Our Forever Promise

by Mary Wasowski

  With all my pressing matters now taken care of, I made the mistake of opening up my personal e-mail to find seventeen frantic ones from Rosalyn Baker Davenport, our wedding planner. I quickly skimmed through them, and mainly they contained pleasantries and gibberish. Clearly she didn’t understand my one and only e-mail instructing her to put all on hold until we return home. Rubbing my temples, I didn’t have time for this, but made the call anyway.

  After she answered her private line, I skipped the formalities and got right to the point of my call. “Rosalyn, why is my e-mail flooded with correspondence from you?” I curtly questioned her.

  “Mr. Reed, I was simply following up with you. It’s my job to stay on top of events, especially when they are for my best clients.”

  “I understand that, Ms. Baker, but seventeen e-mails are not warranted. I specifically directed you to put all plans on hold and wait for my call. What part of that did you not understand?”

  “My apologies, Mr. Reed. I understand and will wait for further instruction from you.”

  “Very good. Our family is facing a personal matter and as much as I want to move forward with my wedding, I have no direction for you at this time. If this becomes a future complication for you, I will have no problem taking my business elsewhere. I expected more from you, Ms. Baker, considering your fee I have already paid in full.”

  “Again, sir, my apologies. I will certainly speak with my assistant as well to not send you anything else.”

  “You do that, Ms. Baker, good day.”

  She could pass the buck and blame her assistant all she wanted, but I knew better. Ms. Baker was a social climber, and having me on as a client would give her the brass ring. I would give her some leeway here and let this infraction go. Her work spoke for itself, and I’d been very pleased with all she managed to complete to date. I sure did have fun riling her feathers in the meantime.

  “It’s nice to see you smile again,” Catching me off guard, there was my beauty admiring me from the doorframe.

  “Come here, Reese.” My arms opened and waited for her. She climbed on my lap, and I hugged her closely to me. “Good morning again. How’s my daughter?”

  “We are both fine, and ready when you are.”

  “Lead the way, my love.”

  “Stephen was back and driving us to the hospital. He switched posts with Richard to catch up on his own work. Still no leads on Townsend, but I wasn’t going to worry Reese with that. Her hands were locked together as we drove on. She touched on a subject earlier about my visit to my family’s home, but with all that happened yesterday, we never had an opportunity to discuss it again. Should I tell her? Of course I should, but I’m so over it.

  “Reese, baby?”

  “What’s up?” she turned to me.

  “My visit yesterday to the Hamptons. You never asked me again about it.”

  “You’re right, I didn’t. You needed time to process it. When you were ready to talk about it, all hell broke loose with Elizabeth’s father. I figured when you were ready, you would tell me.”

  “Reese, I endeavor to always be honest with you and never hide or keep anything from you.”

  “I know you try, but some subject matters can’t be helped.”

  “What does that mean? Subject matters?”

  “Walker, come on, my love? You can’t be that obtuse.”

  “Reese, obtuse is not a word in my vocabulary. Explain yourself…now.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, love. What I meant was that I understand you can’t share everything with me. You close parts of you off to protect me, and I love you for that.”

  “I’m sorry too, baby. I didn’t mean to snap at you. You are the most important person in my life. I promise to share everything with you. I just need time to come to terms with it all.”

  “I know. Another reason why I didn’t bring it up again. Now kiss me, you big bear.” She laughed.

  “Big bear, huh? I would show you something big, but we’re here. Maybe we can sneak off later for a little fun.”

  “A girl can dream.”

  “Not dream, baby. I mean what I say. You know that. Come! Before I change my mind and take you in the backseat.”

  “Now you’re talking. I love backseat car sex!”

  “Reese! As much as I love to hear you scream out your desires for me, this is certainly not the place, but as always you have delighted me. I love you.”

  “I love you too!”

  We walked through the private entrance to Samuel’s wing. I was informed by my security team that some members of the press have camped outside the main entrance. I had issued a press release through my office, but now the vultures have circled. With the wedding suddenly put on hold, that led to rumors of our possible break-up and reasons leading up to calling off the wedding. I had shielded Reese from most of the media garbage that was being played out, but some of it she already had seen. My girl took it all in stride, and if it bothered her, she didn’t show it.

  Dr. McGovern greeted us when we stepped off the elevator. I swear this guy had me on his own personal radar whenever I was close by. We exchanged pleasantries, and I continued on to my son.

  Jackson was just getting settled back into bed when we arrived at his room. Two nurses were checking his vitals and making notes on their tablets.

  “I’m fine, really. You can go now,” I heard him say to one as she continued to tuck him in.

  “Thank you, ladies.” I said as they took their leave.

  “A Reed man never objects to a woman’s comfort. You’d do well to remember that, son.”

  I couldn’t help but tease Jackson. His cheeks reddened, especially when he saw Reese behind me.

  “Very funny, dad.”

  “How are you feeling, son?”

  “As if you don’t know already? How many reports have you received since this morning?”

  Kidding aside, his tone worried me.

  “What’s wrong, Jackson?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Well, I do, so spill it,” I said. “What’s wrong with you?”

