Sacrafice Of Love

                                                                         Chapter 20

Arnold got up first the next morning and was going to make breakfast. Trace was still asleep, it had taken a long time to fall asleep that night, so he decided to leave her. Going past Odeds room he opened the door to see what he wanted for breakfast, he was always up by this time. What he saw, when he opened the door shocked him. There was Oded and Tanith, sound asleep together. Tears filled his eyes and a smile went across his face. He quietly closed the door and went back to Trace.
“Tracy, wake up Trace” he called.
“Arnold, I was having a lovely dream” she moaned.
“Tan is back” he said.
“What, where?” she said jumping up.
“Calm down, her and Oded are asleep together, he must have gone to find her last night. Leave them for now, they’ll be down soon enough”
About an hour later, Trace could stand it no longer, despite what Arnold said she was going upstairs. She knocked on the door and Oded said come in.
“Tan!” she yelled running over to her and hugging her.
Oded left them alone and went downstairs. All Arnold did when he saw him was hug him.
“I’m so glad you find her, you look happier than you have for weeks”
“I am really happy she’s here but I also know we haven’t got long together. But I’ll try and make it happy for her. And we’ll have to get your wedding sorted out too”
“We have to go back to Morocco next week, what happens then?” asked Arnold.
“Well, if she wants to, she comes with us, if not I take time off whether Steven likes it or not. She is not being alone, under any circumstances”
“How is she, generally”
“She says shes tired, in pain and finding it difficult to walk a lot. I think its worse than she is letting on but I won’t push it”
Later that day, Tanith was laying on the sofa in the den where Oded had made her go. Arnold sat with her while Oded was on the phone to Steven.
“I’m so glad you are back Tanith, Oded has been hell to live with”
“I’m glad to be back with you all. The White Lady told me that I could spend the time with you. They relaxed their decision”
When Oded came back, they all sat down to talk.
“Tanith, words cannot express how I feel about what you did for me. I have so many different feelings. Guilt, anger, gratitude, love, I don’t know. Why did you do it, why did you give your life for me?”
“There is only two reasons. One is because I have never done anything in my life worth while and two, because I love you more than life itself. I told you, I’d put my life on the line for you and I meant it”
“I know you said you would as a quick reaction to something happening, like someone pulling a gun on me or something, even then I didn’t really believe you’d do it but to deliberately offer your life for mine and calculate when you were going to do it. I feel very humble”
Arnold and Trace had left them alone and Tanith pulled Oded to her.
“Sweetheart, you mean everything to me, you have so much to give, in your life, your job, to your friends, you deserved another chance. My life is at most, disappointing and not worth anything. So, no more of this, you are going to live and I am going to die, my choice. All I ask is that you be happy and take care of Arnold and Trace”
Oded laid his head on her lap and his body shook with sobs. It tore her apart to see him like this, she didn’t want to leave him but that was the condition.
“Oded can I come to Morocco with you, I know you have to go back in a few days, and I want to be with you. You can tell the cast I was in a car accident if you like, they don’t need to know the reason I can’t walk much”
“Are you sure you feel up to it” he asked “I’ll stay here if you’d rather”
“You will do no such thing, you have a job to do and a contract to fulfil. No. I’m coming with you”
“Tan” said later, “Me and Arnold are going to arrange the wedding after the filming is finished, is that ok with you?”
“It’s your day, you do whatever you want, I’ll go along with it.”
She kissed them both and asked where Oded had gone.
“I don’t know, he has been on the phone a couple of hours but I don’t know what he is up too”
He came back in and told them about Peter, the accident and how he had
spent time with him the night he found Tanith.
“He is coming over tomorrow and I’ve decided to pay for the operation he needs. I can afford it, I just saw Arnold when I looked at him, with the burns and scars plus he is in a wheelchair”
“Can anything be done?” asked Tanith.
“I’ve arranged for a specialist to come over tomorrow while he is here to have a quick look at him, if he thinks he can be helped, then I’ll arrange it”
“See, you are a wonderful man Oded” said Tanith.
“No I’m not, I have the opportunity to repay my good health by helping someone else. If you’d have seen his eyes light up when he saw me, it was wonderful”

