Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
M aggie, Paolo and Sarah followed Michael into Lauren’s room.
“Hey, guys,” Lauren said. “I’m so happy you finally made it.”
Maggie hugged Lauren and wouldn’t let go. Paolo and Sarah stood awkwardly by the side waiting their turn.
“Um, Mom, I think it’s time you let Paolo and Sarah get in there,” Michael said.
Maggie hit Michael on the arm.
“Can I help it if I’ve missed my daughter so much?”
“You didn’t hug me that long at the airport,” Michael teased.
Maggie threw her arms around him and squeezed. “How’s this?”
“Much better, thank you.”
“Where’s my grandson?” Maggie asked.
“The nurse took him for a bit, but she promised to bring him back soon. Jeff went home to get the girls. They should be here any minute.”
“You look good, honey. How was the delivery?”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “It took much longer than I thought. I had about eight hours of on and off contractions, but then Daniel got serious about making his debut, so I had another hour or two of intense work before he poked his little head out.”
“Yes, but look at what you got in the end,” Maggie added.
Lauren nodded, “It’s so worth every minute. Wait until you see him. He’s so adorable. I think he looks like Olivia. So, tell me what’s going on in Florida? How’s Grandma?”
Sarah laughed. “You know Grandma…not a dull moment. She’s settled into her place nicely. Mom, tell Lauren what Grandma did the other night. Wait till you hear this one.”
Maggie chuckled. “She’s now a tour guide for the condo community. She got a bus and then took a bunch of seniors from the facility over to our place. The bus was so big they had the bus driver park in our driveway so she could take them all to The Mucky Duck,” Maggie explained.
“She’s such a character,” Michael said.
Brea suddenly appeared at the door.
“Hey, honey,” Michael said, as he ran to her and took her hand. He kissed his wife and pulled her into the room.
“Look who’s here,” Michael said.
“Hey, Maggie,” Brea said.
“Hi, Brea. I’ve already squeezed your husband to within an inch of his life. It’s your turn, come here and give me a hug.”
Brea threw her arms around Maggie and then hugged Paolo.
“Did you bring the kids with you?” Michael asked.
“No. I dropped them off at Trisha's. I needed to come myself this time. I’m getting tested for Emily, and my appointment is at one o’clock.”
“I thought…I didn’t know you were going to do that. Why didn’t you tell me you changed your mind?”
Brea shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I felt bad…ashamed…selfish for giving you such a hard time.”
“Honey, you have every right to do what is best for you. Please don’t do this if you have any reservations,” Maggie added.
Brea shook her head. “My reservations weren’t about me, I was concerned for Michael. I didn’t want him to go through tests and blood work, and, oh, I don’t know. I was just worried, that’s all. When they said he couldn’t donate, I was relieved, but then I thought about Emily and how I’d feel if any of my children were in need of a kidney. The thought of any child dying because they didn’t get a kidney in time was too much to accept. I’d do anything I could to save my children. So, here I am.”
“It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, Brea,” Maggie said.
The nurse came into the room carrying Daniel.
“And here he is. The main attraction,” she said.
The nurse handed the baby to Lauren, who cradled her baby close. “Hello, little one. Here he is Grandma,” she said.
Maggie cradled Daniel in her arms and walked to Paolo. “Hello, Daniel. We’re your grandparents. Welcome to the family. We’re going to have so much fun, you wait and see.”
Jeff, Olivia and Lilly arrived as Maggie handed Daniel to Lauren.
“Let me look at my beautiful granddaughters. Give me a hug.”
Olivia and Lily hugged Maggie and then Paolo and rushed to their mother’s side to see their little brother.
“Hi Daniel, I’m Olivia.”
Lily pushed Olivia and wiggled closer to the baby. “Let me see. Oh, he’s so cute.”
Lily bent down and kissed Daniel’s cheek. The newborn’s eyes were wide open and he stayed focused on Lauren’s face.
“I hate to leave everyone, but I’ve got to go for my appointment,” Brea said.
“I’m coming with you,” Michael added, and then looked at Sarah. “Your appointment is at two, right?”
