by Mary Smith
“You’re already stunning.” Cabel spoke up first.
“I agree,” Oliver added.
“You both are sweet.” She gave her father a hug and Cabel a quick kiss before making her way to the door.
Manicure. Check.
Pedicure. Check.
Massage. Check.
Aqua facial. Check.
Hair styled. Check.
Makeup perfected. Check.
Dress perfectly fit. Check.
Now, if only her hands would stop shaking it’ll be outstanding. Cabel was about to pull up in the limo that she told him wouldn’t be necessary. Nonetheless, the knock came, and she practically jumped out of her skin.
When she opened the door, Cabel’s mouth dropped. “Oh my God.”
“That bad?” She looked down at her dress.
“Absolutely not.” He lifted her chin. “You’re breathtaking.”
Caryn’s hair was half up and the rest laid in soft waves. She asked to keep the makeup soft. The green silk evening gown touched the floor. It had a soft sweetheart neckline with no straps. The white dress coat would be perfect for the very cold December night.
“I believe you can stop traffic in that tux, Cabel.” She eyed his body up and down. “Wait. Where’s your brace?”
“Ditched it for the night. I have a smaller one under my pants,” he informed her.
“Are you in pain?” She felt bad because it was too early for him to take it off.
“No.” He held his elbow out for her. “I might not be dancing too much though.”
She locked her doors and slid her arm through his touching his wool dress coat.
“And I might be limping too,” he told her as he opened the limo door.
“I don’t care just as long as you’re not in pain.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I’m just thrilled you’re going with me.” She gently slipped into the limo.
“Why wouldn’t I go with you?” Cabel questioned as he got in on his side.
“This is a fundraiser. It could be boring.”
Cabel laughed. “You don’t know Greer very well.” He laced their fingers together.
“She seems like she has a handle on everything.”
“Oh she does.” Cabel nodded. “She’s excellent at everything she does.”
Caryn was certain he was right. Nothing about Greer’s ability to handle this fundraiser made Caryn nervous. It was the fact she had to give a speech. Even though she talked for a living and doled out advice constantly, standing up in front of a large group of people was not her thing.
The driver pulled up to the auditorium. Cabel squeezed her hand as the driver opened the door for her. She took a deep breath and stepped out. Surprisingly, Cabel came around and she took his arm.
Gliding up the stairs, Caryn took in the beautiful winter decorations. At first, she hadn’t been sure about having a winter wonderland theme fundraiser, but Greer thought it’d be perfect so close to the Christmas holiday.
“It’s beautiful,” Caryn breathed walking into the lobby. It was completely white and appeared as if it snowed. There were tall, white trees decorated with silver ornaments. Glittery snowflakes hung from the ceiling.
“Greer really does go above and beyond,” Cabel commented taking in the surroundings as well.
“Caryn.” Greer came from the hallway that leads to the ballroom. She wore a long black dress. It had a corset form fit and a slight train behind it. Caryn noticed her silvery heels and wondered how her feet weren’t already killing her.
“Greer, you look lovely.” Cabel kissed her cheek.
“Thank you. Come on. I want you both to see the ballroom.” She rushed down the hall decorated the same as the lobby.
When Greer opened the massive doors, Caryn gasped. Inside there was a stunningly, beautiful ballroom. All of Greer’s ideas seemed perfect but seeing it with her own eyes almost made her pass out from the perfection.
“Greer…I…” Caryn couldn’t even form words as she searched the room.
In front of her was a blue and silver winter wonderland. Every detail stood out. Silver trees lined the walls and were decorated perfectly with blue ornaments. The centerpieces were the same color scheme, but they looked like snowflakes formed in a symmetrical manner. The plates appeared even better than a Pinterest pin.
“Greer, you outdid yourself.” Cabel’s eyes were as wide as hers.
“Thank you.” She beamed. “Okay, guests are arriving, let me give you a quick tour.” She began pointing out where the bar and the silent auction tables were and went over the times everything was meant to begin. Caryn believed it wouldn’t be a minute past the times on her clipboard. Greer seemed to be a drill sergeant about it all.
“Take a look around as I double check with the kitchen.” Just like that, she was off.
“Told you.” Cabel pulled her into his arms. “Perfect.”
“Agreed.” Caryn gave him a soft kiss.
“Let’s go. Your guests are arriving.”
Even though Caryn wanted to have sex with him on the table right then and now, she restrained herself, letting him lead her back into the lobby.
For the next hour, she greeted the who’s who of New Hampshire, the East Coast millionaires and billionaires, along with the entire Bears, Rams, and Cats teams. Not to exclude management and coaching staffs. Almost three hundred people in total.
Oliver stayed by her side as much as Cabel. Oliver made sure everyone knew she was his daughter. Many thought he was telling a joke, but then quickly realized he told them the truth. Caryn felt wonderfully embarrassed as he praised all her accomplishments to anyone who would stop and listen for one minute. It reminded her of when her mother did the same thing.
Greer told her the auctions had a lot of bids, and it only brought more people to those tables. Everyone seemed to be interested in The New Outlook. Caryn answered all their questions. She enjoyed discussing her facility with others.