                                                                       ~*~*~*~*~

                                                                        Chapter 21

The next day Oded and Arnold got the place ready for Peter. Tanith had taken some extra morphine as the pain was bad and she was laying down.
“Are you alright Tan?” asked Trace
“I will be as soon as this stuff kicks in” she replied. “I haven’t told Oded just how much pain I am in and I don’t want you to either, he doesn’t need to know”
“But he would help you, he loves you”
“No Trace, I mean it, not a word ok”
She promised and helping her Tan get dressed, they went downstairs. It took he quite a while to walk down and when Arnold saw, he picked her up and put her in the chair in the den. Oded had driven over in the 4 wheel drive to pick up Peter and his parents. Tanith told Arnold the same thing as she told Tracy.
“I don’t want him to worry alright, he’ll have enough to cope with knowing I am going to die in a few weeks. I don’t want him to know about the pain. I can do this if you and Trace help”
“You know we will Tanith” replied Arnold “But there will come a time when you will have to tell him”
“Tan can you help Peter?”
“Not this time Trace, I haven’t the strength to do that sort of healing anymore. I might be able to ease his pain a bit but that is all”
A hoot from outside meant Oded was back and as they went to the door, he came in pushing Peter through the front door. His parents were behind him.
“Peter this is Tanith, Arnold and his fiancé Tracy” he said.
Then he pushed Peter into the den, Tanith followed and saw Oded put Peter near the pool and Arnold was talking to him. Oded wanted to speak to his parents.
“I’ve taken it upon myself to ask a specialist to have a look at Peter. If he can help, I am going to pay for all the operations he needs. Is that Ok with you?”
Peters mother hugged Oded and told him thank you but couldn’t except it.
“Look I want to, money is no object. Please let me do this, I was given a second chance at life not long ago but I am losing Tanith to cancer, I can’t help her but I can help Peter”
“Oded if you are sure” said Peters father. “Then God bless you and yes we will except your help. We love Peter more than anything, if he has a chance to live a normal life, then how can we refuse, eh Julie”
“Thank you Oded but how do we repay you”
“The only payment I need, is to see Peter running around like any other boy of his age”
They had a great day, the man came to see Peter and arrangements were made for him to go into hospital in 5 days time for the operations. As they got ready to leave.
“Look are you doing anything in the next couple of days?”
“Apart from getting Peter ready for the hospital, nothing really”
“Well, we leave for Morocco in a few days but how would Peter like to come to the studio and meet the rest of the cast. It’s all arranged, a car will take you tomorrow”
They tried to refuse but Oded and Arnold would have none of it. They said their goodbyes and said they would see them in a couple of days.

