Life's Second Chances: The Show Me Series: Book One

by Anne Stone

  “Do you want him to meet you at the hospital?”

  “No, I think I can get him home. He’s taking some medication and then we’ll leave. We should be home in about fifteen to twenty minutes.”

  “I’ll send John over as soon as he gets home.”

  Angelina gathered everything that Alejandro instructed her to obtain from his office. She helped him get his jacket on and helped him from the couch. Placing her arm about his waist, she got him to her car. On the way to the car, he told her that he had a pounding headache and just wanted to lie down on the backseat. As she neared their driveway, she saw John waiting for them. He hurried to the car and helped Alejandro inside. “Son, what’s wrong?”

  “I think I have the flu. I have this pounding headache, high fever…”

  “Let’s get you inside.” John helped him inside while Angelina gathered the supplies. Alejandro made his way to the den and fell onto the couch.

  “I’ve been so tired this last week. I thought I was just putting in too many hours, but I guess I was getting sick.”

  “Looks that way. Let’s check your temperature.” John took his temperature and said, “It’s still high, but looks like it’s come down some since Angelina called your mother.” John examined his son and helped him to bed. “You need to rest and drink fluids. I’ll check on you tomorrow. Angelina, Maria asked that I bring Matthew a change of clothes since he’ll be with us this weekend. Your mother is excited to have her grandson all to herself for a few days, although she’s sorry to see that you’re not feeling well.”

  Angelina ran off to put an overnight bag together for Matthew.

  “Dad, thanks for everything.”

  “No problem, son. You’ve been working too hard lately. You need to take it easy this weekend.”

  Alejandro stared off into the distance.

  “Did you hear me?”

  “Huh? Oh yeah, Dad. I heard you.”

  “What’s bothering you? You seem miles away.”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all… Thanks for helping Angelina with me. I really appreciate it.”

  John squeezed his son’s shoulder and told him to rest. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Alejandro thanked his dad and then closed his eyes. Angelina accompanied her father-in-law from their bedroom. “Is he going to be okay?”

  “Should be. We need to watch his fever and make sure he gets plenty of liquids. Angelina, you need to take care of yourself, too.”

  “I will.” She closed the front door behind John. Turning, she leaned her back against the closed door. She remembered the way Alejandro had been acting when she’d entered his office. Lying there, he was murmuring Tammy and Michael’s names. Something other than his illness was bothering him and had been for some time.

  Angelina checked on Alejandro and he was sleeping soundly. She decided to phone Matthew to tell him about Alejandro and that he’d be spending the weekend with his grandparents.

  As she prepared to get off the phone, she told him how much they loved him.

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, Matthew?”

  “Take care of him.” Matthew didn’t want something to happen to Alejandro. He was worried and just needed reassurance that he was going to be okay.

  “I will. He’s just got the flu and will be better in a few days. I’ll call you tomorrow. Listen to your grandparents.”

  “I will, don’t worry. And Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” Angelina ended the call and smiled. They’d done the right thing in adopting Matthew. He was a good boy and she was glad that they could call him their son.

  Angelina turned off the remainder of the lights in the house and headed to their bedroom. Alejandro laid in the same position. She decided to take a bath and relax. She’d just gotten into the tub when she heard Alejandro call out. She jumped up from the tub, wrapping herself in a towel. Hurrying from the bathroom she found Alejandro moving his head back and forth in his sleep. As she neared him, he shouted Tammy’s name. He sat up in bed with fear in his eyes. She stroked his cheek.

  “Alejandro, it’s me. Angelina.”

  Swallowing, he closed his eyes. Turning his head towards her, he reopened them. “Honey, I know it’s you.” He reached for her hands. Holding them tightly, he added, “Thank you for finding me.” He recounted his afternoon, “I saw my last patient and let my staff go early for the weekend. I got so tired, so I thought I’d lie down and take a quick nap. I don’t know what happened. I must have been sleeping for at least six hours before you showed up.”

  “I got worried when I couldn’t reach you. I called your mom and dropped off Matthew before I came looking for you. You don’t know how relieved I was when I saw your car in the hospital garage. But when I opened your office door and saw you on that couch, my heart dropped. You’re never sick. I felt myself begin to panic. When you finally recognized me, I felt better.”

  “Recognized you? What do you mean?”

  “It doesn’t matter right now. You just need to concentrate on getting better. I’m going to get dressed and come to bed. You rest and I’ll be right back.”

  Angelina put on her nightgown and slid into bed beside her husband—he’d already fallen back to sleep. She laid there staring at him. She stroked her hand across his forehead, pushing his hair aside. He was still quite warm. She woke him to give him his next round of aspirin before falling asleep herself.

  At around three in the morning, he woke her, calling out Michael’s name. He was reliving the night that he lost his family. As far as Angelina knew, he hadn’t experienced those dreams in a very long time—something was eating at him. She held him as he settled back into a normal sleep. She’d known he’d been bothered by something recently, and now she had her answer.

