The Doctor's Gift

by Fiona McArthur

  The next time she woke she realised the splotches were arrangements of flowers — baskets and baskets of orchids and bougainvillea. She didn’t need anyone to tell her who’d sent them.

  Her throat hurt and she ran her roughened tongue over dry lips.

  ‘Have some ice,’ a deep voice said, and she opened her mouth for the chip of ice without worrying why Fergus was there. She smiled dreamily.

  Of course he was.

  She savoured the feeling as ice disintegrated the dryness of fur on her tongue.

  The intravenous lines in her arm caught on the sheet and a large hand came across and gently disentangled them for her. She turned her head slowly and found him sitting in the chair beside her bed.

  ‘Hello, sleepyhead. How is your pain?’

  ‘Not too bad if I don’t move,’ she croaked.

  ‘You have to move a bit. Don’t forget your “dope-on-a-rope”.’ He slid the controls of her patient-controlled analgesia into her hand. ‘Press your button for drugs when you have pain. It works quickly and it won’t let you overdose.’

  ‘Yes, Doctor.’ She was too tired to fight against how good it was to see him.

  ‘Cheeky already.’

  ‘Mmm-hmmm,’ she murmured, and fell asleep again.

  * * *

  The next time she woke up, her mother was sitting at her bedside and she wondered if she’d dreamed up Fergus in that same chair. Her mother offered her some ice. ‘How are you, darling?’

  ‘Fine, Mum.’ She shifted her head and the pain in her flank reminded her to be careful. She felt the control in her hand and gave herself a click of pain relief. She had to move. When the pain receded, she sighed and smiled at her mother. ‘How’s William?’

  ‘He’s doing well up in High Dependency. His new kidney is working already.’

  ‘That’s great.’ She stretched out her arm gingerly and she couldn’t believe how that simple movement could set off so many pain receptors in her side. Her mother picked up the cup of ice and handed it to her and she took another piece. Heavenly.

  Chapter 25

  Fergus

  * * *

  Three days after Ailee and William’s operations, Fergus could wait no longer.

  ‘Simone, we need to talk.’

  Fergus hoped she was ready to talk about Ailee now without becoming upset. His daughter had been avoiding him and every time he broached the subject she drifted away, but he was wearing her down. He ached for her pain but he needed her to know that he hadn’t deliberately set out to hurt her.

  ‘I’m listening.’ Simone didn’t meet his eyes but at least she’d sat down this time.

  Fergus sat next to her and took her hand in his. ‘I’m sorry I hurt you with my friendship with Ailee, but three days ago Ailee had her operation and she’s getting better now.’

  He watched the words sink in and to his relief she didn’t pull away or run screaming from the room.

  ‘The thing is, sweetheart, I’ve grown to love Ailee and I want to include her in our lives.’

  Simone sighed. ‘I know, Dad. I guess I saw it the first day you brought her home. I think I could love her, too. And I’m sorry I said all those things about hating you both, but it is pretty scary thinking that what happened to Mummy could happen to Ailee.’ Her eyes met his. ‘I don’t ever want to be that sad again.’

  Fergus squeezed her hand. ‘Neither do I, baby, but I think we could be really happy with Ailee in our lives.’

  Fergus caught his daughter’s chin gently and looked into the eyes so similar to his own. ‘And who was the person who told me we all have to take risks if something is important enough?’

  Simone rolled her eyes. ‘Me.’

  He slipped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. ‘I love you, Simone, and I always will. And we will be a family, hopefully with Ailee as a part of it.’

  ‘I hope so, too.’

  He wondered how far he could stretch their new friendship. ‘I’m going in to visit her today... Would you like to come?’

  To his intense relief Simone nodded.

  Chapter 26

  Ailee

  * * *

  Ailee turned her head and her mouth tilted when she saw Fergus, then her eyes widened when she saw who was standing beside him at the door.

  `Simone came in slowly and looked reassured to see Ailee sitting up in a chair beside the bed. ‘Can I speak to Ailee on her own, Dad?’