                                                                        ~*~*~*~*~

                                                                         Chapter 22

Within 2 days they were at the studio. Tanith had to use a wheelchair for some of the time and she had told Oded to tell the others the truth or at least part of it. It wasn’t any good lying about it. He introduced her to John Hanna and left her with him while he grabbed Steven.
“Hi Tanith”
“Yes, I’m Tracys friend”
“Oh right, I’ve never seen Arnold happier than since he has been with her. What happened to you, if you don’t mind me asking”
Oded came back in time to hear what she told John.
“I’ve got cancer, with only a few weeks to go. There is nothing to be done, I just decided to spend my time with Tracy, Arnold and Oded”
“I’m sorry, I thought it was an accident”
“John, I’ve asked Trace and Arnold this and now I am asking you, look after Oded when I am not here. Promise me John”
“Ok I promise, are you two?”
“Let’s just say I love him very much and I just want to make sure he is taken care of when I’m gone”
Tears filled Odeds eyes as he heard what she said. Even now she was only thinking of him. How was he going to cope when she was gone. He hadn’t realised just how much he loved her till now.
“Ah John, there are a couple with their son Peter coming to the studio. I want them to be given star treatment”
John asked why and Oded explained about Peter’s accident and that he was going to pay for the operations.
“That’s a lovely thing to do Oded but can I ask why?”
“Meet me in the dressing room in15 minutes and I’ll explain”
Oded had to give John a brandy after he had told him the whole story.
“I know it’s hard to believe but I can take you to the doctors and they will tell you. Tanith has taken on my illness and I can’t help her but I have the opportunity to help this boy. A repayment to whoever helped me” he said looking up “Oh and please keep this to yourself ok”
“Sure but how long has Tanith got?”
“Only a few weeks, that’s why I’m taking her to Morocco with me, we have to finish filming and I am not leaving her here”
“We’ll all make sure she is okay, you know that Oded”
Peter and his family were having a great time. They had met all the actors and Steven. The day after he would go into hospital for the main op and then to see the other about skin grafts.
Trace had decided to have a word with Peters parents.
“Do you believe in healing?” she asked.
“Yes I do, but we did try that 2 years ago, we never found anyone to help”
“I want to try something, I can’t help Peter’s back but I may be able to heal his scars so he doesn’t have to have the skin grafts”
“Yes, we’ll do anything for our boy, when do you want to do it?”
“What about tonight. We’ll come to your room when you let us know he is asleep. Is he a deep sleeper”
“No but he has to take sleeping pills or his back keeps him awake”
They left and Arnold took Trace in his arms.
“You are wonderful you know”
“I just think that this way, he may not have to have the skin grafts. You know how painful they are”
“Yeah, I would imagine they would hurt more than the burns”
Arnold went and told Oded and Tanith what Trace was going to do.
“That would be wonderful if she can” said Tanith “I had forgotten Trace could help. His back needs the operation because it is broken but she can help his scars”
Tanith looked really pale all of a sudden and held her stomach. Arnold nodded to Oded.
“Babe are you alright?” he asked going over to her.
“Yes this pain is getting worse, I’ll have to take some more tablets. Could you pass them over please”
Oded got them out of the bag and Tanith took 3 with a glass of water, Arnold left them alone. Tanith had her head on Odeds shoulder as he held her.
“God I wish there was something I could do” he said with tears in his eyes.
“Sweet Oded, you are, being here with me and what you are going to do for
Peter is wonderful”
“But I don’t want you to die, I’ve realised just how much I love you and now it’s too late”
“I love you, my darling more than you will ever know”
She kissed him and wiped the tears away. Then she laughed.
“You’d better not let the guys see you, you’ll never live it down. The Med-jai commander crying”
“Don’t laugh at me” he said slightly angry.
“Oh baby, I’m not, I was just thinking of you. Come here you big lug”
That night Arnold and Trace went over to Peters room. Trace went into to him while Arnold stayed and talked to his parents. She had told them to give her a couple of hours, to relax and not to worry. Arnold put them at ease while Trace was with Peter. John asked him about the acting and how he had got into it. In fact Trace came back out after about an hour. She was tired, it took a lot out of her and Arnold gave her a cup of tea.
“How is he?” asked his Tan.
“Go in and see” said Trace.
When they all went into the bedroom, Julie and John cried. As they looked at Peter they saw that nearly all the scars were gone. The only ones left were on his head where the hair hadn’t grown back.
“One more session with him should clear these too” said Trace.
Julie and John hugged her and Arnold.
“Words cannot express how grateful we are to you. The thought of all those operations for skin grafts was scaring me. I’ve heard they are more painful”
“He looks great, I’m so proud of you” said Arnold
They left and said they would be back the next day.

