It's So Easy To Love Maddie
This story is the property of the co-authors and cannot be reproduced or distributed without specific consent of the authors. It is written for your enjoyment only. This story about the love between two women and is fiction. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.
Chapter Ten
By Chrissy and Peyton
It had been a year since Izzy and Maddie had seen Megan and Lori. They talked on the phone on a regular basis missing the close intimate relationship they had with Megan and Lori. Megan and Lori had moved outside San Diego after graduating. Megan had accepted a job as a physical therapist at a rehab center immediately after graduation and she and Lori had moved there. Lori found a job teaching fourth grade. It wasn't the grade level she wanted but she was lucky to have a job. When she moved there with Megan, she applied for several teaching positions only to not be accepted. It was three weeks before school was to start and she was in an elementary school interviewing with the principal. She was interviewing for substituting plus there was a teacher who was going on maternity leave and would need a full time replacement until she came back. The principal had been told that morning a fourth grade teacher's husband had been transferred and they were moving in a month out of state leaving the principal short one fourth grade teacher with only three weeks until classes began. She offered the job to Lori on the spot who readily accepted. The principal promised her the teacher who was leaving would assist her with her classroom set up and fill her in on grade level activity.
Maddie and Izzy were so excited, they were flying out to see both Lori and Megan right after finals and the completion of their junior year. Neither had been to California before and they looked forward to seeing it plus seeing Lori and Megan. Lori was out for the summer as her school let out at the same time Maddie and Izzy were finished. Megan was taking the week off from work to visit with them. This was the only week they could come out as Maddie had an internship lined up in her hometown and she had to be back to start work. Lori was going to work at the department store.
Megan and Lori had a really nice house in a very pretty neighborhood. While modest in nature, it was all they needed. Lori was waiting on them outside the gate area when they landed in San Diego. Megan had to work that day but she would see them later that night when she got off work. They hugged and kissed each other picking up their one bag from baggage claim and headed out. It was like old times as they talked and laughed on the way to Lori's.
That week they went to the zoo, to old town, and to some of Lori and Megan's favorite places to go. California was more progressive than where Maddie and Izzy were from and the area was more tolerant of the LBGT community. They even had nightclubs and restaurants that catered to them. So it was no surprise that Megan walked around as they visited places holding Maddie's hand and Lori holding Izzy's. They made love a few times that week with of course Maddie and Megan mostly together and Lori and Izzy together. Just like before Megan and Lori moved to California, on the last night, Maddie and Megan slept together making love multiple times as did Lori and Izzy. Maddie and Izzy returned home very happy they had made the trip and happier they had renewed their attachment to Megan and Lori.
Senior year of college rolled around for Maddie and Izzy. Life couldn't have been better for both of them. Maddie had completed her internship with a major consulting firm that all but guaranteed her a job once she graduated next spring. Izzy was finally able to get some classroom teaching time as the fall semester she completed her practicums.
Christmas had come with Maddie and Izzy over at Izzy's parents. Aunt Mary had come over too. As was their practice, Maddie and Izzy waited until last to open the presents they got for each other. They each opened some clothes and jewelry they purchased and Izzy had one last present to open. She opened the box and there was a note inside that just read "Me?" She didn't understand and looked at Maddie like she was crazy saying, "You? Are you my present?"
Maddie told her to lift up the next tissue in the box and as she did she found another note that read, "You." Izzy was not following this but everyone else knew and her dad was standing by with the camera hidden ready to pull it out at the right moment.
Maddie again told her to keep looking and she found another piece of paper that said "Will". "I don't know any Will," Izzy said about ready to throw the box at Maddie and ask her what she was trying to pull.
"Keep looking," Maddie said again.
Izzy lifted another piece of tissue and there was one more piece of paper. It read, "Marry". Then it hit Izzy and she brought her hand to her mouth and wide-eyed looked at Maddie her hands now shaking. Maddie had gotten up and come over to her and got down on one knee pulling a diamond ring from behind her back. She held it out to Izzy and took her hand saying, "Will you marry me Izzy Grace Walker?"
The ladies in the room were wiping their eyes as Izzy's dad was snapping picture after picture while they all waited for Izzy to say something. Izzy tears started flowing down her face as she looked first to the ring then to Maddie saying with her voice breaking, "Yes, yes, Maddie Walker, yes I'll marry you."
Maddie then placed the ring on Izzy's shaking hand and Izzy just held her hand out staring at it with her other one still on her mouth and tears still rolling down her face. "Oh my God, Maddie. This is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Mom come here, look," She said holding her hand out so her mother could see it.
"Yes darling," Evelyn said, "It is beautiful but what makes it more beautiful is seeing it on your hand."
Izzy then realizing she was still sitting, got up, jumped and threw her arms around Maddie giving her the biggest hug and then kissing her in front of everyone.
"There's that look again," chimed in Aunt Mary who was now standing next to Evelyn. Evelyn put her arm around Mary and hugged her.
"It will never get old seeing it Mary," Evelyn said.
Later that day Maddie and Izzy were sitting around the table with Evelyn, Mary, and Aunt Silvia. Izzy still had her hand out staring at the ring. Maddie had a distant gaze in her eyes that Aunt Mary could see something was bothering her. "Care to share what it is you are fretting over, Maddie?" Aunt Mary asked.