  He looked nervously over at Reese, and then back to me.

  “Jackson,” I encouraged him to go on.

  “Dad, I can’t talk about it right now. Please just let it go.”

  “Like hell, I will. Talk to me, son. If there is something I need to know, please say it.”

  “Walker, maybe I can clear some things up for you, with Jackson’s consent of course.”

  I turned around to see Liam and Samuel standing in the doorway, with Samuel waiting for my son’s answer. Jackson gave his consent, and we all took a seat at the table in his room. Jackson looked suddenly tired. Reese stayed with him, while I talked to his doctors.

  “What don’t I know?” I kept my voice lowered.

  “We are hopeful and confident that Jackson is on his way of making a full recovery, but we do have some concerns. We have already spoken with him and needless to say, he didn’t take the news well.” Samuel said.

  “Which is what?” I demanded to know.

  “Jackson seems to have some numbness on his right side, causing difficulty when walking. His vision is still impaired, but improving. Post-op scans and the ones performed this morning all indicate our initial findings. The AVM’s are gone.”

  “I understand the vision impairment, but the numbness? How is that? You said he didn’t have a stroke, so what is causing this?”

  Samuel clarified, “He did not have a stroke, but we discussed the possibility of stroke-like symptoms that could occur post-op surgery. If this is all that Jackson will experience, I consider this a win-win outcome. He is very lucky considering how close we came to losing him. Walker, if you don’t mind, I would like to continue this conversation in my office.”

  After hearing Samuel say “almost losing him” I readily followed him back to his office. Reese stayed with Jackson, while I continued being brought up to speed with the doctors. What I
did notably notice was Riley’s absence. Where was she? I told them to continue on without me, and I would catch up in a few minutes. I couldn’t go back in and ask Jackson. He was in a foul mood, and I didn’t want to upset him further or cause concern for Reese. Richard told me that Riley had left after Jackson’s discussion with Briggs. He asked her to go and get some fresh air, but he didn’t think there was cause for concern.

  “I want you to find her. I’m sure she’s fine, but I still want her located. Am I clear?”

  “Yes sir. I believe I know where Ms. Briggs could be.”

  “Then go get her and bring her back here.” I snapped at Richard.

  And the hits just keep on coming. On top of everything else, this was all I needed now. A lover’s quarrel between Riley and Jackson. He needs his rest above anything else. I rejoined the doctors back in Samuel’s private office. I was almost tempted to see if he had anymore Bourbon tucked away in his hidden bar. I could use one to take the edge off.

  “As I was saying earlier,” Samuel continued, “we got very lucky yesterday. With the stress his brain was under and the manner how we had to proceed, these bare minimum setbacks are trivial to what could have happened. I tried to explain all of this to Jackson, but he became agitated and increasingly hostile as I continued on with my findings.”

  I turned to Liam for clarity at this point. “What do you make of this?”

  “He’s scared. Knowing Jackson as well as I do, leads me to believe his problems lie with you, Walker.”

  “Me? When I left here last night, he was fine. What the hell changed since then?”

  “Walker, what’s happening or what should be happening in a matter of a few weeks?” Liam questioned me, and all I did was draw a blank for a few seconds. Then it came to me, but as far as I was concerned this was not up for debate.

  “You mean going to school, don’t you? He still wants to go to NYU, doesn’t he?”

  He nodded.

  Briggs jumped in and continued explaining Jackson’s rehabilitation plans. “His vision alone can be impaired for a couple of weeks to several months. His brain needs to heal. This is not a process that can be rushed. With a direction in place for him, he can begin to do out-patient therapy to regain his strength. Once he improves over time, he can continue with home therapy in your gym with the assistance of a personal physical therapist, or a trainer of your choice that is skilled in this field.”

  “This is all positive news, Walker, but once I said it, the look on your son’s face changed to complete fear and anxiety. Riley tried to help him, but he just shut down. From what Riley has filled me in on, his dream is to attend NYU Film School, of course with Riley with him. At this time, I believe those plans should be put on hold until he is completely cleared.”

  “You’ve told him all this? And your personal opinions as well?” I questioned him.

  The look on his face told me all that I needed to know.

  “Fuck!” I screamed. “You could have at least warned me before I saw my son today. It’s no wonder why he is upset, but he needs to get over it and move on. I had already intended on bringing my son home to California the minute you discharged him. I can’t in good conscience leave him on his own after everything he has just gone through.”

  “And I think right there is the root of the problem.” Liam stood up and walked toward me. “Walker, you never wanted him in New York in the first place, but conceded anyway. Now do you understand why he hid his medical condition from you in the first place? Because he knew exactly what would happen once you found out. I’m speaking to you as your friend now, and not his doctor. You need to give him some breathing room and let him be the man you raised him to be.”

  “And If I don’t?”

  “If you don’t, then you risk losing him all together. That boy loves you with all he’s got in him, but he’s a man now and wants to begin living his life separately from yours. His life begins in New York with Riley. I can say this freely to you because it’s nothing you don’t already know, and I have discussed this with Jackson, countless times.”

