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Chapter 25

Posted on 2010-05-22

Richard spent his first day out of surgery trying to remain calm. He remembered, in vivid detail, the pain he'd experienced after the fall, but, for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what had caused him to run out of his room and head for the stairs. Knowing the trauma he'd caused for the entire family and his fiancé, made him angry at himself and start to doubt that he had recovered from the bombing Seth had stayed with him overnight, after insisting that Elise go home and get some rest so that she might survive her day at school. In-between the parade of nurses, doctors, therapists, and housekeepers, the brothers talked about the women in their lives.

After declaring that Rachel meant more to him than her ever thought was possible, Seth changed topics to his brother's intended. "You know I wasn't too sure about her," he admitted openly, looking down at his shoes so as not to see his brother's reaction. "She hurt you so much, bro, and I just didn't want to see you go through that. But now," he did look up to see a bemused expression on his brother's face, "I'm starting to like her."

"Well," Richard replied, before he blew into the respiratory device to keep his lungs clear, "see to it that you keep liking her because she's not going anywhere," he exhaled deeply again into the plastic tubing.

Seth laughed at the red faced, smitten man struggling to levitate the little plastic ball to the desired level. "That thing is hilarious," he continued to chuckle. "Finally, something that can measure all of your hot air." They shared a chuckle at the older brother's expense before the younger continued on a more serious note. "The thing is, if you truly love her, I have to trust that she's the right woman for you." He waited for the reaction.

Placing the therapy device carefully on the tray in front of him, Richard deliberately pushed it away and sat up as best he could, waving off Seth's assistance. Staring pointedly into the little man's face, he wanted his answer to settle the issue one and for all. "She's the only woman for me. End of story."

They eyed each other for a moment, before Seth nodded his head in wordless acknowledgement as he stood up to leave to return both he and Justin to Purdue. "I'll see you Friday," he chucked him gently upon the good shoulder as he made his way toward the door, "but I can be back here in no time if you need me," his eyes misted over slightly, so he looked away for a moment in embarrassment.

Richard caught the emotion and forced himself not to mirror his brother's feelings. "Just finish these next few weeks and get home for the summer." He broke into a mischievous grin. "Then I'll have you all to myself to order around as I see fit. Well, at least in-between all the stuff you'll be doing from Will's orders on the farm."

By now, Seth had reached the door and had swung it open, "Ha, ha," came his sarcastic reply, "although I don't know why I'm laughing, cause you're probably dead on." He moved through the doorway before turning around and gazing at his brother one more time. Sensing that Richard needed to hear it just as much as he needed to say it, Seth murmured, "I love you, bro." Not giving Richard the chance to respond, Seth turned and made his escape down the corridor.

Georgiana had remained with the brothers well into the night, before she left to drive back to Bowling Green. She called Richard to assure him of her safe arrival and to assuage her guilt over leaving. He had just hung up the phone after assuring her that he was resting comfortably and waiting for Ellie and Callie to visit, when the phone rang again. With happiness and a big grin, he heard his fiancée's voice on the other end. The smile faded as she explained the situation with Callie, and how the little girl believed that she had caused all the problems.

"Rich," Elise admonished gently when he began to curse himself for all that he'd put his family through, "no one is to blame for this – no one. She's going to be there in a few minutes, and you've got to help her see that it was an accident and nothing more. You need to help her see that sometimes, bad things just happen."

Richard shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe she's been so upset thinking she's responsible." Without realizing it, he had balled up the sheet in his hand and exposed the metal contraption around his leg. "Ellie, how can I face her? I don't know what to say?"

"You tell her that you love her," she instructed empathically. "You tell her that you're going to be okay. You tell her to stop being mean to Bella and to just be your little princess."

"Alright," he sighed and closed his eyes as if to block out the sight of her hurt and worried face. "I'll try, but I wish you were here with me."

Elise couldn't help but smile; hearing him express his need for her felt so good. "It's better that Will and Elizabeth are there with her. Remember, you're all there to help her. I'm going home to change, then I'll stay with you 'til morning," she explained while she walked to her car. "I love you, Rich."

"I love you, too," he answered just as Will and Beth entered the room. He quickly hung up the phone and forced himself to look cheerful for Callie's sake. "Hey, everybody." Not seeing Callie, he glanced around the couple wondering just where she might be.

"Hey, yourself," Will replied in an obviously forced light and carefree tone. "We've come to visit and see how you're doing. Haven't we, Callie?"

Richard then saw her hiding behind her daddy and actually holding on to his leg, just like a much younger Georgiana had done when upset or fearful. Willing the lump in his throat to dissolve, he called out to her, "Callie, my beautiful princess, come here. I'm in desperate need of one of your fantastic kisses. Please, don't hide from me."

"It's okay, Callie," Beth encouraged her daughter. "See, Richard wants to see you and to get your big sweet kiss. Go on, sweetheart."

Will felt her grip tighten on his leg for a second, and then she let go and timidly walked around him. She began moving toward the bed with her head hung. Only when she reached the side of the bed did she see the fixator on his exposed leg. Letting out a scream, she ran back to Will and grasped onto his legs again. "His leg's in a trap! His leg's in a trap!" she wailed, pathetically. "Take it off!"

Cursing to himself, Richard reached down to cover his leg, but couldn't get the sheet to cooperate. Beth walked quickly to his side to rearrange it and the other blankets as fast as she could. Her tear-brimmed eyes met Richard's as she reached out to squeeze his uninjured hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered, which made Richard curse himself even more for allowing the debacle in the first place.

In the meantime, Will had pried loose his daughter's hands and squatted down to hug and calm her. "Callie, it's not a trap. It's a special kind of cast that the doctor put on his leg to help it heal faster and to make it stronger," he explained the best way he knew to help her understand. "I know it looks kind of scary," Callie nodded her head in agreement, so he continued, "but it really will help him. We're sorry it frightened you, but Richard really needs that kiss. Can you try to be brave?"

"I'll try," she muttered and, again, let go of Will's leg. Still crying, she inched her way to the bedside.

"Princess," Richard lovingly called to her, "look up here; look at my face. Don't think about my leg right now; just look at me." He reached out with his good hand and lightly touched her face to wipe away the tears.

Slowly Callie raised her eyes to look at her uncle. He winced at the combination of fear and guilt he saw in them. She opened her mouth, and as she saw the bruises and bumps around his eyes and chin, she just didn't know what to say, so she closed it again. Richard continued to caress her face. "Callie, this was not your fault. It wasn't Bella's fault, either. It was just a crazy accident." He smiled as best he could and searched her eyes for their usual spark.

Tears still escaped as she attempted to speak again, "Do, do you still love me?" she sniffed, her whole body quivering.

"Oh, Callie," Richard used his hand to pull her to him, and her head landed on his chest. "I'll never stop loving you. You're my princess – forever."

"And, and I really won't have to go away?" she hiccoughed.

Richard looked up at Will and Beth who worriedly startled in unison at her question. "Callie," he asked, still holding on tightly, "why would you have to go away?"

"Daddy said that you n-n-never saw the g-g-girl who hurt you, ever again," she stammered, explained her reasoning. "I thought I-I had t-t-to go away, t-t-too."

"Oh, god," Will muttered and raked his hand through his hair. "Callie, I had no idea what you were thinking when I told you that. We already talked about his, remember, you don't have to go away. Ever." He reached out for his wife who hugged him tightly and whispered for him not to feel guilty, either.

"This is one big mess," Richard spit out angrily, then stopped himself by taking a deep breath to begin again in a forced calm tone. "But it's not your fault? Do you believe me, Callie?"

Her red, swollen eyes pierced his very soul, and she slowly nodded her head. "Does it hurt really bad?" she asked.

"Not when you're here," he answered with a bit of a slur as the recent dose of pain medicine began its desired effect.

"Are we allowed to snuggle?" she asked, timidly.

Richard smiled, and saw Beth nod her head out of the corner of his eye. "Momma says yes, and so do I."

Will walked over and helped Richard move slightly to the side and then he lifted Callie as gently as possible onto the bed. Just as she had done when he lay on the marble floor of the entryway of the farmhouse after his fall, she held his face and told him it was going to be alright. Within minutes, both Richard and Callie had fallen asleep. Will and Beth held onto each other, and then they, too, collapsed into the same chair Seth had occupied throughout the night, with Will falling first and Beth landing in his lap.

Elise stood in the doorway and took in the sight of her fiancé smiling while lightly stroking the still sleeping Callie's blonde hair. Beth, still seated on Will's lap, dozed as well while Will seemed on the edge between wakefulness and slumber. She caught Richard's eye and, though she could detect the pain lurking there, he managed a smile and mouthed "Hi." Armed with snacks and a few magazines, she walked in and carefully leaned forward to bestow a kiss to her favorite invalid mindful of not disturbing his princess.

Now fully awake, Will nodded to Elise and hugged his wife closer to his chest. An aide walked in, carrying a dinner tray for Richard, which awoke Beth but not Callie. Beth smiled as she observed Richard's tender caress of her daughter. "I think she's just exhausted." She shook her head and grabbed more on more tightly to her husband. "I feel awful that she kept her guilt all bottled up like that. She takes in so much information, and she tries to process it, but she's still only nine and…" she stopped before she let her emotions take over. Will tightened his embrace and kissed her forehead, her head still resting on his chest.

"Elizabeth," Elise responded in a hushed tone, "you've done an amazing job with Callie. Sometimes, I watch her when she's out on the playground, and she's so patient with the kids with special needs. She defends them, too, and won't let anyone make fun of them or treated them badly. It wouldn't surprise me if she ends up following in her parents' footsteps and decides to work with children in some fashion or other."

"Thanks," Beth smiled with pride. "She's a typical sibling with Jeannie, but she does have the biggest heart of any child I've ever met. Of course, that's my objective opinion," she laughed as did the other adults in the room.

Callie stirred upon hearing Richard's laugh rumble in his chest. "What's so funny?" she croaked as she rubbed her eyes.

"Your momma," Will answered as Beth moved off his lap so he could retrieve Callie. "She's a very funny lady, you know. Now, little darlin', it's time for us to go and eat dinner and Richard's has arrived, see? He needs to eat so that he can heal quickly." He looked down at the tray and lifted the lid to see what was in store for his cousin. "Oh, and of course that would include the delightful green gelatin and lump of gray meatloaf – or whatever it is." He gifted Richard with his most mischievous grin as he bent to scoop up his daughter, but not before she kissed her uncle on the cheek and rubbed his unshaven face.

"You need to let Momma shave you," she offered, innocently. "She does a good job on Daddy. Doesn't she, Daddy?" She turned to Will as both her parents blushed at her words.

"Oh, I'm sure she does," Richard remarked smugly, happy to have ammunition to throw back at Will. "However, I can do that myself. Your father could as well, but he gets lazy sometimes."

"Oh, okay," she answered and held out her arms for Will to swing her off the bed.

The trio said their goodbyes, Richard still laughing at the parents' embarrassment and Elise's confusion over a simple conversation about shaving.

The original plan called for Richard's release from the hospital by Wednesday, but it took a slight detour when he started running a fever on Tuesday. As the doctor had informed the family, the possibility of Richard developing an infection after a break such as he'd suffered was high. The surgeon and hospitalist seemed to take it in stride, but ordered antibiotics for and kept a close eye on, their patient. By Thursday evening, the fever had broken and Richard received the news that if his temperature remained normal for twenty-four hours, he could go home on Saturday or Sunday.

