21

Maven walked into Paul’s hospital room.

Vickie sat beside her dad’s bed, holding his hand, but jumped up and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here, Maven. I’ve got…uh…a family emergency, so I can’t stay. But I didn’t want to leave him here alone. Can you stay with him?”

“Of course, but what happened? What’s wrong?”

“Uh…oh, nothing…don’t worry, I’ll tell you later. I gotta go.”

“Can I help?”

“No. No. Nothing to worry about. It’s not that big of a deal, but I need to leave.” Vickie rushed to the door. “No time to explain. I’ll be in touch later.”

Maven turned to Paul. “What was that all about? Is she upset with me? Is that why she left?”

“Not at all, my love.” Paul grabbed Maven’s hand and pulled her forward. “She’s my daughter, and I love her dearly. But she can be such a drama queen.”

“I haven’t found that to be true at all. She’s been a rock through this whole thing.”

“Vickie? A rock? Really? She must be growing up now that she’s a mom.” Paul’s arms went around her.

“Well, I hope it’s nothing too awful.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “This family’s been through enough.”

“That’s it? A kiss on the cheek is all I get after all I’ve been through?”

“That is it. I won’t chance a relapse because you expended too much energy. Behave yourself.”

He pulled her closer. Her lips found his. When they parted, he smiled. “Much better for what ails me. Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are? I sure missed you.”

“I missed you more.” She sat down in the chair. “How are you feeling today?”

“Fit as a fiddle. The doctor says I might be able to go home today.”

“That’s wonderful. Did he say what time?”

“Are you kidding me? You know how hospitals are. Hurry up and wait.”

She laughed as she scooted the chair closer to his bed. “I don’t care. As long as I can stare at you. I won’t ever get tired of looking at that handsome face of yours.”

“Hmmph. So you say. Vickie did give me some news about Alicia and Freda. Both are in the hospital and being treated.”

“Did you remember what happened?”

He nodded. “A couple of days without the drugs and my memory came back. I think I’ve pieced it back together. After the bachelor party, Alicia showed up at my house and told me that she was having car problems. When I turned my back, she used a stun gun. I woke up in that milk house.”

“I still can’t believe it.”

“When I finally discovered it was Freda, I couldn’t believe it either. I knew she had to have had some type of psychotic break.”

“Well, she managed to fool me until I heard you yell. She told me it was cows. As if I’ve never heard a cow before.” She squeezed his hand. “Will there be charges filed?”

“Yes, but I’m sure they’ll take their mental states into account.”

“Poor Alicia. Being manipulated like that to help. That couldn’t have been good for her.”

“It’s all so sad.” He crooked his finger at her. “Time for another dose of those kisses.”

“Gladly.” She leaned down.

The door opened and Layla Coleman walked in. “Well, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No problem,” Maven signed and spoke as she moved out of Paul’s arms.

Layla held out her hand. She took a deep breath and said, “I’m Layla and I’m deaf.”

Paul’s eyes widened.

Maven’s filled with tears. What a huge step for Layla—to tell a stranger that. “I wanted to stop by and make sure you and Maven were OK. This woman of yours is a very special lady.” Layla pulled out a small whiteboard and handed it to Paul with a marker.

He jotted down a message and handed it back.

Maven moved closer to Layla to see what he’d written.

That’s for sure—you don’t have to tell me that. I’ve known that since the moment I met her.

“Oh, stop it, you two. This is not the Maven fan club.” Maven’s hands moved through the air as she spoke.

Layla laughed. “Maybe she should start one.”

Paul reached for the whiteboard again.

I know some other people who would join it. Me first!

The three continued the conversation using a combination of signs, voice, and writing. When Layla said goodbye, Maven walked out with her. She hugged Layla, then pointed at herself. ME. Using her thumb, she moved it up her body. PROUD. Then pointed at Layla. YOU.

Layla smiled. “You know what? I’m proud of me too. I can’t thank you enough, Maven, for giving my life back to me. I know I still have a lot of signs to learn, but I’m getting there.”