Everyone turned to Maddie as this was supposed to be a time of happiness and love. She hesitated and Izzy grabbed her hand squeezing it to give her the strength she needed to speak. A tear formed in Maddie's eye and she wiped it with her finger. "I know I should be happy and I know how much I love you Aunt Mary. I can't help but think all the last 4 years of love and fun I have had with Izzy and now, today, we are planning our lives to be together forever and my mom is not here to be a part of it," she said then more tears escaped from her eyes.
Izzy released Maddie's hand and brought it up to her head bringing Maddie's head over to hers and held her there as Maddie let the tears flow.
"I know sweetheart and I wish she was too," Aunt Mary said. "God has a plan for all of us and right now his plan is for her to not be a part of your life. I know you miss her and I miss my sister too and have for more years than you have missed her. I can't tell you to put it out of your mind but I can tell you it's not something you have control over and thus don't let it ruin your moment today or your wedding if she is not there. You have all of us now and I'm sure Evelyn and Silvia consider you to be their daughter as much as I consider you mine and we will be there for you."
Evelyn then agreed with Mary telling Maddie ever since she met her she felt as if she were a daughter to her and what her mother lost she gained and she would always be a daughter to her.
This made Maddie feel much better and she was able to stop with the tears as she got up and hugged Aunt Mary, Silvia and Evelyn before coming back and kissing Izzy telling her she was sorry for putting a damper on her engagement day.
Aunt Mary seeing this as an opening to changing the topic to lighten the mood said, "There's a story about that ring, Izzy," Aunt Mary said. "That ring was my mother's, Maddie's grandmother's engagement ring. Before she passed away, she gave me the ring because I was her oldest and told me to save it for my children. It had brought her many years of love and happiness and she wanted someone else to get the same love and happiness out of it. Maddie didn't know I had it but this summer when she asked me if I would help her find a ring she could afford to give to you I remembered this ring and told her other than having it sized and to make sure the stones were set it was perfect. She sent me your ring size and I had it sized, cleaned and checked out. It's an heirloom and I can't think of a better hand to wear it than yours."
"I love it but now I love it even more. Thank you for thinking of me and us. I will always treasure it and it will have special meaning beyond being an engagement ring," Izzy said and gave Aunt Mary a very long and hard hug.
Later that afternoon, Izzy sent a text to Lori attaching a picture of the ring on her hand and wishing them a Merry Christmas. She received a text back from both Lori and Megan with a selfie attached of the two of them wearing Santa hats holding a sign that read, "Congrats, we love you both so much!"
The plan was to have the wedding right after they graduated followed by a honeymoon in Paris and other parts of France before they settled in with new jobs. Aunt Mary and Evelyn worked on finding a venue for the wedding since no church would marry a same sex couple.
It was mid-January and Izzy was interning at an elementary school on the other side of town. She would leave at six in the morning not returning until after five in the afternoon. This week had been rough on Maddie as she had not been feeling well for a few days. Today was the worst as she seemed to be running a fever and was feeling nauseous. She decided to stay home instead of walking to class so she didn't infect any of the other students. She sent a text to her professors telling them she was running a fever and she wouldn't be in class. Then she laid back down to rest.
About ten that morning she awoke with an excruciating pain in her abdomen area. She still felt feverish and she also had thrown up. She was going to text Izzy but she decided not to bother her. She knew how much interning meant to Izzy and she didn't want Izzy worrying about her especially if she only had the flu as there was nothing Izzy could do for her anyway. She would tough it out until Izzy got home then she could take her to the clinic.
Maddie became delirious from her fever and pain and lost all sense of time. Izzy arrived home just after five in the afternoon finding Maddie lying on the bed. She looked horrible and ashen. Izzy touched her finding her burning up from fever. She sat on the bed next to her and when she did Maddie cried out in pain. Izzy knew this was serious and immediately got Maddie up out of bed putting her coat and slippers on her. She helped her to the car and drove directly to the emergency room of the hospital just off of campus. Once inside she was taken to a room and a doctor came in. After asking some questions of her and Izzy he ordered some blood work and x-rays.
About an hour later the doctor came back in and told Izzy and Maddie it appeared her appendix had ruptured and they were taking her to the operating room for emergency surgery to remove her appendix. The doctor told Izzy where to go to wait and told them a surgeon had already been notified and would be waiting for Maddie in the operating room.
Izzy went to the waiting area for surgical patients and while there she first called Aunt Mary then her mother to tell them where she was and about Maddie. She also thought to send a text to Lori and Megan and tell them. Aunt Mary told Izzy she would come immediately. Evelyn told Izzy to call her as soon as Maddie came out of surgery to let her know how it went. She also received a text from Lori saying they were praying for Maddie and to let them know how the surgery went.
Two hours had passed and no doctor had come out to tell Izzy how Maddie was doing. About that time Aunt Mary showed up. She went to the nurse's station telling them she was Maddie's aunt and asking about her condition. The nurse checked and said the doctor was just finishing up and would come out and talk to them in a minute.
Dr. Tracey came into the waiting area calling out for relatives of patient followed by a reference number which the hospital used to protect the identity of patients. He escorted them into a side area and introduced himself as Dr. Tracey the surgeon who operated on Maddie. He told them from talking with Maddie her appendix had ruptured sometime in mid morning. She should have been brought in the hospital and operated on within the next two hours after that. Because she went all day her appendix has leaked infectious material into her abdominal area . They removed her appendix and cleaned as much of the waste from inside her as they could but she would have to remain in the hospital for at least three to four days to make sure that no infection occurs which is the biggest risk from having your appendix rupture. She was to be given a heavy dose of antibiotics to fight any infection. He further advised that Maddie would be in recovery for another hour then taken to a room in the critical care unit and directed them to that floor.