Meanwhile, the preparations for the wedding ceremony continued with the couple's decision to set the date for Saturday afternoon, regardless of Richard's dismissal date. The pastor stopped by daily and spoke with Richard about many things, especially the time the younger man had spent in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just as Elise had predicted, the more he spoke of the bombing and its aftereffects, the less it seemed to have a hold on him. The two men enjoyed each other's company, and Richard found himself more at ease while participating in deeper conversations than he'd ever been before. Although never wanting to experience such an injury again, he did admit that during the days since, he'd found some relief from his past. Against the doctor's suggestion, he declined speaking with the psychologist, hoping further conversations would relinquish the past's hold on him.

Pastor Paul and his wife visited together and held a premarital session in Richard's room. The engaged couple reluctantly spoke of their pasts with the emphasis on former partners. Of course, Richard knew of Elise's torturous physical relationship with Jeffery, and she admitted to having no other besides Richard. Richard's past held stories of one night stands, Seth's mother and Elise. Realizing that neither had found comfort in anyone but each other, they vowed to keep their sexual pasts where they belonged and move forward together.

As the unofficial wedding planner, Beth feverishly arranged for flowers to decorate the chapel, purchased a dress for Callie to wear, ordered a small wedding cake, and threw together a bridal shower with a personal theme for Elise, set for Thursday evening. While Elise showed up for work as usual, Cammi hit the malls and shopped for dresses. She'd bring them to Elise at school, and she'd try them on during her lunch break since she spent every evening with Richard. After the second day, most of the staff had figured out what was happening, and several women started hanging around her office to weigh in on what looked best on their first year assistant principal.

When Cammi arrived for Thursday's try-on, so many women waited to see the selections that the school principal jokingly offered that Elise and her entourage could use the dressing rooms near the stage. The school secretary seconded the idea, and so the gang moved down the hall with several dresses in tow. When Elise and Cammi shut the door to the dressing room, Elise couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by all the support she was receiving to make her special day come about. "Cammi," she confessed uneasily, "I've never had this many people excited about something happening in my life. It's kind of weird, don't you think?"

"I don't think it's weird at all," her friend disagreed. "I think that your falling in love with Richard again has changed you … for the better. You're somehow more approachable. And, besides, you know most women can't resist a good love story. Too bad he can't go all Officer and a Gentleman on you; you know, sweep you off your feet and whisk you out of the school." She giggled at the image in her mind.

"My Richard is way better looking than that Richard," Elise laughed as well. "And he's already swept me off my feet, so he doesn't have to make the grand gesture, now." She picked up one of the dresses and looking at it, her eyes grew wide. "Cammi…" she gasped.

"I knew it," Cammi said quite smugly "I knew it when I saw it. That's the perfect dress for you. It's supposed to be a prom dress, I guess, but it's exactly right for you."

Elise took in the beautiful cream colored satin of the gown and sighed. The strapless bodice, covered in iridescent sequins and seed pearls, randomly applied, fit her curves perfectly. The pencil straight skirt accentuated her tiny waist and fell to a few inches below her knees. A matching bolero jacket also embellished with pearls and sequins, added an elegant touch. Both women drew in appreciative breaths when Cammi finished zipping it up and Elise slipped on the jacket.

"Come on, Elise," a voice called from outside the door; "we're dying out here!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" She called, but she couldn't tear herself away from her reflection in the mirror.

Cammi smiled and shook her head, so incredibly happy for all the joy her friend now experienced, despite Richard's accident. She walked over to the door and opened it so that the mob could come to Elise. Ooohs, and aaahs, and a few gasps declared what Elise already knew: Cammi had found the perfect dress. Mission accomplished!

Jason sat at his computer looking over the pictures Beth had emailed of the pool house. Space to move the wheelchair, and ease of access for things like the coffee pot, presented the most obvious challenges. Beth had explained that the doctor had ordered Richard to remain in a wheelchair for at least several weeks, until his leg could tolerate some weight bearing. Added to the leg injury, his shoulder could not bear the stress of crutches, nor could his wrist. His first week home would mostly involve bed rest and gently easing his shoulder into light therapy. Obviously, another accident at this stage of his recovery could lead to irreversible damage. Elimination of as many obstacles as possible was imperative.

Beth asked if Jason knew what kind of pants they could get for Richard. The fixator, she pointed out, created quite a challenge in finding him something to wear, and the early spring temperatures in northern Ohio did not call for shorts. Jason responded to that inquiry by asking for Richard's sizes. He asked Samuel had accompanied him to a sporting goods store the night before his scheduled visit to Pemberville. Jason purchased several pairs of jogging pants with snaps down the side and zippers above the knee, so a leg of the pants could be detached. Knowing that small town stores tended not to stock such items, Samuel said the least they could do was purchase a few pairs of pants for the poor man. Jason had emailed Beth news of the purchase, and she replied, thanking him and telling him about the wedding plans. "Oh, man," he groaned as he slouched deeper into his chair, "the last thing I want to do up there is attend a wedding." He called his father to relate that turn of events, and Samuel told him to deal with it. With an edge to his voice, he added that Beth had asked for their help and, by gum, they were going to give it.

The young man sighed as he hung up the phone and wearily admitted defeat.

When Beth called Will to tell him that Jason and Samuel had found pants for Richard, her husband immediately relayed the news to his cousin. Explaining the snaps down the legs, he teased Richard that they could have used those pants for the bridal shower dance number, like they had for Beth's when they showed up and danced to "Macho Man".

"Are you peeved that you're missing out on the bachelor party?" Will asked, half seriously.

"Well," Richard groaned as he practiced pivoting on one foot to get into the wheelchair, "since I'm also missing out on a honeymoon, I guess I need to keep things in perspective."

"Karma, man," Will teased while standing at the ready, as the physical therapist had demonstrated to him and Elise. "That's what you get for all the guff you gave me over Elizabeth."

"But, it'll be worth it, right?" He looked up at Will expectantly while wiping the sweat off his forehead from the exertion.

"Have you seen my wife lately?"

"Point taken."

Cammi and Juanita proved invaluable team mates in what the family referred to as "Operation Get Hitched NOW". Richard called in the middle of the party and begged the women to have mercy on the poor invalid. Elise pertly informed him that she had received only flannel jammies and several pairs of nylons while holding up the filmy negligees and naughty nighties to the giggling crowd. As he was on speaker, the ladies delighted in the couple's banter and many of teachers and staff at Elise's school marveled at seeing their boss, usually a serious and focused woman, exhibit such a light and carefree attitude. Before hanging up, Richard thanked them all for coming on such short notice and for saving him from attempting something currently beyond his ability with all the flannel.

After most everyone left, Beth put her feet up on the sofa and relaxed, as she had been commanded to do by Juanita. Georgiana had driven in for the event, as had Rachel, so the two of them, along with Cammi, Marie and Mamacita, quickly went to work and cleaned up. Elise carried her presents to the pool house and then joined the ladies in the kitchen. Marie sat with her friend and asked for more details about Samuel and Jason's expected visit, and how Beth fared with handling everything.

"It's strange, really," Beth replied, rubbing her belly, nervously, "I don't see Samuel as my father, per se, but I don't think of him as just a friend, either. But he and Jason have offered to help, and right now, we need all the help we can get. They'll be here late tomorrow morning, and plan to say in town, at the hotel. I offered to put them up here, but Samuel wouldn't hear of it. He said I had enough to deal with. I know he's right, but I still feel bad. After all, I asked for their help."

Marie listened intently to her friend and shook her head at the end of her speech. "No, Beth, he's right. It's only been two weeks since you were in Cincinnati and attempting to build some sort of relationship. Callie doesn't even know who he is. I can't imagine explaining all of it to her right now; she's been through enough confusing stuff this week. Besides, you guys have all you can handle, trying to get Richard and Ellie married and then get them settled in the pool house." She looked at Beth with a concerned eye. "And I'm worried about you. You need to take care and not overdo it, Beth. You're heading into your sixth month, and little junior there will start zapping your energy big time. I'm serious," she said when Beth rolled her eyes. "Just wait 'til you can't see your feet anymore, and you swear you'll fall over any minute between all the waddling and exhaustion. Have you registered for the child birth classes yet?"

"Yes, mother," Beth teased with a chuckle. "Will's mortified at the idea. He thought he just had to show up and hold my hand. I think I married a fainter." Both women laughed at the image of the towering form of Fitzwilliam Darcy Stephens toppling over in the delivery room. "Of course, he wouldn't go down before barking out orders to all the doctors and nurses, explaining that things need to go according to his plan."

"Well, at least I'd have everyone doing their jobs, before I blacked out," Will snorted from the living room door. "I thought you were supposed to skewer Richard tonight, not me." He smiled as he sauntered into the room and kissed his wife before sitting down next to her.

"You have no idea what we talk about when you're not around," his wife replied, with pertness he so loved.

"I think I just had a sample," he countered before all three laughed.

Later, as the couple snuggled together before falling asleep, Will whispered into his wife's ear, "I'm not mortified; I'm terrified. But I promise I'll be with you all the way, even as they wheel me out on a stretcher with smelling salts in front of my nose."

"That's all I ask, Fitzwilliam," she chuckled as she showered him with kisses.

Samuel fidgeted in his seat for the entire three and a half hour trip to Pemberville. Jason turned up the radio and tried to focus on the task at hand, instead of on his father's nerves or his own dread of spending time with Beth and her family. Intellectually, he knew she wasn't to blame for her mother's or his father's sins, but her mere presence irked him for his mother's sake. Samuel prattled on about the landscape, which, to Jason, only amounted to one farm after another. The farms were occasionally interrupted by a small town, where he had to slow down to a dismal twenty-five miles an hour.

About fifteen miles outside of Bryan, Samuel started tapping his foot on the car floor and Jason's nerves won over his patience. "Pop!" he shouted, unexpectedly, "you're driving me crazy!"

"Jason," Samuel countered in shock, "you scared me half to death. What am I doing that's driving you crazy?"

"Are you kidding me?" Jason shot back. "You've been acting like you've got ants in your pants, since we left your driveway."

Samuel's face turned beet red. "You don't need to speak to me like I'm one of your clients, you know. I had no idea I was bothering you."

Jason sighed deeply, "I'm sorry, Pop. I guess we're both on edge. It's not that I don't want to help this guy. It's sounds as though he's been through an awful lot, serving our country and all. He's not to blame for the awkward position we're all in, it's just, geeze, one minute Beth wants nothing to do with you, and the next she's asking for help."

It was Samuel's turn to sigh. "Son, one minute I was just another faculty member who occasionally talked to her in the break room, and the next, I told her I was her father." He eyed his son to gauge his reaction. "How did you expect she'd react? Quite frankly, I deserved everything she threw at me, and then some."

"It's just difficult to think about," Jason replied with a frown. "The whole thing almost destroyed our family, and you've carried around the guilt for so long. I understand why you needed to tell her, but, sometimes, I wonder if it's worth it."

"I don't expect you to understand, and I certainly don't expect you to like it, but the fact is that I am her father, even though I don't warrant the name right now. I appreciate that, really, I do. I owe it to Tammy to try to be there for Beth, somehow. Her mother had every reason to hate me, and at times I think she did." He nervously began tapping on his foot again. "I didn't want to hurt your mother any more than I already had, but I felt responsible for Tammy and then for Beth; at times, I thought I'd lose not just my marriage, but my sanity."

They passed through the last little burg before hitting Bryan's city limits, and Jason noticed a small child being pushed in his wheelchair by another young boy. He wondered to himself how kids in small towns received services like the ones he provided in the Greater Cincinnati area. They probably have to drive a good distance if they need more than the schools can deliver,. he mused, then sighed at the troubling thought.

