The lights go out at the house and I almost stumble over my mom.  Quickly regaining my balance, I go into the kitchen and find a candle stick in the drawer, along with a lighter and a holder.  Putting it on the table in the middle of the room, I watch as the flame casts shadows on the room around me.  

Glancing over at my mom laying on the couch, I wonder what happened now, but dismiss the thought for the moment.  It's best not to question something that I already know the answer to.  Instead, I go down to the basement with the flashlight of my phone on, so I can flip off the breakers.  

Seeing a call from Connie, I automatically suspect that there is something wrong and go on alarm mode.  Listening to the message, I learn that Lillian has fallen and hit her head when the lights went out.  She is in the hospital, and they are keeping her over night for evaluation.  

Wondering if she really fell and it's not the doing of George, I quickly call her back.  Connie answers immediately and sounds worried, "She fell when the lights went out, apparently the kids found her.  She had just left the table and was on the way to her room when lightening hit and the lights went out.  She lost her balance and fell, hitting her head on an end table in the hallway.  They said she has a concussion and are keeping her over night for evaluation till they can clear her."

Not knowing what to say, I hesitate before saying, "Is there any way I can sneak in there to visit her?"

Unsure, she answers, "To tell you the truth, I don't know.  If George isn't there, I can say that you are her brother, then they will let you in."

"Connie, I would be indebted to you.  I need to see her and make sure she is O.k."  I pray that she agrees to help me.

The phone is silent for a few seconds and then I hear her breathe quickly.  She answers hesitantly, "Yes, but if we get caught, the rest of your plan will never work, and you won't be able to ever see her again."

"Understood.  When can I pick you up?"

I hear her doing something on the phone and then she answers, "I am already at the hospital, so meet me here.  I don't see George around right now.  I believe he went home with the kids for the evening."

"O.K., I will meet you at the lobby.  If I see George around, I will not even try.  See you in a few."  Hurrying, I grab my keys and blow out the candle. 

Leaving a flashlight next to mom, I lock the door behind me.  Driving as fast as I dare, I enter the hospital parking lot and look around for Lillian and George's car.  Nowhere to be found, good.  

I briskly walk in and notice that Connie is standing by the fountain.  Meeting her there, I lay my hand on her shoulder.  "Connie, have you been up to see her?"

She looks up at me and stares blankly at my face.  Responding coldly, I can tell that something is wrong.  "She won't wake up.  The doctor's say that she has swelling of her brain.  I don't know what I am going to do.  She is my best friend."  Crying, I comfort her by holding her and gently stroking her hair.

I can't believe that I have just found the love of my life and have possibly lost her all-in-one week.  Why does it seem like the world is always out to get me?  First, I had to leave high school and then Danielle left me after getting pregnant with another man's baby.  Now, I found my soulmate and she could die.

Having to see her, I rub Connie's back and hurry her along.  I speak up, "Connie, I have to go see her.  Can we go now?"  

She looks up at me through red tear-stained eyes and nods.  I follow her up the stairs and we go to the second floor where the ICU is.  A doctor approaches us and Connie glances at me before she tells him that we are here to see Lillian.  She tells him that I am her brother and that I have come a long way to see her.  

The doctor agrees to let me in, but only for a few minutes and then I must leave, because she is in critical condition.  With Connie sitting in the waiting room, I walk into Lillian's room.  The first thing I notice is that she is hooked up to a million different machines.  

Trying not to touch anything, I carefully lean over and kiss her on the forehead.  Standing up, I watch her breath softly and hear the monitors beeping constantly.  Not wanting to unplug anything, I sit down and hold her hand.  

I just sit there for a few minutes not knowing what to do and then I remembered a movie where someone was in a coma and their true love kissed them on the lips.  After they did that and called their name, the love interest woke up.  Thinking it corny at first, I decided not to do it, but then realizing that the nurse was due to come in any minute to kick me out, I stand up and give it a shot.

Leaning over to kiss her lips, I feel how dry and cold her lips are.  I stand up and lick my lips, moistening them, so I can kiss her properly this time.  Leaning down once again, I kiss her and when I do, I could swear I feel her breathing pattern change.  Just slightly, but still, something to hang onto.  

Straightening up, I take her hand and call her name, "Lillian, please wake up, My Love.  Please, Lillian."  I plead with her, knowing that if she doesn't wake up within the first 24 hours, her chances go downhill steadily after that. 

Realizing that this might be the only time I will have to visit her, I try once more.  "Lillian, please.  I love you.  You are my one true love, and I can't live without you.  Please, wake up for me.  I will do anything for you, just wake up and name it.  Anything."

I sit down feeling hopeless and depressed, waiting for the nurse to come in and tell me to leave, when suddenly, the monitors start making warning noises.  I look down at her and her eyes start to flutter.  Her hands shake and then the nurses and doctors come running in.

One nurse wheels in the crash cart and another tells me to leave, motioning for me to get out of the way.  I look up at the monitor just before leaving and I see that she has flatlined.  Not wanting to leave her side, a doctor pushes me out the door and slams it shut behind me.

All I could do was go sit in the waiting room with Connie till we heard something.  Ten minutes later, a doctor comes out with worry on his face to talk to us.  When he tells us, a smile spreads across his face.  "I don't know what you did, but after she flatlined, she came out of the coma and now she is fine.  She wants to see the both of you, but only one at a time can go in and only for a few minutes."

Connie looks relieved and I tell her to go in first.  She had been waiting here the longest and she hadn't gotten to see her yet.  She turns to me and asks, "Are you sure?"  I nod and motion for her to hurry up.

Practically running, she speed walks next to the doctor and I watch her disappear into Lillian's room.  Sitting there, I thank God that she didn't die, and everything appears to be fine.  Now if the swelling goes down, she should be able to go home in a couple of days, so I can see her again.