After the doctor left, Izzy who had tears running down her face, told Aunt Mary it was her fault. Maddie had not been feeling well and she should have paid more attention during the day. Aunt Mary hugged Izzy telling her it was not her or anyone else's fault. Things like this happen. They walked to the critical care unit and Izzy called her mom telling her Maddie's condition. Evelyn also talked to Mary and said she would drive over the next day. Izzy called her professor and her teacher mentor telling them she would be taking the next day off because of Maddie.
Later Maddie was brought into a room and Izzy immediately was at her side. Maddie was groggy from the anesthesia but she squeezed Izzy's hand letting her know she knew Izzy was there. Izzy refused to go home that night and the nurses relented saying she could stay in the room with Maddie.
Izzy gave her apartment key to Aunt Mary letting her go there to sleep. The next day Aunt Mary was back by eight in the morning finding Izzy half asleep in a chair next to Maddie. Maddie appeared to be asleep so Aunt Mary shook Izzy and told her to go downstairs and get something to eat. Izzy seeing Maddie still asleep reluctantly went down stairs. While she was gone a lab tech came in and took a blood sample from Maddie.
Izzy returned about a half hour later. She and Aunt Mary sat there talking with Mary trying to keep Izzy's mind from worrying so much. Two hours later Dr. Tracey came back in and checked on Maddie who still seemed to be half awake and half asleep. The doctor told Izzy and Mary that they had Maddie sedated because of the pain she would be experiencing from the surgery and that was why she seemed out of it. He did tell them the last blood test they took this morning did show a rise in infection but hopefully the regimen of antibiotics they had Maddie on would take care of it.
Late that afternoon Evelyn arrived. She hugged Izzy and Mary, then went over to Maddie and kissed her forehead squeezing her hand. "she feels hot," Evelyn said. Is she supposed to be running this high of a temperature?" It was at this time Maddie's nurse came in to check vitals on Maddie. Evelyn told the nurse how hot Maddie felt and the nurse confirmed her temperature was up. The nurse entered some data into her laptop she had with her then told Izzy she would be back in a few minutes. About ten minutes went by and the nurse came back in followed by Dr. Tracey. He asked everyone to leave the room as he needed to examine Maddie. Izzy tried to resist but Evelyn took her by the shoulder and told her let the doctor do his job.
A few minutes later, the doctor came out telling them infection had set in from her ruptured appendix and the antibiotics were struggling to keep up. Maddie had developed sepsis which was the worst case scenario that Maddie could have. They were doing everything they could to treat this and were adding another antibiotic to Maddie's treatment. Aunt Mary questioned the doctor on what else they could expect and a timeline for results. After the doctor left, both Aunt Mary and Evelyn had to console Izzy as she was still blaming herself and weeping.
The nurse told them that Maddie would be in and out most of the day and night as they were going to keep her sedated. Mary and Evelyn convinced Izzy to go home with Evelyn and get some rest, eat and change her clothes while Aunt Mary stayed with Maddie. While home, Izzy contacted Maddie's professors advising them of Maddie's status along with her professors and teaching mentor. She also sent a text to Lori filling her in on Maddie's condition.
By early evening, Izzy couldn't stay home any longer and made Evelyn drive her back to the hospital. After not seeing much change in Maddie, Evelyn volunteered to spend the night while Mary and Izzy went back to the apartment to sleep. The next morning the two went back to the hospital walking in finding Evelyn there holding Maddie's hand and praying. She told them Maddie didn't have a good night and appeared to be worse. They had already taken blood and were waiting on the doctor. She also told them she was mumbling a lot and she recognized the names of Izzy, Callie, both her and Mary, Megan and she said mom a few times plus she even said Daisy. Evelyn told Mary, the horse that Maddie rode at Grandpa's was named Daisy.
An hour later, the Dr. Tracey came in with another doctor. They checked on Maddie then asked to speak to the three ladies outside. Once outside the room, Dr. Tracey introduced Dr. Atkins telling them based on Maddie's condition that Dr. Atkins would be taking over as this was his area of expertise. Dr. Atkins told them he didn't like to sugar coat a patient's condition and proceeded to tell them that Maddie's condition had worsened overnight and she was now in a fight for her life. As those words came out Izzy's knees buckled and she almost fell to the floor. Aunt Mary and Evelyn grabbed her along with the doctor helping her to a chair. Before he continued, he made sure Izzy was okay. He told them the infection had gotten worse and the antibiotics didn't seem to be working as well as they had hoped. Her kidneys and liver were stressed from the infection and having to work harder and they were showing signs of failure. All they could do now would be to induce Maddie into a coma so her body and the antibiotics could concentrate on fighting off the infection. He didn't like to make predictions because anything can happen but he told them if there were any other relatives or close friends now is the time to contact them as the next two days would be the most critical for Maddie. Izzy started bawling crying out, "No, no you have to make her better. Don't let her die! I beg you, please!"
Evelyn wrapped her arms around Izzy holding her tight and kissing her head. Aunt Mary rubbed Izzy's back and her own eyes began to tear up. Before they could ask Izzy if there was anyone else to contact Izzy's phone rang. She was in no condition to talk on the phone so Evelyn answered it seeing the caller name of Lori. "This is Izzy's mom, is this is Lori?" she said.
