The New Ever After (The New Ever After Series)

by Farley, Julie

  Heather got food out for the kids and made plates for the twins.

  "Eat something so you have strength to help him," said Megan.

  "Awfully optimistic aren't you?" asked Heather.

  "There's no reason not to be yet. They told me your first husband died. I know this is hard. You understand all this in a way that most of us can't."

  Heather nodded. Megan got a call on her cell and left the room. When she walked back in Heather knew she knew something.

  "What is it?"

  "I don't have anything definitive. It's protocol to wait."

  "I think when you're dealing with a widow with five kids and trying to figure out if her new husband is alive, protocol goes out the window. Please, I am begging you, tell me what you know. Good or bad."

  "They see a boat. A sailboat. It's been through a knockdown."

  "What the hell is a knockdown?" asked Heather.

  "Mom, don't swear," said Henry.

  "A knockdown is when the boat is perpendicular to the water. The mast and sail are resting on the surface," said Tom.

  "So it tipped over?" asked Hayes.

  "Pretty much," said Tom.

  "But there's a chance Peter could be in there, right?" asked Gracie.

  "Definitely," said Megan exchanging a glance with Tom. Tom knew that if a person were in control of a sailboat, they would recover from a knockdown unless something catastrophic had happened.

  "So, we just wait?" asked Heather.

  "Yes, they must be close by now."

  Heather went out to sit at the rockers. She rubbed her beads. Gracie followed her outside and cuddled up on her lap.

  "You love Peter, don't you?" Heather asked.

  "Yeah. I didn't think I could ever love another Daddy but I guess I can."

  "What do you love about him?"

  "The way he's goofy with my friends. The way he sits with me while I do my homework and doesn't yell at me when I dilly dally."

  "I yell, don't I?"

  "Yep. Peter's just getting started with this parent stuff. He'll probably yell at me when I'm in middle school."

  "I hope he does, Gracie. I sure hope he does." Heather sat and rocked them both back and forth. There was so much hope in Gracie's prediction. Heather knew she had to be just a little bit more optimistic.

  Tom, Mary, Megan and Sgt. Sanders walked through the screen door onto the porch one by one. Heather knew this was the moment of truth. She looked at her phone. She needed to check the time 1:39. 10:47 was the time that changed her life the last time. The moment Hank died. 1:39 was going to be the time, the new time that her life would be based on.

  Please, God or whoever is out there, please make me love the next few minutes, thought Heather.

  Henry and Hayes were lined up at the window. Gracie was next to Heather. She had no idea where the twins were.

  "Ma'am," said Sgt. Sanders. "He's alive."

  Heather fell to the floor. Tom and Mary hugged each other. Everyone started crying. Hayes and Henry ran out onto the porch.

  "Mom, what's wrong? What happened?" asked Henry.

  "He's alive, son," said Sgt. Sanders.

  "Then why are you on the floor crying, Mom?"

  "She's happy, just happy and relieved," said Megan.

  Heather stood up. She grabbed Henry, Gracie and Hayes and hugged them until Henry yelled that she was smushing him. Mary embraced her and rubbed her back. Heather could feel tears from Mary’s eyes on her own cheek.

  "Where is he?" asked Heather.

  "He's on his way to the hospital. The boat reached him and brought him to the closest point on land. They were met by a helicopter that took him straight to the hospital. He's been out there a long time. He's asking for you. We have a vehicle ready to take you. Do you have someone who can stay with the kids?"

  "I'll call our neighbor, Tina. She'll be happy to help," said Mary.

  "I can stay with them until she gets here," said Megan. "Actually, I’ll be here while she's here to help."

  "Thank you," said Heather. She was aware it was probably outside the line of her duties.

  "Mrs. Adamson, let's get your purse. We have a car pulled up to the house. Mr. And Mrs. Adamson, I assume you will come as well?"

  "Yes, oh yes," said Mary.

  They walked inside.