When the time came for her speech, her hands began to shake. Oliver was going to introduce her, and they stood off to the side of the makeshift stage.
“Caryn?”
She turned to see Bas standing next to her. “Hi, how are you doing?” She knew it was the first time he was around alcohol since Oliver made all Bears’ events alcohol free.
“I’m doing great and I want to ask a favor.” He slid his hands into his pockets as a nervous gesture. “May I give a speech?” he asked shyly.
Caryn furrowed her brow. “Now?”
“I know firsthand how outstanding The New Outlook is. I’d like to tell everyone about it.”
Tears built up behind her eyes. Bas was special to her because they had been through so much together. Him wanting to give a speech meant a lot to her. “You will do amazing.” She hugged him.
“Thank you.” He released her. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”
“It was all you.”
He gave her a small smile as she went back toward her table.
“What’s going on?” Cabel whispered with concern.
“Just watch.” She took his hand into hers.
Oliver walked onto the stage and the talking died down.
“Welcome to The New Outlook’s Winter Wonderland, the first of many to come.”
There was a round of applause from the guests.
“My daughter, Caryn Hammonds, was to come up here and give an amazing speech about why she started The New Outlook. However, there’s been a change in the schedule.”
From the corner of the stage, Caryn saw the panic in Greer’s face, and a soft gasp came from her mouth. She quickly covered it, hoping no one heard her. Caryn knew she didn’t like changes in the schedule without consulting her first. She knew she’d be okay.
“Tonight, we will hear from Bas Zorn, a former patient of The New Outlook and a patient of Ms. Hammonds. To all the lawyers in the room, please don’t give him your card. Mr. Zorn gave me permission to say that.”
The crowd chuckled.
&nbs
p; “Ladies and gentlemen, Bas Zorn.”
The crowd applauded as Bas walked out onto the stage, shook Oliver’s hand, and went to the podium.
“Thank you, Mr. Matthews.” He took a breath. “I don’t have an actual speech prepared. Mainly, I’m going to tell you how The New Outlook saved me. See, I’m an alcoholic. I started drinking as a teenager and continued through adulthood. I shut people out of my life, and alcohol became my best friend. It could be the one thing I could count on in my life. When I was drafted by the Bears, my life hadn’t been the greatest. The alcohol consumption became more and more.”
He paused and looked down for several seconds before composing himself.
“It became so bad for me that I was removed from the team. Once that happened, I fell into a nonstop spiral until I sat on my living room floor with a gun…ready to end it all.”
Caryn remembered receiving the call from Oliver telling her of Bas’ situation. Over the years, Caryn had lost two of her patients to suicide. Her personal goal was not to lose anyone else.
“Oliver took me to The New Outlook. Driving up, I don’t remember much, to be honest. However, when I woke up, the first face I saw was Caryn’s.” He nervously cleared his throat. “She told me everything that had happened, where I was and then asked me a question. Just one.”
Her hands shook as the memory of the night came flooding back to her. Even though she treated each of her patients differently, she always asked the same questions to each of them.
“Do you want help?” Bas said to the crowd. “The question is a simple one, but hard to answer when you’re in a predicament like the one I was in. I wanted to die, so I didn’t want help. I wanted to leave and get smashed in every way possible. I told her no and tried to stand but couldn’t do it. Even though I said no, my heart was telling me it was time. I wouldn’t have survived the night without Caryn by my side. No matter the time, place, or whatever, Caryn has been there for me. I know she’s the same with all her patients.
Cabel squeezed Caryn’s hand.
“I knew I had to be bad for her to be sitting next to the bed. I remember how close I was to pulling that trigger, thinking about the relief I thought was on the other side of the bullet.”
Caryn’s eyes filled with tears hearing of his pain.
“The New Outlook taught me just that. A new outlook. There would be no relief from my death. It would have only caused pain for those who loved me. Caryn showed me how alcohol dulled my issues for the moment, and how I was to deal with those issues without it.”
He smirked at Caryn.
“It’s not easy for anyone, but I stand here—alive—and happy. Do I still want to drink when times are tough? Yes. Am I cured? Absolutely not. However, I’m surrounded by the best support system, and it all started with The New Outlook. I would implore you all to donate to this outstanding facility to help more people out there. Thank you.”
The room erupted with applause and Caryn stood up. Bas’ courage made her feel prouder than ever before. He had come full circle in his treatment. She went over to him and embraced him.
“Thank you, Bas.”
“Thank you for everything,” he told her again and made his way to his table.
Caryn watched him kiss his girlfriend, Erin, and the stress of this fundraiser all fell away…this was her reward.
Cabel came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “You’re the best.”
His words made her smile.
“They’re about to serve the food. Let’s eat and listen to the winners of the auctions.”
The suggestion sounded perfect, and she led him back to their table. For the rest of the evening, she laughed, she networked, and she ate some amazing food. The auctions went great and Caryn couldn’t believe how much money was raised. It almost made her cry.
As the party began to wind down, Oliver pulled her to the side.
“I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.” He gave her a kiss on her cheek and hugged her. “You’re just like your mother. Always the giver.”