"Ah yes ma'am, this is Lori. Is Izzy there?" Lori asked.
"I'm sorry but she can't talk right now. Can I give her a message for you?" At this time Izzy was able to speak or so she thought she could and she took her phone from her mom.
"Lori," she sobbed into the phone. "They..." then she just started crying into the phone.
Evelyn took the phone back and told Izzy to go sit down.
Lori was now afraid and alarmed before Evelyn could say anything shenpleaded, "What's wrong? Did something happen to Maddie? Please tell me what's going on?"
Evelyn put her hand over the phone turning to Izzy, "Do you want me to tell her the latest about Maddie?" Izzy nodded yes.
"Lori, I'm sorry I didn't remember who you were until now. You were the ones Maddie and Izzy visited in California this past summer?" Evelyn asked her.
"Yes ma'am, please tell me if something is wrong," she again pleaded with Evelyn.
"Unfortunately Maddie has taken a turn for the worse and the doctors aren't giving her much more time," she told Lori.
Hearing that news Lori almost collapsed but caught herself on the kitchen counter. It was early morning there and both Megan and she were getting ready to leave for work. Evelyn could hear Lori struggle to talk as she asked, "You mean she is going to die?"
"It doesn't look good and the doctors don't give her more than a couple of days before her organs give out if she doesn't respond to the antibiotics," Evelyn told her.
"We'll catch the next flight we can get and be there as soon as we can," Lori told Evelyn. "Tell Izzy, be strong if anyone can pull through this it will be Maddie. And tell her we love them both. I'll call you back on Izzy's phone once we make arrangements and let you know when we can be there."
"Okay I'll tell her," Evelyn said and before the phone went dead she heard Lori call out, "Oh my god Megan get in here hurry."
Evelyn and Mary stayed with Izzy and Maddie most of that day. Later that day flowers started coming in from the many friends the girls had. Maddie's professors both current and past sent flowers. The company she interned with sent some in along with Izzy's school where she was interning. Even Megan and Lori sent flowers. They even got flowers from Stephanie Williams who Mary told Evelyn she was Maddie's previous girlfriend in high school and the reason her mom kick her out. Eveyln heard from Lori that the earliest they could get a flight out was tomorrow and they wouldn't get in until mid to late afternoon. As it got late, Izzy said she wasn't leaving Maddie and sent Aunt Mary and her mom to the apt. Aunt Mary told Evelyn she needed to go and would be back in the morning. Evelyn asked her where she was going and Mary replied, " to do what I should have done four years ago," kissing both Maddie and Izzy and telling Evelyn to call her if anything changed before she got back.
The next morning Evelyn came into the hospital room finding Izzy in a chair facing the bed with her head lying on the bed and her hand on top of Maddie's. Evelyn had already checked in with the nurses to find Maddie had not improved and if anything had slightly worsened. She went up to Izzy placing her hand on her shoulder to wake her. Izzy looked up at her mom and then to Maddie. She stood up with her mom putting her arms around her.
"Mom, I can't lose her. She is everything to me. I've never been so in love with anyone like I love her. It's not fair. The last four years she has always put me first taking care of me." Izzy said with tears on her cheeks.
"I know honey," her mom said. "from the first day you met her I could tell you both were made for each other. The way you looked at each other I could see it in your eyes. Maddie is a very special young lady and it's so easy to love her," Evelyn added.
That morning Aunt Mary pulled up in the driveway that she hadn't been to in twelve years. The house looked the same but also different. The last time she was here things did not go well and she knew that this time would be no different but she had to do this for Maddie. She rang the doorbell. Sally and Frank Rogers were still getting ready for work as Callie was eating breakfast before she left for school.
"Callie, would you see who that is so early in the morning please?" Her mom called out. Callie got up from the table walking to the front door seeing a car she thought looked like Aunt Mary's car in the driveway.
It couldn't be her Callie thought. She opened the door finding Aunt Mary standing at the door. "Hi Aunt Mary," Callie said quietly as she knew her mom didn't want her over there. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I need to talk to your mom, dad and you. It's important. Let me in," Aunt Mary said a little more gruff than she meant to be but she was not going to sugar coat this.
Callie let her in as Sally was coming out from the bedroom. "Who was at..." was all she got out when she saw her sister standing in her house. "What are you doing here?" She demanded.
"I need to talk to all of you and you need to listen," Mary responded. "This isn't about you and me but about you and your daughter. And if you don't listen to me you may live the rest of your homophobic life regretting not taking two minutes to listen," Mary said pointing a finger at Sally.
James hearing the commotion came walking in to see what was going on. Mary didn't give any of them a chance to say a word continuing, "You can continue hating me and my choices and you don't have to agree with the choices Maddie has made but she is still your daughter. You raised the most beautiful sweetest girl Sally. How I don't know, but that girl is loved by everyone she comes in contact with and she stills loves you. Now when she needs you the most you are not there to show her the same love back." Mary was on a roll and she never lacked for telling it like it was and for twelve years these feelings have been pent up inside of her and she let them all out as she continued, "Your daughter is lying in a hospital bed at University Community Hospital fighting for her life and she needs her mother's love before she goes. And you need to see her one last time or you will regret it forever."
"What happened to Maddie?" Callie screamed with a shocked looked on her face and tears forming fast in her eyes.