  The sun woke Angelina and she looked at the clock. It was just after six. Reaching over, she felt Alejandro. He still had a fever but felt much cooler. She rose and dressed. She hoped that he’d sleep most of the day. She headed off to the kitchen where she made herself a cup of tea. She sat at the table recounting the previous day’s events. She decided she’d talk to Maria about his nightmares. Maybe she’d have some insight before she talked to Alejandro.

  While Alejandro slept, Angelina called and spoke with Matthew before speaking with Maria about Alejandro.

  “Angelina, what’s troubling you? I can hear it in your voice.”

  “It’s Alejandro.”

  “I thought you said he seemed better.”

  “His fever is down…”

  “And?”

  Angelina didn’t respond.

  “What’s troubling you, dear?”

  “Maria, I’m not sure. It’s just a gut feeling…”

  “What?”

  “Alejandro has been dreaming of Tammy and Michael.”

  “What makes you believe that?”

  “I’ve heard him call out their names. Why? Why do you think he is dreaming of them?”

  “Have you talked to him about it?”

  “No, not yet. It’s just...”

  “What? Angelina, you have to ask him. I can’t say for sure, but I would gather it has something to do with your pregnancy? When did these dreams begin?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve only witnessed it a couple of times, but my instincts tell me they’ve been happening for a while. I know he’s been having trouble sleeping at night. I believe that’s why he’s gotten so run down. He doesn’t take care for himself. He worries too much about me, Matthew, his patients. I’m always telling him to slow down, but you know him. He just doesn’t listen.”

  “He’s a lot like his father—driven by his family and patients. Dear, when he’s feeling better you must talk to him. He’ll tell you what’s bothering him. I know he will…”

  Angelina checked on Alejandro and his fever had broken. He was sleeping soundly. It was mid-afternoon, and she’d grown pretty tired herself. She slipped into bed beside him and fell asleep.


  When she awoke near five, Alejandro was lying on his side, looking at her. “Honey, are you feeling alright?”

  “I’m fine. I was sleepy so I decided to take a nap. What about you?”

  “Better, much better. My fever broke a while ago. I’m still pretty exhausted and my headache is better, but…”

  “Do you want another aspirin?”

  “Not yet. I just want to lie here and look at you.”

  “I’m fine. How about something to eat?”

  “I don’t want you waiting on me.”

  “Alejandro, you have to eat. I’ll go fix us a cup of soup. I’ll be right back.”

  Alejandro laid on his back, waiting for her to return. He rehashed what had occurred over the last few weeks, days, and hours. He’d been thinking a lot about Tammy and Michael. He assumed it had to do with Angelina’s pregnancy. All of the memories… He hadn’t been sleeping. Really, hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything of late. He hoped that Angelina hadn’t picked up on this. He had to rid himself of his past. He thought he’d done that when he’d married Angelina. He knew they’d always be with him, but he had to stop being consumed by their memories. He had to let go for once and for all.

  As Angelina heated their soup, she contemplated how she was going to bring up Tammy and Michael. She didn’t want to upset him, but she wanted—no, needed to get to the bottom this.

  She carried their soup to the bedroom. Alejandro looked much better. He had color in his face and seemed more relaxed. She sat beside him while they ate. He finished his soup and put his cup on the nightstand. As he leaned back onto the headboard, she took a deep breath and said, “Alejandro, what’s troubling you?”

  Stammering, he asked her what she meant.

  She repeated her question. “I know something’s wrong. You haven’t been yourself for weeks now. When I found you in your office, you were calling for Tammy and Michael. Then, after I brought you home, you had a nightmare. You were dreaming of the night they were killed. Why now? What’s bringing those memories back?”

  He reached for her hand. They sat in silence for some time. He didn’t know what to say. Where to begin? He said, “I love you.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “Alejandro. You’re having nightmares. Nightmares about your former wife and son… How long has this been going on? I want to know. I want to help you.”

  He looked away from her, still clutching her hand. They continued to sit there. He squeezed her hand and began to speak. “I started with my dreams the night we told your parents about the baby. I don’t know why. They just came back out of the blue. I’ve tried to lock them away again. I love you. I don’t want my memories to hurt us. I just…”

  “Alejandro, it’s okay. I understand.”

  “But how can you?”

  “They were everything to you.”

  “Yes, they were. But that’s the past and this… this is the present.”

  “And you’re trying to protect me?”

  “Always.”

  “But now there’s not just you and me. There’s you, me, Matthew, and our unborn child.” She squeezed his hand and brushed her hand across his cheek. “Alejandro, I think you’re trying so hard to protect me that their deaths are haunting you. You couldn’t protect them and you’re worried that you can’t protect me or the baby.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Really? You said you started with the dreams the evening we told my family about the baby. Why else would you begin to have these nightmares? You’re afraid. Afraid that you won’t be there to take care of us, afraid that something will happen that you can’t control. Your dreams… Are they reaching out for you?”

  He nodded.

  “See what I mean? You’re trying to right the wrong that happened. You’re trying to make sure that nothing will happen to them. That’s the only way that I can fathom why you’re having these dreams. I sense that it is a need to protect.”

