"Ella! Ella!" A teary voice whispered her name. Her eyes fluttered weakly when she heard her mother's voice, but she kept them shut. "Sweetie, can you hear me?"

Ella squeezed her eyes tight, her head numb from the throbbing headache, which could've been worse without the strong drugs she was on. She was in the hospital again. She could tell. She could smell the scent of sanitizers she'd grown familiar with. She could hear the rhythmical beeping of the heart monitor, assuring her she was still alive.

Eyes still shut, Ella asked, her voice raspy. "Mom! Is Eric here?"

"Right here, love," Eric said softly. She heard a faint squeak of stretched leather and his deep, tender voice caressing her right ear. "I'm here."

Ella inhaled and stayed still when she felt his warm presence inches from her hospital bed. She didn't turn her face. No need to remind herself she wasn't going to see him again.

A big comforting hand slid to embrace hers. Invisible fingers gently caressed her forehead. "How do you feel?"

" I feel... drained." She pressed his hand and smiled tightly. "How did I do?"

"Perfect as always." His thumb circled slowly, soothing the back of her right hand. "The audience was hooked by your performance."

"I don't remember what happened next," Ella whispered, biting her bottom lip, afraid to move her head an inch and provoke the headache and dizziness.

"You had a seizure on stage, sweetie." Mom's voice came small and trembling from her left. "The doctor said it's normal after your surgery. You'll be fine."

"No, mom! You know I'm not fine. Don't try to sugarcoat it." Ella raised her voice a notch, which made her headache increase. The rhythm of the heart monitor sped up. It was ridiculous how everyone seemed to treat her like a baby. Like she couldn't handle the truth. She was done for. A useless shell.

"Ella, please, don't start this argument." Eric pleaded. "Nothing is bad as long as you're still here with us."

"No, Eric! It is bad! I'm not really here. This damn radiation therapy took away my eyesight. I'm having seizures doing the only thing I love. I can barely see you, mom, my favorite piano, or even a simple music sheet. How's that not bad?" Her voice broke and she inhaled sharply, her heart beating faster, the beeping sound giving her away.

Mom sobbed in the background.

"Mom. I'm sorry. Could you give us a minute?" Ella gulped, her mouth dry, a twinge of guilt consuming her for sounding so harsh with her.

"Alright, sweetie," mom murmured. A chair scraped the floor and her footsteps faded out.

Ella pulled her hand from Eric's and carefully brought her left hand over her chest, trying not to pull out the needle inserted under her skin. She fumbled with her third finger and tugged at it.

"I want you to take this back." Ella yanked out her engagement ring and held it out in her open palm, her face toward the ceiling. She couldn't really see anything clearly, but she didn't want to glimpse Eric's face at this moment. Not even a blurry shadow. She could still visualize every detail, nonetheless. She could imagine his deep-set hazel eyes, under the excruciating frown, upon his tanned forehead. All she wanted was to see him smile one more time, but it was no longer a possible wish.

"Ella, No!" Eric's voice cracked. "You can't do this."

Ella could almost hear him shake his head vigorously and push his soft brown hair back, like he'd always done when he was distressed.

"I just want to release you from this commitment, Eric." Ella forced the words out of her mouth. "You shouldn't be with a half-woman like me. You deserve better."

"That's the most stupid thing I've ever heard," Eric groaned. "Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?" Eric's hot breath brushed her cheek, his face seemed level with hers on the uncomfortable pillow. He rested his head next to hers.

Ella turned her face to Eric and realized her pillow was soaked wet with her tears, which she didn't seem to notice. She wondered if this meant she was losing her tactile sense . Or that the radiation had damaged more nerves in her brain, in the process of post-surgery treatment.

"I'm doing this because... because I love you!" Ella began to sob, as if finally acknowledging her tears. "You deserve a real wife."

"I deserve you. Only you. Don't you understand? I don't want anyone else," Eric whispered through her slowly growing hair, his warm fingers stroking every inch of her face. "I'll marry you right now."