"Her appendix ruptured and it led to infection. Her kidneys and liver are failing and the doctors are not optimistic about her recovery because the antibiotics aren't able to control the infection. They've placed her in a coma and told me to tell any other relatives today and tomorrow may be the last," Mary said. "I'm headed back up there. I only came home to tell you. You decide Sally, but now is your chance to not let this girl go without knowing her mother still loves her."
"I want to go. Can I go with you, Aunt Mary? I want to see Maddie," Callie pleaded.
"Yes honey you can go with me unless your mom refuses to let you see your sister too," Aunt Mary replied staring directly at Sally.
Sally just nodded at Callie indicating she could go. Callie ran to her room to get her purse, phone and a coat running back out. Mary had continued her assault on her sister. "Oh, and if you do decide to come don't make a scene. Her fianc‚ Izzy is there with her along with Evelyn, Izzy's mom." The word fianc‚e didn't get past Sally. Mary didn't know it but those words seemed to strike a cord within Sally. Mary and Callie turned and left to go back to the hospital.
Evelyn and Izzy talked for a few more minutes before Aunt Mary walked in with Callie in tow. Izzy immediately went to her hugging her and telling her she was glad she came. Callie went to the bed and took Maddie's hand and held it while she wept seeing her sister laying there with all the IV's and machines hooked up to her including the tube down her mouth that was keeping her breathing.
Evelyn filled Mary in on Maddie's condition and Mary told her Callie was Maddie's younger sister as they had yet to meet. Evelyn said she could tell. Other than being younger and having shorter hair it was obvious they were sisters as they looked so much alike. It wasn't long before the nurse came rushing in to check on Maddie questioning Mary and Evelyn did something happen as their monitors went off telling them Maddie heart rate had jumped up a few minutes ago. They told her nothing happened and Maddie had not moved. The nurse left without saying anything. The day dragged on as they all continued to stand watch over Maddie as she lay comatose in bed. They would be fine for a few minutes then one of them would start weeping then they all would start. It was about two in the afternoon when Mary needing a breather stepped out of the room into the hall. As she turned to her right, she saw James and Sally walking down the corridor. She stopped them before they got to the room to fill them in on Maddie's condition and how they would see her lying in the bed so they wouldn't be shocked. She also reminded them that Izzy was there by her side and it wasn't going to be easy to get her to leave.
Mary walked in ahead of them and caught Evelyn's attention motioning with her hand to come with her. As soon as Evelyn started for the door, she saw a man and woman standing behind Mary and could see a family resemblance to all of them in the woman. Mary stood between Evelyn and Sally and motioned for Sally and Frank to come in. As soon as they were in, she pulled Evelyn and they went out in the hall.
"Maddie's mom and dad, and my sister," she told Evelyn.
"I see the resemblance. Should I get Izzy out of there?" she asked Mary.
"Not unless you want a fight on your hands. You don't think Izzy is going to leave Maddie especially after all this time her mom has been out of her life, do you?" Mary asked.
"No I guess you're right. I just hope Izzy is smart enough not to tell her off and chase her out," Evelyn lightly said.
Sally just stared for a moment seeing her daughter for the first time up close in almost four years. Seeing her there with IV's, tubes and machines hooked up to her was not the time she wanted to be seeing her. She walked over to Callie first who was on the nearest side of the bed holding Maddie's hand and crying. She touched her shoulder and rubbed hair comforting her. She gazed across at Izzy who looked at her with red eyes holding Maddie's other hand and noticed the big ring on her finger that she recognized as her mom's engagement ring. She smiled a slight smile trying to break the tension then walked around the bed and put her hand on Izzy's shoulder looking down on her. Izzy looked up and then at the hand on her shoulder. She took Sally's hand off her shoulder and placed it on Maddie's hand on the bed. Izzy kept her hand on top of Sally's, slightly rubbing her thumb on Sally's hand. Evelyn and Mary had stepped back in and were watching from the doorway. Sally pulled her hand from Maddie and taking Izzy's hand she pulled her up and wrapped her arms around Izzy and hugged her taking one hand and holding Izzy head into her body. Izzy wrapped her arms around Sally and hugged her back then looked up telling her, "She can't die. I love her so much and I can't live without her."
Sally looking back down at her told her, "I know honey, I love her too and I can't live without her either." She leaned down and kissed Izzy on the forehead keeping her tight against her.
Mary and Evelyn seeing and hearing this were now wiping their eyes knowing that Sally had just broken a barrier and Izzy was the bridge that brought it about.
Sally asked James for the bag she brought and out of it she pulled the teddy bear that Maddie had left behind when she moved out. She placed it in the crook of Maddie's arm making it look like Maddie was holding it. She leaned down and kissed Maddie on the cheek squeezing her hand and telling her she was so sorry and she loved her with all her heart.
Izzy moved aside and made Sally sit down in the chair she had been using. She placed her hand on Sally's shoulder and squeezed and rubbed it then walked over to James holding her arms out and introducing her to him. James hugged her back and thanked her for caring for his little girl. She then went to her own mom and smiled for the first time in several days.
It was then that two nurses came running in making everyone move out of the way. Izzy got worried and grabbed her mom who held her tight watching what the nurses were doing. After checking Maddie the nurse turned to Mary and asked, "Did she move or do anything? What happened?"
"No she hasn't moved or anything, what's wrong? "she asked the nurse.
