Two weeks later, God answered their prayers.  All the scans and tests showed the swelling of Wade’s brain had gone down considerably, and the doctors and Jordan couldn’t see any long-term damage. 

                        Kelsey and Eve hugged each other and cried tears of joy, while Pastor Kellerman and Miss Millie cheered and praised God.  However, the doctors told them not to be overly enthusiastic until they’d brought him out of the coma, and asked him questions and tested his fine motor skills.

                        Kelsey’s breathing ceased and her grip on Eve’s arm tightened as Wade’s eyes flickered open.  He groaned, and Kelsey prayed it was only because of stiffness and not from unbearable pain.   Wade's eyes opened and closed several times because of the bright lights, but once they had adjusted, his forehead furrowed.  After scanning the room, his eyes rested on her and Eve and gave them a small smile.  Wade grimaced as he tried to talk, and rubbed his throat.

                        Dr. Kaufman studied Wade closely.  “Don’t try to talk now.  Your throat is sore and dry because of the breathing tube we just removed.”  He poured some water into a cup and put a bendable straw in it.   “Here.”

                        After Wade managed a few sips, Kelsey kissed his cheek.  “I’m so thrilled you’re awake.”  She brushed a stray tear that escaped from her eye.

                        Eve pushed an unruly curl from his forehead.  “You gave us a scare, young man.”

                        Kelsey knew Eve tried to joke, but her voice faltered, and Kelsey wrapped an arm around her.

                        Wade choked out, “What happened?”

                        “You were driving down a narrow and windy road when a drunk driver came toward you, fast.  You swerved to miss him and hit a tree.”  Eve stroked his hand.  “You’ve been in a drug-induced coma for two weeks.”

                        Wade knitted his brow, and then his eyes wide as he remembered.  

                         “Sorry,” Dr.  Kaufman said, “but I need to ask Wade some questions and examine him.  Please, wait in the waiting area.                           We’re going to move him to a regular room soon.”

                         Kelsey was loath to leave Wade, but knew the doctor needed to be sure everything was okay.

                         “We’ll see you after while.”

                         Wade gave them the sign language of "I love you" and smiled.

                          Kelsey and Eve replied in unison, “I love you, too.”

                          As they made their way to the waiting area, guilt that Jordan hadn’t been there when they had pulled Wade out of the coma, tugged at Kelsey’s heart. 

                           “You’re frowning.  What’s wrong, my sweet girl?”  Eve laid a hand on her shoulder.

                           The endearment that Eve used for Kelsey touched her.  Over those couple of weeks, Kelsey, Eve, Jordan, and Miss Millie had gotten close.  They had all taken turns reading and talking to Wade, and when one of them needed comfort, they were there for that person.  For Jordan especially. 

                            One day, Eve had taken Miss Millie back to the hotel to rest, she and Jordan were eating in the cafeteria while they were doing tests on Wade.  Jordan told her about his own father dying when he was three, and he didn't have a father figure, except for his grandfather, who didn't express his love for his family openly.  Jordan said that he was scared that he wouldn't be a good father and that he would fail his children.

                             "I failed Christina by not fixing the balcony railing.  That’s why I pushed Wade away."  Tears welled in Jordan's eyes, and he hung his head in shame.

                             While Jordan's logic baffled Kelsey, she knew he needed words of comfort.   “Wade will forgive you.”

                             “I hope you’re right, but I said outrageous things to him.  Things a father should never say to his son.”

                             “You’ve hurt Wade, I know.  I heard your distant words to him on Christmas, and saw how your manner had affected him.”

                              “And you’re willing to overlook my coldness?”  He shook his head.  “Why?”

                              “I believe people deserve second chances.”  Kelsey ate a spoonful of soup.  “You didn’t fail Christina.  Accidents happen.”  Her eyes glistened with tears.  “Wade didn’t want to hit that darn tree, but he did so that he wouldn’t hit Hank.  Only God knows what will happen, and we can just put our faith in Him and trust He has a plan.”

                              “You’re a wise young woman.  No wonder my son fell for you.”  Jordan rubbed his chin.   “Until recently, I hated God for not stopping Christina from falling somehow.  Maybe by having someone dial the wrong number and making Wade wake up in time.  Oh, I cursed Him so many times, and scoffed at His name that I’m not sure He’s listening to my prayers for Wade.”

                              “Have you asked God’s forgiveness with a contrite heart?”