  "Hayes, we'll need you to help Ms. O'Reilly and Tina with the twins. I'll be back as soon as I can or send for you to come to see Peter."

  "Of course, Mom. Will you tell Peter I can't wait to see him?" asked Hayes.

  Heather hugged each one of the kids. She felt hope again. That crazy feeling that had eluded her for the last hours. Reality pinched her and reminded her she didn't know what condition he was in. But at least he was in a condition. She was ready to face it though. She walked out the front door with Tom and Mary. There was a black SUV waiting for them. They got in and pulled out of the driveway lined with cameras. She couldn't talk to anyone right now and sent a group text instead.

  1:51 Heather: He's alive.

  1:52 Lauren: I am so relieved...the cards never lie.

  1:53 Mom: So happy, darling.

  That would have to suffice for now. Mary was on the phone with Janie. Mary sobbed quietly telling Janie they were on their way to the hospital to see how Peter was.

  "No, we have no idea of his condition. But he's alive. He's alive."

  "Heather, can Janie speak with you for a moment?"

  "Sure." Mary handed Heather the phone.

  "Hey," said Heather.

  "I just wanted to tell you how happy I am. Hug him for me. And then yell at him and tell him he's an idiot and never to scare us again. I know Mom won't yell at him but you might."

  Heather laughed. "Ok. I just want to see his eyes."

  They arrived at the hospital in minutes. A doctor met them at the door to advise them of his condition.

  "He's suffering from hypothermia and dehydration. He's in critical but stable condition. We expect to be able to upgrade his status quickly. He's a strong man and very lucky, Mrs. Adamson."

  "Thank you so much," cried Heather.

  "Let's start with one visitor at a time if that’s ok with you."

  "No problem. Heather, please go see him," said Tom who was simply happy to have his son alive.

  The doctor walked Heather to the elevator, and they made their way to the third floor.

  "He's been a little delirious, which is common. We wrapped him up in warming blankets and have an IV attached, but I don't think he'll need anything else. Take your time with him."

  Chapter 35

  Heather stood at the door. Peter's eyes were closed. He had an IV hooked up to his arm and those sticker things attached to his chest. The machines were beeping. Heather was crying now. The last time she had been in the hospital to see her husband he had those sticky things on him and he never left. This time she intended to take this man home. Her teary sniffles woke Peter up. He turned his head slowly and looked at the door.

  "Baby, come here."

  Heather walked over and sat on the side of the bed. She rested her head on his chest and held him carefully not wanting to hurt him.

  "Baby, I'm so sorry," whispered Peter.

  "You scared the crap out of me."

  "I scared the crap out of myself." Peter started crying and Heather realized what a close call this was for him. "I was so scared I wasn't going to come back to you. That I was going to leave you without saying good bye and be lost in the sea forever."

  Heather heard the fear, something she had never heard in Peter's voice before. He was weak but he was Peter. She nuzzled her head into his neck. She could smell some leftover body wash, seawater and sweat. She had no intention of letting him go again. They laid there together on the bed and just held each other. Each one breathing in the other.

  "I'm sorry I made you so mad. I acted like a brat, and I never would have forgiven myself if something had happened to you. I love you more than you can imagine, and I thought I lost you." Heathe
r stopped and tried to stifle a sob.

  "Baby, I can only imagine how you felt. It killed me that I put you through this. I know what kind of heartache you've had. I didn't want to add to that. Things got so out of control out there, and I couldn't do anything except try to stay alive...for you. I just wanted to get back to you. To see you smile, to watch you flash your boob on the beach, to catch you when you fall, to kiss that mole above your eyebrow, to take a shower with you."

  "You had lots of time to think out there," said Heather finally able to crack a smile.

  "I did. I made myself stay awake to make sure I didn't fall out of the boat. I made myself remember every minute of my life with you. I willed myself to be found so we could have our decades together like we deserve."

  Heather kissed him on the cheek and wiped away the salty tear that floated from his eyes.

  "Where are the kids?"

  "With Tina and one of the officers that was assigned to us. You're big news."