"Her heart beat went up again just a few minutes ago. Under sedation that is unusual unless she is moved or the sedation is not working right," she told them.
"No she didn't move and nothing happened except her mother came in," Mary said as she pointed at Sally.
The nurses left and paged the doctor who came almost immediately. After telling him what happened he told them that under sedation there have been incidences where a patients mind can hear or sense what is around them. We don't know why because one of the drugs used for sedation is to block the brain from knowing what is happening so it doesn't trigger pain or other brain functions. Maybe her mother coming in had that effect and she sensed or heard her voice and it sent impulses to her heart making her pulse increase.
After the doctor left they all agreed it was first Callie's then Sally's presence that had that effect on Maddie and her heart was reacting to her mother's voice.
Sally came over and introduced herself to Evelyn telling her that Izzy was a beautiful and caring girl and she could see why her Maddie was taken by her. Evelyn told Sally it was mutual and she wished Sally could have seen them together and she would have realized how much in love they were.
As they talked, two girls came walking down the corridor towards them. One had medium length auburn hair and the taller one was more of a dirty blonde color. As they got close the auburn haired girl spoke up, "Evelyn?" she asked all three of the ladies standing there.
"I'm Evelyn and you are?" she asked back at the girls.
"I'm Lori and this is Megan. We just got in after spending seven hours in airports and flying. It's nice to meet you though I wish it was under better circumstances. How is Maddie? Any change?"
"Nice to meet both of you too, Lori and Megan. This is Mary, Maddie's aunt and this is Sally, her mother. Yes I wish it was under better circumstances. I'm afraid there is little change in Maddie since we talked last. Izzy's in there with her if you want to go in?" Evelyn offered to Lori.
Lori and Megan began to walk in. It was obvious they had been crying too as both of them had red eyes as they passed into the room. Izzy saw Lori come in and immediately get up from her chair and ran to Lori throwing her arms around her and crying that she couldn't lose her. She is her everything. Lori wrapped her arms around Izzy holding her tight and telling her, "I know babe, I know. She's strong and if there is any way for her to get through this she'll find a way."
Megan mean while patted Izzy on back as she walked over to the bed taking Maddie's hand and bringing it up to her lips and kissing it. She held it against her cheek looking down at Maddie then leaned over giving her a kiss on the forehead telling her she loved her.
Megan then looked over at Callie and told her she was Megan, and pointing to Lori, told her that was her girlfriend, Lori and they were close friends of Maddie and Izzy, coming from California to see her. About this time the nurse came back in and checked on Maddie again. On the way out, she told Mary her heart raced again. Izzy knew Maddie was communicating with them that the three most important people who hadn't been there her mother, Callie and Megan were now there and she was telling Izzy she knew they were there. Izzy began to weep and Lori was trying to hold her up as Evelyn and Mary came to her side.
"What is it Izzy? She's still here," her mom said.
Izzy got control and she said told them, "Maddie just told us she knew the only three people she needed to hear from other than us she has heard from, Callie, her mother and Megan. That's why her heart raced. She needed them here with her. I know she was telling me she has everyone she needs now. I think she is telling us goodbye." With that she began to cry harder.
Evelyn and Lori tried to console her and tell her not to think that. Maddie was a fighter and maybe she was saying now she was going to fight as those she loved were all here with her giving her the strength she needed to fight.
They all took turns in the room as there really wasn't supposed to be more than two in the room but the nurses were very lax knowing the situation. As it got late Frank, Sally and Callie all said they would spend the night with Maddie. Evelyn and Mary convinced Izzy to come back to the apartment and brought Lori and Megan with them.
Early the next morning, Mary and Evelyn were up and cooking some breakfast for the others. Izzy they thought was going to sleep on the sofa but she came walking out of the other bedroom soon after. Her mom asked her where she slept and she said with Megan and Lori. They had plenty of room and she slept well. After breakfast they all got ready and made their way back to the hospital. Upon arriving Dr. Atkins was just leaving the room. He had a smile on his face and told them what he had already told the others. Maddie was showing signs of improvement and today would be a big day for her. If she got through today and improved a little more she might have turned a corner and be coming back. This news was wonderful for all to hear especially Izzy who brought her hands to her face and let more tears roll but this time they were tears of relief and not sadness.
Mary told Sally, Callie and James how to get to Maddie's apartment and how to get past the security and sent them there to get some needed sleep. The rest went into the room and Izzy assumed her spot on the chair next to Maddie holding her hand. Megan took the one on the other side and held the other hand.
At the end of the day, the doctor came back in to check on Maddie. He had the latest blood work results and he walked in with a big smile on his face. "It seems her body is fighting off the infection and if she continues in a few days we will bring her back out of the coma and see if her organs can handle the stress. I must warn you this may be temporary and she could have a relapse. Also I am going to insist starting tomorrow we limit the number of people in here to two at a time. Once she comes out of the coma, I don't want her body taxed by too many visitors. So work up a plan so you can all spend time with her but no more than two at a time, Okay?"
"Thank you doctor," Evelyn, Mary and Sally said almost in unison. Before they could complete their thank you, Izzy was at the doctor's side trying to give him a hug for bringing her Maddie back.
The day after next everyone was there early in the morning as this was the time they were hoping for. The doctor came in after he had the blood work results and after checking on Maddie he told them they were discontinuing the IV that was keeping her in a coma. It might take up to an hour for her to come out of it and when she did only two in here at a time. Also call the nurse as soon as they see any signs of movement or activity on Maddie's part.
