CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“What did your grandparents say?” asked Cole.
“They’re thrilled that I’m alive and okay, and sad that they knew nothing of my parents’ deaths.
It makes me sad for them. My mother was their only child.
I think they’re going to come over here for the holidays.
They hoped that it would settle down by then.
They were worried that if they left England now, my grandfather might know and follow them. ”
“That’s all very thoughtful of them,” said Cole hugging her. “I look forward to meeting them and welcoming them to our chaos.”
“Cole, this is not chaos. Your family, your friends are wonderful. They’re kind, intelligent, helpful, all the things I knew family should be. My grandfather was cruel. Most of that cruelty was directed at others but only because he needed me, he needed my skills.”
“Why do you think he allowed you to become a doctor and not one of his men?” asked Cole.
“I have to guess that it was because they had no education. I mean, most knew how to read and write but they didn’t attend schools.
I was allowed to attend school, even having tutors.
If I allow myself to think about it, I suspect he did it so that I could be used later as a tool, a pawn in his game. ”
“I’m sorry, babe,” he said kissing her.
“Don’t be,” she said smiling up at him. “I’m married. I am Mrs. Cole McDonald and I am thrilled about it. I never dreamed this was possible and the clinic is something I’ve only seen once in my lifetime. I can’t wait to work there.”
“That makes me very happy to hear.”
“Cole? What about your SEAL team? Will you have to return?” asked Layla.
“Would you be angry if I did?” he asked.
“No. No, of course not. I know that it’s important to you and it’s not like you’d be leaving me alone. You have to serve and I understand that.”
“I’m glad you feel that way but my contract is up soon. Even though my injuries are gone, the report of the injuries was sent to the Navy. They’ll re-evaluate me and make a decision.”
“But-but if your injuries are healed, they won’t see anything,” she said with a confused expression.
“By the time they look at me, they can deduce that the injuries have healed, but they’ll rely on the severity of the x-rays and reports from our doctors. Right now, I have leave and they know where I am. Sort of,” he grinned.
“This place is magical. Completely and utterly magical. It’s like a fantasy world of plants and animals. The people here are what I would describe as angelic.”
“Mmhmm,” nodded Cole. “That reminds me. We need to introduce you to some very important people.” He’d no sooner got the words out of his mouth when Mama Irene and the other ghosts appeared before them.
“Oh!” gasped Layla.
“Layla, these people are extremely important to this property. They are the history of this property and this place. And yes, they are ghosts.”
“Ghosts. But I can see them,” she said reaching out to touch Irene’s arm. “I can touch them.”
“They’re allowing you to do that,” smiled Cole.
“Don’t be afraid child,” said Irene. “My husband and I raised fifteen children on this land, then adopted hundreds more. You’re one of our children now.”
“Oh, my. I think I’m hallucinating,” said Layla.
“You’re not hallucinating,” said Matthew. He lay a hand on her shoulder, then reached down, kissing her forehead. When he stood straight again, her face had an ethereal glow of gold and yellow.
“Wh-what was that?” she whispered.
“A blessin’,” said Ruby. “I’m Ruby, honey. You’re going to have a very long and healthy life here.”
“This is remarkable,” she said staring at their faces. “You’re all different nationalities, heritages.”
“That’s true,” laughed Irene. “Matthew and I are from here. We got Yori, he’s Hiro’s grandfather. Nathan, he’s Trak’s grandfather. Martha and Franklin, well, they’ve been on this land for more than two-hundred years. Same is true for all the others.”
“Unbelievable,” she said staring at them all. “You know everything about the history of this land, about the plants.”
“Oh, that’s Irene’s forte,” smiled Matthew. “You ask her, Martha, or Franklin and they can tell you everything about our plants.”
“Do you, um, haunt people?” she asked nervously.
“Only those that deserve it,” smirked Sven. “It can be liberating and a whole lot of fun.”
Layla laughed, gripping Cole’s arm.
“If I’m ever gone, they’ll watch over you,” said Cole. “You shouldn’t fear them at all.”
“It’s odd,” smiled Layla. “I don’t fear them. I mean, it seems reasonable to be afraid of a group of ghosts but I’m not feeling fear at all. I’m at peace, comfortable, calm. Is that strange?”
“No, child,” said Irene. “You’re feeling our love. You’re feeling it because we all know that you’re good on the inside. You’re going to be an amazing wife and mother.”
“Mama Irene, we’ve only been married two days,” smiled Cole.
“Babies have been made in less time Cole McDonald. You best keep that in the forefront of your mind. Layla? Come with me baby. We’re gonna walk through the gardens, show you some things that might help you in medicine. Cole? You go see your family. We’ll bring her back safe.”
“I know you will, Mama Irene,” he smirked. “Love you, Layla.”
“I love you, too,” she said hugging him. Irene took her hand and she opened her mouth, laughing. “You’re warm! You’re wonderfully, comfortingly warm!”
As the ghosts chuckled, following Irene and Layla into the gardens, Ham walked up to his son.
“How did she take that?” he asked.
“Like a champ,” laughed Cole. “She’s amazing, Dad. I think I understand now how your life changed so quickly when you met Mom.”
“Well, in fairness when I met your mother she was slightly, uh, off,” he laughed.
“I know but you understand what I mean.”
“I do. Just wait until you have children. That protection factor will go through the roof and you won’t be able to control it. You won’t want to control it. There will be nothing more important than protecting your children from the world.”
“Dad? What are you saying?”
“The Navy knows that you have been potentially exposed. They’re discussing releasing you.”
“I see,” he nodded. “I guess that’s not surprising. If I’ve been identified and my cover blown, it could be dangerous for my team.”
“You’re not upset?”
“I am. And I’m not,” he laughed. “I guess that tells you how much I love my wife.”
Ham slapped his son’s back, guiding him back toward the offices.
“It does indeed, Cole.”