The Blindman's Wife

by Nicole Peters

  “What do you mean by modified bed rest?” she asked worriedly.

  “I want you to take it easy, no lifting, no standing on your feet for more than an hour or two at a time. Cut back on household chores, I want you to be lying down most of the day whether on the couch or in your bed. We would reevaluate in two weeks. Other than that everything looks good. I’ll get the nurse to bring you some Tylenol.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Grant,” they said in unison.

  “See nothing to worry about,” Liam said leaning over her and kissing her.

  “I guess I won’t be going to Rome after all,” she said sadly.

  “Sorry sweetheart, I’ll cancel and send Mark in my place.”

  “Nonsense, go we can go another time,” she told him.

  “But—”

  “I have mum and Cynthia to look after me, they are as bad as you are when it comes to nagging me.”

  “We don’t nag.”

  “Uh huh, ok pamper then, is that better?”

  He looked at her uncertain, “are you sure you don’t want me to stay? I don’t mind.”

  “I know you don’t, but I am in good hands. Go.”

  ***

  Zola rolled over to see her mother sitting in the chair beside her bed looking worried. “Mum, what are you doing here? Is Wyn okay?” she asked sitting up.

  “Yes, I just thought I’ll spend some this time with you. I used to watch you for hours while you were sleeping when you were little, did I ever tell you that?”

  “Yeah you did, when you caught me doing the same to Wyn. But that’s not why you’re here is it?”

  “I don’t want you to worry baby; everything will be okay.”

  “What will be okay? Mum, I know when you are trying to keep something from me, it was the same when I found my birth certificate with my father’s name on it. So what is wrong?”

  “It’s Liam, baby.”

  “What about him? Did he call while I was asleep did he get to Rome okay?” she asked looking at the clock.

  “That’s it, baby we don’t know, they lost contact with the plane.”

  “What, that can't be true, who told you this? Obviously, there’s a mistake.”

  “We got a call from Ingrid, she was talking to Hank when she heard noises, and then was cut off she tried calling him back and got nothing. When she called air transport, they said that the airplane disappeared from radar, they don’t know where they are or--”

  “Or if the plane crashed,” Zola finished holding her stomach. “There has to be another reason, another explanation for this. Hank’s an excellent pilot. I was supposed to be with him on that flight.”

  “I know baby, Cynthia is downstairs making some phone calls,” her mother said.

  “Give me my phone I need to call Liam, this is a mistake, you’ll see,” she said refusing to believe he was gone.

  “Zola—”

  “No mum, he can't, he wouldn’t leave us,” she said dialing his cell phone with shaky fingers. His phone went straight to voicemail. She hung up and dialed his number again maybe he didn’t hear it ring the first time, but again she got his voicemail. She dialed his executive assistant Courtney’s number, but that went to voice mail as well. She redialed his number and when his voice mail picked up she cleared her throat, “Hi Liam it’s me, could you give me a call when you get this message.” She ended the call and looked at her mother, “it’s not like him not to pick up his phone, I can't lose him, mum,” she said before falling into her mother’s open arms sobbing.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Zola couldn’t sit still; it had been four hours since she woke to the news her husband’s plane was missing. It was the worst four hours of her life. She spent the time calling him and leaving numerous messages, each more frantic than the last until his mailbox was full. She could not accept that he was gone, that he wouldn’t be walking in the front door, asking if she had her nap or followed the doctor’s or his instructions. What she wouldn’t give to see him again, to have him boss her around just one more time. She couldn’t even look at their son without out breaking into tears.

  He kept asking when Daddy was going to call, and all she could say was soon. He had gone to sleep for the night with the promise his daddy will call in the morning. Liam’s flight had left at seven that morning, and he was supposed to arrive at ten pm Rome time, it was now three am over there and still no word from the search party that was dispatched to the small town where they thought the plane had gone down. How was she supposed to tell Wyn in the morning that the only father he knew and loved may never come home again?

  “You’ve got to stay calm honey, try to eat something. You haven’t eaten anything since you got up. It’s not good for you or the babies,” her mother said, worry etched on her pretty face.

  “Calm? I can’t stay calm mum, not when I don't know if he is hurt or lost. If he is he won't be able to see and find someplace to go for help. What if something happened to Hank and Courtney, what then? It may be freezing wherever they are,” she said walking around the room and rubbing her back.

  “Try and sit, at least, ease some of the strain off your feet,” her mother coaxed.

  “I know he must be alive, I feel it in here,” she said touching her chest. “I know everyone thinks they are gone, but I know. I know he’s coming back to our children and me, I’m not giving up on him,” she said blowing her already raw nose.

  “We’re not giving up dear, I know my son and he will do everything to get back to you and the kids, but—”

  She cut her mother-in-law off with the shake of her head. “Not until I have proof he was taken from us. Has the search and rescue team called?”

  “No, not yet, I’ll wait another thirty minutes then call for another update.”

  “Thank you, I think I’ll go and look in on Wyn, I need to hold him right now.”

  “That’s a good idea after that maybe you’ll feel like eating. Would you like me to come with you?” her mother asked.

  “No, I’ll be fine, thanks mum, thanks, Cynthia I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t have you both here.”