Forty five minutes had passed and the two designated to stay in there until she came out were her mom and Izzy. They wanted Maddie to see them first before seeing anyone else. Izzy was holding Maddie's one hand and her mom the other. They were actually talking about Maddie as a young girl as Sally was filling Izzy in on some of the antics Maddie had gotten into as a child. Izzy looked over at Maddie's face and saw her looking right at her. "Oh my god, Maddie!" she squealed and rose up so she could kiss her on the cheek.
Sally got up and started for the door when Mary looked in after hearing Izzy call out. "Get the nurse, she opened her eyes," she told Mary.
The nurse came in and checked on Maddie and talked to her asking if she could hear her and understand her. Maddie tried to talk but with the tube down her throat nothing but garbled noise came out. The nurse then asked her if she wanted that out of her mouth and Maddie nodded her head. The nurse leaned over grabbing a pair of sterile gloves placing her hands on Maddie's mouth and the tube. She, with force, but not in a rough way pulled the tube out of Maddie's mouth causing her to gasp and cough. The nurse kept talking to her offering her some water through a straw. She told her not to talk too much because her throat would be sore and to drink small sips of cool water. Maddie nodded and the nurse touched Maddie's arm telling her, "Welcome back. You had a lot of people worried about you and I'm sure they are all going to want to say hi to you."
She walked towards the door and told everyone that she was conscious and alert. She needed to follow the doctor's orders about the number of people in the room but if they all wanted to come in for a second so Maddie could see who all was here to visit with her.
Everyone filed in the room all with big smiles at seeing Maddie awake and without a tube down her throat. Maddie gazed at everyone and she smiled back then looked over at Izzy on her one side. Kiss me she told Izzy who with tears running down her face leaned over giving Maddie a kiss on the lips. She then turned the other way looking at her mom smiling but waiting on a reaction from her mom. Sally holding her hand kissed it and told Maddie she's beautiful and she loves you very much. Maddie squeezed her mom's hand then looked around the room at all the flowers and people and asked, "How long have I been here?"
"Seven days," Izzy said. Maddie's eyes widened as she didn't remember any of it.
"Only two are allowed in the room at a time honey. We have to leave so others can visit with you," Sally explained to Maddie.
"I want you and Izzy here first," she told her mom. Everyone else filed out of the room leaving Maddie with Sally and Izzy.
"Mom, I'm sorry for how I acted..." Maddie began to say when Sally placed her finger to Maddie's mouth motioning her to not talk.
"Maddie, you don't need to apologize. It's me who needs to apologize to you. It was my pride and ego that got the best of me and I overreacted and drove you away. Not a day has gone by that I haven't wished I could take it all back but my stubbornness got in the way. By admitting to you I was alright with your decision with Stephanie, I was admitting I was wrong many years ago with Mary and I just couldn't come to admitting that. I am very sorry and hope one day you can forgive me for being so foolish," Sally explained to Maddie with Izzy listening.
Maddie not knowing what to say as her mind still was somewhat fuzzy looked down seeing her teddy bear saying to her mom, "You brought my teddy bear. I thought it was gone forever and you would have thrown it out."
"No honey, I found it the day after you left. I was in your room lying on your bed and I saw it on the floor. It was all I had left of you so I kept it and many days I would lie in your bed holding your bear wishing I had the courage you showed to me. I've known a lot about you over the years. I knew you were seeing Callie. I never told her because I didn't want to deny her knowing her older sister. I even know you bought her a charm bracelet. I have bought some charms for it holding them for the right time to give to her."
"I was at your high school graduation. You were so beautiful and I was so proud of you for graduating with highest honors. I saw Callie sitting with Mary too. I knew where you worked during the winter and summer breaks and sometimes would come into the store and from a distance watch you while you worked. I even saw Izzy there though I didn't know who she was at the time but I saw you two together."
"I knew you did an internship this summer at home. You have done so well and it got to the point I didn't think you needed me anymore so I just stayed in the shadows watching and keeping up with you."
"Mom, I always needed you and always will," Maddie said as tears appeared in her eyes.
Maddie turned to Izzy and took her hand holding it up, "Mom this is Izzy my fianc‚.
"I know honey, we've already met. When is the wedding?" she asked them both.
"We planned on this summer right after graduation but that might have to change now. We'll have to talk about it once Maddie is better and we can decide," Izzy said.
"I hope you will invite me to the wedding," Sally said to both.
"Mom, of course you will be there. I can't imagine getting married and you and dad not being there. Besides dad has to walk me down the aisle and give me away and Callie is going to be our flower girl and ring bearer," Maddie told her which surprised Izzy because they hadn't discussed this but she was perfectly okay with it.
"Seven days, you said?" Maddie asked Izzy. Izzy nodded yes. "And you have been here the whole time?" Izzy again nodded. "What about interning and school? You can't let that go, you have to graduate this spring," Maddie seemed worried as she asked Izzy.
"There you go with thinking of me over yourself. If you hadn't done that seven days ago, we wouldn't be here now. We will discuss this later when you are more aware than you are now but I have it all covered," Izzy said squeezing Maddie's hand and smiling at her.
"Good luck with that," Sally told Izzy. "she has been like that all of her life. I think that is what surprised me the most when she told me off before she left because that was the first time, I had witnessed her not put others before herself."
