Truly, Madly, Deeply

by Karen Kingsbury

  Her mother was at the mall with a friend, so she met Mr. Miller and Tommy and Annalee at the hospital. The cancer ward. By then, Annalee’s temperature was 103 and rising. She was restless in the bed, groaning from aches that had come over her without warning.

  An hour later they knew.

  Annalee had pneumonia. She was put on IV antibiotics and given a series of breathing treatments. Her doctor joined them, and his concern was written in the lines on his forehead.

  “It’s all my fault.” Tommy paced the room. “I never should’ve taken her out.”

  “No.” Annalee sat partially up in bed. “It wasn’t you, Tommy.”

  Her dad went to her. “Please, honey. Lay down. You need to rest.”

  Annalee did as he asked, but she shook her head. “I need you to hear me. All of you.” She was wheezing now. Tommy had never seen an illness move so fast. “I felt perfect all day. Tommy”—she looked at her father—“he knew I was sick before I did. He… he’s the reason… I got here in time.”

  Her dad put his hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “We don’t blame you.” He looked at Annalee. “Honey, of course it isn’t Tommy’s fault.”

  Tommy still wasn’t sure. The speed of this thing made him feel dizzy. How could she be making progress against Stage 4 cancer and then be fighting for her life because of pneumonia? A few minutes later he and Annalee’s parents followed the doctor out into the hall. That’s when they knew how serious the fight actually was.

  “We’re doing all we can.” The doctor’s face was grim. “Her life is on the line with this infection. The next two days will be critical.”

  “Is there some other medication, something that could help her?” Annalee’s mother sounded desperate.

  But the doctor only shook his head. “Since you believe in miracles, I’d ask one thing of you all.” He paused. “Please… Pray.”

  23

  The breakthrough in Annalee’s pneumonia came late Saturday night. Until then Luke had stayed in the waiting room with Reagan, and Annalee’s parents—praying and reading Scripture. Anything to storm the gates of heaven one more time for the girl they loved.

  Her doctor had told them that if they’d found the right antibiotic, and if Annalee’s compromised immune system responded, they should know quickly. So when her fever broke Saturday night the doctor was thrilled to share the news.

  “We don’t always get the answer we want,” he told them. “But God is always listening.”

  Luke liked that. God was always listening.

  Since then, Annalee had continued to improve, so on Sunday night Luke did something he hadn’t done in years. He asked Reagan to go dancing. The strain between them had passed, but they needed time together. Time to rebuild the love and laughter that had been missing since mid-September.

  Luke wanted the date for another reason, too.

  After dancing, he and Reagan planned to meet Mike Lockwood and his wife for dessert. Luke had talked to Mike a few weeks ago about the four of them getting together. Mike knew about Reagan’s fears. “Time together might help her see.” Mike had liked the idea from the beginning. “Police officers don’t live with the what-ifs. We go to work and do our job the best we can. It’s a job we love.”

  Now Luke walked to the family room mirror and adjusted his tie. Tommy was staying home to be with his siblings, and the three kids were playing Sequence on the oversized coffee table.

  “Big date, huh, Dad?” Tommy grinned at him.

  “It is. And overdue, for sure.” Luke looked in the mirror. His hair had stayed blond all these years. A few lines at the corners of his eyes, but otherwise he was still the Luke Baxter he’d been when he married Reagan. He slipped on his dark gray suit coat, stood a little straighter, and turned to the kids.

  “Well… how do I look?”

  Johnny smiled at him. “You look ready, Dad. And you kinda look like Tommy.” He shot a look toward the master bedroom just off the family room. “What about Mom?”

  “Finishing touches.” Luke shrugged. “You’ll understand one day, Johnny boy. Waiting on a woman is part of the deal.”

  Johnny looked back at the game. “I’m the youngest, Dad. I’m good at waiting.”

  At the same time, Malin glanced up from the game and gasped. She stood and blinked a few times. “Dad… you look like the most handsome prince.”