"You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?" his father scolded, though not really; he knew what his son had just observed. "Jason," he continued, "you have such a big heart though, I know it's been shattered. Maybe coming up here will give you a little perspective. You've been down for a long time, son."

"I know, Pop, I know," he grimaced as the speed sign told him to slow down. "I'm trying to move on, but with Mom's death and then all of this drama; well, it's been a tough couple of years." He glanced at his dad and saw him bow his head and added, "For all of us."

The plan concocted by Will, Beth and Samuel called for the Johnson men to arrive at the farm a little after ten in the morning. Will and Beth would walk them through the pool house, and then allow Jason some time to work out a plan. Will would then attempt to obtain whatever items Jason deemed necessary. The wedding was scheduled to begin at four, and the family plus their few close friends would come back to the farm for a quiet celebratory dinner, complete with wedding cake, and then the newlyweds would retire to the pool house for the night.

Soon after breakfast, Beth began pacing the length of the living room. Callie watched cartoons in the den but continuously ran to her momma to ask if it was time to get dressed for the wedding. Beth finally set an alarm clock and placed it in her daughter's hands, so that she'd hear when the time arrived. She asked her momma why she seemed worried, since it wasn't her wedding day. Beth smiled at her precious daughter and explained that there many things needed to be dealt with, and she just wanted everything to be perfect for Richard and Elise.

Moving to stand by the picture window, Beth startled at seeing Samuel's sedan pull into the driveway. Taking a deep breath and praying that this weekend would turn out for the best for everyone, she called out to Will. He answered from upstairs in Richard's room. Upon hearing her revelation, he ran down the stairs, carrying several items Richard had asked him to put in his new, temporary home. Setting them down on the couch, he encircled his wife's expanded waist and whispered that everything would be fine.

Chapter 26

Posted on 2010-05-29

Richard Stephens would never describe himself as a patient man. His father certainly had not been one, and his military training had raised his expectations that things must be done quickly, accurately and without mishap. The events of this last week of his life had forced him into a bed-ridden state once again and gave him no choice but to face the consequences of an accident brought on by an apparent episode of post traumatic stress. Not wanting to be a burden on Will, and knowing, full well, that a very pregnant Beth would not be up to the physical challenge of providing everything he would need,his very unromantic solution of speeding up the wedding came crashing around him the night before the ceremony.

Seth and Justin arrived late on Friday and after dropping Justin at his house, Seth stayed all night with Richard at the hospital. Neither man had much sleep since the accident, as both confessed to harboring many serious thoughts and concerns. Around two o'clock in the morning they gave up the pretense of sleeping and began talking to one another. Richard spilled out his fears of rushing Elise to the altar, and Seth told his brother that Justin had been accepted for a summer internship in San Diego, and planned to break the news to Georgiana over the weekend.

At four in the morning, the two brothers finally gave in to sleep. Richard dreamed of beginning a new life with the woman he loved. When the nurse arrived a little after six to take his vitals and assess his pain levels, he whispered quietly to her and gratefully accepted the pain medication. Before he drifted off to sleep again, he watched his little brother, curled in a ball on the reclining chair and snoring slightly He's becoming a caring and loving man, right before my eyes. The way he looks at Rachel, and how he's now concerned for Georgiana is a side of him I never thought would exist. Chuckling to himself that Seth had given him advice, telling him to take it slow and not expect too much of himself, he decided that some good had come from his tumble down the stairs.

All too soon, the din of doctors beginning their rounds broke the silence. Seth awoke, hearing the voice of one giving Richard the good news that he would be released that afternoon. Seth shook himself and jumped up to shake the doctor's hand and offered his thanks for all he's done. Richard's breakfast arrived, and Seth, having eaten only vending machine snacks, sprinted down to the cafeteria to grab something to eat. He stepped outside and called Will, to share the happy development with him. His older cousin suggested that even though Seth would be heading back to school the next day, he might want to learn how to assist Richard with the wheelchair and how to help him clean up as much as possible, given his current physical limitations.

Seth snorted at the suggestion, "Will, I remember all too well the fine art of wheelchair maneuvering and Richard's clean up detail."

Nine o'clock on the morning of his wedding, found Richard napping, after a workout consisting of shaving and attempting to make himself presentable for his bride. Not up to the all the commotion at the farmhouse, Seth, decided to stay put in his brother's room and allowed himself a little more shuteye. The two remained undisturbed until lunch.

Cammi had insisted on spending the night with Elise, "for old time's sake." She'd laughed when Elise finally gave in on the idea. Her lease not up until August, Elise was in no rush to pack, nor did she need to be concerned about where all of her belongings would go. Packing enough clothes for at least two weeks at Pemberville, she knew she wouldn't need to worry about getting anything else she needed. Dave offered to check on the building from time to time, and Elise felt more than ready to leave the lonely chapters of her life behind.

Just as her intended worried about rushing things, Elise fervently hoped that she and Richard were ready to face life as man and wife. She didn't doubt their love and devotion to one another; but the circumstances caused a little concern. Cammi assured her best friend that starting married life in this manner could be a blessing in disguise. This way, Elise could get used to Richard being around, without the added pressure of a physical relationship. She reasoned that by the time the fixator came off, they'd be comfortable with one another, and Elsie would be ready to be loved completely by her husband.

Elise just hoped that she and Richard could hold out for that long.

At his father's direction, Jason pulled into the driveway leading up to the majestic house. "Farmer, my foot," he muttered, chastising himself for feeling just a bit intimidated. "No wonder you had such a difficult time approaching Beth. This place is huge!"

Samuel smiled at his youngest's realization of Fitzwilliam Stephens' wealth. "The inside is not ostentatious at all, JJ. I only saw the entry and the living room, but they were very tastefully decorated, and there's an amazing portrait of Beth and her family that, I would guess, came from Will's hand. I bet his family was very talented."

"But not very lucky," Jason couldn't help but add.

"Life dealt them some pretty hard blows, but they all seem to be recovering from them. Will is extremely possessive and protective; I'm not faulting him, it's understandable. But woe to anyone who might harm his family, especially Beth." His sideways glance held an air of warning to Jason.

"Pop," he sighed, "I'm not an idiot. I would never do or say anything to hurt her. It's just weird. Can you allow me to say that this is just a little weird without going off on me?"

"Fair enough, son," Samuel clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, times a wastin'. Let's see what we can do to help this soldier and his new bride."

"What a way to start a marriage," Jason offered, shaking his head in disbelief. "I just hope she's able to stand by him and not…"

"JJ, not every woman is Tiffany."

"Thank God" they said in unison as they opened their doors and stepped out into the farm fresh air of a Northwest Ohio early spring.

For over an hour, Beth had sat, alternately watching the window and the clock, waiting for the Johnson men to arrive. Just as they approached the door, she was forced to leave her post to answer nature's call. Will took over her post and, as they entered, greeted them warmly. "I can't thank you enough for coming up to help us figure out how we can help the invalid and his new wife." Will smiled at his cousin's expense.

"Think nothing of it, Will," Samuel answered while shaking hands vigorously with his son-in-law, admitting to himself that he liked the idea.

Jason and Will eyed each other with suspicion, but the handshake they exchanged held neither the bitterness nor the warning that their first meeting had produced. "Since we don't have a lot of time," Jason began, "maybe the best thing to do is to go out to the pool house first, so we can do all that we can before they get here."

"That's what we hoped you'd say," Beth said as she walked into the room and smiled hopefully at all three men. She hugged Samuel warmly and then took Jason's offered hand and squeezed it, but did not turn it into a handshake. Somehow, that gesture soothed both of their nerves. "But," she went on, "do you need to freshen up, or can I get you something to drink or eat? We always have coffee and tea at the ready around here." She looked from one man to the other, but both shook their heads as they murmured thanks.

The kitchen door opened and then closed quickly, followed by the clicking of puppy toenails on the linoleum floor. "Mamma," Callie called out, breathlessly, "Bella and me took out the trash from the pool house and put the tulips in the vase like you said."

Beth smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Thanks, honey, we're in the living room."

Callie skipped in with the pup at her heels. Bella immediately picked up the scent of visitors and yelped with glee as she bounded toward them. "Down, Bella!" Will, Beth and Callie commanded in unison, and the dog stopped in her tracks. "Good girl, Bella!" Callie praised and fed her a treat out of her pocket. She looked up at Samuel and Jason, "Bella's a pup, but she's learning to behave herself. We're taking a training class." She stopped and looked at the two strangers intensely for moment before speaking again. "My name's Callie," she said with ease.

Samuel choked with emotion at seeing the little girl up close. The last time he had been at the farm, she appeared at the doorway and then Beth had escorted her away so quickly that he hadn't gotten a good look at her. Before that, the only time he'd seen her was during her adoption when she had just turned two; even then, he had sat up in the gallery and couldn't really see all that well. "It's very nice to meet you," he managed, with difficulty. "My name's Samuel, and this my son, Jason, or JJ if you'd like. That's what we all call him."

She eyed both men for a few seconds. "You have very curly hair," she stated to Jason.

"Yes, I do," he answered with a smile. "You have very blonde hair," he countered.

"Yes I do," she mimicked and laughed with the group of adults. "Momma says you're going to help Uncle Richard live in the pool house. How're you going to do that?" She scrunched up her face, attempting to figure out how these two men could change the pool house.

"Well," Jason squatted to her level, "that's what we're getting ready to find out. Why don't you show us around, if that's okay with your folks."

"'My folks?' That's funny." She pointed to Will and Beth. "They're my folks?"

"Yes, folks is another word for parents," he explained with a grin.

"Hmm," she pondered this insight for a moment, "does that mean I'm Bella's folk?"

"Good question," he responded as the other adults chuckled.

Beth and Will watched the interplay between the two and then stole a glance to each other. Callie certainly had a way with her "uncles". Will suggested that they head out back to get started, and the group followed Callie and Bella out the kitchen door.

Georgiana picked up Rachel from her dorm room in Defiance around noon, and the two headed for the hospital. Tasked with meeting the florist, the two young women decided they would do whatever they deemed necessary to transform the chapel into the picture perfect setting. Armed with twinkle lights and battery operated candles, they resolutely decorated the small room into what Callie would later describe as a sparkly, flowery princess land. Sighing in self-satisfaction, they secured the doors, placed the "Closed for a Private Ceremony" sign on the doorknob, and left for Ed and Marie's to clean up and prepare for the festivities.

In Pemberville, Juanita whirled around her kitchen, checking the multiple pots on the stove and pans in the oven. She had insisted on preparing Ricardo's favorite Mexican dishes for the dinner/reception in spite of Beth's pleas for her to enjoy herself as a guest. She would not hear of it; if another Stephens man planned to take the plunge, she would see it done right. Jorge informed Beth that this was how his wife showed her love. After a small battle of wills, Mamacita agreed to allow Will to hire servers. They would help transport the food between the houses and serve the small group of family and friends who would assemble in the massive formal dining room. Smiling at their very stubborn wives, Will and Jorge congratulated themselves on brokering the best possible solution.

Will and Beth kept an eye on the clock, worried about making it to the hospital in time for the wedding. Jason and Samuel assured them that they had all they needed and would be fine. Will handed them directions to the lumberyard and hardware store in town, in case they discovered that they needed something in their absence. In no time at all, Jason had rearranged the furniture to allow Richard and his wheelchair maximum clearance. He moved dishes out of the cabinets so they'd be within easy reach of the wheelchair, and demonstrated for Will the use of "the grabber," as he called it, so that Will could, in turn, show Richard how to employ the long-handled object to reach and secure items located on higher shelves. Amazed at how quickly the therapist moved and at the planning and thought that he'd obviously put in before he'd arrived, Beth and Will thanked him sincerely before they headed into town.

