Looking toward the closed door of the bathroom, hearing Caeli happily bustling about, Vin had absolutely no regrets about his decision. His life was perfect.
A few minutes later, Caeli returned, wearing his navy blue robe, which was much too big for her. It hung down six inches over her feet and nearly tripped her as she walked toward the bed. Caeli was holding the robe tightly closed around her trim figure. Vin sat up, on the opposite side of the bed this time, as she moved to stand a few steps in front of him.
"You look like you got swallowed by a fabric store in that. What are you up to now?" He shook his head and laughed at her.
"I wanted to show you my new outfit. I finally worked up the nerve to buy something interesting. It's a swimsuit that can also be worn as a skirt and top, so that I can also wear it out to eat or to go shopping without having to go back to the hotel and change clothes. Since you aren't going along, I wanted to get your opinion before I packed it away. I'm a little bit nervous. So be honest, but be nice."
Caeli opened the robe and let it fall to the floor, trying to give her best imitation of a model-like pose. She watched for Vin's reaction as he looked up from where he instinctively reached down to catch the robe as it fell. Then Caeli blushed deeply as she saw the intensity of the effect it had on him. It took several moments before he could pick his jaw up off the floor, in addition to the robe. The first thought Vin could voice didn't exactly sound like the compliment he intended.
"Whoa! Honey, I don't think you should wear an outfit like that out in public."
Caeli was wearing a sapphire and baby blue, two-piece swimsuit. The upper portion had crossed straps that joined together in the center and became the braided section of a wider strap that wound across her left shoulder. The bottom piece was a typical bikini bottom with a teasingly thin skirt overlay that swirled slightly in the warm breeze suddenly blowing through the room. The skirt portion angled slightly lower on the right side than the left, perfectly accentuating her delicate curves. The removable sarong gave the outfit the versatility to be worn elsewhere besides the beach.
For half a heartbeat, Vin's statement caused Caeli to believe she might have misread his initial reaction.
"Really? Is it too revealing? I tried so hard to find one that fit well. What's wrong with it? Maybe I can fix it."
Vin laughed at her serious and innocent concern. Caeli's typical attire, though flattering, could easily be called conservative. She did not seek the type of attention that more revealing clothes might draw. In Vin's opinion, it wasn't necessary. Anything she wore looked good on her. However, this outfit was a departure from everything else in her wardrobe.
"Oh no! There is nothing wrong with it; nothing at all!" Stressing those last three words, Vin quickly reassured Caeli and drew her close to steal a kiss before he continued.
"You know that I think you look good in anything, but this is.…Wow! It might be worth enduring a week at the beach just to see you in it again."
Vin held her out at arm's length, glancing up and down, admiring the view. This time it was Vin who pulled her onto the bed. His hands were playfully tempting Caeli to let him review the outfit from a much closer perspective until, at last, her alarm clock started to buzz. Regretfully, they both got up as the persistent sound prompted them to officially start their day.
As they headed toward the bathroom, Caeli noticed a large bruise on Vin's lower left leg that she hadn't seen before.
"What happened to your leg?" She asked curiously.
"You were tossing around quite a bit Friday night. I don't know if it was jet lag or something else on your mind, but you couldn't have slept well. You nudged me several times before landing the kick that did this," Vin explained.
Caeli was a restless sleeper. For as long as she could remember, Caeli had flailed about in her sleep. Oddly enough, while she could not control her involuntary movements during her slumber, Vin could. For some reason, when she lay on his shoulder or chest, she was able to relax, and the movements typically subsided. Caeli could not deny Vin's good-natured teasing, insisting that she was under his spell.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even realize that I kicked you," she apologized.
"I know, though I'm surprised you didn't wake yourself with as much as you were tossing around. I woke up several times to check on you. After the kick that did this, I finally pulled you onto my shoulder, and you eventually settled down and rested."
"That's the part I remember. You do make the perfect pillow. But, I am sorry. It looks like it still hurts," Caeli observed with regret.
"You do swing a powerful kick. It must be from your years on the swim team. Nonetheless, it is not as bad as it looks. It has had twenty four hours to don this lovely shade of purplish-green. Now that we're on the subject, I haven't seen you this restless in quite a while. You were keyed up and stayed up late last night, too. When did you finally fall asleep?"
"I didn't really. I spent a few hours reading and a few more hours on the laptop, surfing the web. Then I laid on your shoulder thinking that would help me settle down, but I couldn't sleep," she answered.
"At all? You were up all night?" Vin was surprised that she wasn't exhausted. Instead, she was full of energy this morning.
"Yes, pretty much," Caeli confirmed.
"Is there something on your mind or are you simply excited about the trip? We have some time if you want to talk." Vin wondered if she would take him up on the offer. He had sensed for a while that there was something going on with her. Though he had asked several times, she had not yet chosen to discuss it. Maybe now that she was home again, she might open up.
"You know me. I have been excited for days, and I can catch up on my sleep on the plane. It's going to be a long flight."