  Luke bowed. “Why, thank you.” He smiled and held his hand out to his daughter. “Perhaps the princess would like a dance with the prince?”

  Malin giggled and scampered over to him. The flouncy layers of her pink dress bounced around her bare knees. It was the dress she’d worn to church that morning. Malin would’ve worn it to bed if they’d let her. She took hold of his fingers and curtsied. “The princess would, indeed, like to dance.”

  For the slightest few seconds, Luke didn’t move. He only looked at this precious daughter, brought home from China when she was a baby. Her birth country and heritage were important to all of them. But she was a Baxter girl, through and through. All ribbons and bows, smiles and giggles.

  The sunbeam of their home.

  Luke took her hand and began to sing, Tale as old as time. He twirled her again and again and then she stepped lightly on his toes. “Dance me around the room, Daddy. Like we used to do when I was little.”

  And Luke did just that. Plodding across the floor, mustering as much grace as he could with a twelve-year-old on his feet. The boys had stopped the game to watch, and after a minute the part of the song that Luke knew came to an end. Beauty and the… Beast.

  Then he and Malin stepped back from each other, still holding hands like a bridge between them. Luke bowed again and she curtsied once more. “You’re a very good singer, Prince.”

  “Thank you.” He grinned. “As long as you’re my audience.”

  “And us!” Johnny jumped up and clapped. “I think you sing good, too.”

  Luke laughed. “If that’s true, I get it from my mom.” Memories from long ago filled his heart. “Your grandma Elizabeth used to play the piano and the two of us… we’d sit together and sing. Mostly at Christmastime.”

  Malin hugged him. “Thanks, Dad.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “For dancing with me. One more time.”

  One more time? So was this the last time she would dance on his feet? The way she had from the time she was two till… till whenever she grew up? “We’re going to dance again, Malin. This isn’t the last time.”

  “I know.” She grinned. “Plus… we’ll dance at my wedding one day.”

  “True.” Luke didn’t want to think about that. He put his hand on her cheek. “But that’s a long time from now.”

  “Yep.” She giggled once more and hurried back to the Sequence game. “My turn!”

  Reagan came out of their room then. She wore a black dress with short sleeves and a skirt that flowed close to her high heels. Luke whistled. “Wow… talk about princesses.” Her dark blond hair hung down past her shoulders, and her eyes had never looked more blue. Luke sucked in a quick breath. “Honey… you… you look stunning.”

  “Really?” She came to Luke and the two hugged.

  “Yes. Really.” Luke whispered near her face. “You take my breath, Reagan.”

  Tommy was on his feet now. “Wow, Mom! That dress!”

  A smile filled Reagan’s face, and her eyes looked bright. “Your dad asked me out dancing. We used to love dressing up for that.”

  “And now… it’s time to go.” Luke motioned the kids close. He and Reagan hugged them all. “Have fun tonight. And may the best Sequence player win.”

  The kids returned to their game as Luke led Reagan out to their car. “Ever have a moment you want to remember forever?” Luke held her door for her.

  Once they were inside Reagan turned to him. “You and Malin?” She smiled with her eyes. The way Luke loved. “I heard you singing to her.”

  Luke put his hand over his heart. “I can’t remember the last time she danced on my feet like that. We
sort of waltzed around the room and she was laughing and looking into my eyes.” He shook his head. “Our little girl.”

  They pulled out of the neighborhood and Luke kept his eyes on the road. “She thanked me for dancing with her like that—one more time. That’s what she said.” He breathed in deep. “And all I wanted was to freeze time.”

  Reagan leaned back into her seat. Her tone was easy, her expression young and carefree. “I can’t believe she’s going to be a teenager. Where did the little girl days go?”

  “Exactly.” Luke let another string of memories fill his heart. Malin, the day they brought her home. The way she was the best big sister when they adopted Johnny and brought him home. “All our kids… they’re each a miracle.”

  A gentle quiet filled the car. “It’s the perfect night for a waltz, my dear.” He reached for her hand. “I’m so glad we’re doing this.”