                                                                    ~*~*~*~*~

                                                                    Chapter 23

Oded was with Tanith in the hotel room, she had been sick a few times and he had called the doctor out to her. The doctor wanted her to go into hospital but she had refused.
“If I have to at the end I will. But there is nothing the hospital can do, I’m better off here”
She hated hospitals and with the morphine tablets, there wasn’t any need to go in. Oded told her what he was going to do that night.
“You can’t, you’ll get fired. Steven has only just got you back. Plus we go to Morocco soon”
“I am going to fake a fall and then get taken to the hospital, that way we don’t have to go and we can stay here so you can get proper help”
“I won’t allow it Oded. This is not fair, it’s making me feel guilty. Maybe I
shouldn’t have come back”
“For once you will do as you are told. Anyway we have a wedding to sort out.”
Tanith knew when he was in this mood, she was wasting her time. Oded wanted to do this and secretly she was glad, she had dreaded the flight. Later that night, she was sitting in the lounge of the hotel, with Peters family, when someone came running in and said the Oded had fallen down the stairs.
They hurried out and found him laying on the floor, he was out of it and they were waiting for an ambulance. It looked like he had broken his leg but they weren’t sure. As the ambulance left, Trace called Steven and told him what had happened, Tanith and Arnold had gone with him to the hospital.
By the time Steven got to the hospital, Oded had a plaster on his ankle and was laying on the bed in a private room. All sorted by John.
“Oded how are you feeling?”
“Like being hit by a truck” he lied “I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going”
One of the doctors came in and Steven asked about Odeds condition.
“Well he has mild concussion and a broken ankle. He won’t be able to do any acting for at least a month”
“Shit, you’ve really done it this time. Ok thanks”
“So what happens now?” asked Oded.
“You go home and get well. There is nothing else to do”
He left fuming but knowing he had no choice but to let Oded go home. He couldn’t work with a broken ankle.
“You ok Oded, you didn’t really hurt yourself did you?” asked Arnold.
“No, I’m fine but Steven is pissed. I’m staying out of his way for a while”
“Come on let’s go. Me and Trace are going to see Peter. I want you to see him soon”
When Oded got back to the hotel, he took the cast off. Tanith was laying on the bed asleep. He laid next to her.
“Hi babe, how did it go?” she asked waking up.
“Great and was Steven pissed and the look on Johns face was a picture”
“You are sure you have done the right thing?”
“Yes I want to be with you, I love you Tanith and want us to be home not in Morocco, where there are few hospitals and medical help”
“Come here, you gorgeous man”
He smiled and moved closer, taking her in his arms.
Back at the hotel where the actors were, Steven was still fuming.
“John I want to see you now” he yelled down the phone “In the bar”
John knew he had to keep up the story, so went down to try and keep the peace.
“I want to know what the hell went on tonight. Why wasn’t he watching what he was doing, had he been drinking?”
“No, it was an accident, you will just have to put off his parts till later. What else can you do” he said.
John didn’t look at Steven, he avoided his gaze.
“Ok what’s going on John?”
“Nothing , nothing at all”
John left but Steven was sure something was going on, he would make a few enquires.