"Speaking of that, you should check the weather. I caught the late news last night while you were finishing your packing. That tropical storm seems to be settling near the island. They are predicting that if it hits the island directly, it will be one of the worst storms they have ever seen. I'm surprised they aren't cancelling flights. If the weather is going to get that bad, I would prefer it if you didn't go. It won't be safe."
"I will check for an update before we leave, but you know how reporters get. They will turn a summer rain into a monsoon if it will get rating spikes," Caeli answered.
She was aware of the potential bad weather. However, each time she turned on the news, she heard a different forecast. One said the storm would not be close enough to the island to cause any trouble. Another said the island should be evacuated in preparation for the worst storm in history. And each channel changed its own story several times. She didn't know which one to believe. Caeli decided that if flights were not cancelled, then the weather couldn't be that bad. If the flight was called off, then she would be quite happy to spend the week at home or perhaps ride up to visit the guys at the lake house for a couple of days.
Caeli and Vin both went into the bathroom to get showered and dressed. Even though she was only two days returned from a two week long conference in Manhattan, they were both getting ready to leave for separate vacations. Neither Caeli nor Vin originally intended to spend so much time apart within such a short span, but the right opportunity came along, and it somehow worked out that way.
Their luggage was ready and waiting by the front door. Vin's bag consisted of an oversized black duffle, packed and sitting on the floor. Caeli's large, navy blue suitcase and a matching carryon bag were placed next to his less formal luggage. She tucked her swimsuit and purse into the suitcase. She wouldn't need either of those while she was on the plane. Caeli had already placed her important items and things she might need on the plane in her carryon bag.
Her stomach gave one last lurch before finally settling down, and then the happy couple shared a few more pre-departure kisses on the couch while waiting for the taxi. Caeli briefly considered an additional cause of her discomfort during the cab ride to the airport. It could be at least partially due to her guilt about going on a
second trip without Vin, despite his insistence that she go and have fun. Her first trip had been for business, and Vin had prior commitments that prevented him from joining her; not to mention, he did not like the crowded city. Caeli could certainly understand that.
The upcoming trip, however, was a vacation; but it was not the type of scenery Vin enjoyed. He was not at all fond of sand or seawater, much preferring a wooded landscape. While Caeli was looking forward to spending some relaxing time on the beach and watching the ocean waves, her guilt for going without Vin persisted. Ever since they married more than ten years ago, Caeli had never gone on any trip, much less a vacation, without Vin. Never, that is, until now. Now, she was about to leave on the second such outing in a month's time.
CHAPTER 5
Dr. Erickson,
Perhaps you did not receive my first letter or maybe it is buried in a stack of mail on your secretary's desk. Either way, I am sending this one to your home in hopes that it will garner your attention. In the months since I first wrote to you, my father has died. My brother's illness grows worse by the day. I feel certain that you would help us, if you could only know how much he is suffering. I have read so much about you and your work that I feel as though I know your heart. I believe that you must be a good person to do the work that you do. Because of that, I know that you are my brother's last hope.
Whatever antidote you found in that blood sample is the key to curing my brother, but we cannot get the medicine. We are told it has not been made available yet because it has not been properly tested. I am begging you to intervene on my brother's behalf. Please, Dr. Erickson, help him get into the test group. Test your medicine on my brother. We are willing to take the chance that it might save his life. His time runs short. Please help!
With hope and urgency,
Maku
Salma read the letter again as she sat at the small desk in her living room. She had received it nearly two months ago, but did not respond. There was nothing that she could do. Her hands were tied, which upset her deeply. She was not permitted to treat anyone with her new vaccines or medications, and she was not allowed to directly participate in the testing either. This was to prevent any possibility that the results might be biased in her favor. Protocol was strict and had to be followed or else the medicine might never reach the public. Knowing this medicine's potential for decreasing suffering on a global scale, Salma did not want to take that chance. She had shared Maku's letter with the committee that selected the test groups, but they never told her if the man's brother was chosen or not. Salma desperately hoped that he was receiving treatment.
"The letter again? You will only upset yourself."
Ben came up behind Salma and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. Salma reached up and covered his hand with her own, leaning her head gently on top.
"I know, Ben. There is something about it that tugs at my heart strings, makes me curious."
"Yes. I am curious to know how he got your unpublished home address. But let's not worry about it right now. If you don't get moving, you are going to miss your flight."
Ben had already loaded her luggage into his jeep and was waiting for Salma to finish her last minute items. He had been sitting on the sofa watching her sign papers, flip through charts, and fiddle around for the last fifteen minutes. When she paused with the letter in her hand, Ben knew he was going to have to nudge her away from it.
"Caeli would never forgive me if I let that happen. And, as much as I will miss you, there are some fish anxiously waiting for me to pluck them out of the water. Besides, I've got to teach that man of hers how to relax and enjoy a bit of down time," Ben said cheerfully.
"Thanks, Ben. What would I do without you?"
"You would miss your flight, that's what. Come on, Doll."
Ben and Salma started dating after the incident with Vin and Caeli six months earlier. There was a spark between them from the beginning. Salma tried to deny it as first, but only briefly, because she had been worried about Caeli at the time. It was an instant romance.