“That’s right,” she said.
“They’re taking me in at two-thirty,” Paolo added.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Shocked, Maggie asked, “What? You never said…”
Paolo interrupted his wife.
“Did you think I’d let everyone else get tested and not do it myself? I might not be biologically connected, but I’ve got two kidneys, I’m not on any medications and I’m healthy. I think that qualifies me as a candidate, don’t you?”
Maggie put her hand on his face. “Paolo Moretti, you continue to amaze me.”
“Just trying to keep you on your toes, Mrs. Moretti.”
Maggie got directions to Emily’s room and took the elevator to the third floor. As usual when she felt anxious, her stomach rumbled several times before she reached the room. It was one thing talking to Eve on the phone, but another to come face-to-face with the woman with whom her husband had an affair over twenty-years ago.
Concerned about talking to Eve in front of Emily, Maggie opted to send Eve a text, letting her know that she was on her way. She was relieved when Eve suggested they meet in the cafeteria.
Maggie had no idea what the woman looked like. She’d been given a little information about her from Emily, but not enough to pick her out from a crowd of people. Fortunately, Eve waved to her.
Someone must have shared a photo of me with Eve…was it Daniel?
“Eve?”
“Yes, hello Maggie.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m finished. Please, join me. Are you going to have something?”
Maggie shook her head. “No, thanks, I’m not really hungry.”
“I understand your daughter is in this hospital, having her baby?”
“Yes, my daughter Lauren just had a boy. She’s named him Daniel.”
Eve smiled and then glanced down at her hands. She played with the ring on her finger and then looked back at Maggie. “It’s as it should be. Daniel would be so proud.”
If this were four years ago, Maggie would have felt insulted that Eve assumed anything regarding Daniel. She would have fought back and insisted she could not talk to her with such intimacy.
But that was the old Maggie, the one who didn’t believe she could afford forgiveness or kindness toward Eve. She would have been justified too, but her anger would have served no one. Besides, she thought, the playing field would have leveled for both of them, the minute Daniel died.
Now, the only response she could give was a smile and a slight nod.
“I was on my way to see Emily, and I thought perhaps you and I should meet first.”
Eve nodded. “I understand. This whole thing must be awkward for you and your family. I am sorry to have come into your life this way.”
Maggie shook her head. “Not at all. I would have done the same if the roles were reversed.”
It was hard not to stare at Eve. Maggie could see why Daniel was attracted to her. Not only was she beautiful, but there was also something about the way she carried herself. Even in her chair, Eve sat tall and confident, most likely a consequence of being so petite.
Maggie thought about Beth. She was the shortest of her children, but you’d never know it the way she competed with her much taller siblings.
“Eve, I wanted to talk with you without Emily in the room. Meeting you this way, after all these years, was the only way. I realize without Emily’s need for a kidney, we might never have met in person.”
Eve smiled. “I’m not so sure that you’re right about that, Maggie. If you know Emily at all, you must know how innocent she is. To her, there is nothing unusual about our families coming together. In her eyes, we should all be one big, happy family.”
“I’m trying to understand,” Maggie said. “Is that because of her autism or something else?”
Eve shrugged. “I’m not sure but my instinct is that it’s much more than autism. She has the purest heart of anyone I’ve ever encountered. I don’t say that because she’s my daughter. There is something special about Emily.”
Maggie smiled. She’d been around Emily enough to know what Eve was talking about, but she could also see that Emily was blessed with a mother who adored her.
“Heaven knows you have every right to be angry with me. I certainly wouldn’t blame you or any of your family if you refused to help us.”
Maggie understood what Eve was trying to say.
“We need to focus only on the good. Let’s leave the past where it belongs…in the past. Maybe there is something to learn from Emily.”
Eve nodded. “Yes. I agree, and because of it, I know that she will be healed. My little girl isn’t done teaching us all how to be in the world.”
Maggie agreed with Eve and suddenly felt that everything would be okay. She reached across the table and they joined hands.
“I believe you’re right, Eve,” she said. “Emily is going to make it. I believe it with all my heart.”