                               Jordan nodded.  “I prayed for a good half an hour after one of my sessions with my grief therapist.  My therapist talked about asking people that we hurt, for forgiveness.  First, I called Wade, and I’m sure you know it didn’t go well.  I didn’t know where to start.  I just said that I regret what I said to him, and I’m sure Wade thought I said that because I had to, not because I wanted to.”

                              Not wanting to say he’d hit the nail about what Wade had thought, Kelsey glanced down at her bowl.

                              “I thought so.”  Jordan pushed his soup away.  “So when I got home, I pulled my Bible from my office’s bookshelf and read Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son, and when Jesus said He forgave us seventy times seven.  I prayed to God that He would forgive me for turning my back on Him and my son.  I asked the Lord to help mend the rift between us.”  Jordan ran a hand down his face.  “I hope it isn’t too late.”

                              Kelsey heard Eve calling her name, and she snapped back to the present.  “Oh, I’m sorry.  I just feel bad Jordan wasn’t there when Wade woke up.”

                              “Jordan thought that Wade would rather see you than him.”  Eve tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.  “He didn’t want to upset Wade.”

                              Miss Millie and Jordan stood when they walked into the waiting area.

                             “Well?”  Miss Millie asked, impatiently.

                             “Wade’s awake, Mom.  He seems to have his memories.  He recognized Kelsey and me.  The doctor is examining him and asking questions now.”

                             “That’s good.”  Jordan let out a sigh of relief.  “As long as Wade wasn’t agitated when he saw you.”

                             Kelsey sat down in a chair by Miss Millie.  “He was a little confused, as you could imagine.”

                             “My poor boy.”  Miss Millie shook her head.  “I’m always confused when I wake up after surgery.  The longest I’ve been out was twelve hours, so Wade will probably be surprised that he had been in a coma for two weeks.”

                             Kelsey took Miss Millie’s hand in hers.  “Yes, but he’ll be fine, that’s all that matters.”

                             “I’ve been a pastor for forty years and I’m still amazed at the power of prayer and God’s healing touch.”  Pastor Kellerman pulled out his phone.  “I need to send e-mails to people on the prayer chain with the good news.”

                             Jordan turned to Eve.  “I need to call John.  He and Rose are waiting to hear the news.  You should inform your family, too.”

                            "I'll send a group text," Eve said, laughing.  "That's the easiest way to tell forty people."

                            Miss Millie added, "My brothers, sisters, and their children will want to know that Wade is out of the coma, too."  She turned to Kelsey, smiling.  "That's fifty more people.  We take God's command to be fruitful and multiply quite serious in our family.  I'm just warning you."

                             Kelsey wasn't scared off.  "That's fine.  I've always wanted a big family.  Now that Wade's out of danger, maybe we'll talk about our future.

​

​

​

***

 

                              When Kelsey told Hannah that Wade was awake, her daughter whooped and yelled so much it sounded like she was at a Texas A&M game.  Kelsey returned to Wade’s family, laughing and told them.

                               Jordan smiled.  “Hannah’s a sweet girl.  I liked getting to know her the couple of times she was here.”

                               “Thank you.  If I let Hannah have her way, she would be here every day.”  Kelsey put her phone back in her purse.  “I promised she could come and visit Wade when he’s stronger.”

                              “Yes, Wade will need rest and a little physical therapy to regain his strength.  That’s normal.”  Then Jordan put his elbows on his knees and frowned.

                              Kelsey’s heart stopped.  “Is there something y’all aren’t telling me?  Did Dr. Kaufman talk to y’all?  Did he find something wrong with Wade?”

                              “No, he told us Wade’s memory and motor skills are fine.”  Eve put a hand on her husband’s shoulder.  “Wade wants to talk to his father.  Jordan’s just anxious to see why he wants to speak to him.  I told him he has nothing to worry about.”

                              “It’s more than that.”  Jordan twisted his wide gold wedding band.  “I have a speech I prepared in my head, asking Wade to forgive me, but I’m not sure it’ll come out as planned.”

                              Kelsey walked in front of Jordan and touched his shoulder.  “Just speak from your heart.  When can he talk to you?”

                              “Wade needs to rest today.  I will probably talk to him tomorrow.”

                              Kelsey gave a small nod, praying the talk would have a happy outcome.

 

***

                              Wade fumbled with the remote and cut the TV off as his dad walked into his room.   All night, Wade had tossed and turned, not knowing if his dad would believe Christina had visited him while he was in the coma.  Heck, he wasn’t sure anymore if it had been real.