"Oh, Elise," Cammi enthused dramatically, "you look beautiful. It's a good thing he'll be sitting in that wheelchair because I think he'd fall over once he got a look at you."

Elise rolled her eyes, but couldn't help blushing, "Yeah, whatever, Camilla," she replied while nervously smoothing out her dress.

Looking at her with mock disgust at the use of her full name, Cammi continued in her positive affirmations. "I can't believe how quickly this whole thing came together. Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have so much help?" Without consciously recognizing it, Cammi felt a little envious of Elise and her newfound family and friends. She wished desperately for Dave to pop the question, but she also understood his misgivings resulting from his previous failed marriages and relationships. Of course, her track record was no prize, either. Elise warned her friend to come clean with him about her past and her reputation with men, but Cammi wasn't secure enough to expose herself, not yet.

"Yes, Cammi," Elise interrupted her thoughts, "I do realize how lucky I am." She let out a shaky sigh. "I'm still terrified, you know, but we love each other and I have no doubt that this time we'll fight for what we have." She paused and then reached over to take her friend's hand in a rare display of love. "You've been with me through everything. I'll never forget all that you've done for me," her eyes sparkled at the memory, " – even manipulating the whole car–stuck-in-the snow thing to get us out to the farm."

"Oh, that?" She waved her free hand dismissively, then shot back, "That was just because I was hungry and cold." She tried to pull her hand from Elise's, unable to look at her because tears had sprung to her eyes. Elise wouldn't have it and squeezed her hand a little harder. Trying to compose herself, Cammi took a deep breath and turned to face her friend. "I'm so very happy for you," she said in almost a whisper. "Nobody deserves happiness more than the two of you." Refusing to give in any more to sentimentality, she arched her brow and her lips curled, "Well, except me."

"Your day is coming, Cami," Elise laughed and released her hold. "Where's Dave? What will it look like if I'm late?"

"He'll wait for you, Elise. I think he's proven that."

Will pulled into the hospital lot just as Georgiana, Rachel and her family headed towards to door. They waited in order to make the proper fuss over how lovely Callie looked in her new frilly pink dress. As they entered the lobby, she skipped up to them all and twirled in delight. Will had determined to check on Richard first, and then, he and Seth would escort him down to the chapel. Before he could leave the group, Callie grabbed hold of her daddy's hand.

"I want to talk to Uncle Richard before the wedding," she explained matter-of-factly.

Will's amused expression betrayed his serious tone, "And what do you need to speak to him about, Callie?"

She shook her head, and her eyes danced mischievously. "Please, Daddy, I just want to talk to him."

Glancing over at Beth, who appeared nonplussed by her daughter's request, Will shrugged and reached for her hand. The two walked down the hall together, turned back to look at the group and waved, and then headed into the elevator. "Well," Beth chuckled, "She probably needs to make sure somebody has 'the talk' with the groom."

"As only Callie could," Marie laughed along with her friend.

"Come on, everybody," Georgiana begged. "Rachel and I can't wait to show you the chapel.

"Okay, okay," Ed answered for the crowd and threw up his hands in defeat, "lead us to your handiwork."

Before they left the lobby, Dave sauntered in, followed closely by Juanita, Jorge and most of their family. Joining the lively group, they moved together down the hall. Rachel and Georgiana reached the double doors first, and Rachel made short work of removing the sign. Nodding to one another, each opened one of the double doors with a flourish and quickly flipped a few switches. Twinkle lights sparkled in the decorative plants along the outer aisle and in the front of the chapel. Ellie's favorite flowers, lilies of many varieties and colors, including lilies of the valley, filled the air with their heady fragrance, and the small fountain murmured invitingly on as water cascaded and pooled on the wall in the corner, near the altar. The two young women flitted about turning on the candles placed every few feet in sconces on the wall opposite the fountain. Several more lined the altar, where the bridal party would stand, or in Richard's case, sit, along with the pastor.

"It's beautiful," Beth whispered. She stood in awe of their handiwork, as did all the others. "You've outdone yourselves." She hugged the two blushing decorators, who then moved on to receive many other compliments from friends and family.

"Well," Ed observed, "now let's sit and wait for show to begin."

Following his quite determined daughter, Will could barely contain his curiosity. "Come on, give me a hint."

"No, Daddy," she answered seriously, "some things just have to stay secret between me and Uncle Richard." They had reached the room and could hear Seth and Richard's laughter through the half-closed door. Callie slipped through and marched with deliberation to Richard. The bridegroom sat in the wheelchair and had just informed Seth that they could wait no longer for Will; it was time to roll.

"Princess," Richard beamed and held out one arm for a hug, "I didn't think I'd get to see you until later, when you'd walk down the aisle to stand up with us." He stole a concerned glance at Will who simply shrugged his shoulders. "What's up, my lovely girl?"

"I need to talk to you," she informed him, hands on her hips. "Hi, Seth," she smiled in greeting but said nothing more. She simply stood still and waited for her daddy and cousin to leave.

Seth's brow furrowed in confusion, much the way Will's would when situations spun out of his control. Richard had noted many times, recently, just how much his brother reminded him of Will in his mannerisms and speech, especially in serious or business discussions. Now, the young man looked from his brother to his former guardian, shifted his feet and sighed. "I think we've been dismissed." Will nodded, then led him out the door. "What's that all about?" Seth asked with a bit of annoyance.

"I have no idea," Will snickered, "but since it's Callie, I can only imagine she feels she has some bit of wisdom to bestow on the groom." Both men chuckled at the thought.

"You look very beautiful, Callie," Richard reached over to pull one of her hands from her hip. "Have you seen Ellie yet?" His nerves had begun to get the best of him, but he attempted to stay light-hearted in front of his darling girl.

"No, but Cammi's with her now, Momma said. Everybody pays attention to the bride, you know," she instructed as she squeezed his hand.

"As it should be, don't you think?" Richard's curiosity at just what she needed to say kept him from focusing on his jitters.

"I guess so," she replied while looking down at his leg. "I wish I could sit on your lap, but I can't for a long time, can I?" She let out a little sob, and Richard quickly raised her chin to meet his loving eyes.

"Sweetheart, don't cry today. Don't cry about my silly leg anymore, please. I'm going to be fine; you know that, right?" He kissed the tear that escaped down her cheek. "I'm coming home immediately after the ceremony. I'm coming home, Callie."

"The pool house isn't home, Uncle Richard," she snuffled.

"Home is where Ellie is and where you are, all of you," he answered, gently.

"You aren't going away like Daddy and Mommy did on their honeymoon, are you?" she asked with a pained look and a frown.

"No, we're not going away, not right now, not with my leg like this." He again flicked a tear from her cheek. "Callie, he ventured, "is there something you want to ask me or tell me?"

She hesitated and drew in a ragged breath. "Well, yes…Uncle Richard, can I…can I..."

"Go on, you can ask me anything," he encouraged her, tenderly. Looking up briefly, he saw Will standing in the doorway, and he smiled at his cousin's covert attempt to look in on them.

She nodded her head and took another deep breath. Unable to conceal her concerns any longer, she burst out with a series of questions: "Can I come to see you, or do I have to wait until you call me? Can we still go to the stable or is that just my job now? Will you still help me with Bella, or does Daddy have to do that, too? Will you spend all your time with Ellie now or…."

"Callie," Richard interrupted her stream of uncertainties, "you can visit anytime; all I ask is that you knock first and that you tell Momma or Daddy where you're going." He smiled as she visibly relaxed. "As for Scotch, I won't be able to go the stable until this thing is off – too many germs out there. And I want to see Bella, but maybe not for a little while." He smiled. "I can't have her jump on me, can I?" Reaching out to hug her to him, he asked, "Do you understand, Callie, that I'm marrying Ellie, and that we'll need a little time just to ourselves?"

"You mean like when you take naps like Momma and Daddy do?" she asked in innocent sincerity.

Richard's laugh echoed through the room and his eyes danced in merriment as they caught Will's. "Oh, my, Callie, you are, and always will be, my special princess, and wherever I might end up, you'll always be welcome." He released her just enough to look at her face. "Yes?"

"Yes," came the muffled response as she burrowed into his embrace. "I just needed to know that, I guess." She straightened up then, and placed her hand on his dress shirt, which now had a wet spot, "Sorry," she said as she patted the place where her tears had fallen.

"No worries," he answered and kissed her cheek again. "But Callie, I think we need to get going. We don't want to keep everybody waiting, especially not Ellie, right?"

"Right," she smiled and hugged him again. "You'll be a good husband if you keep Ellie happy. Daddy says that's his job – to keep Momma happy, so you should do the same."

"That's right," Will entered the room, with Seth trailing behind, in amused wonder at how a nine year old wrapped them all around her finger. "If every husband remembers that, every family would be deliriously happy."

"Well, let's go then," she said and led them out of the room with a flourish.

In order for the bride and groom to not see each other, Cammi sequestered Elise in a waiting room just outside the chapel. She couldn't help but chuckle as she witnessed Callie followed down the hall by a procession of men. "Elise," she called into the room, "they're going in now. Callie's leading them in," she snorted.

"She should! She's the one responsible for us all being here today." Elise answered smiling at the thought. "Come on, I've never been more ready for anything in all of my life."

Callie floated down the aisle and stood where Pastor Paul indicated while Seth and Will maneuvered Richard to a similar spot on the other side of the lectern, and then carefully wheeled him into a position that allowed him to see his bride as she followed Cammi. Georgiana played softly, reminding herself to stay calm and not cry all over the keys. Cammi wasted no time sauntering down the aisle, though she certainly hoped that Dave noticed her gorgeous lilac silk off the shoulder dress that clung tightly to her curves. As she passed Dave, they locked eyes, conveying their feelings to one another, before she had to focus on where she needed to stand.

When Elise at last appeared in the doorway, Georgiana motioned to Beth, who quickly walked over to the piano. She and Georgiana had practiced over the phone several times during the harried week, but she had not told Will her plans. Keeping her eyes glued to her husband, she sang "At Last" to Georgiana's accompaniment. There was not a dry eye in the little chapel, including those belonging to the bride and groom.

"Oh my Lord," whispered Richard as his vision of pure love glided toward him. He didn't think he could breathe, and it had nothing to do with his injuries. It crossed his mind to wonder why more grooms didn't pass out before their brides made it to their sides. He gripped the wheelchair so hard that his hand began stinging, but he couldn't let go, for he feared that he would leap out of the chair, leg be damned. Elise smiled demurely and vowed to treasure the memory of his face illuminated by love and desire for her – only for her.

"You can't run, bro, so you have to go through with it now," Seth teased in a low voice as he wheeled Richard around to again face Pastor Paul; but everyone heard, and it lightened the very emotional moment.

The pastor thanked everyone for coming and for all the work they'd invested in pulling together the wedding in such short order. "It's a testament to the love shared by the Stephens' family and to the wealth of friends who surround them. Even now, I understand that two men are at the farm getting the pool house ready for the newlyweds, so that they can begin their lives in some sort of privacy. Unless I guess someone wants to use the pool." The crowd snickered at the image.

"In a little over six months, I will have had the privilege of marrying two young men from this family, each of the highest moral caliber. The two of you" he nodded his head to Will and Richard, "have come together, first to convince Elizabeth that Will was the right man for her," he, along with everyone else, looked over to see a very red-faced Beth smiling and patting her tummy, "and next, it would seem, to assure this lovely lady that the past can be overcome and happiness can be found, even when all hope seems lost. I know, without doubt, that Matthew, Olivia, Andrew and Stephanie are proud, extremely proud, of the men they raised. Look up and feel it, for they are smiling down on this assembly, today.