“Thank you, Oliver. So much of this was possible because of you.” She had waited to have moments like these with her father. As a child, even into adulthood, she wondered about him. Now, here he was…and she couldn’t be happier.
“I’m heading home. You young ones are tiring out this old man.” He released her.
Caryn then saw Janan and Nova come around her to hug their godfather. There was a short conversation between them before they dispersed in their own directions.
Searching the small crowd of guests to find Cabel, she spotted him with some other Bears players.
Watching their interactions, Cabel chuckled with them while sipping on a glass of water. He seemed at ease surrounded by his friends. She studied him momentarily and still couldn’t believe he wanted to be with her. She didn’t have confidence issues. She just loved him so much, she needed to pinch herself.
“I remember that look.”
Caryn turned to see Greer next to her. “You and Edgar still gaze into each other’s eyes, right?”
“Of course, but the beginning of true love is always the best.” She gave her a small smile.
“Are there problems between you and Edgar?” Caryn could tell the signs.
Greer opened her mouth but quickly closed it. “Our life is perfect.”
It felt as if she was hiding something, but Caryn let it go. Greer and Edgar had been married for many years and there will always be ups and downs.
“Thank you for an incredible night.”
Her smile grew. “I should be thanking you because I gained several more contacts tonight. I believe it’ll lead to many more parties.”
“I’m glad.” Caryn gave Greer a hug and made her way over to her boyfriend…Cabel.
When their eyes connected, he excused himself from the group and moved toward her.
“I’m ready to go home.” As she finished the last word, Cabel gripped her hand and led her to their awaiting limo. She felt his mind was in the same place as hers. She couldn’t wait to get him to her house.
The first thing Caryn did when she walked into her house was kick off her heels. “I vow to wear flats the rest of my life.” Pressing her feet onto her floor brought a small tinge of comfort to her.
“I can think of one reason you can wear heels.” Cabel laid his coat on the couch, tugging at his tie.
She caught his flirtatious tone and a tingling sensation ran through her. ‘Would I be on my back?”
“Or your knees?” Slowly he slid his hands down her body.
Caryn tried not to giggle at their flirting, but she couldn’t help it and it just happened. This caused Cabel to follow suit. Their lips touched lightly, but soon the fire between them roared, and they couldn’t stop it…
Until her phone rang and they both groaned.
“Taden?” Caryn questioned as she looked at her phone screen and hit the green icon to answer. “Hi, Taden.”
“Caryn, you need to get to General. Right now.”
She felt the floor drop from beneath her and the air leave the room. “Why?”
“What’s wrong?” Cabel moved closer to her, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“It’s Oliver.” Taden’s words came through the phone.
Two words stopped her world. Her body went into crisis mode, and she bolted to the door and ran out to her car. Where were her keys? She kept turning around in a circle, looking all over the ground.
“Caryn! Caryn!” Cabel stopped her from spinning. “Get in the car.” He led her to the vehicle and put her in her own car on the passenger side.
Her mind spun. What happened to Oliver? Did he die? In a coma? Life support? She saw him less than an hour ago and he was okay. Things were great between them.
“Come on.”
Glancing around, her car was parked, Cabel had her door open, and they were at the hospital. She couldn’t figure out how they got there so quickly. She jumped out and ran to the emergency room d
oor.
“Caryn. Cabel.” Taden jogged to them, still in his tux. “Come this way.”
A million questions ran through her head, but none of them would come out. Her voice wouldn’t work. Her mouth opened and closed ten times, but…nothing.
Taden led them to an elevator. It opened the second he hit the up button. The three of them stepped in, and he hit the sixth floor button. Caryn’s body shook and Cabel shrugged off his tux jacket for her, placing it around her shoulders.
“What happened?” Cabel managed to ask the first question about Oliver.
“He collapsed in his car. The driver brought him here,” Taden said as the elevator dinged to alert them they were on the sixth floor.
“Heart attack? Stroke? Aneurysm?” Now Caryn’s voice worked and fast. Even she hadn’t been sure what she said made sense.
“I don’t know.” He turned to the left and they followed him down a long hallway until they reached a small waiting lobby.
Janan, Nova, Teo, and Hamilton were all standing in a small circle. As they approached the girls rushed over to Caryn, hugging her. When they pulled back, she noticed they had been crying and were still in their gowns from the fundraiser. As was she.
“Has the doctor been by?” Caryn’s voice almost returned to a normal tone, but she remained by Cabel’s side in case her legs, or body, gave way. He put his arm around her shoulder to hold her up.
“Not yet.” Hamilton pulled Janan into his strong arms.
They remained silent for a few minutes, and she couldn’t stand there anymore without knowing what happened or what was going on. She was about to run up and down the hall until someone gave her the answer she wanted when she heard…
“Matthews’ family?”
Caryn spun so fast toward the voice, she almost made herself dizzy. “Stan!”
“Caryn?” The man in the white coat seemed confused.
She rushed over to him. “Oh, thank God.” Stan and Caryn had gone to medical school together. He was one of the best up and coming cardiologists in New Hampshire. “Tell me everything.”
“Um…are you family?”
“I’m his daughter.”
“I didn’t think you knew your father.”