                              But I need to try to make our relationship better.  For everyone’s sakes.  Wade sat up straighter in bed.  “Hi, Dad.”

                              “Hi.”  He approached the bed.  “How are you feeling?”

                              Wade shrugged.  “Less weak than yesterday, but I’m still real thirsty.  At least my throat is better and, I don’t sound like Bea Arthur.”

                              Both men laughed.

                             “Your mom loved The Golden Girls.”  Wade's dad shook his head.  “I didn’t know why.”

                             “I think because of their friendships and being there for each other.  It was funny, too.”

                             “I guess.  I never watched it.”   His dad sat down and scanned the room, as was his habit when he wanted to think of something to say.  Then he smiled.  “I got to know Kelsey real well during these couple of weeks.  I like her.  She’s a kind and caring person.  If Kelsey wasn’t with you, she was helping your mom with your nana or at home with Hannah.”   He chuckled.  “Hannah has plenty of opinions.  She and I had a spirited debate about if Texas A&M University was the best college or not.  She made some good points, but I think I made enough merits for our alma mater, Baylor University.”

                             Wade didn’t hear what his dad said about Hannah.  He couldn’t believe Kelsey had driven from Kirchville to San Antonio and back every day.  “I wish I hadn’t inconvenienced Kelsey.  I know she has special orders to do, and being away from the bakery is costing her.”

                              He felt his dad’s hand on his shoulder, and when he peered into his eyes, Wade saw tenderness instead of the harshness he had come to expect.  In fact, his dad hadn’t said an unkind word to him since he walked in.

                              Could I dare hope Dad has changed?  Or is this change in attitude because I was in a bad car wreck?

                              Then his dad’s prayer echoed in his head.  “Lord, I know I haven’t talked to you in years, but please, help heal my son quickly, so I can finally ask him to forgive me.  I know that sounds selfish, but I need to tell Wade the reason why I blamed him for Christina’s death was because I was blaming myself.  I was pushing him away because I felt I didn’t deserve him.  I know I’ve hurt my only son, but I want to be a better father and I pray one day he’ll forgive me.  Just please give me a chance.  Amen.”

                              “Kelsey’s mom took over the bakery and she made the rest of the special cakes.”  His dad smiled.  “Being around the Meyers, even for a little while reminded me how a family should be.  Stepping up when something happens.”  His dad’s eyes misted up.  “I know ever since Christina died, I haven’t been a father to you.  I’ve said despicable things to you over the years, and I wish I could take all of the hateful words back.”

                              Swallowing hard, Wade said, “I understand.  Your dad died, and you didn't have an example of a good father.  You were afraid you that you wouldn't be a good father when you had kids."

                              His dad stood and turned his back.  “I-I shunned you, and then when you were around I pushed you away with my words.  I didn’t want to fail you like I failed your sister.”

                              “Dad, please, look at me.”

                              Slowly his dad turned, seeming not to care if his teary face showed.  This was a changed man indeed.

                              “You didn’t fail Christina.  It was an accident.”  Wade sighed.  “I blamed myself, too.”

                              “I didn’t help,” his dad said, with disgust in his voice.

                              “We all grieve differently.  Christina loved us so much that I know she would want us to get along and love each other.”

                              His dad nodded.   “I remember she would cry when there was disharmony in our family.”

                             “Especially when you and Uncle Walter fought.”

                             “Yes.”  His dad wiped his eyes.  

                             Wade, pleased at how things were going, knew he had to be completely truthful.  “The things you told me through the years did hurt, but being in an accident made me realize we aren’t promised a tomorrow as Kelsey reminded me recently.”  He sucked in a haggard breath.  “When you called me a month ago to say you were sorry, I thought you did it to appease

Mom.”  Wade held his hand out to stop his dad from interrupting him.  “However, I see in your eyes and your words that you mean it.  I want us to start acting like a father and son, as what we were before.”

                              His dad smiled.  “I’d like that.”   He hugged Wade. 

                              Wade felt another pair of arms sweetly embracing them.  Knowing he and his dad were the only people in the room; he wondered what it was, but then realized who it had to be.  Christina.  Thank you, baby sister, for helping me to reconcile with our dad.

                            His dad pulled back, eyes widen, and his mouth agape.  “Did you feel that?  Christina hugged us and gave me a butterfly kiss.”  His voice cracked when he said, “That was our thing after I read her a story and tucked her in wherever I was off, remember?”

