"Get married?" you gasped in shock. "Are you serious?"
She gave you a determined look. "Yes, I am. I know it sounds crazy but it's the best solution."
At your stunned look, she took your hands in hers and continued in a gentle tone. "Think of the complications otherwise. What if I were to become ill or get sick - or, heaven forbid, die? Currently you would have no rights in the matter. She could go into foster care - or even worse, my bitch of a mother-in-law (Jessie's grandmother) could take custody. If we married, you could gain legal guardianship."
Her logic began to penetrate your brain and, despite how absurd the idea seemed, you understood her reasoning. She pressed her advantage. "People get married in 'name only' all the time. This wouldn't be any different." She hesitated as if considering something, then continued. "And honestly, it would help alot. It sounds like you have a great job, I'm sure with very good benefits. My insurance coverage is terrible. We could all go on your benefits. And pool our finances."
She leaned forward, looking you in the eyes only inches from your face. "James, we're all in this together. The marriage question aside, we are in effect building a new family, albeit an unusual one. I'm just suggesting formalizing that, covering all our based legally."
You talked for over an hour with Deborah answering all your concerns with well-reasoned arguments. By the end you found yourself agreeing with her, with the caveat that you MUST talk to Sarah about it first. "I can justify making a decision to pretend to be your boyfriend, or even move in with you. After signing the contract with the hospital, that doesn't seem to be any worse. But marriage? I can't do that without Sarah's full agreement."
Deborah - or "Deb" as she told you to call her - was very understanding. "Absolutely! Of course we can't do that without asking 'Sarah' first."
She gave you a look of concern. "But here I've been yakking on and on, and I can see that you're totally exhausted. When is the last time you slept?" she asked.
You shrugged. "I dozed for 30 minutes or so yesterday I think. I can't really sleep here."
"Then you should go home!" she interjected. You started to object and she kept on "I know you want to be with her, but the doctors say her condition is excellent. You need some rest! Frankly, you look terrible - and you'll want to be clear-headed when you explain things to Sarah."
"But I need to be here when she wakes up," you argued.
Deb countered "I promise to call you immediately if there's any change, okay? Unlike you I don't have any trouble sleeping here. Now go home and get a few hours sleep."
You thought you caught a glint of something in her gaze, but brushed it off as you just being so tired. She pressed and pushed, finally convincing you to go.
You barely managed to stay awake for the drive home. You hurried inside and collapsed on your bed without even taking off your clothes.
You felt much better when you awoke the next morning. You took a quick shower to fully wake up and then called Sarah's room. "Hello?" you heard Deb answer. "Deborah, it's Jim," you said, "how is Sarah." There was a pause on the other end, then she said in a cheerful tone "She's conscious and doing incredibly well!"
"What? She's awake? Why didn't you call?" you asked.
Deborah explained in a comforting voice "Jim, calm down. The doctors had to run their tests and explain some things to her before anything else. I knew you were beat and figured a little longer wouldn't matter. I was just about to call you."
Mollified, you said "Well, okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to fuss. It's just...."
"That's alright, I understand," she answered. "Take your time, don't drive like a maniac. We'll be here," she said with a smile in her voice.
You said goodbye, hung up, and quickly dressed. You rushed over to the hospital and up to Sarah's room, and are overjoyed to see her sitting up in her bed, chatting with Deb.
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