Page 70 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
“You heard the doctor, Mom.” She kept her tone kind, full of respect. “It would’ve happened if I’d been home. I had to have contracted the bacteria days earlier.”
Her mother nodded. “True.” She waited while her daughter opened the door for Tommy.
“Annalee.” Tommy’s eyes stayed on hers. “You look… breathtaking.”
She hugged him. “Thank you.” She turned and faced her mother. “Tell my mom you’ll keep me warm.”
Tommy laughed, but he looked nervous. Just like her mother. “I’ll keep her warm. The whole time.”
“There.” She gave her mom one last hug. “See you in a few hours.”
When they pulled away Annalee turned to him. “I can’t imagine Maddie right now.” She leaned her head back and stared at the sky. “She thinks it’s a date at the zoo.”
“Which”—Tommy chuckled—“shows you how much she loves the place. She works there, after all.”
“I think it’s beautiful.” Annalee hadn’t felt this carefree since September, before treatment began. “Maddie loves animals. I got that from our date last time. I really like her, Tommy. I mean… I’ve met her before, of course. But I know her so much better now. Her heart… her amazing story.”
Tommy’s eyes shone. “I mean… only God could’ve brought those two together.”
Like other times since her cancer, they didn’t spend the conversation talking about treatment and nausea and how many rounds remained. They both knew the answer. Just one. One more round of chemo and she’d be finished—for good, she believed. With every breath she trusted God for that.
Instead they talked about his classes and the finals he was studying for. Annalee had enough credits that the school had arranged for her to take the semester off. That way—if she was well enough—she could finish in the spring. Even if she had to take a few classes online over the summer, she would still graduate in May with Tommy and her class.
Typically the zoo was crowded on Saturday. Annalee and Tommy had been before. But today—with the clouds and the threat of snow, and with temperatures in the mid-thirties, the parking lot was practically empty. Tommy found a spot. “Looks like the perfect day for an engagement.”
“They’ll have the place to themselves. Amazing.” Annalee waited until he helped her from the passenger side. She was still weak. Still unable to walk far without the wheelchair. But she was getting stronger every day. She could feel that, too.
Tommy had brought a thick blanket for the outing. So in addition to Annalee’s coat and gloves, scarf and hat, once she was in the wheelchair Tommy tucked the heaviest, softest blanket around her. She giggled. “We could have a blizzard and I’d be warm.”
“All right then.” He sounded strong, confident. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
They reached the front entrance and met up with Tommy’s uncle Dayne and aunt Katy and their kids. Annalee hadn’t met them yet, so Tommy made the introductions. Of course, she knew who Dayne Matthews was, the famous actor who in the past ten years had been making movies.
Tommy’s aunt Katy put her hand on Annalee’s shoulder. “We’ve been praying for you.” Her voice filled with empathy. “You look wonderful, by the way.”
“Thanks.” Annalee stared up at Tommy and then back to Katy. “I’m getting better. Definitely. And I have a lot of love around me.”
Tommy moved to her side and took her hand. “She’s easy to love.”
Katy nodded. “I’m sure.” She hugged Tommy. “The two of you are the cutest.”
More of the family arrived. Tommy’s uncle Ryan andaunt Kari and their kids. Also his uncle Landon and aunt Ashley and their kids—including Cole, who was home from Liberty University on Christmas break. Grandpa John and Grandma Elaine were here, too
Five minutes later Maddie’s parents—Tommy’s uncle Peter and aunt Brooke—hurried up. Maddie’s mother carried a bouquet of white roses and hydrangeas, and her face was lit up with joy. Her daughter was getting engaged, after all.
For just a moment Annalee tried to imagine how her own mom might look at a time like this. Full of love and happiness, but also aware of the passing of time. The way Maddie’s mother seemed to look right now.
Brooke was explaining why they were late and how the florist hadn’t had the flowers ready like they were supposed to and how Peter had driven so fast that water sloshed out of the vase onto her pants. And everyone was laughing and talking and Annalee let the thrill of the moment wash over her.
She gazed at the sky. A hint of blue was breaking through the clouds. Exactly how she felt about her life.
Another few minutes passed and three people joined them. Tommy’s grandpa John did the introductions. “Please say hello to Maddie’s biological parents—Larry and Louise Quinn.” Grandpa John’s voice seemed choked by emotion. “And this”—he patted the other man’s back—“is Dawson’s father, David Gage.” He grinned. “Today, we’re all family.”
At that, Maddie’s parents, Peter and Brooke, andtheir younger daughter, Hayley, approached the Quinns. According to Maddie, her real parents and her sister had never met her biological mom and dad. But she had expected they would one day.
This was that moment.
Annalee watched as the couples said a few words to each other and then Brooke and Louise Quinn embraced. For a long time. When they pulled away, both women were wiping tears.
