Chapter 2
And then she heard it � a faint sound behind the wall.
Annabelle jumped, relief washing over her like a tidal wave, and then rushed over to the secret entrance to the cave.
He was there, standing next to Tornado, his face buried in the horse�s mane.
�Diego��
He turned at the sound of her voice, and she gasped in horror at his appearance. He was soaking wet; his face, hands, and clothes were covered with mud. His left sleeve seemed somehow darker than the rest of the shirt, and her eyes widened as she noticed a thin trickle of blood that dripped down his arm, leaving small drops of crimson in the dust of the cave�s floor. He started toward her and suddenly faltered in mid-step.
Annabelle rushed to his side to break his fall, but, unable to keep her own balance under his weight, she dropped to her knees along with him.
His face was now on the same level with hers, and she was struck by the intense, almost unbearable pain that shone in his dark eyes. That pain had little to do with his wound, she was certain of it. It was something else � something deeper, stronger.
�Diego, darling, what is the matter?� her voice was filled with worry, as she took his face in her hands.
�He is dead, � Annabelle,� he whispered hoarsely, nearly choking on the words.
She shuddered, as the agony of loss, unbearable loss, distorted the handsome features of his dear face.
�H-how?� she asked in a trembling voice.
�I � he�� that was all he was able to utter.
Suddenly, the numbness that held his heart in a tight vise shattered like a glass wall, and all of the built-up pain broke forth much like a river does when its raging energy is released, as a dam holding it in breaks down under the intense pressure. The violent, uncontrollable sobs shook his body; tears ran down his cheeks, forming clear streaks in the layer of mud that covered them.
Annabelle held him in her arms, hugging him close all the while that he wept. Her own eyes filled with tears at the sight of this strong man who now seemed so lost and helpless � like a child. She listened in worried silence, as he recounted to her the terrible events of the few hours ago through the tears that broke his voice. Her heart ached at the extent of pain that her loved one was feeling right now.
She remembered the words her father had spoken, after having finished operating on a young woman whose pregnancy complications had resulted in a loss of her unborn child: �Her physical wounds will heal soon enough. It is her heart that I am worried about. Hearts take much longer to heal � some take forever�.� That phrase echoed in her mind, as she held him, rocking him gently like a baby in her arms, whispering soothing words into his dark wet hair. �It will be all right, my darling. It will be all right.�
They remained in the same position, crouched on the cave floor, clinging to one another, while the rain kept pouring outside�.
***
Later that night, she awoke with the realization that he was not lying next to her. Panic overtook her for a moment, as she sat up on the bed, looking wildly around her. He was nowhere in the room.
�Diego,� she called out quietly. There was no response.
The rain had stopped some time ago, and no more sounds disturbed the night�s quiet reign. She was alone in her room.
Annabelle felt a chill run through her body, and suddenly an idea flashed in the back of her mind, cutting through the dark blanket of fear that seemed to overpower her but a moment ago.
Quietly, she slid off the bed, and, throwing a light satin robe over her nightgown, she walked out of their bedroom. Her step was lighter than air, as she crossed the small hallway leading to the nursery. Carefully, trying to preserve the slumberous quiet of the hacienda, she opened the door and stepped inside, lingering at the doorstep to let her eyes re-adjust from the dimly-lit hallway to the serene darkness of the room only slightly diluted by the faint light of the moon that streaked through the windowpane, reflecting upon the clear rain drops that still covered the glass. She saw him then, sitting by their son�s cradle, his back to her. The old nanny slept peacefully in her bed a few feet away from the door, unaware of either one of them come in.
Annabelle smiled softly to herself and walked slowly toward her husband. She hesitated a moment before placing her hand on his shoulder. She felt him tense briefly at her touch, but the tension soon disappeared. Without turning, he placed his hand on hers, drawing her closer, and Annabelle responded, protectively wrapping her arms around him, pressing herself tightly against his strong back.
No words were exchanged between them. None were needed.
The pain in Diego�s heart was strong and would take a long time to heal. But he will not have to face the healing alone. She will be there at his side every step of the way, just like he always was for her. And together they will get through this � no matter how long it would take.
All that was understood between them in the silence of the room. �Love and care,� her father said to that distraught woman�s mother after the operation , �that is what she needs right now most of all. Lots of love and care.�
�Love and care,� Annabelle reiterated in her mind, hugging him even closer, and Diego closed his eyes gratefully.
�I love you, darling,� his words were barely more audible than a light breath of air, but they were clear enough for her.
She bent her head down, until her chin touched his shoulder. Her lips brushed his ear, her breath tickling him softly. �I love you, too.�
The end