  “Maybe you’re right. I blame myself for believing that you couldn’t have children. I guess that I have this desire to protect you from all bad. I believe that I couldn’t protect them, so I guess I believe that I can’t protect you. I need to get over that fear and need to protect. My father told me it wasn’t my fault.”

  “Your fault?”

  “Your misdiagnosis.”

  “Who said there was a misdiagnosis? I never—”

  “I know. It’s just that I believe I did you a disservice…”

  “Alejandro. Get that out of your mind. This is a miracle. Our miracle child. You did not misdiagnose my condition. Everyone at the time, including the specialists I saw, thought I was infertile. I’m lucky. We’re lucky. We have to believe that. Please stop blaming yourself. Please do that for me, for the baby. If you can’t let this go, it will hang over our heads the remainder of our lives. Please let it go. Do it for me.”

  He reached over and pulled her into his arms. “I love you so much. I’ll do my best to let it go. I thought I’d let it go a long time ago. I might need your help.”

  “I’m here. I’ll always be here for you. You are my love, my life. I’d do anything for you. I can’t see you suffering any more. Let Tammy go. Let Michael go. They would want you to be happy. You’ll always have the memories, but now it’s time to make new ones.”

  “I know. And I will.”

  Epilogue

  Angelina sat in the living room, admiring the holiday decorations. It was Christmas Eve and she had so much to be thankful for. They’d experienced a lifetime of memories in the last year, and the best miracle of all she held in her arms… Their daughter. They named her Angelina-Maria but were going to call her Angel. She was a special gift sent to them, born surprisingly on Thanksgiving Day (albeit two weeks late).

  For the last several years, Thanksgiving had been filled with sadness. Two years ago, Alejandro had delivered the horrific news of her infertility. And now, the sadness had been reversed with utter jubilation. The most precious gift of all was born to them on this day.

  When her water had broken, Alejandro fell to pieces—one wouldn’t know that he was a successful surgeon. He’d had difficulties getting himself together, let alone helping Angelina to the car. On the way to the hospital, she’d had to remind him to slow down. At one point, he’d almost run a red light. “You’d think you never experienced this moment in your life before,” she’d said as they pulled into the hospital garage.

  “I know. I can’t seem to get my act together.”

  “It’s okay, Alejandro. Everything’s going to be just fine.” She’d reached for his hand, squeezed it, and he’d smiled at her, then exited the car and retrieved a nearby wheelchair. Helping her into the chair, they’d headed into the hospital. The nurses couldn’t believe how nervous he was. After what seemed like a prolonged labor, Angelina had delivered their precious bundle of joy in the early morning of Thanksgiving.

  “Do you know what today is?” she’d asked. He’d just looked at her, not quite understanding her question.

  “It’s Thanksgiving.”

  “It is, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, and now we have something to be thankful for.” She’d reached for his hand and added. “Let’s put to bed the past and always remember this day and all that we have.”

  He’d smiled at her and leaned over to kiss her. “Yes, I’ll try and forget that day. Looking back, I should have waited to tell you.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t. Yes, we had sadness associated with that day, but look at what we have now. Our miracle sent to us from above.”

  Alejandro walked into the room as Angelina admired her daughter. He approached her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “She’s absolutely beautiful,” he said as he stroked Angel’s forehead. “We have so much to be thankful for this holiday season,” he said as he sat beside Angelina on the couch. “She’s precious, absolutely precious. Angelina, I love you more today than the day we married. You’re my lif
e, my love…”

  She looked up at him.

  “This is my world. You, Matthew, and our precious Angel. I can’t thank you enough for making my dreams come true.”

  He started to speak, but she stopped him. “Alejandro, I know how much you love us, and I know how much you loved Tammy and Michael. Let’s enjoy today and dream of tomorrow. We can’t go back, but only forward. What’s in the past is that—the past. We have an endless future ahead us. Let’s enjoy all that it has to offer.”

  Alejandro was in a good place in his life. Ever since they’d had their last conversation about Tammy and Michael, he’d overcome his nightmares. He’d placed them in a safe spot in his memory. They’d always be a part of his past, but now he had a wonderful future ahead of him filled with lots of love. Miracles really do happen, he thought. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family and will be thankful for them for all eternity.

  Coming Soon by Anne Stone:

  Love’s Final Match – Fall, 2016

  Never Lose Hope – Spring, 2016

  The Show Me Series:

  Life’s Gateway to Happiness - Book Two – Spring, 2016

  Life’s Turned Upside-Down - Book Three – Summer, 2016

  About the Author

  Anne Stone has been a fan of romance since reading Katherine by Anya Seton her senior year of high school. In college, she penned her first novel which ended up at the bottom of a desk drawer after being rejected by a publishing house. She’s constantly dabbled in drafting stories but her career always seemed to get in the way. Anne decided to take the plunge and self-publish. Self-publishing allows her to write the kind of book that she enjoys reading and doesn’t put a limit on her creativity. Originally from St. Louis, Anne currently resides in Wisconsin with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

  You may contact Anne Stone by visiting her

  website: www.AnneStoneAuthor.com