  ***

  When Liam came to, he groaned and touched the back of his head where he had hit it on impact. The throbbing sensation was making him dizzy, but he needed to make sure everyone else was alive and well. “Hank, you okay?” he called as he sat up trying to ignore the cold winds that were biting through his shirt.

  “Yeah, I’m good, but I think I may have broken my right leg, how about you and Courtney?” the pilot asked.

  “I have a headache, but I haven’t heard anything from Courtney, I’m going to look for her,” Liam said blinking several times. “Courtney! Where are you?” he called. When he didn’t hear her answer he got up and stumbled a little before he righted himself. He took a deep breath of cold air and threw up.

  “If you follow my voice you could walk to me and with your help, I should be able to find her,” Hank said.

  He ignored the other man’s voice and blinked a couple more times before looking at the wreckage. He took a step forward and stopped. He could see. Not just silhouettes or fuzzy outlines, he could actually see, his sight was back. his heart beat rapidly in his chest. He felt relieved but didn’t have the luxury of rejoicing. Not until he knew everyone was fine and they got to safety.

  “That’s fine Hank, I can make out shapes, and I’ll find her by her voice. Courtney where are you?” he called until he heard her moan. “Thank God you’re okay,” he said walking over to her.

  He knew he should have told Hank about his sight, but he wanted Azolah to be the first to know. With the high winds and cold temperature, they would be lucky to survive another couple of hours without any shelter from the elements. He hadn’t had the chance to talk to Azolah about his visit to the cemetery as he had planned, the first chance he got he was going to sit her down and tell her everything. There’s so much he wanted to do with her and their four children
. Places he wanted to take her. He wasn’t ready to die, not before seeing that beautiful face of hers or telling her how much he loved her.

  He bent down to help Courtney, who looked to still be in shock and was trapped by a piece of debris. “You okay, do you hurt anywhere?” he asked her as he freed her.

  “I-I thought we were going to die, t-t-that I’ll never see my family again,” she cried.

  “So did I, but we are here, we’re alive, and we will see them again. We need to find some blankets to keep warm and see if we can get help. Can you walk? Does anything hurt?”

  “I-I think so. I don’t feel so good though my stomach hurts,” she said before vomiting. “I’m sorry.”

  “That’s fine no need to apologize, you’re still in shock. How are you feeling now?”

  “A little better, how’s Hank?”

  “He has a broken leg, but otherwise okay.”

  “And you, you’re okay?” she asked looking at him.

  “Yes, just have a splitting headache; let’s see if we can find some things to keep us warm. We survived a plane crash; it would be a pity if we died from frostbite or hypothermia.”

  “You’re taking this whole disaster well, better than I am,” she said.

  “I think we all deal with shock differently. I’m motivated to get out of here and get home to my wife and family, that’s my drive. I don’t have time to panic. Maybe when we are safe, it’ll sink in. Let’s get Hank and see what we can do to stay alive.”

  “Hank, can you walk if you lean on Courtney and me?” Liam asked.

  “I should be able to use you guys as my crutches,” the pilot said.

  “Okay good, we need to get a message out for help. Do we have any flares? I’ll check my cell and see if I can get any reception, but I doubt it.”

  “We should have some flares in the emergency bag in the cockpit; I can—”

  “I’ll get it,” Courtney said. “I’ll see if I can find some blankets too.”

  “Thank you,” Liam said putting his hand in his pocket only to find that it wasn’t there. “Great,” he muttered remembering he had it on the tray in front of him when they hit turbulence.

  “What?” Hank asked.

  “No phone.”

  “We’re going to die here, we are in the mountains, and no one knows where we are. We’ll be lucky if anyone come looking for us before morning.”

  “You need to be more optimistic Hank. We survived a plane crash we can survive this.”

  “You’re—”

  “Wait, listen do you hear that?”

  “Hear what?” Hank asked.

  “Someone is out there; I think they are looking for us. Over here! We’re over here!” he shouted. Minutes later beams of light descended on them. “See, I told you we were going to make it,” Liam said just before collapsing.

  ***

  Azolah lay in bed with Wynter snuggled into her as she watched him take each

  breath. Because of him, she married the man of her dreams without even knowing it.

  She pulled her son closer to her, praying that his father was safe. “Lord please let Liam, Hank, and Courtney be safe. Bring them back to us safely where they belong. I know that I’ve always asked for a lot and never gave back much, but I’m begging you to give me another chance with the man I love. Give me the chance to tell him I love him, to show him how much he means to me. Amen.” she closed her eyes and drifted off into sleep.

  ***

  Liam opened his eyes and groaned as the harsh lights above greeted him. He rolled onto his side, “Where am I?” he asked.

  “You’re in the hospital Mr. Bradford,” a voice above his head said.

  He looked in the direction of the voice and saw the woman who spoke. “Why, how long have I been here? I need to go, I need to get back to my wife and children,” he said trying to get up.

  She pushed him back down on the bed. “You collapsed when the rescue team found you. You’ve been here about three and a half hours. You have a concussion from the crash; you’re lucky to be alive.”

  “Yes I am, now I must go,” he said getting up and waving her away when she tried to help him.