"Would you send in Dad and Callie so I can talk with them?" Maddie then asked.
After James and Callie were in for a bit then Evelyn and Mary went in. Following them was Lori and Megan. Megan took one side and Lori the other side of the bed holding Maddie's hand.
"You scared the shit out of us you know?" Lori said. "Megan wouldn't stop with the tears the whole plane ride here and then the drive to the hospital. I thought I was going to have to admit her with a breakdown," Lori said then giggled trying to lighten the mood.
"I know and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause all this trouble. But I'm glad I have two loving friends like you to care so much about me. Did you see Izzy's ring?" she then asked both of them.
"It is gorgeous Maddie. You did good," Megan said and Lori nodded in agreement.
"I need you to do me a favor before you go home. Take care of Izzy please. She looks exhausted and I know she isn't eating or sleeping right. I can see it in her eyes and face. Can you do that for me, please?" Maddie asked them.
"You don't even have to ask us," Lori said. "We've noticed it too and already talked about it. We'll make sure she is ok, you can count on us. You just concentrate on getting better so you can get out of here, okay?" Lori told Maddie.
"Thank you, you don't know how much you both mean to us and how much we love you," Maddie said. "Would you get Izzy? We have something to ask of you two?"
Lori got up and went to get Izzy. Izzy followed Lori back in the room and then Maddie spoke, "Megan I would like for you to be my maid of honor at my wedding," she told Megan.
"And Lori I would like for you to be my maid of honor," Izzy chimed in.
"We'd love to and it would be an honor to be both of your maids of honor," Megan said and took Maddie's hand kissing it as Lori got up and hugged and kissed Izzy.
That night Evelyn, Mary, Sally, James and Callie went back to the apartment to sleep and eat dinner. Megan, Lori and Izzy stayed with Maddie for a while before she got tired and chased them out. Megan and Lori took Izzy out to eat at a nearby restaurant. Megan said she would go stay with Maddie and Lori and Izzy went across the street to a hotel to get a room and some much needed sleep. Before they fell asleep Lori kissed Izzy hard on the lips and though Izzy was not quite in the mood. she didn't resist Lori as she knew she had a lot of built up tension and she could use the release. She allowed Lori to bring her to three very powerful and intense orgasms before she could take no more and she slept the best she had slept in the last seven days.
Over the next three days, everyone left for home leaving Izzy with Maddie. Maddie was scheduled to be released the next day but only on the condition she stay at home and take it easy for a few days getting her strength back before she could undertake a more strenuous routine. Izzy had already discussed her situation with her professors and her school mentor. Because the spring break for her college and the spring break for the public school she was interning at were at different times she agreed to work over her spring break to make up for most of the lost time. Her professors also allowed her extra time to make up her lost work though most of it related to her interning so that was not a big deal. She would be able to graduate on time.
Maddie's was a different issue as she had lost valuable classroom time and that was going to be difficult to make up. They decided the best thing to do would be for her to withdraw from her classes and pick up a few during the summer and the rest in fall and graduate in December. It wasn't ideal but she had lost too much time and there was no way she could make the time up. This put a monkey wrench in their plans but they decided they would just deal with it. They still planned to get married as soon as school let out then go on a honeymoon. Upon returning Izzy would find a teaching position in the area so Maddie could complete her degree. If the company that Maddie interned with didn't have a position available at that time she would find another job wherever it would be and Izzy could find a teaching job where Maddie was.
Sally, Evelyn and Mary found a venue for the wedding and made all the arrangements for the catering and decorations. They helped the girls find the right gowns they would wear on that special day and for the maids of honor and Callie. Lori would be wearing a purple gown with pink trim and Megan would be wearing a light pink gown with purple trim. Callie's gown was a mixture of pink and purple this of course being both Maddie and Izzy's favorite colors.
Both Izzy and Maddie wore matching off pale yellow gowns with lace white veils. Maddie had some of her hair up in a bun with the rest hanging down her back and curls on each side. It was a beautiful ceremony attended by both families and many friends. Even Stephanie Williams was in attendance. The girls were the talk of the ceremony about how beautiful they looked and the way they would gaze at each other.
Sally, Evelyn and Mary all agreed that the two were made for each other more than they had ever seen two people and that their love was an inspiration to all of them. But one other person caught their attention and that was Callie. Almost 18 and she was as beautiful and striking as Maddie was at her age if not more so. She was letting her hair grow out and they all agreed that she was going to be the center of attention next year at college.
Maddie and Izzy returned to their hotel room after a day of sightseeing in Paris. Since they chose Paris as their honeymoon location they had been typical newlywed tourists. Today they visited the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees and Pont Alexandre iii. Tomorrow they were going to the Louve. Izzy plopped down on her back on the bed with her feet dangling off the edge. Maddie came over and moved between Izzy's legs starring down at Izzy. She smiled and leaned over placing her arms to each side of Izzy pulling off the scrunchy that held her pony tail and letting her hair fall across her face and shoulders. Izzy looked up at Maddie placing her hands on each of Maddie's cheeks saying, "When you were in the hospital mom said it was so easy to love you. She was right. I have never been so in love as I am with you. Je t'aime Maddsion Abigail Rogers, Je t'aime."
Maddie smiled at Izzy her eyes glistening as they did whenever she looked at Izzy and her dimples prominent in her cheeks, "I love you too Izzy Grace Walker. I love you too."
The end.
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