                            “Yes.”

                            “I haven’t gotten one since before she died.”  His dad dried his eyes.  “Now, I’m filled with love and peace.” 

                            Wade nodded.  “Christina wants us to be happy.”

                            “You’re right, son.”  He squeezed Wade’s arm.

                            “Now that Christina has made her presence known, I can tell you what happened while I was in the coma.”

                            His dad sat down in the chair near the bed and leaned forward.

                            As Wade told his story, his dad hung on every word and when he got to where he saw him praying in his car, his dad was shocked on how accurate it was.

                            After they sat in silence, both thanking the Lord He sent Christina to Wade, so they could finally mend the rift between them.

​

***

 

                            Kelsey waited patiently in Wade’s room while he was with the physical therapist.  Happiness filled her that Jordan and Wade mended things up between them.  She had stopped by their hotel suite before coming to the hospital. 

                            When Jordan answered the door, he’d had a big smile plastered on his face and the sadness in his eyes had disappeared.

                            “Come in,” Jordan said with glee.  “We were hoping you would stop by.”

                            Kelsey stepped inside and took the seat he gestured to.

                            “Can I order you something from room service?” he asked.

                           “No, thank you.  I’ve eaten.”  Kelsey smiled.  “From your smile, I take it that your talk with Wade the other day went well.”

                           “Better than I had dared to hope.”  Jordan sat in a stuffed chair.  “I’m surprised you don’t know what happened.”

“I didn’t want to call and disturb him.”

                           Eve and Miss Millie emerged from the bedrooms.  Eve’s face glowed as she made her way to her and kissed her cheek.  “I thought I heard your voice.  How are you?”

                           “Fine,”  Kelsey said. “But y’all are more than fine, for which I’m glad.”  She smiled at them.

                           Miss Millie sat beside Kelsey and let out a satisfying sigh.  “I’m so thankful Wade and Jordan patched things up.  We can have it like it was before, without walking on eggshells.”

                            “It was way overdue,” Eve agreed.  She looked at Jordan and gave him a teasing hip bump.  “I should have left you years ago.”

                            “Unfortunately, honey, it wouldn’t have helped.”  He looked tenderly at Kelsey.  “It was after my last fight with Wade when he said that he had forgiven himself for Christina’s death and that I could be in his life or not, but he was going to be happy, that was when I saw the light.  When Wade left, I decided then to seek help.  Eve’s leaving me was the final nudge.”  Jordan put a hand on her shoulder.  “You and Hannah made my son want to start living again.”

                            Kelsey felt her face heat up at his compliment.  “That may be true, but it was Wade who sought Pastor Kellerman’s help.   As you did with the grief therapist.”

                            “Well, I guess talking about your problems with strangers helps.”  Jordan laughed.  “If you had told me I’d pay someone to listen to my problems and take their advice, I’d have said you were crazy.  I liked to deal with my issues on my own.”

                            "You were always stubborn,” Eve said. 

                            Jordan feigned hurt, putting his hand over his heart.  “That hurts, madam.”

                            Laughing, Kelsey said, “Well, Wade’s stubborn, too, and Hannah is also, so you’re not alone.”

                            Miss Millie leaned towards Kelsey.  “So are you going to see my dear boy today?  He has been wondering where you were these last few days.”

                            Kelsey felt a twinge of regret of not going to see him earlier or at least call him.  “I wanted to give him time to rest, and to give y’all some time with him.”

                            “That’s what I told him.”  Eve patted Kelsey’s back.  “But you don’t need to feel like you’re intruding on family time because you and Hannah are part of our family now.”

                            Kelsey fought back happy tears and managed a “thank you.”

                            When the door closed, she shook herself back to the present.
                             Before the blonde therapist could wheel him nearer, she wiped the tears that had escaped when she remembered that morning and smiled.  His face was marred by a couple of faint bruises and scratches, but to he was as handsome as ever, to her.  “Hi.”

                             “Hey, beautiful.”

                             After the therapist locked his wheelchair, she asked, “Can you manage from here?”

                             Wade nodded.  “Thanks, Louise.”

                             Kelsey bent down and kissed him lightly on the mouth.  “How are you feeling?  Stronger?”

                             “Yeah.”  Wade lifted her right hand and kissed it.  “Seeing you makes me feel even better.  I’ve missed you.”

                             “I missed you, too, but as I told your parents and your grandma, I wanted you to get some rest and to give you time with them, especially your dad.”