"Richard and Elise, the two of you have traveled a painful, devastating road to reach each other again. It's taken you many years and much pain, and this wedding is not the end of the journey, but a new fork on a road you can now travel, together. With the help of the Father, who you now acknowledge and eagerly desire to let lead you, this road you wander can never lead you astray. There will be hills – mountains even – that at times may seem insurmountable, but look around you, there are so many people you can lean on for their love, strength, and support.

"And during the times when the way is smooth and the going easy, these same people may need your love to sustain them. As a couple, you will be that much stronger in your aide to them." He smiled down at Callie, "And little ones, whether already here," he lifted his eyes to Beth, "or waiting to come into this world, can learn from your life and your love and your service to others. Never forget that you need to lead lives in which you help others and protect that which we all hold so dear.

"So, Richard, Elise," he looked pointedly at one, then the other, "I charge you, in front of God and these friends and family who love you so much, to love one another, to give to one another and to always remember that "perfect love casts out fear." The attentive couple acknowledged his words by nodding in unison. "Now, I believe that each of you wished to speak to the other before these witnesses."

"Richard," Elise began, not thinking that she should have allowed him to go first, "I have loved you for half of my life. Since the day you swaggered over to prove to me that you weren't just a brash ROTC soldier trying to muscle his way through the world, you captured my heart. During my years of pain and loneliness, the memories of your smile, humor and strength sustained me, and now that we're together, I know that I can depend on you to be the man I always knew you were.

"I promise, with all of my heart, to keep working to trust you and open my heart to you. I promise to tell you my fears and my dreams, my struggles and my joys. I promise to comfort you and to persevere when you try to cover up your feelings with laughter. I vow to you to love your family as my own and to work with all of you in any way necessary to carry on all that the Stephens' name stands for. I will love you all the days of my life, Richard, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. There will never be another who I can love as I love you. I am your Ellie."

Richard looked up at the woman he loved in wonder and pure joy. Amazed at all she had so openly shared, he didn't know how he could express his heart more than he already had. He reached up and she leaned down to meet his hand as it wiped a tear away, caressing her cheek before he began. Elise turned her face and kissed his open hand as she lightly squeezed his other in encouragement. He took a deep breath and felt Will gently place his hand on his uninjured shoulder.

"My darling, Ellie," he began and then, before he could continue, he paused to clear his throat, "I've moved around my entire life; I've never settled anywhere, never felt like anywhere was really my home. Everything was temporary, and when I lost almost my entire family in one blinding moment, after already losing you, well, that just further punctuated the lesson that you can rely on no one but yourself. Then, today, just a few minutes ago, a little sprite brought me to the realization that you are my home. I am finally home, no matter where I may lay my head – as long as you are with me, you and my family; Ellie, I am home.

"I know we're going to stumble, though I pray not on any more stairs." His self-deprecating humor wasn't lost on the bride or on the audience. "But we can make it through anything, now. I believe that! Ellie, I promise to love you, deeply, purely and honestly. I promise to hear you, really hear you, and to keep you safe and secure. I promise to hold you and to never harm you, ever. I pledge to love you and to stay with you, at your side, 'til death do us part, and maybe even after. All that I have, and all that I am, is in your hands. Nothing will ever separate us again."

They held each other's loving gaze while the ceremony continued around them.. They exchanged rings, the pastor bestowed a prayer of blessing, and it was only then, as if coming out of a daze, that the couple heard Pastor Paul declaring them husband and wife. Elise bent forward to kiss her eagerly awaiting husband and the crowd went wild with applauding, cheering, and whistling while the bride and groom remained blissfully unaware of the mayhem; they only saw each other savoring the moment.

Chapter 27

Posted on 2010-06-12

In all the hoopla that surrounded getting Richard and Elise married, one simple, but very important issue remained unexplored: how to get Richard home. At a little over six feet tall, with a leg that, in no way, could be bent, the group began scrambling to come up with an acceptable mode of transportation for the newlyweds to reach the farm. Finally, Ed determined that with a little effort, the men could lift him into the van after taking out the row of seats. Ellie could sit next to him, if she didn't mind sitting on the floor as Richard demanded that she not leave his side.

Will climbed into the back and Seth, Ed and Dave lifted him, mindful of the shoulder as well as the leg, while Justin directed and kept Richard's head and leg from hitting anything. With his old wheelchair waiting for him at the farm, and his few belongings stowed in Will's Mustang, it seemed that they had dodged a bullet. Elise could tell that Richard kept up a strong front, but the pain showed around his eyes.

As the van door shut, she held onto his hand and whispered, "We're almost home, my love, rest now."

The excruciating stabs left his leg tingling and his head throbbing, but he tried to relax and weakly smiled. "Are you sure you meant those vows, Mrs. Stephens?" he managed through his gritted teeth.

"Every word, Mr. Stephens." She rearranged herself, after finding a blanket laying in the back that she rolled up and placed under his shoulder, so that his head could lie on her lap. "And you can call me 'Mrs. Stephens' everyday, for the rest of our lives," she sighed. "I've waited so very long to own that title."

Ed drove as carefully as he could, but the fifteen minute ride proved torturous for the invalid groom. Elise never stopped speaking words of comfort and love as she stroked his forehead and kissed him, gently. Tiny beads of perspiration formed on his brow. She became concerned that the whole affair would prove too much for him. Simultaneously, Richard chastised himself for putting her through the ordeal when the time following their exchange of vows should have been blissful and angst-free.

"Don't do it, Rich," she gently admonished as she wiped his brow with a tissue.

"Do what?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"You know that I know you're laying there yelling at yourself for what's happened --" He began to protest, but she laid a finger on his lips. "You are, and you know it. I won't deny that it's difficult to see you in such pain, darling, but I need, so badly, to be with you every moment, of every day, that I don't care how it happens. So stop it. Hey!" she hollered when Richard attempted to nip at her finger.

"Pain makes me do strange things, Mrs. Stephens," he snickered. "I, too, like the sound of that. Good thing Will and Elizabeth are a little father along on the new marriage road that he doesn't keep calling her that all the time 'cause it would be quite confusing to hear 'Mrs. Stephens' called out every other minute."

"Those two are so wrapped up in each other that I don't think they'd even notice," Elise chuckled. "And now," she leaned down and replaced her fingers with a kiss, "the four of us can disgust the whole town with how happy we are." She continued her ministrations, actually quite content to be comforting him for a change.

They remained silent for the rest of the drive, listening to Ed and Marie chatter away about the school year winding down and their plans for the summer. Elise smiled to herself and wished, sincerely, that in twenty years she and Richard would remain as deeply in love as they were at that moment. If that wasn't possible, then she'd settle for being as happy together as the couple chauffeuring them seemed to be.

Getting out of the van proved much easier, and though he grimaced at the sight of the wheelchair he had so happily abandoned a year ago, with a deep sigh, Richard announced to all how glad he was to be home at last. Callie danced up to him and hugged him gently while explaining to him in a serious tone that Bella would be confined to her cage or on a leash when Richard was around. With hands on her hips she declared that no one or nothing would give Uncle Richard any problems with his boo boos. She also informed him that two men named Jason and Samuel were working in the pool house to get it ready for him and Elise to move into after the big dinner.

Richard thanked her for the information as Seth walked over to offer his services to wheel his brother into the house. Entering through the kitchen, Richard exclaimed, "Juanita, the house smells heavenly; I bet you made all of your best concoctions just for me! I'm starving! Just think Ellie, you'll get to learn how to cook all this just like Elizabeth and we can feast all the time, to give Juanita a break. Man, this really smells terrific."

After exchanging concerned glances all around, the group knew he was overcompensating and would probably pay for all the activity, but they went along with the charade while keeping a close eye on him. Juanita tutted her usual orders to them all, and they scattered quickly out of the kitchen. Beth gladly relinquished all the cooking and preparation duties to Mamacita as she, too, bordered on exhaustion. Will steered her quickly to the dining room and immediately saw her to a seat.

"I'll go out and check on the pool house, love," he informed her in his 'don't argue with me' voice.

"I'm more than happy to let you, Fitzwilliam," she sighed and, thankfully, accepted an herbal iced tea from one of the hired servers.

Knowing that Seth, Dave and Ed would see to Richard's comfort, Will set out to check on Jason's progress and to invite the men in for the meal. As he opened the door, he was immediately struck by the changes he saw. Quickly taking in how the furniture had been rearranged and how household items had been set out on the counter, Will could easily see that Jason knew what he was about. "I'd never have thought of all of this," he said out loud, smiling his appreciation.

"That's why Beth called Jason," Samuel appeared out of the room that would serve as the living room and bedroom. "I hope it'll be alright for them for the interim."

"It's going to have to be, Samuel," Will answered, honestly, while extending a hand to shake the older man's. "I can't thank you enough, both of you." His eyes scanned the room to find Jason.

"We really didn't do all that much," Jason proclaimed as he came out of the bathroom. "This is a great set up, actually, except for the fact that there isn't a separate bedroom. Still, I think there should be enough privacy for them." He, too, shook Will's hand; the two men continued to relax more and more around each other. "It's still going to be a tough road for him, and for his new wife, I'd imagine," he acknowledged. "But it seems like he has lots of support."

"I'm sure we'll drive the newlyweds crazy with all of our support," Will laughed at the thought. "We'll probably trip over ourselves once Seth and Georgiana return home from school. But enough of that; we'd like you both to come in and join us for dinner. Juanita has outdone herself, I think."

"I don't know, Will," Samuel said, his eyes downcast. "This is a family celebration and we really only know you and Beth. I think we should go back to the hotel and come out again, tomorrow." He continued nervously, "There's enough going on around here without having to introduce us and…"

"Samuel," Will cut in, "we'd really like you to stay, both of you, and join us, but if the idea makes you uncomfortable, we'll understand. Just don't say no because you think we aren't sincere."

Samuel's head snapped up, "Oh, no, Will, we know you mean it, really we do. I have to admit that I'm pretty tired, and JJ's worked up quite a sweat, too."

Jason had decided to let his father choose whether to join the celebration, but he had to admit he felt relieved that wanted to go to the hotel, instead. "Honestly, Will," he admitted, "I'm beat, too, and I'm not all that good at handling wedding celebrations and such. If it's all the same to you, Pop and I will back out tomorrow. Then I can help with anything that might need adjusting before we head home."

Knowing not to push, Will nodded his head, "Okay, guys, I get it. My wife will be disappointed, but maybe knowing you'll be back will appease her. How about joining us for brunch, around noon?" He glanced at them expectantly. Both men nodded, agreeing to the plan. "I can't thank you enough for all of this," Will addressed both men, genuinely. "I know I speak for all of us, including Richard and Elise – the happy couple."

"Well, I don't know how happy they'll be while he's convalescing," Jason smiled, knowingly, "but at least he'll be able to do some things for himself once that arm comes out the sling and the cast comes off. Man, what an ordeal."

"You don't know that half of it, Jason," Will smiled, and the three men made their way to the driveway.

Will entered the dining room, and quickly discerned Richard gallantly putting up a front of ease and Beth struggling to stay awake. He sat down next to his wife and quietly relayed his conversation with Samuel and Jason, assuring her, despite her frown, that the men would return the next morning. Realizing that he needed to move the festivities along, he stood up and reached for his glass of sparkling cider, "Well, everybody," he motioned for them all to follow his lead, "I'd say it's time, past time, really, to toast the bride and groom not to mention to enjoy this fantastic spread by Mamacita." He looked over at Seth, "Would you like to go first, little man?"

