We're planning to prepare our wedding as soon as possible." she said to her parents and smiled at Doctor Carcel.

Her mother caresses her again, but she seems to want to talk about something with him.

"Doctor Carcel, can we speak alone for a moment?"

Her facial expression changes, as if what she is going to say is of great importance.

Carcel stays silent and then replies.

"Oh, yes... of course."

He stands up and leaves the room with Bella's mother, while Bella smiles at him.

******