Charlotte's POV

My long brown hair covers the mistakes that could've ruined all that we had. But it's there, the freshly raised scar that hopefully becomes unnoticeable when it heals like my last one. I can feel it now, every time I run my hands through my wavy hair. Always reminding me of the choices I made and how they affected everyone I love.

I will always feel guilty for trying to push Levi away and convincing him to get back to his life in London, when clearly he wasn't ready, and I wasn't ready to let him go.

The day Levi surprised me at the hospital plays out in my mind over and over again. He's never been good at hiding his true emotions, his big aqua eyes give everything away. Even when his voice is silent, I can always see him speaking through those big orbs. Every facial feature of his is perfectly proportioned, but those eyes are so captivating and capable of releasing every strength and insecurity that he has. Probably one of the reasons why he is such a good actor, he can portray any story just by looking at you.

When I heard his crutch tap the floor and I turned to look at him, all I could see was wild blue ocean. Sadness, fear, guilt, pain, and love all swarming around in his beautiful globes. His gaze immediately averting towards the floor so I couldn't read him. He looked a mess. His longer than usual dark brown hair falling over his brows, his face pale and his tall frame hunched over, resting most of his weight on his crutch. Did I do this to him? I thought.

He looked so nervous standing just inside the door to my room. All thoughts of my own troubles flew right out the window at the sight of him. God, how I've missed him.

I reached my arms out towards him, directing him to come over to me. All I wanted at this point was to embrace him and never let him go again. He leaned on  his crutch and hesitantly limped over to me. I felt so bad seeing him in physical pain and his eyes couldn't hide his emotional pain either.

I made a mistake letting him go back home too soon. I was selfish, trying to hide my brain tumor from him, I see that now. I don't know if I was trying to protect him or if I just didn't want anyone seeing me vulnerable by  trying to keep my secret. Maybe it was a little bit of both, but it sure as hell didn't work out best for any of us.

He sat on my bed next to me not knowing what to say. He thought I would be mad at him for showing up here, but I felt the exact opposite. He felt ashamed for letting me go through everything alone and he was scared for me. I told him everything I could think of to reassure him that none of it was his fault; his blue irises gleaming at me when I told him how much I love him.

That's all he needed to hear, my unconditional love for him, that he ignored the pain in his leg and got down on his knee to propose.

The rest of the night we spent holding each other and talking. We both admitted our fears about my surgery the next morning. I wasn't as afraid for myself as I was for Levi though.

Landon told me how depressed he was in London without me and that he kept alone to himself in his room; skipping therapy and limping around in pain more each passing day.  He wasn't yet ready to let the world see he still has obstacles. He needed me just to be there for him and I needed him to be here for me. My stupid mistake! I now know and will try not to let that happen again.

The next morning my parents arrived to see me off to surgery. Levi kissed me and called me his fiancé , which made me happy but my parents heard him and I'm sure the three of them spent the rest of the day waiting for me in awkward silence.

Laying on the operating table, all I could think about was Levi. I have already caused him so much guilt and worry, this day was going to be hell for him. I just hope I make it through this so we can move on from our mistakes.

Counting backwards from twenty as the anesthesiologist placed the sleeping gas over my mouth, I pictured Levi sitting in the waiting room anxiously trying to massage his painful leg spasms while my mom clutched to my dad... then I felt a tear roll from my eye as I drifted to sleep.

After an unknown amount of time passed by, I remember trying to wake up a few times but I couldn't open my eyes. I heard scattered conversations going on from the doctors and nurses and could feel my body being moved around. I tried again to open my eyes but could only hear Levi's voice whispering that he was proud of me and that he loves me. The third time, I felt him squeeze my hand and my eye lids finally peeled apart from each other, revealing a dimly lit room. I opened and shut them a few times before everything was in focus. My head was pounding and a mask was covering my mouth and nose. I struggled to remove the oxygen mask until I felt Levi's hand removing the mask for me. My lips immediately forming a smile knowing he was with me.

He looked so happy and relieved when he told me the surgeon removed the whole tumor. I was even more relieved. So, I tried to ignore the stabbing pain in my head and reached out my arms for him to hug me.

I told him to let my parents in and watched Levi struggle to walk with one crutch as he left the room to get them. Shit! I wish he wasn't struggling. Well now we can both recuperate together I thought.

My mom came rushing into my room with my dad following behind. She hugged me right away then wiped the happy tears from her eyes. My dad came over and planted a kiss on my cheek. I showed them my engagement ring, nervously waiting for their reactions. Turns out I had nothing to worry about because they both hugged me and told me how happy they were. Deep down I know my dad is probably a little disappointed in my choice of husband, but he also just wants me to be happy. He knows Levi makes me happy. And when my father gets to know him better, he will see just how incredible Levi is.

A few hours after being in the recovery room, I was brought back to my regular room. Levi never left my side. Although he was trying hard to comfort me, all I wanted to do was comfort him. He was in a lot of pain, he couldn't hide it behind his tell-tale eyes and all the wincing he was doing.

"Take off your brace and lay down next to me," I demanded. I couldn't take him being in pain any more today. My headache was annoying but the way my stomach churned seeing him in pain was even more irritating.

I had the nurse bring in a heating pad. " Put this on your leg and try to relax," I tell him while he lays next to me.

He laid his head back on my pillow, being careful not to hurt me and I hear a long breath escape his full heart shaped lips. He must've been holding everything in for a while because now he looks a little more peaceful.

"You're amazing," he whispers. "Still trying to take care of me right after you went through life-saving surgery," he softly adds.

He intertwines his fingers with mine, and I look over at him to see his eyes closed and a relieved smile on his face.

" Aren't we a pitiful looking couple right now," I chuckle and he chuckles back.

" A pitiful couple in love," he smirks.

There is a lot we need to figure out, but with this tumor out of the way, I am ready to take on whatever life throws at us.