  “Mr. Bradford, I advise against leaving. You need to be watched,” the nurse warned.

  “I know, and I have no intention of suing the hospital should something happens to me. I’ll sign a waiver. Where are the other two people who were with me?” he asked.

  “They were checked out and released.”

  “Did they say where they were going?”

  “They are staying at the hotel you were booked at.”

  “Thank you, if you could get the doctor to sign my release papers, I’ll appreciate it, thanks.”

  She nodded and left. He grabbed the phone on the bedside desk and dialed Courtney’s hotel number.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Courtney—”

  “Liam, I’m so happy to hear your voice, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, how are you and Hank doing?”

  “We’re okay; we got checked out and were released. We got our luggage from the crash as well. Are you being released?”

  “Yes, that’s why I’m calling; I want you and Hank to meet me at the airport in an hour. Did they recover my phone from the wreckage?”

  “No, I’m sorry only our bags and your briefcase. I called Azolah and let her know you were okay; your mother answered instead. Azolah was asleep.”

  Thanks, I’ll call her and let her know, thanks Courtney. I’ll see you and Hank in an Hour at the terminal.”

  “Okay, I’m happy you’re okay Liam.”

  “Me too.”

  He hung up the phone and looked at his watch. It was two thirty in the morning back home. He knew he should let her sleep, but he wanted to hear her voice. He dialed the operator and asked to be connected. He heard the phone ring and the operator ask if they would accept the collect call. Azolah answered and accepted.

  “Azolah?”

  “Liam? You’re alive, thank God, I knew you would never leave us,” she said.

  He could hear her sniffing and couldn’t help smiling at her voice. “I would never leave you our children. I know it’s late, but I just wanted to let you know I’m okay. A-and I wanted to hear your voice,” he said clearing his throat.

  I’m glad you called. I’ve been so worried; we all have been walking on needles waiting for news about you. And Wyn sensed something was going on, he wanted his daddy so I promised him his daddy would call him in the morning. I never gave up on you Liam,” she whispered.

  “Thanks, Sweetheart, I never stopped fighting. I’m going to catch the first plane out and come home to you and our son. I love you Azolah,” he said.

  “I love you too Liam.”

  “We have a lot to talk about when I get home. Things are going to be different. There’s something else I wanted to tell you.”

  “What, is it?”

  “I got my sight back; I can see again.”

  “That’s great news Liam; I’m happy for you.”

  “Me too, look, sweetheart, I have to go, I told Courtney to meet me at the airport in an hour that was ten minutes ago. My phone was destroyed; I’ll see if I can get another at the airport. See you soon babe and kiss our son for me.”

  “See you soon.”

  ***

  Liam rushed to the airport with fifteen minutes to spare hoping Courtney and

  Hank were already there. He was so focused on getting to the first class terminal that he didn’t see the couple in front of him until he ran into the man and was knocked off balance.

  “Look where you're going, Liam? Liam Bradford?” the other man asked.

  “Sorry about that I was in a—Ash King? How have you been? It’s been a long time,” Liam said in surprise at seeing the other man.

  “Yeah it’s me, it’s been almost twenty-one years. You okay?”

  “Yeah I’m good; I can’t believe it
’s you.”

  “I know the feeling, this lovely lady is my wife Miah, honey this is Liam Bradford, he used to be a classmate of mine before I went to boarding school.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Miah,” Liam said shaking her hand.

  “Likewise, which musketeer were you?” she asked.

  Liam laughed and looked at Ash.

  “I told her, she can be very convincing,” he said shrugging.

  “I was the third musketeer.”

  “What are you doing here running over people?” Ash asked.

  “Trying to book a flight home, my plane went down yesterday.”

  “What, what do you mean went down?” Ash asked surprised.

  “Crashed, we hit bad turbulence and then had engine trouble. We are lucky to be alive. But Hank is a great pilot, so I have him to thank.”

  “God I’m sorry if you want we are on our way home as well you could get a ride with us,” Ash offered.

  “Thanks, Courtney and Hank are meeting me here.”

  “Courtney, is she your wife?” Miah asked.

  “No, she’s my executive assistant. My wife’s name is Azolah. She was suppose to come on this trip as a belated honeymoon but was put on modified bed rest. She’s pregnant with triplets.”

  “Really, how is she doing? If it’s like anything like I remember she must be miserable,” Miah said.

  “Pardon?” Liam asked confused.

  She laughed, “Sorry we have triplets as well, two girls and a boy. Do you know what you’re having?”

  “Three girls.”

  “Wow, buddy. You’re going to have your hands full, especially when they get to their teens. I’m worried about only two girls; I can’t imagine dealing with three teenage girls at the same time,” Ash said.

  “Yeah, at least, I have Wyn, our son too. Congratulations. Where are your babies?”

  “Thanks, same to you. Our little ones are home, thought I’ll bring my lady love away for a few days,” he said kissing Miah’s temple. “We have enough seats if you and your party want fly with us.”

  “Liam!” he turned to see Courtney and Hank walking towards them, well Hank hobbling.

  “Please excuse me,” he said and went to help Courtney with the bags. “You guys got here okay?”