Ella clung to his hand roaming around her skin. It comforted her that she could still feel his warm touch. She'd only miss his face so much. "I miss you, Eric. I wish I could see you again."

"You can, my love." Eric's fingers wrapped around hers and pulled her hand up to touch his face. "Knock yourself out." He chuckled.

A little smile touched Ella's lips, while her fingertips travelled to each spot of Eric's face. His hand was on top of hers and something new was happening. She was seeing Eric anew. Her fingers grazing his features reminded her of playing the piano, her next favorite thing in the world. A new level of connection seemed to register in her tired brain. He was hers and he would never let go. He was willing to give her anything, and she loved him so much even if he wasn't. Losing him would be the end of her life as she knew it.

"I don't want a wedding." Ella wet her lips.

"Anything you wish." Eric nodded, still holding her hand to his face. He lifted it for a second, kissed her palm and placed it on his cheek once more.

"And I don't want to stop playing. I'm afraid it's going to be difficult to perform." Her eyes finally fluttered open. She only saw lights and moving shades, but nothing more. She convinced herself it didn't matter. As long as Eric was by her side.

"Your talent is invincible. As long as we're together, I won't let you give up." Eric grabbed her left hand, took the ring from her palm and lifted it carefully "May I have the honor?"

Ella nodded, wiping her tears with the other hand. Eric placed the ring back on her finger and kissed her knuckles softly. "I love you, Ella."

***

Two months later...

"Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do. Seriously, how hard can it be?" Ella stroked the piano keys. She shook her head and laughed. "Have you ever watched The Sound Of Music?"

A cheerful laugh rumbled in Eric's chest, resonating through her spine and shaking her whole body.

Eric glued himself to her back and coiled his arms around her. "Hey, it's not my fault I can't concentrate on learning anything when you're so close like this."

Ella nudged him gently in the ribs, a flush warming her cheeks. "Get over yourself, Eric. The honeymoon is over already."

"So? Am I supposed to stop loving you after the honeymoon?" His lips tickled the back of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You'll never learn how to play the piano. I swear," Ella sighed, a wide smile glowing on her face.

"I don't care. As long as I can hear you play." His arms tightened around her waist and he pulled her closer to his chest. "Do you remember the first song I heard you perform?"

"Chopin Nocturne No. 20." Ella didn't forget. It was the first time they'd met in that charity event.

"Would you play it for me?"

"Sure. At least there's something I could do for you." Ella turned her face to kiss her husband on the cheek.

"Hey! Don't ruin the moment, babe," Eric whispered, pushing a short lock of her hair behind her ear. "I thought you know by now. You are all I ask for."

"Even if, someday, I couldn't... play anymore?" Ella asked in a low tone. She had this fear still. Being completely useless to the only man she loved.

"Ella, I love to hear your music, but only because it's a part of you. Even without it, you'd still be the same Ella I fell in love with. Kind, sensitive, loving, generous, honest and above all, you'll always be my Ella. Even when you lose your teeth and you have a million wrinkles."

"Oh, Eric!" Ella's breath faltered and tears gathered in her unseeing eyes.

"Hey, hey!" Eric pinched her cheek lightly. "Don't try to evade my special request. I may have other plans to fill my spare time."

Ella giggled and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "OK, OK! Would you give me some space here? I want to concentrate."

"Yes, ma'am!" Eric suddenly scooped her up in his arms and got up from their seat.

Ella gasped.

Eric placed her back gently on the piano seat and stood up behind her, massaging her shoulders. "Just a little warming up," he joked.

Ella turned her face and planted a quick kiss over his hand that soothed her shoulder. And then she began to play. Only for him.

Her unconditional love...

***

Contest prompt for (Writing Contests) held by Grace! Page_Of_Pages

((WON FIRST PLACE!))

This is probably my first story in Third person narrative and I'm sure I messed up a lot. Please , point out any issues when you find them.

I hope you enjoy the story. Have a lovely days :)