I believe in miracles.

As a doctor, that may sound like a contradiction but I know there is a God and a power mightier than what my human hands can do.

I stepped aside to let Dr. Chen check on Lola Paula.

Arizona cried and I held her in my arms till we were eventually ushered out of the room by the nurse.

From what I could understand from the situation, she was responsive, if slightly disoriented.

It had been more than a week since they induced the coma.

"Do you think she'll be okay?"

Arizona and I were seated in the waiting area.

She held on to my hand tight.

"Let's wait till we hear from Dr. Chen." I answered.

The first few minutes are critical and although I am hopeful, I don't want to give her any false information.

"I'd better call my family and tell them the news." She took the phone from her pocket and stood up near the railing, watching the people at the ground floor.

Since her return, we haven't had the chance to talk about anything else other than Lola Paula.

Ari looked exhausted but there was more to it than the situation with her grandmother.

I told myself to talk to her once everything settled.

Right now, I don't want to burden her with worrisome questions.

I saw Arizona pressed the phone screen, signaling the end of her conversation.

When she came back to join me, the door to Lola Paula's room opened and the doctor came out.

Dr. Chen had a smile on his face.

I braced myself for the good news.

#

Mr. Gomez cried as he hugged his wife.

"I thought I'd never see you again." He said to Lola Paula who patted his back to comfort him.

Everyone was crying including me.

Lola Paula needed rehabilitation for her to gain her strength.

She lost motor ability on the right side of her body and it will take time before she's able to walk or do things on her own.

The right side of her face drooped and she stuttered when she talked but her indomitable spirit and hope was very much alive in the glow in her eyes.

"It's my turn to take care of you, Paula." Mr. Gomez told her when Dr. Chen discussed the need for physical therapy and rehab.

They were all happy she was awake.

Recovery is a long journey but at that moment, they were celebrating her victory.

Seeing that they needed to be with Lola, I excused myself to leave.

Lola Paula waved her feeble hand for me to come closer.

Ari moved aside to give me space.

"Th..tha..thank...you." She whispered then gave me a hug.

I felt her tears rolling down her cheek and I cried too.

She was an incredible woman.

Lola Paula showed me kindness the very first time I met her.

During the time that Arizona refused to talk to me, she encouraged me to focus on my dream.

"People come and go, hija, but as long as you work toward what you really want in your life, things will eventually get better." She advised.

Life did get better and when I graduated, I visited her and Mr. Gomez to personally thanked them for all their help.

For Lola Paula, her support encompassed my scholastic needs.

It had more to do with Arizona and my broken heart.

"You're welcome, Lola." I replied.

When she let go of me, Mr. Gomez also did the same.

"I don't know what I would do without you."

It was an unexpected gesture.

I didn't quite know whether to hug him back so I did.

Jeff did the same thing.

He also thanked me for helping his parents.

Before I left, I told them to call if they needed anything.

#

     I was about to enter the elevator when I heard Arizona call me.

Holding the door open, I waited for her to get in.

"What are you doing here?"

The door closed and she pushed me on the wall, kissing me hard on the lips.

I was surprised but opened my mouth when I felt her tongue grazed my upper lip.

There are nine more floors before we reach the basement parking lot.

Touching her neck, I drew her closer to me.

I felt her warmth and breathed in the sweet scent of vanilla on her skin.

When the elevator stopped, Arizona stepped away while I touched my tender lips.

Two of the hospital staff came in.

They smiled when they saw me and nodded towards Arizona.

When they asked if I was back at Santos Gen, I told them the same answer.

In turn, they responded with disappointment.

They got out on the fourth floor but before they left, told me I should come back.

"We need you, Dr. Perez." One of the women said to me.

"They love you." Arizona said as soon as the door closed.

I held her by the waist and kissed her gently on the neck, drawing a soft moan of satisfaction from her.

"I love you more, Arizona."

I felt her shoulders tensed as soon as I said it.

Realizing my mistake, I loosened my hold.

"I'm so sorry."

She placed a finger on my lips.

"Don't ever be sorry." She whispered.

"But you're getting married?"

She shook her head.

"We should talk about that over dinner. Just the two of us." She moved closer till our bodies touched.

"I don't understand."

"You're the one I want, Julia. All this time, it has always been you no matter where I am or who I'm with."

"But what about Helena?"

Sadness passed across her face at the mention of her fiancée.

Over the years, I have learned to read cues.

The look in her eyes told me what I needed to know.

But instead of jumping up and down with excitement or raising my fist in the air, I sensed that the breakup wasn't amicable.

"I'm sorry, Ari."

"Don't be. It was my fault. I should have been more honest with her."

The elevator stopped and we waited for the door to open.

It was empty on the parking lot and we walked in silence to the parking stall.

When I reached my car, I didn't unlock the door.

Arizona reached for my hand, stroking my knuckles and my palm.

"Will you give me another chance?" She said, almost in a whisper.

I didn't answer.

The pause was long enough to make her uneasy.

She let go of my hand.

"I guess that means no then?"
I stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her neck.

"Does this look like a no to you?"

Before she could answer, I covered her lips with mine.

I closed my eyes and felt her tears rolled down.

Arizona wrapped both arms around my body and in the silence of the parking lot, I said yes with a kiss, screaming on top of the mountain, over the hill and across the river.

If she could see inside my head, she would see the words written in the clouds, in big bold letters.