  “I couldn’t believe… when you asked.” She turned to him again. “It’s been what… four years? Five?”

  “Probably.” He sighed. “That’s the thing about time. The more you love life, the faster it goes.”

  She studied him, the length of him. “I forgot about that suit.”

  “I probably haven’t worn it since the last time we went dancing.” He ran his thumb over the diamond in her wedding ring. “I love you, Reagan Baxter.”

  “I love you, too.”

  They listened to John Mayer until they reached the studio. The place was known throughout the city for its trained dance instructors and expansive ballroom. It looked newly remodeled. Even better, Luke thought.

  The closest available parking spot was at the back of the lot, so Luke stopped the car near the door. He didn’t mind the walk, but Reagan might. “You can get out. I’ll meet you after I park.”

  “It’s okay.” She lifted one heeled foot. “These are more comfortable than they look.” She leaned over and kissed Luke’s cheek. “I’ll walk with you.”

  Something about the dimly lit parking area or the distance they needed to walk to get to the studio gave Luke the slightest sense of concern. They weren’t in the worst part of the city, but the area wasn’t exactly safe. For a moment he thought about taking her back to the front door and insisting she skip the walk.

  But then he came upon a spot and he parked. “They need more light back here.”

  “Agreed.” She looked out her side window and then through the windshield to the wooded area that lined the lot. “Let’s hurry.”

  Luke wasn’t afraid. But his concern deepened as he helped Reagan out of the car. Lord, walk with us. Something doesn’t feel right. He pulled Reagan close and she took his arm.

  They had just started walking toward the dance building when someone behind them shouted. “Hey! Turn around!”

  They both pivoted and Luke felt a rush of terror. Two men were running toward them, guns drawn. Instinctively, Luke moved Reagan behind him. The men were young with masks on their faces. Clown masks. One of them was laughing.

  “What do you want?” Luke thought about fleeing, but they couldn’t turn their backs on the armed punks.

  The guys stopped a few feet away. Their guns were real. Luke was sure. The one who was still laughing raised his weapon higher. “Your money. Throw your wallets and purse down on the ground.”

  Before Luke or Reagan could do as they asked, sirens sounded near the entrance of the driveway. The lead clown shoved his gun at Luke’s shoulder. “Your wallet. Now! Or I’ll kill you both!”

  The sirens were louder, closer.

  “They found us, man.” The other masked guy turned and started running the other way. “It’s too late. Come on!”

  Just then a police car sped up and two officers jumped out. “Stop. Police!” they shouted, and as they did, the guy with the laugh turned and ran after his buddy.

  Luke couldn’t breathe. What had just happened? What if they had…? He turned and pulled Reagan into his arms. “Honey. It’s okay.”

  “Luke they… they could’ve…” Her skin was sheet white. She buried her face in his shoulder. “We had no warning.”

  In the adjacent lot, the officers tackled the guys and cuffed them. Luke closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of Reagan’s hair. She was right. It had happened so fast. And just like that they could’ve been… their kids would’ve been without—

  He couldn’t let himself go there. “We’re safe.” His voice sounded desperate with relief. “Thank God, we’re safe.”

  They waited while the bad guys were taken to the squad car. By then a few other officers had arrived. One of the cops who had chased down the suspects took statements from Luke and then from Reagan.

  Luke still felt dizzy as they told the officers what they knew. Reagan clung to him, like she might collapse otherwise. Yes, they had guns. Yes, they had pointed their weapons at them and demanded money. Yes, they had threatened to kill them.

  The cop was maybe in his late twenties. Dark skinned. Good looking, fit. Willing to put his life on the line for Luke and Reagan. The sort of officer Tommy would be. The guy shook his head. “So sorry about the scare. Those two have been on a robbery spree since midday.” He tapped his pen on his clipboard. “We’ve been in pursuit on and off from the first call.”