Maven’s hands kept moving. “I didn’t do all that much. I just showed you a few signs. You’re the one doing the real work.”

“Maybe, but I couldn’t have done it without you. I might not have the same life as before, but I think it’s going to be all right.”

Maven hugged her, then walked back into Paul’s room.

“Well, that was quite an experience. I think I need you to teach me some signs.” Paul had a big smile on his face.

“I can do that.”

A nurse walked in to take Paul’s vitals. “How are we feeling?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m wonderful.”

The nurse showed her appreciation for his humor by smiling. “That’s great to hear. The doctor said he’d be by in a bit to release you.”

“Do you have any idea when that would be?” Maven asked.

She hit a few buttons on the tablet she carried. “I guess it will be during his afternoon rounds.”

“OK, then I guess you’ll be having lunch here, Paul.” Maven grinned.

“I love hospital food,” Paul said with a smile.

Two hours later, they were still waiting.

“I don’t understand where the doctor is,” Maven said.

“Maven, if you have things to do, you don’t have to stay here. I’ll give you a call when I’m released. Or I can call a cab to take me home.”

“A cab? I don’t think so.” She shook her head. “It’s not that I have anything to do. I don’t mean to be grumpy. I just hate waiting. You know that.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want—”

She touched his cheek. “I am so sure. There’s no place in the world I’d rather be than with you. In a hospital, at home, in the woods. I don’t care where as long as we’re together.”

“In the woods?”

“Even the woods. I said I’d give that camping thing a try, but I can’t make any promises about liking it.”

“You’re kidding. You hated that idea when I suggested it.”

“I decided I love you more than I hate the woods.”

“Well, aren’t you a sweetie. So, why don’t you sit down and enjoy me?”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

An hour or so later, the doctor finally walked in. He pulled out a tablet notebook, hit a few buttons. After a few moments, he looked at Paul. “Well, everything looks good here. You ready to go home?”

“You tell me, Doc.”

The two men grinned at each other.

“From what I hear, everything’s ready and so are you.”

“Good to know.”

The doctor shook hands with Paul. “Take care. I’ll see you in my office for a checkup next week, right?”

“If you say so.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Pratt, for taking care of him.”

“My pleasure. The nurse will be in to have you sign a few papers and give you at-home instructions. Then you can go home.” He winked at Paul. “See you soon.”

“I’m counting on it. Thanks again.”

The doctor nodded and walked out.

Maven looked at Paul. “What’s he acting so strangely about?”

“What do you mean? I didn’t notice anything.”

“Really? He seemed a little odd to me.”

“That’s just Dr. Pratt.”

****

Maven pulled into her garage, then hurried to Paul’s side of the car. She opened the door and helped him out. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to your own side and lay down to rest?”

“No. I’ve been lying down for weeks. You can fix me a cup of coffee while I relax on your deck.”

“OK, but I don’t want you tiring yourself out.”

“I would never do such a thing.” He put his arm around her. “I think I’m going to enjoy letting you take care of me.”

“I know I will.” She rested her head against his chest. Thank You, God, for bringing him back to me.

When they parted, the two of them moved slowly to her door. Paul leaned against her garage wall while she unlocked her door. She held the screen open and he walked into her home.

Grateful tears filled her eyes.

It didn’t matter that the wedding was postponed indefinitely.

“Feels good to be home.” He sat down on a stool at the kitchen island and grinned at her.

“Feels better to have you home.”

“We should talk about the wedding.”

“There will be plenty of time to do that later. Right now, you need to recover and that means no stress. And everyone knows weddings are all about stress. Got it?”

“I got it. But does that mean you don’t want to get married?”

“Of course not. I want that more than anything, but we’ll do it when the time is right.”

“When do you think that might be?”

“Very soon, I hope.” She started making coffee. “Are you hungry? I can find something for you to eat.”

