Chapter Fifty Two:
Bo and Nora stood up; neither one of them letting go of each other’s hands. This was it…the news that will change their lives for better or for worse. Viki and Clint also braced themselves for news on their daughter.
“Larry…please…”
Smile spreads across his face, “Matthew’s just fine. He came out of the surgery like a champ.”
A small sob catches in her throat, “Thank God. When can we see him?”
“He’ll be in recovery for a few hours and then he’ll be moved to ICU. Like I said he sailed through the surgery, but now he’ll have to be closely monitored for rejection.”
“How likely is that?”
“It’s hard to say, but I’m optimistic. He’s a strong healthy little boy. He should bounce back just fine.”
“What about Jessica?”
“She did beautifully also. Her recovery is going to be long and painful. She should also bounce back just fine.”
“Thank you Larry, Dr. Stone. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re more than welcome. Now, I’m going to take off and check on our patients. I’ll send a nurse in once they’ve been move to their rooms and are ready for visitors.”
Larry and Dr. Stone leave the family; allowing them time to enjoy the good news. Bo sits down and pulls Nora down onto his lap….
Laying her head against his shoulder, “He’s going to make it.”
Kissing her temple, “Of course he is and now we have our whole lives ahead of us to make up for the time we lost.”
Asa and Renee took Madison home as soon as they knew that Matthew had pulled through the surgery. Kevin and Blair, Joey and Jen and Cristian and Natalie all left; opting to visit with their sister and cousin the following morning.
A nurse came an hour later to escort Bo and Nora to ICU and Viki and Clint to Jessica’s private room.
Bo and Nora walked into the room hand in hand. Nora squeezed his hand as a sob tried to escape when she saw him lying in the bed; the machines humming all around him.
“Hey now, you heard the doctors, he’s going to be fine.”
“I know. I just can’t help it. He’s still my baby and until he’s home with us; running around in our backyard, playing in the tree house you built for him, I’m going to be afraid that he’ll be taken from us.”
“Red, listen to me, the three of us have been destined to be a family since the day the two of us finally decided to start a family, nothing is going to break us apart. A lot of people tried but they never succeeded. Not Sam, not Colin, not Nick Manzo, no one. And now we’ve added Madison to our family. We’re going to be together forever, you can count on that.”
She stood up and pulled him close stealing some of his strength for herself. They continued to hold on to each other until they heard his small voice calling their names….
“Mommy….Daddy?”
Walking over and sitting down beside him on the bed, “Yeah sweetie, we’re here.”
“Where am I?”
“You’re in the hospital still; you had an operation.”
“Oh….”
“Where’s Madison?”
“She’s home with Granpa and Grandma.”
“Oh…(pauses for a moment) Daddy?”
“Yeah, champ?”
“Is Dr. Troy going to jail?”
Bo looks over at Nora, and sees her expression change to one of anger, “Um…yes, champ he is.”
“Good, because I’m too tired to help you protect mommy and Madison right now.”
Tries to stifle his laughter, “Well don’t you worry about your Mom and Madison right now, okay, they’re safe, your safe and that’s the way it’s always going to be.”
Bo and Nora rarely left their son’s side in the three weeks he remained in the hospital…
Weeks have turned to months and Matthew continues to get stronger and stronger….He plays in their backyard and hangs out in the tree house his father had built. He’s the perfect combination of his parents; he’s what brought them back together again…he’s given them the strength to live their lives despite the past….