  Luke’s lawyer brain had a handful of questions about the suspects and whether the district attorney would file the most severe charges against the men. But that wasn’t his job, and he still wanted to go dancing with his wife. He put his hand on the young officer’s shoulder. “Thank you. If you hadn’t come just then…”

  “I know.” The man clenched his jaw. “They fired shots at a few of their victims.” He took a deep breath. “We’d been following them for several blocks.”

  Half an hour later, when the lesson portion of the ballroom dancing was over and free dance began, Luke waltzed Reagan across the floor. His heart was beating normally again. “That was awful.”

  “Those officers… they saved our lives.” Reagan looked deep into Luke’s eyes. “If they hadn’t shown up when they did…”

  “Anything could’ve happened.” Luke ran his hand along the back of her head. “I can’t think about it.”

  She stayed in time with him. No matter how many years had gone by, the two of them still shone on the dance floor. Like a single moving, breathing unit, gliding across the polished wood. His Reagan, the love of his life.

  Later over dessert, they told the story to Mike and his wife, Trudy. They all agreed that if the officers hadn’t already been in pursuit of the suspects, the night could’ve ended much differently.

  Luke watched the way Reagan seemed fully engaged in the conversation with the couple. Maybe the incident at the parking lot had given her a new perspective. She looked from Luke to Mike and his wife across the booth. “For years we’ve watched Cops with Tommy. He’s always wanted to be an officer, you know.”

  “That’s what I heard. Our kids watch it, too. They love the show.” Mike put his arm around his wife. “Tommy’s a wonderful young man. We already love him at the department.”

  “I’m sure.” Reagan was still fired up. “I always say high school kids should be required to watch a season of Cops.” She looked at Mike. “So they can see what not to do… drugs and robbery and violence. And so they can appreciate the danger you and your fellow officers put yourselves in every day.” She took a quick breath. “Police work isn’t a job. I saw that tonight. It’s a calling.”

  Luke could hardly believe what he was hearing. It had been a while since they had all watched Cops together, because Tommy was too busy. But Reagan was right. She absolutely used to say that. All students should have to watch Cops.

  Reagan was still talking, still singing the praises of police officers. And all Luke could do was watch and listen, his heart full. Because here and now, in light of what had happened tonight, the most amazing change seemed to have occurred in Reagan. She no longer sounded afraid or worried or panicked about Tommy being an officer. Quite the opposite.
/>   His beautiful wife sounded proud.

  24

  The last of Tommy’s ride-alongs was one for the books. He spent the afternoon with Officer Nick Conway, a twenty-two-year veteran. So far Officer Conway had responded to a bank robbery in progress where it took three officers to apprehend the suspect. There had been a domestic violence arrest, a foot chase after a guy with a stolen gun and a sex-trafficking bust.

  From his spot in the passenger seat, Tommy had been close enough to hear most of what had gone on.

  “You sure you want to do this?” Officer Conway cast a wry smile at him on the way back to the department. “It’s crazy out here.”

  Tommy didn’t hesitate. “More sure than ever.” He stared at the city streets as they drove. “Especially after that last bust. I want to see sex trafficking closed down. Completely.”

  “We want that, too.”

  For a moment Tommy thought about the kids who had been set free because of today’s arrest. Social services was still finding places for them. Tommy shook his head. “Sir, you and the others. You’re making a difference out here. Every hour. Every day.”

  Just over a week had passed since his parents had been held up at gunpoint. Tommy had talked to the officers who had arrested the suspects that night. He couldn’t imagine what might’ve happened if police hadn’t been chasing the guys. So, yes. Tommy wanted to do this.

  He could hardly wait.

  On the drive back, Tommy thought about Annalee. She was home from the hospital and getting stronger. Something only God could’ve done considering how sick she had been. And tomorrow she was going with him to the zoo again. This time for a surprise the Baxters had all been waiting for. Something big was going down, and everyone in the family was planning to be there. Tommy and Annalee, included.

  Another call came across the radio. But two other officers responded. “I need to get you back.” Officer Conway kept his eyes on the road. “You’ll make a good officer one day, Tommy. I believe that.”