"That's my girl," Grace said as she stood and reached down, pulling Carey to her feet.
"I like the sound of that."
"What?"
"Your girl. I like that. Although your woman might be more appropriate." Carey reached over and cupped her cheek. "And for what it's worth, I am yours, Grace. Heart, body and soul."
Tears started down Grace's face. "It's worth a lot." She pulled Carey in for a hug. "It's worth everything."
"I'll be here when you come back," Grace said, doing her best not to lose it as the nurse opened the flow on the IV.
"I'll be fine," Carey said. "Don't worry." She jutted her chin at the door. "Your dad's here."
Grace turned her head. "Hi Dad."
"Hi pumpkin," he said, moving closer and putting his arm around her shoulders. "Getting some good drugs there, Carey?"
The dark-haired woman nodded. "You keep an eye on her for me."
"Don't worry," he said.
The gray-haired woman exited the elevator and walked to the nurse's station. "Excuse me, I'm looking for my daughter, Joanna Carey? She was admitted this morning."
"Mrs. Carey?" Grace said, walking up behind her.
The woman turned and looked at her. "Yes, I'm Barbara Carey."
"I'm Grace Waters."
"It's nice to finally meet you, Grace," Barbara said, removing her gloves.
"You too, Mrs. Carey." Grace extended her hand. "I'm so glad you got here. She wasn't sure you were going to make it."
"Logan was snowed in until late last night."
"Well, you got here. That's the important part." Grace looked past her to the nurse's station. "Any word yet?"
"Miss Carey is still in recovery," the nurse said. "She'll be brought up soon."
Grace turned away from the nurse. "She's probably getting tired of me asking that." She led Carey's mom back to the waiting room where her father was nodding off in a chair. Hearing footsteps, he started awake to see Grace and a woman he assumed to be Carey's mother walking his way.
"Oh," he said, standing and wiping his hand on his pants. "Dad, this is Carey's mom, Barbara."
"Richard Waters." He clasped her hand in both of his. "You've had a long trip. Would you like something to eat or drink?"
"Oh you don't—“
"Please," he said, releasing her hand. "It would be my pleasure and I'm sure Grace could use some coffee."
"Yeah," Grace said, reaching into her pocket for change.
"It's okay," he said, "my treat. What can I get for you, Mrs. Carey?"
"A cup of coffee would be great. And please, call me Barbara."
"Only if you call me Richard," he said. "Do you have luggage?"
"I had it sent to the hotel."
"I'll be right back then, ladies."
"Remember it's down on the second floor," Grace said. She patted the cushion her father had just vacated. "Please sit down, Mrs. Carey. You must be tired from the trip."
"It's more tiring trying to find my way around this hospital," she said.
"And I'd like it if you'd call me Barbara." She smiled at Grace. "After all, we are practically family."
"Barbara," Grace said, returning the smile. "Carey said she told you what the doctors said they were going to do."
"She did," Barbara said. "In her own 'don't worry, Mother' way." She reached out and cupped Grace's chin in a manner reminiscent of her daughter. "How are you doing?"
"Scared," Grace said. "She tells me things in her own 'don't worry, Grace' way too."
"She loves you."
Grace smiled. "I know. I love her very much."
"Have you seen her?"
Grace nodded. "Yes. They let me in the recovery room with her for a few minutes, but she didn't know I was there. She never woke up. The surgeon told me she did just fine and not to worry, but she looked so pale. They told me it's the anesthesia, and she'll look much better when the effects wear off. I came up here a little while ago to let my dad know she was okay." Grace stood and started pacing. "I just wish they'd bring her up here to her room. I'll feel much better when she's awake and I can talk to her."
Carey opened her eyes and smiled. "You're here."
"Of course I'm here," Grace said softly, absently playing with Carey's hair. She cupped Carey's cheek with her hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been hit by a truck," Carey said. "What's it look like?"
"Like a bunch of bandages," Grace said. "The surgeon said everything went well." She traced Carey's lips, smiling when she felt the soft kiss on her fingers. "I love you."
"I love you too," Carey said, letting her head loll to the side. "I'm so tired."
"Then sleep," Grace said, leaning forward to kiss Carey's forehead. "Your mother is here."
Carey's eyes opened, albeit slowly. "She made it?"
"Yep. Got here a little while ago. Logan was snowed in and she had to take a later flight. I promised I'd tell her when you woke up. Dad's keeping her company. I'll go get her so she can see you before you fall asleep again."
Carey nodded, her eyes fluttering closed. "Better hurry, I'm not gonna last long."
Grace walked up to the couple seated next to each other in the waiting room. She smiled and shook her head. No one looking at them would believe that they just met. Barbara was laughing at something her dad had said, and they just seemed so comfortable with each other that Grace had to smile.
They noticed Grace at the same time, and both turned searching eyes her way. Barbara stood.
"How is she?"
"Tired, groggy. They're going to let her sleep off the anesthesia, then give her a bit of Jell-O. If she keeps it down, we get to take her home." She looked at Barbara. "She said to tell you to hurry. She's having a hard time staying awake."
"Hi, baby," Barbara said as she leaned over and kissed Carey on the forehead.
Carey's eyes opened and she smiled. "Hi, Mom."
Barbara reached over and took her hand, squeezing gently. "Does it hurt much?"
"Not too bad."
"Grace said you may be released today."
Carey smiled at the sound of her partner's name. "You met Grace."
"Yes, I did. Haven't had much time with her, but I like her very much."
"I knew you'd like her." Carey's eyes closed, but the smile stayed. "I know she's young, Mom, but I love her so damn much."
"From what I can tell, the feeling is mutual. I'm so glad you found someone that makes you happy."
"She does, Mom. I thank God every day that I didn't blow it. I tried so hard to discourage her, but she never gave up on us." Carey's eyes opened briefly, then fluttered closed again. "She never gave up." This time her eyes stayed closed as sleep claimed her.
Barbara reached out and stroked her daughter's cheek. "Sleep well, baby."
"She's sleeping," Barbara said as she joined Grace and her father in the waiting room. Looks like she's going to be out of it for a while."
"No sense sitting around here watching her sleep," Richard said as he got to his feet. "It's way past lunchtime. Barbara, would you care to join us for a bite to eat?"
"I'd love to, if you're sure it's no trouble."
“Trouble? Pshaw.” He waved his hand dismissively. “I’m lucky enough to have two beautiful women at my side. No trouble a’tall.”
“Your accent, are you from Maine?”
Richard smiled bashfully. “Ayup.”
“Maine is such a pretty state.”
“I live in Alaska now,” he said.
“Really?” Carey’s mother smiled. “I’d love to hear all about it.”
“Dad, would you mind going without me? I’m not really hungry, and I’d kinda like to be here if Carey wakes up.”
“Of course not, pumpkin. We won’t be gone long.”
Sleep had worked its magic, and a more alert Carey sat looking dejectedly at a bowl of green Jell-O. She was tired and hurting, her mind still clouded from the drugs she had been given. “I don’t feel like eating,” she said, letting her head fall back against her pillow. Just holding her head upright was a chore that she simply didn’t have the energy for at the moment.