  "Ugh, that's what I was afraid of."

  The doctor walked in to check on Peter.

  "Your vitals look good, Mr. Adamson. I think we'll keep you till morning just to watch you, and then we'll send you on your way."

  "Could you send my parents in now?"

  "Sure."

  Tom and Mary walked in. Peter raised his hand up and gave his dad a handshake that ended in a hug. Mary reached down and hugged him and then yelled at him.

  "You scared us. What the hell do you think you were doing out there leaving your poor wife with five children by herself and going on your boat and getting lost at sea?"

  Heather, Tom and Peter were all wide eyed as they listened to a usually calm Mary yell at Peter just like Janie had suggested.

  "Sorry, Mom. I never meant to leave like this. I never meant to frighten you."

  "Damn, Mary. In all of these years I have never seen you so feisty," said Tom.

  "I felt like you were a teenager again and we were waiting for you to come home. This time we just waited to see if we were ever going to hear anything from you again."

  Peter took a deep breath. "I want to see the kids. It was killing me to think of the look in Gracie's eyes. I can't bear to think that I hurt them. I want them to know they aren't going to lose me."

  "I'll see if Tina and Megan can bring them over," said Tom. "We probably need to release a statement to send all these crazy reporters on their way. They are going to follow Heather around and figure out what else she did yesterday. They sure are trying to dig up anything they can."

  "I'll text Janie and ask her to work on that, and I suppose I need to arrange to send some money over to the Fountain Cafe."

  "Why do you need to do that?" asked Peter.

  "Don't ask. I'm sure you'll hear it on the news enough times."

  Peter's eyes grew wide with curiosity. He wanted to go home and make love to Heather right now and take all of her worries away. To take all of his worries away too. He needed to feel her in order to remove the fear of losing her.

  2:55 Heather: Hey, can you and Richard work on a press release? Peter's fine. He's staying overnight.

  2:56 Janie: Got it covered. Talk soon.

  Peter's doctor walked back in. "There's a lot of press out there. We'd like to release a statement to try and get some of them to go away. Our little town's not used to so much excitement. What are your thoughts, Mr. Adamson?"

  "That's fine. Say whatever you'd like. My agent is putting one together too. It really must be a slow news day if they're covering me."

  "Thanks. We'll get it done right away. Maybe stop some of the hysteria."

  "This ought to do a lot for our book sales," said Peter obviously feeling better than they could have dared to dream.

  "I'd rather we try less outlandish stunts to sell books in the future," said Heather. Mary rolled her eyes at Peter.

  "What happened out there, Peter? This isn't like you," asked Tom.

  Peter started a shortened version of the story he was sure to tell over and over again. "All stupidity. Pure stupidity. I let myself get blown off course and was turned around for some reason out there. My GPS shorted out. I lost my bearings, and before I knew it, I was in a knockdown and couldn't recover it. My phone battery died and all of my emergency kit fell out of the boat. Somehow I was able to get my life jacket. After it got too cold, I was able to climb in the cabin to warm up a bit. I went back out to my perch next to the steering wheel when the first light poked up."

  "I guess I messed your head up," said Heather.

  "No, it wasn't you. I was just feeling like a Lord of the Sea or something. Look, for forty years I've lived my life taking risks. I never really had anyone depending on me and I've been used to not worrying about the small stuff."

  "Safety is not small stuff," said Tom as he and Mary looked at each other. They knew they should give Heather and Peter some space before the kids arrived.

  "We're going to head downstairs to find some food and wait for the kids," said Mary.

  “Thanks, Mom and Dad. I love you.”

  “We love you too, son,” said Tom.

  Peter slid over on the bed. "Lie next to me. I need to feel you."

  Heather curled up on her side next to Peter and put her head on his shoulder.

  "I never thought I'd smell you again."

  "You're such a romantic," said Peter. "I like your sweater."

  Heather realized she was still wearing his sweater. "I needed you around me. I needed to feel like part of you was still here."

  "All of me is here for you now."

