Page 40 of Love and Loyalty
The room erupted in cheers, applause, and tearful hugs as the soldiers celebrated Drew's miraculous recovery. It was no wonder they were overjoyed; Major Mitchell was more than just a major; she was a beloved leader and a shining example of compassion, empathy, and kindness.
Her unique sense of humor, unmatched in its wit and charm, had a way of disarming even the tensest situations, leaving a trail of laughter and smiles.
Who could forget her infamous impressions, her uncanny ability to find humor in the darkest of times, or her quick-witted one-liners that always seemed to catch you off guard? She was easily loved.
Izzy tried to tone down the jubilation, but the soldiers were too far gone, their euphoria infectious and uncontrollable. With a warm smile, she conceded to their enthusiasm, asking Smith to assume command temporarily while she stepped outside. "I'll be right back."
As she exited the room, the cheers and whistles only grew louder, a testament to the depth of affection and respect the soldiers held for their beloved Major Mitchell. She took a deep breath, savoring the joy and gratitude that filled her chest, before breaking into a run.
As she raced to the medical center, her thoughts swirled with emotions. She wasn't worried about finding the right words to say to Drew; rather, she was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of feelings and sentiments she wanted to express.
The weight of their shared experiences, the depth of her love, and the relief of Drew's recovery all threatened to spill out in a torrent of words. She wanted to tell Drew how much she meant to her. But as she approached the medical center, she got scared and wondered if she'd ever find the right words to say the right things.
At the veranda, she met General Jackson and saluted him. Surprisingly, he didn't ask any questions; he just gave her a knowing smile and passed.
She was grinning from ear to ear when she entered Drew’s ward, and Drew sat up and gave her a smile, her beautiful green eyes sparkling in mischief.
Izzy's heart skipped. Drew's smile was ever so beautiful. “What did I miss?”
“Good afternoon, ma'am.” It sounded polite but very formal.
“How do you feel?” Izzy asked
“Very well, ma'am. Thank you, but I would like to talk to the doctor.”
Izzy stared at Drew. What was going on? Why was Drew acting official and asking her about the doctor? She was the doctor. “Are you okay? Come on, it's me, Drew.”
“You are a Lieutenant Colonel,” she replied.
Isabel's heart raced wildly. Could Drew possibly have amnesia? But there was no trauma to her head. She walked closer to her and held her head, examining it closely.
She needed to run several tests and examinations. Perhaps Drew had possibly hit her head. As she started to walk away, she felt a pair of hands hold her back. She turned to Drew. Fear, sadness, and desperation clouded her eyes.
“Izzy, you have missed a lot. All through the nights I spent here, I heard a certain beautiful woman comforting me. She said beautiful things, soothing words, and genuine confessions. I know I was sad and in pain, but those words were the best melody I've ever heard. That's what you missed.”
As Drew's words sank deep into Izzy's mind, her eyes welled up with a mix of emotions—tears of relief and joy, tinged with a hint of sorrow.
The overwhelming sense of gratitude that her beloved was alive and thriving was tempered by a pang of sadness, a deep ache in her heart that Drew had to endure such a traumatic ordeal.
But as she gazed into Drew's eyes, shining bright with love and strength, Izzy's sorrow gave way to a sense of awe and admiration for the strength and courage of the woman she loved.
“Don't you ever play with me like that again. I thought you had amnesia and couldn't remember me!”
“I'm sorry. I could never forget you, even if I tried. And believe me, I have tried; it's agonizing.” She laughed.
Izzy loved the sound of her laughter; it was therapeutic. It was as if the warmth of her laughter wrapped itself around her heart, chasing away the shadows of worry and fear that had lingered for so long. At that moment, Izzy knew that Drew was truly back.
No one else could pull off a joke like that, especially not when they were still recovering from a life-threatening ordeal. But Drew was no ordinary person; she was a force of nature, a whirlwind of love, laughter, and light that illuminated the world around her. And Izzy felt grateful to be the recipient of that love, to bask in the warmth of Drew's presence, and to revel in the sound of her laughter.
“Oh, my Sparkle. I have so many things to say, but I don't know where to start.”
“Although I have a very busy schedule, you can go right ahead, ma'am.”
“Oh, please don't ma'am me. It's a bit weird now.”
“Come here,” Drew said, tapping the side of her bed. “Sit here and tell me everything.”
She sat obediently. "I want to start by offering my sincerest apologies. I'm deeply regretful for the hurtful and thoughtless words I spoke to you when Sergeant Thompson passed away. It was thoughtless and I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong.”