CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“We’re taking Madeline to the pond today,” said Riley looking at Rory, Max, Gibbie, and Stone. They’d come to check on the little girls’ progress and waited to speak with Riley.
“Do you need our help?” asked Stone.
“I could use it today. The nurses and staff have been overwhelmed with all the colds and flu going around. If you could get the covered ATV, heated, with a mattress and blankets, that would be best. We have to be sure to move that spine as little as possible.”
“Are her aunt and uncle here?” asked Gibbie.
“No. They both got stuck at work but I told them we were going to move ahead. I think they were worried that this ‘hot bath’ wasn’t going to do anything and she would be disappointed.
They work on the other side of New Orleans, so this is quite a drive for them.
They’ve been here every evening with her, though. ”
“I’ll get in the water with her,” said Max. Riley nodded as she turned to head back to the child’s room. She stopped and then turned to the men.
“Hey guys? Don’t get your hopes up. She’s moving her toes and she’s not in any pain but I’m just not sure how much of this has worked. We gave it our best and that’s all we can do for now.”
Riley walked away and they just stilled, unable to move or think.
“This sucks,” said Gibbie. “That kid deserves a chance to walk and run. Hell, she needs to be able to dance.”
“Baby, she’s been given the gift of life,” said Irene appearing before them. “That’s a powerful gift to give.”
“We know, Mama Irene,” said Rory. “But she’s innocent. She’s done nothing wrong and yet she’s being punished.”
“Baby, she’s not being punished. That tumor was just somethin’ that happened. Our doctors have given her a chance at a normal life. But even if she can’t walk, she’s alive. She’ll live and go to school and marry and have friends. That’s the gift my babies.”
“You’re right, Mama Irene,” said Stone nodding at the ghostly grandma. “She’s been in great spirits. We’re the ones moaning about this. Let’s just pray that the pond does its magic once again.”
“I’ll pray with y’all,” said Irene as she disappeared.
When the men entered Madeline’s room, she was smiling and chattering away with Doc.
“And then in another episode the guy turns into a vampire and falls in love with a ghost. It’s the coolest show ever!” she said with an exaggerated expression.
“I’ll have to try and catch up on that,” smiled Doc. “It looks like your bodyguards are here.”
“Do I need bodyguards?” she asked with a smile.
“Of course,” said Rory. “Every princess needs bodyguards.”
“I’m not a princess,” she laughed.
“How are you feeling, kiddo?” asked Stone.
“Good. I’m scared about this pond. I can swim but I don’t know if my legs will move.”
“Just take it a minute at a time,” said Max. “I’m going to get in with you to make sure you’re okay. Don’t worry about a thing.” Her expression said she still wasn’t sure and she looked at the men, nibbling on her bottom lip and nodded.
“Speak up, kiddo,” said Rory. “Say what’s on your mind.”
“My aunt and uncle. They’re so worried and they’re working so hard. I’m worried about them. If, um, if something happens to me will you take care of them?”
“Nothing will happen to you,” said Rory. “We won’t let it and we always keep our word.”
Doc turned and stared at his teammate. Giving a promise like that was risky. It could backfire. All they could do was hope that Mama Irene’s magic would help the child.
It seemed to take an hour to get her secured to the padded board and moved to the ATV. Driving carefully along the path, the men only smiled at one another realizing that someone, most likely Matthew, had smoothed the path completely. It was as if they were driving on new asphalt.
“Here we are kiddo,” smiled Max. “Listen, Madeline. I have to take my clothes off for this or we’ll ruin the water.”
“Do I have to take my clothes off?” she asked.
“Honey, you do,” said Rory.
“Oh.”
“It’s alright, I’m here,” smiled Piper. She kissed Rory, giving him a wink. “Riley called and said our favorite patient would need to take a swim and the only people available were yucky boys. Blah!”
“They’re not yucky,” laughed Madeline. “They’re just, um, boys.”
“Okay. I’m going to help you get undressed and cover you up. Then I’m going to get in and the boys will hand you to me. Okay?”
“That sounds better,” she smiled.
Her gown made it very easy to get her undressed. When Piper was undressed, she dove into the warm waters, grateful to be out of the blustery winds.
“Okay, I’m ready,” said Piper.
Max and Rory lifted her carefully, kneeling on the dock and gently laying her in Piper’s arms. Piper held the little girl to her chest, smiling at her.
“It’s so warm,” said Madeline. “It feels even better than a bath.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” laughed Piper. She could see Matthew and Irene kneeling near the pond. They were glowing in golden light, their hands clasped together, touching the water.
“Honey, try to move your legs,” said Stone.
Piper held the little girls’ arms, holding her slightly away from her body. She waited, hoping and praying for the child.
“I’m wiggling my ankles,” she smiled. Piper looked down and smiled.
“You are! Try to move your legs,” she said excitedly. Sure enough, the little girl moved her legs back and forth. “You’re doing it, Madeline! Can you swim?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said pushing away. They watched as the little made awkward strokes around the pond, the entire time laughing.
“She’s swimming,” said Rory with tears in his eyes. “She’s swimming.”
“Fucking hell this is kicking my ass,” laughed Max.
“Okay, honey, let’s get out and get warm,” said Piper. They wrapped the little girl in towels and then helped her to dress, firmly seated on the soft seats of the ATV.
“How do you feel, kiddo?” asked Stone.
“Amazing! I can’t believe a bath helped me like that.”
“Well, it’s a pretty good bath,” smiled Max. “Let’s get you back to the hospital. Riley will want to take a look at you again.”
“Okay,” she smiled. “Thank you, Miss Piper. Will you thank the two angels for me? I know they were sprinkling magic in the pond.”
Piper laughed, nodding at the little girl.
“I will definitely thank the two angels. They sprinkle magic on everything they touch.”
“But how is this possible?” asked Maribeth. “How is it possible that warm water could help her like this?”
“Honey, I don’t think we want to question it,” said Geoff.
“It’s okay, Aunt Maribeth. It was the angels that sprinkled gold dust in the pond.” Her aunt laughed, nodding as she pushed her hair from her face, kissing her forehead.
“I’m sure the angels did it,” she smiled. The others just grinned at the little girl, Max giving her a wink.
“When can we take her home?” asked Geoff.
“We’re working on her discharge papers now,” said Riley. “She should take things slow for a while, just in case, but I don’t anticipate any issues. I’d like to see her again after the new year. And you, you little rascal. I think you’re my favorite patient ever.”
“Ever?” laughed Madeline.
“Ever,” smiled Riley. “I’ll see you folks later.”
After Doc and Ambry gave instructions to her aunt and uncle, the team helped them back out to their car. Geoff opened the door and stepped back.
“Wait. What is this? How did this happen?” he gasped.
“How did what happen?” asked Stone staring at him.
“The car. The car is filled with gifts. How?”
“Oh, that’s easy, Uncle Geoff. It was the angels.”