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I nodded.

"Let's try this contraption out and get you upstairs. I didn't think you'd want to go back to what was your grandmother's room.

so I had the room you told me you originally used to use set up for us. Is that all right?"

"Yes, but someday soon. I'd like to move back into Grandmother Hudson's suite. I know she would want that. Austin and I can't let what Aunt Victoria did stop me from doing so."

"I understand," he said and helped me out of my chair and into the mechanized lift.

He laughed as it carried me up.

"You look like a queen rising above your subjects." he kidded. I insisted on making the transfer to my upstairs chair myself.

"You're not going to be hovering around me day and night," I explained.

"Fine. You're doing a good job of it,"

"I'll rest now," I said permitting him to wheel me into our bedroom. "but if this is going to work. I have to be trusted to do my share."

"Trusted? Expected is a better word for it," he said, feigning sternness. "When I come home from work. I will require a hot dinner ready and waiting. Especially now that I know how good you can cook," he added with a smile.

"I can't wait to do it." I said, meeting the challenge.

"For now though, you are to rest and regain all your strength. You will need most of it for the days ahead. We are going on a honeymoon, you know. A wedding without a honeymoon is like a birthday without the cake."

I laughed at his over-the-top lusty eyes. but I also agreed. Getting into bed and resting was important. I slept like a baby until I woke to find Austin bringing in a tray of food.

"That all smells very good. How did you make that?" I asked looking at the chicken, potatoes and vegetables suspiciously.

"I used an old recipe my grandmother passed down to my mother. It's called. 'Calling for take-out'," he replied.

How we both laughed and how good it felt. He held my hand and smiled at me and kissed me softly.

"All our days will be days of joy," he predicted. "We won't ask for very much, just the chance to enjoy each other."

"Are you sure about all this. Austin, really, really sure? You can still back out." I said.

"Remember when you threw yourself into the lake and I told you I felt I had gone in with you? Well, when I watched the ambulance taking you away, I felt I was in there. too. Rain. We're connected. It's forever," he said with such intensely firm and determined eyes. I could barely breathe. "I hope you're happy about it."

"Of course, I am. I never thought I'd ever be this happy again. Austin."

He kissed me.

"Eat and get strong. You're going to be a mama soon. you know," he said.

.

My mother arrived late in the morning. I thought she looked remarkably well for a woman who had been through all the turmoil and sorrow she had experienced. Her face was lightly tanned and her hair was radiant.

I was in my wheelchair just gazing out the window of my bedroom, looking toward the lake and beyond, reminiscing about my horseback riding and how free and happy it used to make me feel. I had just written another letter to Roy, practically begging him to contact me. I hadn't heard a word from him or about him since his army attorney's call, informing me of Roy's courtmartial.

I don't know how long my mother was in the room, Suddenly. I had that warm feeling on the back of my neck, that sense of being watched from behind and I turned my chair around to face her.

Her eyes flooded quickly with sadness and pity as soon as she saw me turn the chair and not rise out of it to greet her.

"Hi,' she said. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"