Chapter 3

By late afternoon, the Reed family had arranged transportation for the trip to the restaurant. Sheldon, Caroline, and Oliver sat together in the back seat.

The whole ride, Caroline sat between the two men and fussed over Oliver. She adjusted the air conditioning, got him a blanket and some water, and even peeled fruit for him.

Sheldon sat to her left, watching her and Oliver chat away. Then, he quietly turned to look out the window.

They were barely halfway there when the rain started coming down in sheets.

The road was dark, and the car ahead had its high beams on. As they drove downhill, the glare momentarily blinded their driver. He couldn't make the turn in time and crashed straight into the guardrail.

The moment danger struck, Caroline instinctively pulled Oliver into her arms to protect him.

The windows shattered with a crash, sending glass flying everywhere.

Sheldon, on the far side, was badly injured, and blood soaked through his clothes. Pain wracked his entire body. He felt as though he were falling apart.

Through his fading consciousness, he saw the right-hand door open. Caroline hurried Oliver out of the car and called the hospital while gently reassuring him.

She acted as though she'd forgotten Sheldon was in the car, showing him no concern whatsoever.

When the paramedics arrived, they said the more seriously injured person needed help first.

But even with Sheldon lying in a pool of blood and Oliver pale with fear, Caroline hesitated for only a beat before deciding to take Oliver to the hospital first.

Just like that, Sheldon watched the vehicle disappear into the distance. His vision began to blur, and tears streamed down his cheeks before he could stop them.

After more than 20 years together, it took only one look from Oliver for Caroline to choose him.

Sheldon's eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The pain that had been tormenting him gradually began to fade, too.

Before another ambulance could arrive, his vision went black, and he passed out.

…

Sheldon didn't know how much time had passed before he heard voices around him.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Diana patting her chest. Relief and worry were evident in her voice as she exclaimed, "Thank God, Sheldon! You're finally awake!

"It's a good thing they got you here in time. You lost so much blood that the hospital might not have had enough to give you. How is it that Oliver only got a scrape on his hand while you were hurt so badly, when all three of you were in the same car?"

Lewis, too, sighed in relief. He picked up his glass of water, took a sip, then said, "Of course Oliver barely got hurt. Caroline protected him!

"Going through something like that together can really bring two people closer, and he was so touched by what she did for him."

He went on, "I just stopped by his room next door, and Caroline was feeding him oatmeal. You should've seen how those two looked at each other. I'd say it's only a matter of time before they get together."

Sheldon listened quietly as his parents talked about Caroline and Oliver. When they'd finished, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "How long was I out? Is the immigration paperwork ready?"

"You've been out for two whole days. We were worried sick! Don't worry about the paperwork. It should be ready in a little over three weeks. Just focus on getting better."

A wave of relief washed over Sheldon when he heard there was less than a month to go.

…

Over the next few days, Sheldon kept hearing from the nurses about everything Caroline was doing for Oliver.

She stayed by his bedside day and night. Whenever she heard him coughing in the middle of the night, she'd grow worried and ask the nurses for some hot water.

Caroline fussed over every dose and kept candy on hand, so Oliver wouldn't have to taste the bitterness. Worried he'd get bored being stuck in his room, she went out of her way to find games and other ways to keep him occupied.

Sheldon listened without saying a word.

As a nurse wheeled him down the hall for a follow-up exam, he heard a commotion nearby.

When they passed the room next door, Sheldon glanced inside and saw Caroline standing before Oliver with a huge bouquet of roses, confessing her love.

"Oliver, I fell for you the moment I saw you, eight years ago. All those times we happened to run into each other weren't coincidences. I was finding excuses to be around you.

"I remember all the things you like, and I know what your dream is. I never got to tell you how I felt back then. So now, will you give me a chance?"

Her voice was tight with nerves and hope. It reminded Sheldon that she'd been planning this confession for a month before Oliver left the country.

Caroline had missed her chance back then, but she was only a few years late.

When Oliver said yes, Sheldon let out a soft laugh and turned toward the examination room.

The moment he turned away, the crowd broke into applause.

Caroline turned at the sound and saw Sheldon being wheeled off. Her smile faltered, and an uneasy feeling stirred inside her.

Yet, the unease passed almost immediately. A wave of happiness crashed over her as she opened her arms and threw herself into Oliver's embrace without a second thought.