  “He needs to recover. That alone is not up for debate. I suggest he takes the fall semester off, and we will revisit after the first of the year. He can begin in the spring. If not, just take a deferment for the first year and plan on next September.”

  “And you, Briggs, do you agree with this plan?”

  “Are you asking me as a father or a doctor?”

  “Both, if you don’t mind.”

  “Yes, of course I agree. If this was Riley, I would put her health first. School is not going anywhere. Not that my opinion holds water here, but if Jackson knows he has your support and promise of allowing him to return to New York, I believe he will be more agreeable. He’s very emotional right now. I think the enormity of the situation has begun to set in, and he needs to process it. He’s only twenty-four hours post-surgery. Right now, all of this should be the last thing on his mind. I’ve ordered a mild sedative in his IV line to keep him calm.”

  “And what about Riley? Will she defer for a year as well?”

  “I’m not sure. She didn’t say.”

  “Do you know where she is? I have my team looking for her.”

  “She’s at the marina. She likes to go there to think.”

  “Thank you, Samuel. I…”

  “You’re welcome, Reed. I’ll check in with your son later. He should be out for the next few hours.”

  “Are you okay?” Liam asked me.

  “No, but I have to make this right with my son, and I will.”

  “You always have his back. I don’t doubt that, just tread lightly, okay?”

  Reluctantly, I agreed and knew my friend was right. I texted Richard, who had Riley in his sight. I told him to stay back and wait for me to arrive. I texted Reese with a quick update. She told me that Jackson was sleeping, and she was fine with Stephen.

  I texted Reese:

  Walker: I love you baby. I’ll be back soon.

  Reese texted back:

  Reese: Take your time. No scratch that. Hurry back…xo!

  Her response warmed my heart. I arrived at the marina and met up with Richard. Riley was down a ways near the larger yachts that were being housed for the summer. I found her sitting on a bench, staring out to the water. She reminded me so much of Reese, but she also carried so much of her father. She could be funny and outgoing like Reese, but then so serious like Samuel.

  “Mind if I join you?” I asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

  “Mr. Reed, what are you doing here?”

  “Looking for you. Can I sit?”

  “Of course, please.”

  She looked on the verge of tears, a sight I probably couldn’t endure now. I invited her in for a hug and she took it.

  “I’ve been in to see Jackson and have spoken with your father. I know, Riley.”

  She let out a sigh and wiped her tears.

  “I love him Mr. Reed, but he can be so stubborn.”

  Welcome to loving a Reed man! I silently thought, barely containing my laughter. If Reese were here, she would know exactly what I was thinking.

  “In his defense, he’s just reeling from yesterday, and I’m sure it’s all hitting him at once. Give him some time, Riley. I’m sure things will look brighter once he’s had some time to rest and think about things.”

  “Mr. Reed, as far as I’m concerned, there is nothing to think about. I will follow him anywhere, he knows that. I can easily go to UCLA for the first year and then transfer back to New York next fall. We already discussed the possibility of this happening. I thought he was okay with it, but then he just shut down on me. I think it’s because of you.”

  “I’ve been hearing that a lot this morning.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, but it’s what Jackson believes.”

  “I promise you Riley, I will not stand in my son’s way in pursuing his dream of attending film school in New York with you, but I also can’t ignore that I need t
o be a father and choose what’s best for my child’s health. Two doctors, one being your father, just told me that Jackson’s health has to come first above anything else. Once he has been cleared medically, then New York will be back on the table, but for now, he is to return home with me as soon as he is able to travel. Our home is your home Riley, and you are welcomed to stay with us.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Reed. I needed to hear that. I’m going to make plans to attend school in California until we can both be in New York.”

  “Are you ready to go back and tell your fiancé the good news?”

  “I’m not sure he will see it that way, but yes, I’m ready to go back. I need to talk to my mom too.”

  WAS I HEARING a lullaby, or was I dreaming it? I slowly opened my eyes to see Reese curled up in the recliner next to my bed and singing softly to her stomach. Her head was turned, so I didn’t want to startle her. I closed my eyes again, but moved my left leg to show her that I was waking up. I opened my eyes again to see her smiling.

  “Hey, you, how are you feeling?” she asked and leaned over to kiss my cheek.

  “I’m better. Thank you. Where’s my dad?”

  “He’s with Riley down at the harbor.”

  “No thanks to me, I’m sure.”

  “Why do you say it that way?”

  “Because I’m an ass, and I hurt her this morning by behaving like one.”

  “A wise man owns up to his errors in judgment, and you are one of those men. Are you sure you’re only eighteen?” she giggled.

  “I hate this, Reese. I just want this to be over, and I can return back to my life. I just feel helpless and so unsure now.”

  “Jackson, you have just been through a life changing surgery, one that saved your life. Do you even get that? How close we all came to losing you? You are going to be fine, and why do I know that? Because you had the best surgeon in the world operate on you. In order for you to get better and make that full recovery he promised you, you need to follow his orders and be patient. Now I get that the Reed men don’t roll that way, but you be the one Reed man to change that. I promise you, sweetie, this is nothing compared to what could have been. Please try to see all points of view?”