Both Salma and Ben had lived alone for most of their adult lives, neither having found the right person with whom they could settle down. Each focused on their work as a substitute for the family life that encompassed their friends' time. In a stroke of good luck, fate finally intervened, and they were thrown together at exactly the right time. Ben proposed to Salma after only three months, and Salma knew they would spend the rest of their days happy together. Ben gave up his long-time bachelor's apartment and moved into Salma's small house. A few weeks later, they were married and enjoying their new life.
Salma put the letter back in its envelope and laid it on top of her desk. She and Ben made their way to the door, locking up the house before they left for the airport. She was headed to a medical conference for the week, and Caeli was going along to keep her company. Ben was glad that he did not have to spend the week listening to medical speeches or sitting in the hot sun on a sandy beach. He was even more relieved that Salma was not one of those women who needed him to be present at every event. Ben was more than happy to let the ladies enjoy this trip together while he and Vin spent a more peaceful week at Ben's lake house fishing and playing cards. Luckily for him, he and Vin were as close of friends as were Salma and Caeli. As Ben helped Salma into the jeep, he was smiling at his incredible good fortune. She was more than he ever dared to hope for in his life.
An hour later, Vin and Caeli were standing in the airport lobby saying goodbye. Vin took a good, long look at Caeli in her jeans and baby blue blouse and smiled.
"You lost a few pounds while you were in New York, but you still look amazing in those jeans."
He smiled and kissed her again. Vin was attempting to distract her from thinking about another week's separation. She did not deal well with parting from those she loved. Vin had seen it once over ten years ago when her grandmother left on a trip to Egypt. It had upset Caeli considerably. Then, a few weeks ago, Vin actually felt her distress through their special connection. He was surprised to feel the physical ache that the separation caused Caeli when she left for New York. Vin attributed it to the fact that Caeli had experienced so much loss in her life at such a young age, and he understood how that had left its mark on her. He did not want Caeli to let that sadness ruin her trip and was trying to occupy her with more pleasing thoughts until Salma arrived. Admittedly, he derived as much pleasure out of the distraction as he offered Caeli.
"You're hopeless, Vin."
"That's what you keep telling me. What's this?" Vin looked down at a sealed envelope that Caeli pressed into his hand.
"It's another surprise. It is even better than the outfit I showed you earlier."
"Somehow, I seriously doubt that words on paper can top that," he smiled at the remembered image and the sudden color on Caeli's cheeks.
"Ok, but don't read it until after our flight leaves," Caeli flashed him her best mischievous smile.
"I'm definitely intrigued. You know I'm going to read it as soon as I get to the parking lot."
"I know. You have absolutely no patience."
Despite her best attempts to smile and be happy, Caeli could not hold back a single tear as it slid down her cheek. Though she was not normally quick to tears, she was unable to stifle her emotion. Vin reached out and wiped the tear away.
"Now cut that out. This is supposed to be a fun vacation," Vin laughed as he hugged her tightly once more.
"It will be, and I am looking forward to the trip despite what I look like on the outside at the moment. Leaving you has this effect on me. I can't help it."
"I'm going to miss you, too. Promise me that you will be careful down there. Try to keep Salma out of trouble." Vin was only half-joking, and Caeli understood.
"I will. Now, if you don't make this a quick farewell, I will be terrible company by the time Salma gets here," Caeli smiled up into Vin's bright blue eyes as she took a step out of his embrace, wiping away the remaining wetness at the corner of her eye.
>
"Don’t' worry, Vin. Perhaps I can find another handsome, young face for her to stare at on the plane. That might take her mind off of you and keep me out of trouble as well." The remark came from a tall, attractive woman, with long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, smiling broadly as she approached. The lady walked up to them from the parking lot entrance, and a familiar man stayed close to her side. The middle-aged lady laughed as she gave Caeli a hug.
Vin laughed, too, not surprised by the comment. It was par for the course between the two of them. Their banter always kept Vin on his toes. Therefore, he could not let Salma get the best of him.
"Why Salma, I'm shocked! Barely a newlywed and you're already openly searching for younger men. I don’t think Ben is going to like that idea," Vin teased as everyone laughed.
"Hello Salma, Ben." Vin reached out to shake Ben's hand and gave Salma a hug.
"Hi, Aunt Salma," Caeli emphasized the title that, until recently, neither she nor Salma had known. Salma, Caeli's best friend and physician, was also the half-sister of Caeli's dad. Though they had been friends for many years, neither knew about their familial relationship until six months ago. A police captain investigating Caeli's abduction made the connection through an old photograph.
Caeli's father died very young, before she was even born. He was advanced in his school work and entered college at age fifteen. During his second year, he met and fell in love with Caeli's mother. Against his father's wishes, the couple married. Within a few months, his nineteen year old wife was pregnant. They had not yet shared this happy news with his parents when Caeli's father was tragically killed in a car accident. Caeli's grandfather was so devastated by the event that it soon led to his divorce from Caeli's grandmother. The man could not find any interest in his widowed daughter-in-law and never knew about his granddaughter.
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