The machines around Arabelle were much quieter than the ones back at the hospital in Oregon, but they were still machines. They gave off a sense of eerie uncertainty, at least to Jennifer, who associated them with the passing days toward death.
That wasn't the case anymore, at least, but Jennifer still couldn't help thinking of that awful year in the hospital. Across on the other side of Arabelle's bed, Dr. Variety flipped through several pieces of paper attached to her clip board.
"All right," she said. "Everything is looking good so far, Mrs. Wright.
Just two days in and your vitals have improved; blood pressure decreased, steadier breaths, stronger overall.
Your first two doses seem to be performing nicely so far, but we will have to keep monitoring you twice daily in case of any unexpected changes. "
Arabelle sat up. "Oh yes, it was the medicine that reversed the near heart-attack-inducing stress of finding that my daughter moved across the country without a word, that she went off and got married without so much as a ceremony ..."
She looked like she was joking, but Jennifer sensed a hint of seriousness, and she felt guilty. Of course her mom had been stressed about Jennifer's disappearance without so much of an explanation, she was just glad she hadn't made things worse.
"Well," Dr. Variety smiled, "after your third dose, assuming your progress looks favorable still, we will begin mental stimulation exercises—your brain health is just as important as your physical health."
"Is that your special touch, hm, doctor?" Arabelle said.
"In fact, yes. All of my patients find it quite effective, and I'm sure you will, too."
Arabelle mumbled something incoherent, but Jennifer figured it was her cursing under her breath.
Taking care of her health, mental or otherwise, had never been a huge priority of her mom's .
.. but now she had little choice in the matter.
For Jennifer's sake, Arabelle had already said that she would do everything the doctors told her if it meant she would get better quicker.
Even quit smoking, which was a miracle in itself.
"You're free to go, if you'd like," Dr. Variety said. "I'll just finish up recording the results."
With a grateful nod, Arabelle took the monitoring bracelet from her arm, and Jennifer helped her up from the bed.
Despite Arabelle's mumbling and grumping, it was undeniable that Dr. Variety was right: back in Portland, there were times where Arabelle was so weak she couldn't stand even with Jennifer's help; she needed a wheelchair just to get around.
As much as it stung Arabelle's pride, it was sometimes her only way of getting around.
But after only two days of being at Mark's place, Arabelle seemed so much stronger.
Once Arabelle was on her feet, she could stand and walk on her own again without issue. The machine made an irritating buzzing sound to indicate that it wasn't receiving Arabelle's vital information anymore, and Jennifer hit the button to quiet it.
"I'd be glad to get out of the house for a bit," Arabelle said as they moved into the hallway. "Is there somewhere outside that we can sit?"
Jennifer immediately thought of the gazebo where she and Mark first made love, but hesitated to tell her mom about the location. The spot was special because of how it drew the two of them together ... and as selfish as it was, she wanted to keep it that way.
"There are small stone benches hidden amongst the trees," Jennifer said. "We can find a spot if you'd like."
"That will do nicely," Arabelle said, and then started humming as if she was the happiest and healthiest woman in the world. "So, tell me more about you and Mark. How did you hide him for so long? Without saying a word about him to Lily or me, hmm?"
Jennifer gave a shy smile. She didn't want to tell her mom the whole truth about the mail order bride part, but there were enough details she could reveal.
"We met online. That was really the only way for me to get to know anyone over the last year, you know.
But he and I ... it happened fast. After Dr. Carlton told us that chemo wasn't safe anymore, and you talked about 'being realistic' . .. I panicked."
"Trust me, Jenny, neither of us took that news well," Arabelle chuckled. "You ran off to be with your secret lover."
"I came here to be with Mark, yeah. I didn't realize just how wealthy he was at the time," Jennifer said.
"All I knew was that I needed a different way to pay for the new medicine, as trying to work a third job wasn't going to work.
I thought maybe coming here, I could find something new. But then Mark ..."
"Whatever you're worried about, stop. It's clear just how much you two care for each other. That's all that matters to me in the end, you know. I've always wanted you to find love, it hurt me more than you know to watch you work so hard for my sake, giving up so much ..."
Jennifer bit her lip. "You know I didn't mind, mom."
In the end, she was just happy that now, neither of them had to stress about what they did or didn't have to do in order to pay for the treatment. Mark was single-handedly responsible for lifting that worry from their shoulders, and Dr. Variety would be the one to make sure it stayed that way.