Seth stood up and shot Will a look of irritation, "I so hope that you have a boy so that you can call him that, instead of me," he grumbled while the room's occupants laughed. "Well, I'm almost twenty-one, for Pete's sake. Anyway," he cleared his throat and straightened his posture. "Richard, I can't believe you're actually married; I'm so happy for you. I know it's not exactly what you had in mind, I mean, in a cast in all, but I know you're in love and that makes everything possible, right?" He turned his smiling eyes to his new sister-in-law. "Elise, I look forward to getting to know you better. I know we'll get the hang of sharing this farm and really becoming a family. You know that we're here for you and whatever you need, Will will make it happen." As he sat down to the group's laughter at his cousin's expense, Will lightly punched him on the shoulder.

"Why is it that anytime we're all together, I become the butt of the jokes," he moaned in mock indignation. "Richard, my friend, what a long, strange trip it's been for you and your lovely bride, huh?" The two men smiled at one another. "I can only wish you a tenth of the happiness that Elizabeth and I have found. If you do, then I know you'll be just fine. Elise, welcome to our family; I hope that you and my wife," he turned and looked at the woman he loved with a shrug, "won't beat us up too badly when we act like idiots."

"Speak for yourself," Richard piped up, laughing with the others. "I, for one, am no idiot. Now, sit down. I made it clear that I was starved at least thirty minutes ago." Will did as he was ordered, then they drank up and began eating.

The dinner party began breaking up after the couple joyfully fed each other slices of Juanita's delicious wedding cake – each mischievously spreading frosting on the other's mouth and face. Before leaving, Ed offered the van, and his services as chauffeur, for any trips Richard might need to make, and Marie added her offer of unconditional help as well. Justin spirited Georgiana away, citing his need to talk to her while Seth and Rachel decided to take Callie and Bella for a walk around the property. Juanita and her family kissed and hugged the newlyweds, wishing them Dios los bendiga, and they, too, left in high spirits, relishing the lovely day. Cammi and Dave followed with their departure in a matter of minutes, but not before Cammi, with tear-brimmed eyes, caught Elise's bouquet, which the bride had thrown intentionally to her.

"Just enjoy each other, Elise," she whispered into the bride's ear as they embraced. "He's exhausted, you know. Get him to bed and let him sleep. You have the rest of your lives to be together." Elise nodded in agreement and, after another heartfelt embrace, the couple left hand in hand.

"Elizabeth," Richard began, "I can't thank you enough for all that you did this week to pull this off." He swept his uninjured hand across the room.

"I had help," she answered, humbly. "You know Juanita would let me do nothing involving food." They all laughed at the truth of those words. "Truly, everybody pitched in."

"So it seems," the groom replied, "even two guys named Samuel and Jason who refused to let us acknowledge them tonight."

Will squeezed Beth's hand in signal to let him answer, "I think they felt a little intimidated by all the festivities and because they didn't really know anyone other than Elizabeth and me. They'll be here tomorrow since I opened my big mouth and invited them for brunch at noon." Elizabeth let out a little gasp, and he turned to her. "It's alright, love; Juanita already planned bringing food over tomorrow and there's a lot left over, right here. And as much as you won't like to miss it, I'm putting my foot down and insisting you rest tomorrow morning. We're not driving in for church."

Smiling at his insistence, Beth answered, "Okay, I'll submit to you this once – but, Richard, don't get any ideas about ordering Ellie around." The words were out of her mouth, before she realized the implications.

The newlyweds glanced quickly at each other and then back to a very red-faced Beth. Elise spoke first, "Elizabeth, please, don't be embarrassed; we know what you meant. My new husband will not be ordering me around, except, maybe, to get him a glass of water." She smiled warmly. "There are no bullies in Pemberville."

"I'm … I'm sorry." Beth replied, still mortified at the teasing words she'd inadvertently uttered.

"Hey," the newly married man interrupted, "it's fine. Like my beautiful bride just said, we knew what you meant. And the big oaf over there does get his way a bit too much, I think." He laughed to relieve the tension. "But, then again, I'm at his mercy at the moment, as I truly want to go to our new quarters now, and I need his help to get me there."

"That's right, Cousin," Will agreed while assisting his wife to stand as well. "Maybe we should all walk over? You can help Ellie with anything she needs while I assist the groom." He shot his wife a perceptive smile before adding, "You guys won't believe what Samuel and Jason were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time."

Still blushing slightly, Beth nodded and followed behind Will as he pulled Richard's chair away from the table and they started out of the dining room. "Ellie," she said as she caught Elise's arm.

"Elizabeth," Ellie stopped her from continuing and turned to face her. "Your help this week was a godsend. I can never thank you enough or repay you. This wedding may not have been what we planned on, but it turned out perfect." Her smile told Beth that her faux pas had been forgotten. "I'll need to lean on you for the next several weeks. I hope we won't be too much for you and Will." Elise looked at Beth expectantly.

Beth shook her head and returned the smile, "We're family, now, Ellie. That's what we do. Those two overgrown lugs love each other like brothers; they'd walk across broken glass to save the other. Will and I are both here for you; whatever you might need." She paused, considered her words, then continued, "I know this night isn't what you planned, either. I can't imagine how frustrating this is going to be for both of you. I thought Will was going to explode before our wedding night finally arrived."

"Honestly, Elizabeth," Ellie answered, forthrightly, "He'll be asleep from the pain meds in about half an hour. He's exhausted and putting up a front for all of us, especially me. Cammi thinks this is the best thing for us, and my counselor agrees. We need to get used to just being around each other. This week brought up very unpleasant memories for Richard. I know he's worried about having another dream or episode or whatever, from the stress." She smoothed her dress in unconscious nervousness. "As for me, just being around him will continue to help me heal and help me to let go of all my excess baggage."

"I'm sure you're right," Beth's hand gently touched Elise's shoulder. "If you need anything, or you just want to talk, tonight or anytime, I'm just a few feet away."

"Thanks, I'm sure I'll take you up on that, soon," she sighed, and the two continued out of the room and down the hall towards the kitchen. "At least I have Monday off, and then only four weeks of school left. I don't want to leave him, but I know that he'll have help during the day."

The ladies joined their husbands in the transformed pool house. Beth's eyes opened wide in surprise and Richard laughed, saying that that he shared her response. "I hope this will be alright, sweetheart." He reached over and took Elise's hand.

"Rich," she chuckled, looking into his pleading face, "you're adorable when you beg for my understanding." She bent down and kissed him chastely, but the kiss deepened quickly.

Will cleared his throat, "Well, old married woman," he reached for Beth's hand, "I think that's our cue to let these young newlyweds enjoy their wedding night."

Richard quickly broke the kiss. "Wait, seriously, don't go yet," he said in near panic. "I need your help."

"Ellie," Beth took the hint, "let's go look in the bathroom and the kitchenette to see what Jason's done. I think he also said something about looking around the pool area for the exercise equipment I think he also hung curtains over the sliding glass doors separating the house from the pool." Elise nodded, and they left the men alone.

"Hey," Richard grabbed his cousin's arm and hung on to it. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm terrified."

"If you weren't so pathetic right now," his cousin stifled a laugh, "I'd be rolling on the floor laughing."

"For crying out loud," Richard hissed, "this is my wedding night, and I'm stuck in this contraption," his hand rapped on the wheelchair handle. "I'm in serious pain, and I want to make love to my wife and…" he grunted in frustration.

Will squeezed his cousin's arm and sat on the couch, so he wouldn't be talking down to the obviously miserable groom, "You knew this was going to happen."

"Yeah, well, it didn't seem that bad when I was hopped up on morphine." His head dropped to his hand. "Good Lord, what have I done in demanding this wedding? I'm no good to her like this!"

"You can't look at it like that," his life long friend admonished. "You told me that she was still really jumpy at times and that she still seemed shocked at your advances when she didn't see you coming, right?" He waited for Richard to nod his head before continuing. "So, romance the heck out of her, you idiot. Women love to be held and they love the pillow talk, and the hand holding. Do you get my point here?"

Richard nodded again and lifted his head to reveal a pained expression. "That's easy for you to say, 'Mr. I tore the buttons off my wife's wedding dress'."

"SSSHHHH, man," he looked around to see if Beth was within earshot, "that's not public knowledge, you know. She'd kill me if she knew I told you that!"

"I know, that's why I said it," he smirked at his cousin. "Who's panicked now?"

"Hey, if that's what I get for giving you advice, you can just rot in this chair, lover boy." Will made as if to leave.

"Okay, okay," Richard hissed, "you've got to help me get to the bathroom and into that bed. Whether I like it or not, I need help; and you get to play nurse, until she can handle me."

"Ha!" came the expected retort, "as if that day will ever come." He strolled over to where Jason had laid out pajama bottoms with one leg cut off. "Come on," he walked back to the wheelchair and began pushing. "The things I do for you, the things I do."

Elise and Beth stayed by the pool, until Beth spied her husband assisting Richard into the bathroom. "I didn't think about how awkward this might be, at least for a while," she said, glancing sideways at Elise.

"I don't think any of us did, actually," Elise commented, with a slight blush forming. "I hope I'll be able to help him once his arm is out of that sling in a couple of weeks. His shoulder is healing nicely, and I don't want him to over do it on that front. Someday, we'll laugh about this night, but I don't think my husband's all that amused right now."

Beth smiled and patted Elise's arm, "You're right. He's just as proud as my husband, but he loves you and just wants to make you happy. I hope you're right and he falls asleep the moment his head hits the pillow."

"Well," Elise smiled, wickedly, "maybe not the exact moment…"

While the ladies continued chatting quietly, the men exited the bathroom and made their way toward the bed, stopping first so that Richard could take his pain medicine. Beth quickly walked over and kissed Richard on the cheek and said she had to go get Callie ready for bed. Elise pulled an item out of a dresser drawer and informed the cousins she would be back in a moment. She entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

"Come on," Will set the brakes on the chair, "let's get you in bed so that I can high tail it out of here." They began the painful process of transferring him.

"Oh, man," Richard moaned, "I just thought of something else. What if I have to go in the middle of the night?" He cursed under his breath at the thought.

"Okay, this is not the time to panic," Will chided him. "I'll put my cell phone right by the bed. Call me if you need anything, and I'll run over." Richard groaned, dejectedly. "You have another idea, gimpy?" His question greeted by silence, he continued, "I didn't think so. Try to scoot over a little more, sad sack."

"You know," Richard said through gritted teeth, "I could do without the name calling."

"Well," Will replied, smugly, "it got your dander up, and you're not whining anymore. Listen, this isn't going to be easy on any of us, but it's not like we haven't dealt with this before, well except for Elise. And, like I said in your hospital room, this time we have two beautiful women who love us. Now, I gotta get out of here before I get to know Elise way better than I ever want to." He laughed, whacked the worried groom lightly upside his head and made haste out of the honeymoon suite.

Elise looked at herself in the mirror and chuckled at the sight. True to her word to Richard during their phone conversation at her lingerie shower, she donned a pastel flannel nightgown that reached to her ankles. Her makeup removed and hair combed out, she took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door a few moments after she heard Will leave. "Rich," she called, "do you want a glass of water or anything? Did you take your pain medication?" She waited, but received no reply. Padding over to the bed, she saw the groom lying still with a grimace upon his face. "Soldier boy, did you hear me?" she whispered as she approached him.

"Mmmhmmm," he muttered incoherently and sighed.

Smiling at the sight and remembering her own wishes that he would just fall asleep, she started to retreat when his eyes shot open. He looked her up and down and then began laughing. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Ellie, you look like my mother in that get up!" He gasped for air. "What a way to make sure I'm not tempted."