                                                                      ~*~*~*~*~

                                                                      Chapter 24

A week after they got back to the house, Arnold’s wedding had been arranged for 2 days time, at the local church in Robinson.
Oded had driven Tanith and Trace to get the dress and when she tried it on, she looked lovely. Trace had persuaded Tanith to choose a long dress to match.
“I want you to look nice for Oded and it is my wedding”
Arnold had invited his friends from the film and they were at the church waiting. Unbeknown to either him or Tanith, so was Steven.
As far as she knew, Oded was going to give Trace away. But when they arrived at the church, Steven was waiting for them.
“Where is Oded, he is supposed to be doing this?” asked Tanith.
“Change of plan, I’m doing it”
Tanith looked shocked and disappointed she had thought Oded wanted to do it. Obviously not.
“I’m sorry Trace, I thought he’d agreed”
“Doesn’t matter Tan, come on”
As they walked down the aisle, Tanith saw Arnold waiting for Trace and Oded was with him. Tanith glared at him as they got to the priest. As Arnold stood beside Trace, Oded stood beside Tanith. Then came the announcement.
“We are gathered here today for the marriage of Arnold and Tracy, and Oded and Tanith”
Tanith looked shocked at Oded, tears in her eyes.
“Well, will you marry me?” he asked.
“Are you sure, I mean I only have a few weeks left. It wouldn’t be fair to you”
“Will you marry me, yes or no?”
“Yes I’d love to sweetheart”
After the service, they all walked back out of the church.
“Thanks Steven” said Oded “I’m glad you agreed to do it”
“Look I only did it, because I know what happened at the hotel and why”
“What do you mean?” asked Oded.
“That you did it because Tanith is dying of cancer and you wanted to be with her. Then when Trace asked me to give her away because you wanted to get married too, I thought it was a selfless act.”
“Thanks Steven, you’re one hell of a boss”
“If you had explained everything, I would have agreed, no problems”
The newlyweds went back to the house because Tanith wasn’t feeling well and Steven and the guys went back to a hotel in Bismarck for a big party that Steven had paid for.They hadn’t wanted a reception but told Steven to buy the guys a drink on them”
“Oded I love you so much” said Tanith as she laid on the bed.
Suddenly the phone rang, Oded swore then answered it.
“Damn, who’s that? Hello, Julie, Hi, how’s Peter?”
“He is going in for the op tomorrow, he should have had it done last week but he had a cold and they couldn’t do it. I didn’t bother you as I know Arnold was getting married”
“Thanks Julie, ok, we’ll be there day after tomorrow. Oh and by the way, me and Tanith got married too”
“Congratulations, Oded we’ll see you soon”
“I feel a bit guilty, I had forgotten about Peters op tomorrow. I did know, the doctor rang me a couple of days ago. We’ll have to go up there and see him”
“You haven’t seen him since Trace worked on his face have you. He looked great”
They ended up in bed the rest of the day and night, only getting up when their hunger got the better of them”
Arnold and Trace were already up and were joined by Oded and Tanith. He carried her downstairs as she felt very ill when she got up and could only manage a piece of toast.
“Is Tanith ok?” asked Arnold.
“No, she is not well today. We have to go to the hospital tomorrow to see Peter. I’ll have a word with the doctor while we are there”
Later that day they were in the den, Oded and Arnold were talking, Trace was sitting with Tanith who was laying on the sofa, watching TV. Suddenly a bright light filled the room and the White Lady appeared but this time not alone. A man all in blue was with her.
“Greetings to you all “ she said.
“Welcome my Lady”
“I have come with one who is above me. His name is Athos and we are here for a special reason”
“You are always welcome here” said Tanith.
“We have followed what you have been doing. You’re sacrifice to Oded, Oded’s love for you, his selfless act in helping Peter and now he has married you knowing you are going to die”
“So what can we do for you my Lady?”
“It is not what you can do for me, it is what we are going to do for you. We are not going to allow things to proceed as they are”
“You mean you want her now” said Oded getting angry.
“No Oded, we don’t want her at all. We will release her from her illness and you will carry on your life as before”
“My Lady” said Tanith bursting into tears.
“Athos will release you but the others must stand back”
They moved away from Tanith as Athos walked over to her. He covered her with a bright blue light. She felt the tiredness, pain, everything leave her. Then he walked back to the White Lady.
“It is done, live your lives as best you can, love each other and never fear anything anymore”
“We don’t know how to thank you” said Oded hugging Tanith. He held her tight, tears rolling down his face and mixing with her tears. Trace was crying too and Arnold couldn’t help a tear himself.
“Goodbye and if you need us, call upon us, blessings be to all”
Then they were gone before anyone could say goodbye. Oded picked Tanith up and swung her around.
“Right let’s go and celebrate” said Arnold “Tanith I am so happy for you and Oded”
He hugged her and gave her a big kiss. Then they all grabbed their coats and went out. None of them believing how lucky and honoured they were to be given a second chance.

                                                                     ~*~*~*~*~

                                                                     Chapter 25

The next day they all went to the hospital to see Peter and were shocked to see him sitting up in bed. Oded gasped at Tracys work.
“Peter how are you doing pal?” he asked.
“I feel great Oded” he replied “I don’t know what to say. Tan told me you paid for all this”
“It was my pleasure, it’s just fantastic to see you looking so great”
His parents came in and thanked all of them for what they had done.
“The doctor says he could be walking within weeks and we are so grateful to you. Thank God you knocked on our door that night”
“No problem, we have to leave soon, as we have a flight to get. But let us know how he is getting on. We’ll be back in a week”
“Thanks again” said Julie.
Just as they were about to leave, Peter called Oded.
“Oded”
He turned to look at him.
“I love you Oded, bye”
Oded went over and hugged him and choked back a tear and then arm in arm they all left for the airport. But they had a new chance, all of them. They were off to Morocco to finish the filming. As they got to the door, Trace put an arm through Arnolds and Odeds and said.
“How would you like to be a dad and you an auntie and uncle”
“Trace, you mean, oh sweetheart” said Arnold.
Arnold was so happy and they all hugged Trace before walking to the limo and got in. This drive was the start of their new life together.