Nothing Jennifer could do would ever repay him for saving her mom's life.
She was indebted to him forever ... and now, she found that this didn't bother her at all.
Mark was, without a doubt, the man she would spend the rest of her life with.
Out of choice. She was more than happy to spend the rest of their time together, being an attentive and loving wife.
But for now, she wanted to find a way to surprise him . Although she didn't have any way to surprise him the same way he did for her, she would find a way to make him smile.
Jennifer pointed to one of the benches. "Just over there."
They spent an hour outside, chatting about Mark, the incredible mansion, about the process of leaving Oregon.
All-in-all, Arabelle seemed to be taking the situation pretty well.
Considering she had lived her whole life in Portland, Jennifer had expected a bit more resistance about coming all the way to Pennsylvania.
"I don't see myself staying here forever," Arabelle explained, "but I don't want to be far from you, and I don't see you or your man wanting to leave this wonderful place."
"You're welcome to stay here as long as you would like, mom." Jennifer smiled. "I'm sure Mark won't mind. It's not like we lack space."
"I know, I know, but I'm not an old lady, remember.
Not yet, at least, no matter what the cancer tries to do to me.
Once I'm better, I'll be looking for a place of my own.
Maybe in the city we drove through on the way here, or .
.. I've always wanted to live in New York. Not too late to live young dreams."
Jennifer hugged her mom close, leaning their heads against each other. It made her happier than she could describe that for the first time in over a year, Arabelle was looking toward the future, not just the days ahead ... or worse, the past.
Later, after bringing Arabelle back inside to rest, Jennifer grabbed her purse and headed for the stairs to the underground parking area.
Although Mark mostly used the SUV, she'd been quick to discover that he had multiple vehicles down there, any of which he said she could take to go to town or travel with.
Jennifer still didn't know what kind of surprise she was going to come up with for Mark, but she was intent on finding something, and right now she just needed some ideas. Going out and exploring the city seemed like a good way to find inspiration for now.
As she approached the stairs down, the front door burst open. Mark strode in, but when Jennifer looked up at him, eager to see him again, his eyes were wild. It was a look that made her freeze in place, so unfamiliar and scary on his face it was.
He looked afraid, and Mark didn't seem like the kind of guy to be afraid of anything.
"Mark? What's wrong?" she said, climbing back up to the landing.
He wrapped his arms around her. She noticed how he was breathing heavily, and he held her close to him almost as if he hadn't expected to find her at home.
"Have you been out recently?" he said, his voice harsh and out of breath.
Jennifer's heartbeat picked up. "Arabelle and I were outside this morning, just in the yard. Why? What's going on?"
"You have to stay inside."
"Mark, you're scaring me. What's happening?"
"It's fine for now, but I need you to stay inside. Don't go out for any reason."
His tone was so strange, crackly like it pained him to talk. But his command was also so sure, leaving no room for her to refuse him. She wished he would tell her more, but Jennifer trusted him with her life—her heart. She had to believe she would get answers later on.
That didn't stop her from being worried, though.
"Okay, I won't go out. There's enough to do in the house anyway," Jennifer said, trying to push aside her concerns to do as he asked, but that was easier said than done.
So far, Mark had been open about almost everything ... so him coming here, keeping secrets, something that clearly distressed him, was very concerning. But she had to stay strong for him.
"Promise. It's important, Jen. For everyone's safety."
He squeezed her tighter, and she burrowed her face into his neck, breathing in his reassuring scent, letting his warmth and strength steady her.
"I promise," she said.
"Good."
He kissed her, soft and slow on the mouth .
.. almost enough to forget how, just a second ago, he'd seemed worried and afraid.
His tongue and lips spurred her desire for him, but she kept that need at bay, at least for now.
When he slowly let her go, he looked much more at ease than before, though there was still a hint of worry in his eyes.
"I'll explain everything later, I promise," he said. "Just be careful for now. I have something to deal with."
He kissed her forehead and then let go of her, taking his warmth and stability with him. Jennifer was concerned, but she trusted Mark. She had to. She just wished that whatever was going on, he would trust her, too.
With a sigh, she pushed her messy hair out of her face. So much for going out and finding a surprise for Mark. Now she would have to use what she had in the house instead ... or come up with something altogether.