Chapter Ten

Going into the convalescent’s room, Dr. Green nodded at Steven and Lauren and then smiled at his patient. “How are you feeling, Vicky?”

Vicky liked this doctor. Throughout her period of convalescence, he had been straightforward, never mincing words about her prognosis. “Tired and sore would about sum it up, Phil.”

“That’s to be expected.” He inspected the incision sites and then looked at her chart. “I am concerned with the output of your kidneys, Vicky. Your blood pressure is high, and tests indicate problems. I’m going to order medication that will help, but I want you to know there is a good possibility of renal failure.” The look on his face underscored how serious that could be.

Steven taken back by the frankness of the discussion, asked, “What caused this, Doctor?”

“Could be a number of things related to the loss of blood followed by the surgery. She is lucky to be alive. Why don’t we see what happens in the next twenty-four hours. She is still putting out some fluids, which is encouraging, but there is a strong possibility that won’t last much longer. We need to prepare for what might come.”

“If she needs a transplant I would like to be tested as a donor.” All eyes turned to Lauren.

“I can arrange that. If it comes to that, we will have to move your mother to another hospital. They don’t do living transplants here.”

There was no hesitation whatsoever for Lauren. Her mother was in need of a kidney and she was prepared to do whatever was necessary. “No problem,” Lauren replied. “How soon can we start the testing?”

“I’ll arrange it for later on today. You do know there’s a possibility you won’t be a match. Of course, with a blood relative, especially a child, the probability of matching is greatly increased. Check with me in thirty minutes for the times. Vicky, you take care. I’ll be back this evening to see you before I leave for the night.”

As the doctor left, Victoria and Steven made eye contact, conveying unspoken words.

“Lori, is Maggie still here? I would like to see her and thank her for all she has done.” Vicky’s eyes went once again to her husband and he nodded, answering the unspoken request.

“Why don’t my two best girls have some time together, and I’ll see if I can find Maggie.” He smiled and kissed his wife before going out the door.

Entering Victoria’s room, Maggie heard the two Walkers laughing. “Is this a private party, or can anyone join?”

Lauren’s eyes lit up as she walked over and gave Maggie a hug and kiss. “You, my dear, are always welcome. Mother and I were just reminiscing about the day I decided to sit out on the roof when I was four. Did your dad get off okay?”

“Yes, he did. Vicky, it’s good to see you looking so well.” She walked over to the bed and bent down to place a kiss on the woman’s cheek.

“Thank you for everything. I understand your father was very helpful, as well. When you speak with him, will you convey my thanks?” The fatigue and strain were visible on her face, but she needed to talk with Maggie and Lauren and it had to be now. “There’s something we need to talk about.”

Lauren knew by the look on her mother’s face that it was serious. She didn’t know if either of them was up to such a talk. “Mom, why don’t we do this later? You look like you could use a nap.”

“No, it has to be now. Lori, I need you to help me understand.”

Yep, this is serious. “Okay.”

Victoria took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “First, I want you both to know that I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me over these last few weeks. I regard Maggie as a kind and decent woman; I like her. That being said, I am not going to pretend that I understand why you two find it necessary to be lovers. Can’t you just be friends? Don’t you know what your lives are going to be like? Sex with another woman … I just don’t get it.”

Lauren looked out the window while she gathered her thoughts. Her mother was a gifted jurist and she wouldn’t ask any question to which she did not already know the answer. She had some other purpose, but Lauren didn’t know what it could be. She finally spoke, all the while looking at Maggie. “Mom, it isn’t about sex, it’s about how I relate to Maggie. When I look at her, my heart fills with so much joy and happiness that sometimes I think it will explode. I have never felt so loved. With her, I can be me. No pretenses, no games, just me—Lori. I know that I can tell her my deepest, darkest thoughts, and she will understand and be accepting. She makes me feel totally loved and so safe. There is no place I would rather be than by her side. She takes my breath away. It is corny to say but she completes me. I’ve spent all my life chasing after something. Almost from the moment I saw her, I knew my search was over. Yes, we have sex—and I had no idea making love could be so all consuming and fulfilling—but that is only a part of the whole.” She looked lovingly towards Maggie.

“Do I know what our life together will be like? Probably not completely; but when it comes right down to it, I don’t care what others think or say. Knowing what I do now, I could not live my life without her. The love I feel for her is my passion and always will be.” She walked over to Maggie and placed her hand over her lover’s heart. “This heart beats for me.”

For Maggie, there was no one else in the room, only Lauren. After placing her hand over Lauren’s, she smiled. “Yes, it beats for you and you alone.” She lifted the hand to her lips and gently kissed the fingers. “Lauren, I was lost and searching. You saved me from a life of aimless wandering. When I was being pulled under by the current and had to make the decision to fight it or just let it take me, from somewhere in the universe your heart and soul spoke to my mind and said, “I am so close; fight for me.” And I did. Will you come and live with me, and be my partner throughout this life and whatever lies beyond?”

Tears of joy streamed down Lauren’s cheeks as she held Maggie close. “Yes, my love, for all time and beyond.”

Vicky knew what she suspected was true—they had an extraordinary love. “Thank you both for your honesty. I just needed to be certain” She wiped a tear from her eye. “This whole ordeal has made me reevaluate my life, and I would like to see if I can mend some old wounds. Lori and I have done that, but there is one other to whom I have done a great disservice, and I need your help in rectifying that.” Her eyes searched each woman, hoping they would give her that chance.

Arm in arm, Lauren and Maggie looked at Vicky. “Anything.”

“I want to find my other daughter. It seems so strange to say that aloud after all these years of speaking it only to myself. I want to try to make things right between us if that is at all possible. Will you help me?” Tears coursed down her cheeks. She needed to come to terms with the child she had abandoned forty-one years earlier. She knew it would be next to impossible to find her daughter but if there was any possibility, she needed to seize it. “I betrayed her, abandoned her, something that is not easily forgiven. But I want to try.”

Maggie looked deep into Vicky’s eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. “Consider it done.” Maggie’s mind drifted back to a previous conversation with one Harriet Aristides. Damn I hope this time she is more receptive to my call. I think it will be a good move to speak with the uncle first. Maybe he can persuade her to hear me out. After dad gave me the information about Vicky’s first daughter, I was just trying to feel her out about her feelings about her mother. Now that Lauren is in my life it is paramount that I succeed in reuniting them all. She silently laughed. I guess this time it would be a good move to leave my name.

Lauren reached out for Maggie’s hand. “We must somehow convince her to meet with mother.”

“Convincing her might call for some fancy footwork, but you can work miracles so we are already a step ahead.”

“Thank you, both.” With that, Vicky closed her eyes and, as she fell into a deep healing sleep, her thoughts were full with the possibility of new beginnings with her daughter Harriet. She knew she was gravely ill, and if trying to reconcile with her firstborn were the last thing that she did in her life, it would be worth any heartache she might feel if Harriet rejected her attempts. And, it would be an additional blessing if Lauren connected with her sister, who was blameless in all this. There could be no better ending to her life.