“No, but could you do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can you put your wedding gown on? Just so I can see what I missed.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“I am not. I know you must have looked so beautiful. Everyone else got to see you in it. Now it’s my turn. I want to see you in that wedding gown.”

“I’d feel silly.”

“And that will stop you?”

“No, I suppose not.” In her bedroom, she stared at the cream-colored wedding dress. Little had she known that Paul was struggling to stay alive while she’d stood there at the church, waiting. Paul was right. Putting on the dress would help the healing for both of them. She picked up the veil.

A few moments later, she opened her door. With a smile, she walked towards Paul and stopped with a small curtsy in front of him. His eyes were filled with love for her. How could she have ever doubted him?

“You look beautiful, Maven. You take my breath away.”

Her cheeks warmed, but she was too overcome to speak. He motioned for her. She moved into his arms. The warmth and safety felt so wonderful. So right. They stayed that way for a long time.

Finally, she moved away. “OK, I’m going to go change.”

“Not yet. I like seeing you in that. Let’s go sit on the deck for a few minutes.”

She didn’t have the heart to say no. “Fine, you go and I’ll carry out the coffee for both of us.”

He winced in pain as he stood.

She followed behind with the coffee.

They sat down at the patio table.

Maven looked at the sky. “The sunset will be beautiful tonight.”

“I believe you’re right about that. And I predict it will be even a more beautiful sunrise tomorrow.”

“You can’t predict that.”

“Oh yes, I can. I have powers, you know.”

“Oh, really. What sort of powers?”

“They’re secret. If I tell you, then I might lose them.” He was staring at the fence that divided their backyards. “I hate that fence.”

“Well, one of these days we can take it down.”

He stood up. “I think today is that day.”

“No, not today. When you feel better, Paul.”

“I feel fine.” He moved down the steps of her deck and picked up a sledgehammer. What was it doing there? She didn’t even own a sledgehammer. “That fence needs to come down right now. I’m tired of things coming between us.”

Lifting up the hem of her wedding dress, Maven moved down the steps as quickly as she could.

Paul lifted up the sledgehammer.

“You shouldn’t be doing that. You’ll hurt yourself.”

Before she could get to him, he slammed it into the fence. The fence toppled over.

Maven stopped and stared.

Paul’s yard was filled with people, and they were all staring at her—with silly smiles.

They weren’t just people. They were her friends and Paul’s. Vickie and Lizzie stood at the front. Dr. Pratt waved at her. Moses was jumping up and down with excitement. Lara was trying to calm him. Ella and her parents. Eric Donelly. Even Daniel Wright.

Vickie moved to Maven and hugged her. “Welcome to your wedding.”

“That is, if you haven’t changed your mind?” Paul smiled.

“Me? I showed up for the first one.” Maven wiped at the tears.

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” Paul laughed.

Lizzie was beside her, hugging her. “I can’t believe he actually got you in your wedding dress. He said he could, but I didn’t really believe him.”

“Oh, never doubt me, Lizzie.”

Paul’s brother walked over, carrying a jacket. “Speaking of clothes, here’s yours.” Jay helped Paul into it. “Are you two ready for this?”

Maven grabbed Paul’s hand. “I’m ready. How about you?”

“So ready.”

A hush fell over the crowd as music started.

Paul looped his arm through hers and led her to a flower-covered trellis. She leaned into him and whispered, “I can’t believe you arranged all this.”

“Lizzie and Vickie did all the work. I just asked them to make it happen.”

“What a wonderful surprise.”

“The first of many. I promise.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Once they were under the trellis, they turned to face the crowd.

The minister took his place. “Family and friends, we are here to witness the joining of this man and this woman. And may I add, this truly remarkable man and this truly remarkable woman. And I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say we are blessed and honored to be a part of this miraculous moment.”

Maven’s gaze met Paul’s as each reached for the other’s hands.

A few minutes later, the minister turned to her family and friends. “Let me be the first to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jordan.”