After checking to make sure his shoulder was elevated enough by pillows, she ran over to her side of the bed and slid in, quickly but carefully moving over to nestle into his chest. "Good night, my husband. Sweet dreams," she chuckled and then lifted her face to kiss him. "I'll tempt you soon enough. Now, get some sleep."

He moaned, pathetically, "No one, and I mean no one, would ever believe that this is how I spent my wedding night."

She left his side and propped herself up on her elbow to look at him, square on, "Richard Andrew Stephens," she scolded, "we're together. We're married. And we love each other. That is how one should spend one's wedding night."

"But, Ellie," he began to argue, before she placed a finger on his lips.

"I love you so much, Richard Stephens. Now, go to sleep." She kissed him again, leaving no doubt in his mind of her love and devotion.

"I love you too, Ellie Stephens, and get back over here so that I can feel your heartbeat next to mine."

Chapter 28

Posted on 2010-06-19

Later that evening, as he walked around turning off lights, Will's mind raced with the images of the past week and with the issues that the day brought to pass. In Beth's exhausted state, she made her way up to bed, unable to remain awake any longer, even to say goodnight to Seth, Rachel or Callie. Will had offered to make sure Callie was tucked in so that his wife could get off of her feet and sleep. After such a fun filled day, she had slowly climbed the steps and pulled on her pajamas in slow motion with many yawns escaping while she did so. Will had no problem settling her in, hearing her prayers and kissing her ruddy cheek. Pausing at her doorway, he smiled as she turned to curl around her Bella and they sighed in tandem.

Before he could head back to his bedroom to check on his wife, he heard the kitchen door slam, loud voices, and angry words exchanged. Warring with himself over getting involved in something concerning Seth, he startled when he realized Georgiana's voice rose above the others. This can't be good. On one hand, he could count the times that his little sister had lost her temper. His protective nature winning out over the niggling voice telling him to allow the young adults to handle their own issues, he began his descent down the stairs.

"It's not the fact that he's going," Georgiana's voice shrilled in anger. "It's the fact that he didn't even think to talk to me about his plans until after they were final. I bet both of you knew about this, didn't you? I thought that friends didn't hide things. I thought that family looked out for each other. Maybe I'm just mistaken about everything."

Will rounded the corner to find his sister pointing an accusatory finger at Seth and Rachel, each of whom looked guilty and a little stunned. "What in the world is going on?" Will asked through gritted teeth. "I just got Callie calmed down enough to go to bed, and need I remind you that my very pregnant, very exhausted wife is upstairs, asleep, as well." He motioned toward the doorway, "Have the courtesy to go into the living room or down to the basement if you're going to argue like this."

"I'm sorry, Will," Georgiana turned her tear stained, saddened face to him and virtually launched herself at him. Wrapping his arms around her, he looked over at Seth who stood shaking his head while tightly gripping Rachel's hand.

As her sobs continued, Will lifted his head to again ask what had happened, but this time, in a more controlled, even tone.

Rachel glanced from Seth to Will and then spoke softly, "Justin told Georgiana some news that she's not happy about and not taking very well. Maybe we should just leave and let her tell you." She reached over and put her hand on Georgiana's heaving shoulders, squeezing lightly. "I'm sorry, G; he begged me to let him tell you himself. I should have pushed him to talk to you long before now." She released her grip and moved back to Seth and his waiting embrace. "Can you drive me home, Seth? Now that Will's here for Georgiana, I think we need to talk to my brother before he does something stupid."

"Where is he?" Will looked around the room, realizing Justin's absence.

"He's probably out pacing the deck or charging up and down the driveway," Seth answered. He sighed deeply and continued, "I'm sorry, too, Georgie. For once, I should have ignored his demand and opened my big mouth and told you."

Without lifting her head from Will's chest, Georgiana nodded, making no effort to loosen her grip around her brother's waist. "Go on, you two," Will directed them. "We'll talk it out, whatever it is. Just don't be out too late, Seth. I've got enough to worry about."

Seth sighed as he walked away, arm in arm with Rachel. After a few more moments of holding his crying sister, Will heard her sobs and accompanying hiccoughing begin to lessen. "Can we move over to the couch or something?"

"Yes," she spurted out, still holding on to her big brother as if for dear life. He walked, a few steps, his arms still around her, and helped her to sit down. With her head lowered, she held out her hand while Will dug in his pocket for his handkerchief. "Tttthanks," she stammered but didn't make any attempt to talk further or raise her head.

Taking a seat on the arm of the chair adjacent to the couch, Will wait patiently, hoping she would get hold of herself and tell him what Justin had done or said. Suppressing the urge to throttle the younger man, he couldn't help but shudder at how he might react to any man hurting any of his girls, Beth, Georgiana, Callie or Jeannie. For as long as I live, I will do everything in my power to keep them safe. he muttered to himself, realizing that he would always, possessively, protect those he loved. Seeing no progress, he decided to urge her along by reaching over and lifting her chin so that he could look into her sorrow-filled eyes.

"Georgie," he implored as tenderly as he could, "I hate to see you so upset. You know that I want to go and pummel him right now, don't you?" He smiled weakly, hoping a little humor might help.

"I – I just might let you." Her eyes flashed with anger and hurt.

Oh, this is serious. "You had better just tell me what happened between the two of you," he said in an ominous tone.

"You'll probably think I'm over reacting," she challenged and began to slump into the couch.

"Even if I do," he answered, "I'll still listen and try to help. But I've got nothing to go on at the moment, and I'm imagining all sorts of things, things probably much worse than the actual situation."

She took a steadying breath, squared her shoulders and began. "Justin took me outside so he could tell me that he's been accepted for an internship in San Diego!" She let out a wail as she said the city's name.

Will's eyes grew big, and he let out a long breath, "I see."

"I'm not mad because he's going," she sniffed, repeating the defensive remark that Will had initially heard her lob at her friends. "It's that he didn't bother to tell me. I mean, he applied for this way before Christmas! He knew he had a good chance of getting the position when we were in Florida last month, and he accepted over two weeks ago. That's why I'm so angry."

A year ago he, would have told her she was being ridiculous, but all that had changed. Will silently blessed Beth for having taught him the power of communication and insight. He searched his heart for the right things to say to his sister. "You wanted to be in on the plans," he ventured.

"Yes," her face shot up in wonder at this response from her usually clueless brother. "I would never stand in his way; why did he keep it from me? Does he think I'm that immature or selfish?"

"Does he, Georgiana?" Will prodded gently.

"I guess he does," she sighed, and a few more tears slid down her cheeks. "And that's not all, Will. If he does well, which I'm sure he will because Justin's already shows so much promise, he'll head back out there over Christmas break and then, next year, he'll be away for the whole of second semester and all summer." Will whistled and sat back in the chair. "That was my reaction, too," she said; "although, I didn't really whistle." She paused for a moment, looking down at the handkerchief, drenched and balled up in her hand. "I told him to go, Will, and not just to San Diego." She looked up to see his reaction. "I said that he made up his mind about us when he chose not to tell me anything about his intentions for over five months."

Will stood up and moved the short distance over to the couch; he sat down quickly and gathered her in his arms. "I'm sorry, Georgiana. Truly, I am. Justin's a good guy, you know. He just made the typical, moronic male move." He could feel her nodding her head, her pulling away. "I take it from what you said earlier that Seth and Rachel knew about it all along."

"Yes, they did," she spit out angrily. "Will, why does everyone treat me with kid gloves, like I'm a child? I'm not so delicate; I won't break, you know. It's seems it's always been that way, why?"

Taking her hand, Will held it as they both settled back into the comfortable cushions. "Do you know how many times I've sat on this couch and talked to Mom?" Georgiana's head snapped around to look at her brother's surprising answer to her question. "I can't tell you how many times she listened to me cry about my lack of baseball, football and basketball skills. She patiently sat here while I moaned about Lizzy following me around or Charles incessantly bugging me. I even told her when I found Richard with Seth's mother." He paused as that statement resonated through the room. "Mom was more than my mom; she was my confidant, my sympathizer, my pal, my strongest well-wisher, my advocate, my adviser. I didn't just lose my mother in that wreck; I lost my best friend."

He shifted his body so that he could look directly into his sister's eyes. "You never had the chance to have her be that for you, Georgie girl. You lost everything before your young life had a chance to get started. Neither Richard nor I knew how to talk to a little girl who missed her mommy and daddy so very much. We were barely treading water ourselves, and then Seth tried to be the little man – and we let him. But you," he reached up and caressed her cheek, "you, with those big eyes and tiny hands that would disappear within mine – you we just tried to shield and protect."

Her tears ran, spilling onto his open hand, "I love you, Will, but I hate that you try to protect me all the time. It seems like my boyfriend felt that he had to do the same thing. I'm stronger than you think – all of you." She moved away and folded her arms across her chest. "You know the weird thing?" She looked off toward the far end of the room, not waiting for his answer. "I'm more angry than anything. Shouldn't I be heartbroken or something?"

"I'm not about to tell you how you should feel. Hopefully the anger will dissipate soon, and then you can figure out any other feelings you might have for Justin." He bent over and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm sorry if I sometimes still think of you as my baby sister. Clearly, you're turning into an amazing woman, just as Mom predicted all of her girls would. Maybe this summer you could start reading her journals, like Elizabeth's been doing. It's time you learned more about our family, I think."

"I'd like that," she answered and started to get to her feet. "Tomorrow, before I head back to BG, could I talk again with you and, maybe, Elizabeth? There are some things I'd like to run by you, and I don't want to do what I just accused Justin of doing."

Will stood alongside her, and they embraced again, before she started up the stairs, and he made the rounds to lock the doors. "I'd like that, and I'm sure Elizabeth won't have a problem." He turned around and caught her arm before she moved out of reach. "I love you, my Georgie girl," he spoke the words sincerely, with a smile.

"I know, Will. I love you, too"

It seemed that no sooner had his head had hit the pillow than the buzzing of his cell phone jarred him awake. Trying not to awaken his wife, Will lunged for it quickly, and saw that Richard needed him. Sliding out of bed, he grabbed his robe, located his slippers and quietly headed for the door.

"Hurry back, darling," Elizabeth whispered from beneath the covers. "I'm going to miss you."

Smiling at her sleepy words, he walked back to her side of the bed, bent forward and kissed the top of her head – the only thing visible from the beneath the tousled blanket. "I will, love," he assured her.

Highly motivated now, he sprinted down the steps, through the house and out the door. He moved quickly, bearing up under the assault of a very cool spring morning. Knocking gently before entering, his eyes grew wide upon seeing Elise clad in her flannel nightgown, holding onto Richard's hand and struggling to assist him into a sitting position. "I'm sorry, you guys, I got here as soon as I could."

"He's got a muscle cramp in his leg, and it's traveling all the way down to his ankle and foot." Elise cried. "He's in agony, Will."

When Will rounded the bed; Richard's ashen face and gritted teeth confirmed what his bride had just explained. "Okay, big guy, hang in there a moment. I need to remember what they taught me to do last year." He bent down and held up Richard's injured leg while pressing his hand gingerly into the arch of his foot. "Okay, try to flex your toes upward." Richard's groans continued for several minutes as they repeated the motions several times, trying to work out the knot in the calf muscle without straining the leg.

A few minutes later, Seth appeared at the door. "Can I help with anything?" he asked as he walked into the room. Seeing what they were attempting to do and the pain still etched on his brother's face, Seth asked again, "What can I do to help, guys?"

