Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever

"Are you out of your freaking mind, Aria?" Ian was going ballistic every time he thought about the words Aria had said to Noah and his family. Although it had been on the spur of the moment and she had told them out of her love and concern for Noah, it was still not something a doctor was supposed to do and he could not help but be furious.

"Do you even realize what you just did?" He fumed and Aria lowered her head immediately. Although she realized her mistake, she was not guilty about it. Not at all. Instead, she was hopeful and wished for her words to come true. Somewhere in her heart, she had an inkling that the old Carter would wake up soon and that was all it had taken for her to assure Noah and his family.

"I know whatever I did was wrong. But I couldn't help it at that moment." Aria retorted, trying to appease Ian in the meanwhile. "I couldn't see Noah in the situation he was in."

"Aria..." Ian let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "You do know what Grandpa's condition is. In such a situation, we ourselves as doctors are not sure if he will make it out alive. How can we assure his family? God forbid, what if something happens to him? Do you realize that the hope you have ignited in them would be extinguished and the consequences would be disastrous?"

Ian's tone softened and he lowered his head as he looked at Aria gently. "Do you have any idea how inconsolable Noah would be then?"

Aria had no words to refute this time and she kept silent. It was true that if something really happened to the old Carter, then Noah might just lose his mind completely, considering how much he loved the man and that was the last thing she wanted.

However, she loved him too and she could not see him suffer. Stuck in such a miserable situation, she had no choice but to offer him words of comfort, one that may never become true.

Silence ensued between the two friends, with neither knowing what to say to the other. While Ian kept his gaze fixed on her, Aria had her eyes lowered as she thought about Noah and his grandfather.

A knock at the door broke the awkward tension in the air and Ian stepped away from Aria immediately, surprised to see Noah and Rachel entering his office.

"Umm... Please come inside Noah, Rachel." He moved towards his chair and cleared his throat, trying to hide his frustration from his friends. However, the other people saw right through him immediately.

While Aria discerned the reason behind it and cursed herself again in remorse, Noah and Rachel observed Ian for quite some time.

"Is something the matter, Noah? Do you have something to ask me?" Ian broke the silence and brought up the topic, forcing Noah to speak.

"You do not have to reprimand Aria for what she did and said some time ago." Noah started, gaining both the doctors' attention to him. "I know what's happening and we are aware that my Grandpa's condition is quite critical."

"Noah..." Aria whispered and her eyes welled up immediately.

"I understand your concerns, Aria and they are justified. You just wanted to comfort me and I'm glad you did. I have no idea what was happening to me at that moment and I wanted words of assurance that my Grandpa would be fine and wake up soon."

Noah approached Aria and held her hands in his, startling her in the meanwhile. "Those words of yours calmed me down. Otherwise, I might have done something which I would regret later."

"Noah..." Aria's shoulders dropped in defeat and she hugged him immediately. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I did not know what to do at that moment. You looked so disturbed and distraught and I could not see you that way. So..."

"I understand, Aria. I really do. I do not blame you at all. In fact, you did the right thing. You calmed me down and that was important, considering how I was about to lose my rationality completely." Noah hugged her back and kissed her hair.

"I appreciate all that you said at that moment. And you do not have to scold her for this, Ian." He pulled back a little. Yet, did not let go of Aria. He still held her hand as he faced Ian, his expression grave and worried.

"We get it that Grandpa is serious." Rachel took over and brought up the topic which no one was willing to raise at that moment. "But how serious is he, Ian? And please be honest. We are prepared to hear the truth."

Ian let out a defeated sigh and shook his head. "His condition is not good at all and his chances of waking up are bleak." He pursed his lips as he looked back and forth between the brother and the sister. "I'd even say that he might not make it out alive from here."

Rachel burst into tears right away while Noah's face paled visibly. Even Aria felt her eyes stinging as she listened to Ian's diagnosis.

"We are just being hopeful and waiting for a miracle. It's all up to him now."

Once again, silence filled the place and this time, it was more daunting and uncomfortable.

"But miracles do happen. Right?" Rachel queried all of a sudden, her tears still running down her face. "You have seen people overcome situations like these before. Please tell me you did."

"I'll not lie to you, Rachel. Miracles like these have happened in the past. But they were all one in a hundred. I'll not guarantee anything about it for we never know." Ian did not hide anything and replied in all honesty.

"That's fine, Ian. I will hope for a miracle even if the chances are one in a hundred. There is still time and I'm sure my Grandpa will make it, considering that he is yet to see us, his beloved grandchildren getting married." Rachel wiped her tears and smiled faintly. "And he has to wake up. Otherwise, I'm going to haunt him in his next life."

And for the first time in hours, a smile made its way on everyone's faces.