                             “You spoke with them?”

                             “I visited them before I came here.”

                             “So, you know that my dad and I reconciled?”

                             Kelsey nodded.  “I was so happy to hear it.   Your parents and your grandma couldn’t stop smiling.”

                             “I feel lighter and happier than I have in years.”  Wade frowned a little.  “It’s just sad it took one of us to almost die for us to make up.”

                             “Yes.”   Kelsey closed her eyes and shuddered.  She hated thinking about how close she nearly lost him.  If Wade had fallen off the ravine driving fast, instead of hitting a tree, he wouldn’t have had a chance.

                             When Kelsey felt Wade brushing away the unexpected tears, she jumped a little and when she opened her eyes, his concerned face was staring at her.

                             “I’m sorry.  I was just remembering how I nearly lost you.  I felt so helpless.”

                             Wade caressed her cheeks.  “Dad said you were here every day.”

                             “Of course.  I wouldn’t have been anywhere else,” she said.  “I love you.”

                             He leaned in for a sweet kiss.  “Sorry I ruined Easter.”

                             “Don’t be.  Besides, we got a belated Easter miracle.  We’re going to celebrate Easter and your recovery when you come home.”

                             “That would be great.  It’ll be the first family gathering when my dad and I won’t fight or ignore each other.”

                             Wade took her hands in his.  Kelsey relished in their warmth.  Less than a week earlier, she wondered if she would feel his strong hands holding hers again.  Whenever Kelsey had held Wade's hands, they were cold and limp.  Quite the opposite of how they were now.

                             We take the smallest things for granted.

                             “I’ve been thinking,” Wade said, pulling Kelsey out of her reverie.  “Time is too short.  You don’t know when your time is up.”

                             Kelsey nodded.  Once again, she thought about Fontaine’s death and what her cousin was still going through.  Kelsey had just experienced half of what Nick was feeling and was overwhelmed with grief and a hundred “what if” questions.  Nick’s emotions were likely ten times worse than hers had been.

                             When Nick had called her to say he was happy Wade had awoken, Kelsey had detected sadness and a hint of envy.

                              I don’t blame him.  My love is alive, but not his.  Oh, why do drugs have to be so addictive?

                              “I’m grateful God has given me another chance at life,” Wade said, curling a strand of her hair around his finger.  “I’m not going to waste a minute of it.  That’s why I asked to speak to my dad.   While I was in my coma, I had a revelation about him and why he pushed me away.  He felt unworthy to be my father after Christina died.   And I learned he regretted pushing me away.  When I woke, I knew we needed to talk.”

                              “That’s was some revelation.”  She smiled.

                              “Well, it was more than that.  I’ll tell you all about it, later.”  Wade squeezed her hands.  “I know we have only been dating a few months, but I love you.  And I really believe-no I know you were the main reason why I fought to live.  I realize it’s too fast for some people, but we can have a long engagement if you want.  I just want us to be committed to each other.”

                              Kelsey’s heart rate ticked up and her mouth was suddenly dry.  She knew some of their acquaintances would say things were progressing too quickly between them, but the people they loved would be thrilled for them. 

                              She felt right with him.  He had been the missing piece of her life, and she knew they would have a wonderful life together.  He was wonderful with Hannah.

                              Kelsey smiled.  “I love you, and those who will be surprised will have to get over it.  I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

                              “I wish I had a ring.”

                              “I don’t need one right now.  Words and love are all we need.”

                              Nodding his head, Wade gently removed one of his hands from hers and pulled her closer.  “Kelsey Lynnanne Meyer, from the first moment we met, when you yelled at me for hitting your van, rightly so, I might add, I had a feeling you would change my life.  At first, I thought it was crazy, but then I saw you with Hannah.  Your love and concern for her melted my heart.  I wanted to get to know you.  You are the kind of woman I want and have been waiting for.  You make me laugh, think and you calm me when I’m upset.  I love you.  Will you marry me?”

                              Tears cascaded down her face as her heart threatened to burst out of her chest.  Not able to speak, Kelsey nodded her assent.

                              They kissed tenderly and then brought their foreheads together.  Kelsey basked in the sheer happiness she felt.

“Should we tell our family we are engaged at the party?” Wade asked.  “Maybe I’m selfish, but I want to savor this as long as we can before we are bombarded with congratulations and questions about the wedding.”

                              “I concur.”

                              “Good.”  Wade kissed her again.