  Peter lifted her chin up and kissed her mouth. The feeling of his tongue and the smell of his breath were all Heather wanted at this moment. Well, she actually wanted some more of him too, but this hospital bed and room were not built for what she wanted. She moaned wishing they could transport themselves out of here.

  "I'd say you're all better, Mr. Adamson."

  "Thanks to you, baby."

  "My heart feels full again. I don't know what I would have done."

  "Well, let's not think about it. I'm here with you and that's not going to change."

  Not thinking about stuff was not Heather's style. She imagined scenarios in her head all the time. It was her escape plan. Or at least that's how she justified it. She knew how she'd get all the kids out of the house in a fire. She ran things over and over in her head. If she had a near miss incident with the kids, like someone almost conking their head on the brick steps, she couldn't shake the sinking feeling. When Gracie almost got hit by a car getting off the school bus, Heather cried for days and replayed the scenario in her head. She told her kids when they were walking on rocks to land on your hands in fear they would hit their head and it would be lights out. The feelings she had for this near miss experience would not disappear anytime soon. And she was sure the more she heard about it from Peter the more it would haunt her mind.

  "You're a million miles away."

  The kids, Tom and Mary burst into the room bringing Heather crashing down to earth.

  "Dude, what happened to you?" asked Henry.

  "It's a long story."

  "Are you ok, Peter?" asked Gracie.

  "Come here, sweetie. I've been thinking about those eyes all night."

  "I think about those eyes too and how much they haunt me," said Hayes. "Welcome back to land, Peter."

  "Thanks. I feel a bit like the room is rocking."

  Tom held George and Mary had Emily.

  "You can put him down, Dad. He's about the squirmiest thing around."

  "Not a real baby proofed room," said Mary.

  "Set him on the bed for a minute," said Peter.

  George climbed on top of Peter and kissed his face and made his sound that they all thought meant Dada. Heather took Emily and let her kiss Peter too.

  "Dad, will you take a picture of all of us with Heather's phone?"

  "Sure thing."

  A family picture. A picture a couple of hours ago Heather didn't even know would
ever be possible to take again. All seven of them crowded around the hospital bed smiling and laughing.

  Chapter 36

  As soon as the flash went off, Heather heard clapping and cheering. She looked at the doorway and was confused. Jenny and Janie and each of their kids were standing there.

  "We couldn't stay away. I had to come yell at this pain in the ass myself," said Janie.

  "And I had to give you a hug because I couldn't stand it any more," said Jenny.

  "But how did you get here?" asked Heather.

  "We drove. We left at 4 am this morning," said Janie.

  "Neither one of us could sleep. We wanted to be here no matter what happened," said Jenny.

  "You didn't even know he was alive. When we texted and talked to you..." said Heather.

  "We were on our way," said Janie and Jenny in unison.

  "Jenny, how did you know?" asked Heather.

  "It's been on the news. As soon as I got into bed and turned on NBC-12 I heard them talking about it. I called Janie and she gave me the scoop." Heather smiled and just stared in a flabbergasted fashion.

  Janie made her way over to her big brother. "Since you're stuck in the bed I can really knock you out."

  "Hmmm...Mom already yelled at me pretty well."

  Janie turned to Mary, "You did?"

  "Yes, he left poor Heather with five kids all day and had the nerve to have to be rescued at sea. If he does anything like that again, I'm going to send him out to sea."

  Everyone laughed. Quiet, demure Mary was furious with her son.

  "We came up to help. We're going to take the kids and everyone out to dinner. Then, the kids and I are staying at Mom and Dad's house, and Jenny and her kids will stay with you guys. Sound ok?"

  "And, you, Heather, are going to stay here tonight, and I will take care of the clan," said Jenny.

  "But, that's too much. There's no way you can take care of seven kids." Especially after what I’ve done, thought Heather.

  "Stop. I don't want to hear another word. It's done. Janie will stay with me until I get the twins down. I’m sure everyone will help. Right, guys?"