"Go to the kitchen and grab him a banana," Will ordered, sharply, "it won't help right away, but you never know. And see if you can find his muscle relaxants. They should be right next to the pain meds on the counter by the sink. Bring those and a glass of water."

Seth looked at Will with questioning eyes, "What's a banana got to do with this?" he asked as he headed for the counter in the pool house's kitchenette.

"They're full of --- push harder, Rich," Will commanded as another wave of cramps hit, and Richard cursed in agony.

"Will," Elise pleaded, "isn't there something more we can do to help him?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly. "He can't bear weight on this leg, so he can't bang it on the floor or stretch it out like you're supposed to. This didn't happen in the hospital, did it?" He tried to get Richard to talk, redirecting his focus from the pain to something else.

"No," Richard grunted between winces and gasps. "Probably…because…foot…of bed…was elevated. He collapsed back onto the pillow, his face white with pain.

"Here, bro," Seth had managed to insert himself between Will and the wall, the glass and two pills in his hands and the banana under his chin. Will grabbed the fruit and set it on the bed while Elise took hold of the glass and medicine.

"Help me help him swing his legs to the edge of the bed." Will stated calmly as he gingerly lowered Richard's foot to the mattress. "Maybe if you sit up in the wheelchair for a few minutes, the pain will lessen."

"I'll try anything," Richard managed as they all worked to get him up and into the chair. By the time he was upright, sweat ran down his face, and Will wasn't convinced that tears hadn't escaped as well. Elise handed him the tablets and the glass, which he gratefully took into his shaking hands. He then grabbed the banana from the bed and devoured it in two bites, throwing the peel towards the kitchenette in frustration.

'Hey, don't hit the pregnant lady!" Beth cried, having entered the room in the midst of the chaos. She stood at the stove, having put the kettle on to boil. Picking up the peel that had landed over the back of a chair, she placed it in the trash, and walked the rest of the way into the room.

"Geeze, Elizabeth," Richard's face turned red with embarrassment. "I didn't see you there."

"It's alright," she laughed and then giggled. "If you could see yourselves." They all looked around at the sight they presented. Will's robe had fallen open revealing his black silk boxers. Seth's tousled hair fell over his eyes, his t-shirt and sweats inside out, obviously the result of throwing them on over his own boxers in haste, in the dark. The sight of Elise wearing a flannel gown on her wedding night was enough to elicit laughter from all.

Richard laughed first. "Unbelievable! This whole thing is unbelievable! This is my wedding night, and the whole blessed family is in my room like we're the Waltons or something."

"Hey, who called who?" Will protested in attempted retaliation for Richard almost hitting his wife with the offending peel. He chucked his cousin on his good arm. "Besides, this will make a great story to tell your children and grandchildren some day."

"Yeah, well, at the rate we're going…" Richard began, then stopped himself when he saw his bride's smile fade. "Ellie," he held out his free hand for her to grasp. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about all of this."

She took his hand, looking at him sternly, "Rich, you've got to stop being so hard on yourself. You can't help any of this, and I won't have you pussy footing around me, either."

To everyone's surprise, Will eyed the new bride and began laughing. "Ellie, what's with the granny gown? I mean, that's a riot in itself."

Elise let go of Richard's hand, stepped down from the bed and crossed her arms in defiance. "I'm trying not to tempt him," she hissed.

"Well, I think you've succeeded," Will answered, still chuckling. "Oh, my Lord, Rich, payback; payback, pure and simple."

"Just shut up and help me to the bathroom," Richard spat, though the corners of his mouth twitched and his eyes danced in mirth. "Lucky for you the pain is easing up, or I'd throttle you just to feel better about something."

An hour later, the honeymooners were securely back in bed, and Seth declared that no one had better bother him until brunch. Will and Beth returned to the house and settled back into their bed. "I left a note for Georgie to see to Callie in the morning, so you can rest," he whispered into Beth's ear as he kissed her neck and hairline.

"Keep that up, and I won't get any sleep," she smiled through a loud yawn.

"Hmmmph," Will uttered in mock dejection. "Well, our honeymoon is definitely over if my lovemaking causes you to yawn."

She managed a short giggle before falling asleep in her husband's arms.

Several hours later, Will awoke, his arms empty and the bed cold where his wife belonged. Sitting up quickly, he scanned the room to find her sitting on the window seat gazing out at the overcast morning. Seeing her shiver, he quickly grabbed a coverlet at the foot of the bed, walked over and gently placed it over her shoulders. Before he could move his hand away, Beth reached up and grabbed onto it. He could feel her trembling and grew more concerned.

"What is it? What's the matter?" he asked, his voice cracking in panic.

She turned to face him, tears falling, as she pulled the blanket tighter around her. "He'll never fight for me," she answered as she rested her head against Will's body.

He knelt down and wrapped his arms around her while he attempted to figure out who she meant; when it dawned on him that she spoke of Samuel. "Come back to bed, my love, so I can warm you. We can talk there. You're shivering here by the window." He moved to stand up, but she held onto him even tighter. "How long have you been sitting over here like this?"

"Awhile," she replied softly but made no effort to move.

"Please, love," he attempted again to get her to rise and then, as she sat unmoved, he bent down, scooped her up. Willingly, she drew her arms around his neck as he gently carried her to their bed and nestled her against him, drawing the covers over the top of them both. Holding her tightly, he kissed the top of her head and murmured the words of love and comfort that usually served to calm her and help her to feel secure.

"You'll always fight for me, won't you, Fitzwilliam?" Her voice trembled, making her sound like a hurt and scared little girl.

"I fight for you even when there's no enemy around," he answered, fiercely.

"Why does he drive all this way up here and force Jason to help us when, clearly, he'd rather be anywhere but near me? When I ask him a simple thing like joining my family for a celebration dinner, it appears that that's too much for him to do." She paused, fighting with herself over her mixed feelings of keen disappointment in her father's behavior and her desire to get to know him better. "He's a coward, isn't he?" She asked so softly that if Will had not been right next to her, he wouldn't have heard her question.

Weighing his words carefully, he finally answered what he knew was not a rhetorical question. "I don't know if he's a coward, but I do think his character is weak. Some people just aren't fighters; they let life happen to them and then wonder why it didn't turn out as they would like. But Elizabeth," he continued, lightly kissing her hair, "he felt a little uncomfortable going into the house dirty after working all day while everybody else was all dressed up, and without knowing anyone except the two of us. I kind of understand that. I don't think he really knew what to do."

"He could have just come in briefly to let me introduce him. Everyone would have understood his need to go and clean up. That would have been enough." She paused, as if struggling to continue venting her frustrations. "He…he…he'll take the easy way out every time, won't he?' she sniffled and held on to her husband as if to allow his strength to seep into her.

"It's difficult to say, but probably." He placed his chin upon her head and breathed in deeply to capture her essence. "Remember when I told you that he said he prayed for your mom, his wife and his family everyday? I wonder if he ever prays for himself. I wonder if he even understands or can comprehend what his lack of strength has done – to you, to your mom and probably to himself and his family. He's not a bad person; I just don't think he knows how to connect with you as a father, just yet."

"He was always kind to me when I worked with him, but he never went out of his way to ask if I needed help or anything." She moved to sit up, and Will caressed her face and kissed her lightly before she continued. "My students liked him, and he was voted 'Favorite Teacher' several times over the years, so I know he cared about his charges. He's very engaging when I speak to him, and his sons clearly love him, but maybe teaching just came naturally to him as did loving his sons." She broke his penetrating gaze and bowed her head.

Will didn't fail to recognize her emphasis or her actions. Lifting her chin and forcing her to look at him, he spoke with intensity, "Elizabeth, you have nothing to be ashamed of, nor do you have to prove yourself worthy of being loved. I've let you lead this attempt to get to know Samuel and his family, but I refuse to stand by and watch you become upset or allow yourself to feel inferior to anyone." Beth began to speak, but Will hurriedly kissed her. "Let me finish, please," he responded, before she had the chance to interrupt. "I'm grateful for what he and Jason have done for Richard, and the effort I know it took for that young man to even offer to help us. I'm not blind or indifferent to how much he must grieve for his mother and the feelings she held about all of this, but I don't care about their feelings – I care about yours. I have no qualms about calling them right now and cancelling brunch. There's been enough going on in this house to tell them, honestly, that we're in an uproar around here.

Taking in a breath, he kept going, "But I'm willing to have them over today if we can talk to him afterward, allowing you the chance to tell him how you feel." He paused, so he could gauge her reaction. Her eyes widened, but given that she made no attempt to speak, he continued. "Depending on how he reacts, and how you feel, I'll back off again; but, I swear to you, my love, I will fight for you and the health of my child." His hands moved instinctively to caress the roundness of her belly.

Her eyes swimming with tears and her lips trembling, she looked upon her husband and protector with unabashed adoration. "I love you so much, Fitzwilliam. I can never tell you that enough."

He wiped the falling tears with this thumbs and held her face in his hands, "You tell me everyday in many, many ways. I never doubt that." He kissed her warmly; not with desire but with the strength of an affection that was everlasting, safe and comforting.

Dawn came soon, and Will left his wife and their room to go and assist Richard and to check on the horses before the day got away from him. Since Richard's accident, Will found himself again taking over the reins of the entire family business. He felt disconnected when it came to so many of the things that Richard found exciting: meeting with potential renters, negotiating contracts for the crops, and keeping track of the incoming and outgoing bills. For almost a year, Will had enjoyed the leisure of only needing to deal with the breeding, training and showing of his beloved horses and working closely with Jorge on crop production and land management. He sighed, thinking of the pile of paperwork sitting on his desk, waiting for his attention. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he determined to ask for Richard's help when he felt up to it.

After a few comments about still feeling useless, Richard begrudgingly agreed to sorting through the stack of bills and contracts after Elise returned to work on Tuesday. His need to feel productive and to find some kind of normalcy triumphed over his self pity and uncharacteristic withdrawal. After cleaning up and changing into a fresh pair of the side-snapped pants, Richard spoke for himself and his bride when he begged off the brunch. Smiling in understanding, Will promised to send Seth out with food for them, and he wished them a peaceful day.

After Will closed the door behind him, Richard turned to Elise and asked, "Is it just me, or did he look as if he had the weight of the world resting on his shoulders?" Elise nodded in agreement. "I mean, he's never exactly giddy, but he looked like I felt last night." He reached for her hand, and they sat quietly for a few moments, before Richard spoke again, dejectedly. "Do you think I've called on him for help just one too many times?"

Elise moved as close to him as she could, given the barrier of the wheelchair and the arm of couch. "No, I don't think so." She stretched to kiss him gently. "Something else is going on – maybe more than one thing, actually. I've been around Will enough to know that he tries to fix everything and keep everyone on an even keel. Beth seemed fine when she was here earlier; just looked a little fatigued. Seth didn't appear troubled, I mean, except for his worry for you." She thought for a few moments, before she continued. "You know, Georgiana did appear noticeably absent when everyone else traipsed over here last night to help. And now that I think about it, Justin seemed very antsy at dinner."

"I'm deeply hurt by that comment," Richard presented her with a full pout.

"Why on earth would my observation about Justin hurt you, soldier boy?" She laughed at his overly dramatic pushed-out lip.

"Because you should have been so focused on me, you know, your husband, that everyone else became one big blur." He sighed dramatically.

"I can focus on you right now," she purred, "or at least, I can focus on engaging your lips in a better way then sticking out in over exaggeration."

He sniffed for a moment, keeping up the charade. "That would help, I guess, but you'll really have to focus for awhile."

"Oh, I can stay very focused, for a very long time, my dearest husband."