The nurse smiled and nodded appreciatively.
Meg leaned down and kissed her mother on the forehead. Creed held Margo’s hand for a moment and offered a gentle squeeze. “We’ll wait outside with that coffee, Dr. Winter. You just holler when you’re ready for it.”
“Thank you.”
“No, don’t thank me. It’s just coffee.” Creed shrugged sheepishly, shoving his large hands into the front pockets of his blue jeans.
“I mean, thank you for taking care of my Meggie,” Margo clarified. Her eyes shined with genuine gratitude.
“I love her and her family,” He confessed.
“You are a blessing to our family,” Margo smiled softly. She was already feeling a little sleepy, but was fighting it so she could look strong for the sake of the children.
Meg and Creed walked out of Margo’s room and quietly closed the door behind them.
“Those two are just precious together,” Barbara commented as she checked Margo’s bladder and bowel maintenance equipment. Inside, Margo sighed heavily. She suspected the surgery must not have helped. She couldn’t feel anything the nurse was doing to empty her colostomy bag or catheter for urine collection. But she also knew it was probably way too soon to know for sure. There would be swelling after the surgery. It may be a long time before she knew any more than she did right that moment.
“Yes, they are.”
“Will there be wedding bells soon?”
“I hope not,” Margo coughed. “My daughter is only sixteen and Creed is eighteen!”
“Oh, I’m sorry dear. They just look and act so mature,” Barbara backpedaled.
Margo pressed her lips together, trying to think of what to say.
“They have had to endure a lot in their young lives. It would mature anyone.” Margo sighed deeply, feeling every bit her forty-two years.
“Well, I have a feeling about those two,” Barbara kept talking as she began giving Margo a sponge bath.
“They’re so young, but I think you may be right. Sparks flew the moment she met him,” Margo smiled at the memories. “But life is so fleeting,” she sighed. “Half of me wants her to grasp love with both hands and not let go because her future isn’t guaranteed.” Margo caught a curious look on the nurse’s face. “I mean, life can take some very unexpected turns.”
She stared at her useless legs. The nurse nodded, accepting Margo’s explanation, completely oblivious of the real reasons that Margo wished her daughter happiness today with the boy she loved. How could anyone understand the peril her children must face daily just because of what they were made to be?
“Okay, Dr. Winter,” Barbara said, as she repositioned her blankets. “Are you ready for me to invite your daughter back?”
“Yes, thank you, Barbara.”
The plump nurse moved with purpose to the door and opened it widely. Margo heard her say, “Oh, Doctor, you’re here. Well our patient is all cleaned up and ready for your visit.”
Margo looked anxiously over at the doorway.
Instead of Dr. Gentry, in walked Theo.
“Hello beautiful,” he said with a shy smile as he passed her the lidded cup of coffee Meg handed him moments before.
“Hi, um…I’m sorry, I thought you were my doctor. I’m so nervous about the exam he’s sure to perform this morning.”
“Have you prepared yourself for the worst, Margo? I mean, really it’s probably too soon to tell if the surgery was successful. You know that, right?” Theo’s soft blue eyes took in her pale skin.
“I know, but it’s so difficult. How can one prepare for being told they’ll never walk again?”
Theo nodded gently, pursing his lips together as though desperate to reassure her that everything would be okay, but unable to give her false hope.
“Where are Meg and Creed?”
“Just outside waiting. I asked for a few minutes alone with you.”
“Oh?”
“Margo, I know you’re going through a lot right now. I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I wasn’t there for you in Germany. Maybe if I’d been there…”
“You would have been killed, like I almost was,” Margo’s eyes flashed with darkness at the memory of the pain ripping from her lower back, down her legs. It was the last time she felt anything below her waist.
“I hate how we left things,” Theo said softly.
“Me too.” Margo sighed.
“I’ve loved you for too many years to let you just leave me without a fight.” His blue eyes flashed with determination, then softened. “Please don’t fight me.”