My final wish has come true
a kiss’, expecting she’d say something like, ‘I’d give you a slap’. “But she didn’t. And that was it. No one was surprised.
“The nurses had even bet on who would ask who first.”
Just weeks later, Darren’s condition worsened and he was put on the transplant list. By March he was given 24 hours to live after a cardiac arrest.
Incredibly donor lungs were found and he had an eight-hour op at the Royal Brompton. Darren said: ” When I woke up I couldn’t speak but knew I had another shot at life. So I asked for Lauren by making an L shape with my hand.” Then he wrote on a scrap of paper, ‘ Will you marry me Lauren?’. She said yes and has kept his proposal note in her purse ever since.
Darren, of Fulham, moved into Lauren’s flat in Watford a month later. He said: “Living together was amazing. We had an unusual relationship, though. Most couples argue over what to watch on TV. We argued about fridge space for our medicines.” But their joy was short-lived when Darren’s health deteriorated and he was admitted to Harefield last month.
His new lungs were rejecting him. There was nothing doctors could do.
UNBEARABLE
Lauren recalls: “That was the most horrendous, unbearable day.”
Then Antoinette stepped in. “She’s been fantastic and offered to organise the wedding. She did it in a week,” said Lauren. Well-wishers doubled her GoFundMe target of £1,500 – chipping in for Lauren’s wedding dress, food and flowers. Lauren said: “I feel like we owe them everything.”
Her bridesmaids were sisters AnneMarie, 32, and Abigail, 13, and and sister- in- law Chelsea, 26. Darren’s parents Lisa 52, and Darren Snr were there with Lauren’s mum Samantha, 49, husband Phil and dad Tony, 62.
The reception was at a nearby private home, Black Jack’s Mill, donated by the owners. Darren said: “It was the greatest day ever. My only concern now is Lauren will be stable. I have put away money for her as well as a box of my things to keep. I want her to be happy.”
Lauren added: “Having CF, you know it takes everyone in the end. We had so many plans for our life together that we’ll never achieve, but at least we’ve achieved this.”