  Fergus looked across and raised his eyebrows. ‘I guess so, if it’s fine with Ailee.’

  Ailee nodded. ‘Sure.’

  ‘How are you?’ Simone crept close but was careful not to bump the chair.

  Ailee patted the seat next to her and waited while Simone sat down. ‘I’m getting better every day.’

  Simone studied her fingers before looking up. ‘How come you weren’t scared to give away your kidney?’

  ‘You didn’t see me on the morning of the operation.’ Ailee spread her hands to measure the size. ‘I had butterflies bigger than bats in my tummy.’

  ‘Yes.’ Simone smiled at the thought. ‘But how come you still gave it away?’

  Ailee tilted her head. ‘I think what you are asking is why I did something you think is a little dangerous when I didn’t have to... am I right?’

  Simone nodded.

  ‘When my brother first became unwell, my mother thought just like you. She didn’t want to risk me getting sick, too, and she was frightened something would go wrong. Say I didn’t give my kidney to my brother...’ Ailee tilted her head. ‘Imagine if William became really sick and died and I never got sick and lived to be an old lady with two kidneys.’

  She looked into Simone’s eyes. ‘I think I’d be pretty sad and selfish at the end. I’d know I hadn’t dared to give up something I didn’t need just in case something went wrong, when I could have easily saved my brother’s life.’

  Simone raised her beautifully arched eyebrows not unlike her father’s. ‘I don’t think it was easy, what you did.’

  Ailee smiled. ‘Maybe not, but I have spent a lot of time around sick people – especially those with end-stage renal disease – and they have a challenging life with a lot of things taken away from them. From where they’re sitting, I bet what I did looks easy.’

  Simone nodded, semi-converted but not convinced. ‘What if you get kidney disease later in life and need a kidney?’

  ‘The chance of that is smaller than a lot of things. What if I get run over by a bus or travelled to another country and had an accident?’ Ailee gave a tiny shrug. ‘Should I stay home safely just in case? Should you not go skiing because it’s dangerous and certainly not go to New Zealand because it’s a long way from home?’

  ‘I’m sorry I got scared,’ Simone said in a small voice.

  Ailee held open her arms and Simone crept closer to lean gently against her. ‘I’m sorry I scared you, but it was very nice of you to care what happened to me.’ She stroked Simone’s hair. ‘Do you want to know a secret?’

  Simone nodded and Ailee went on in a whisper. ‘There was one thing I was scared of. I wouldn’t let myself fall in love with your father in case something went wrong.’

  Simone leant back so she could see Ailee’s face. ‘And now that you are getting better?’

  Ailee raised her eyes to the man standing at the door, trying not to eavesdrop. ‘As soon as I’m well, I’m going to chase him as hard as I can.’

  ‘Okay,’ Simone whispered back.

  Ailee looked up and her mother was standing beside Fergus at the door.

  ‘Hi, Mum, come in.’ Ailee smiled at Simone.

  Helen and Fergus came to stand beside the chairs. ‘This is Simone, Fergus’s daughter. Simone, my mum.’

  Helen smiled. ‘Hello, Simone. It’s lovely to meet you.’ Helen raised her eyebrows at her daughter, as if to say, Why didn’t you tell me?

  Ailee mouthed, Later. Her mother smiled.

  Helen looked at Simone. ‘Would you like to come and meet Ailee’s broth
er, William?’

  Simone nodded and stood up. She smiled at Ailee. ‘Ailee wants to talk to Dad anyway.’

  ‘Does she now?’ said Helen, and both were grinning conspiratorially as they left.

  Fergus sat down beside her and took her hand in his. ‘That didn’t seem to go too badly from where I was standing.’

  ‘How did you convince Simone to visit?’

  He shrugged ruefully. ‘She seemed ready. I found her looking up live donor websites on the internet yesterday. I think she’ll be fine. I know she’ll be happier when you’re safely home. As will I!’

  Ailee smiled and squeezed the larger hand in hers. ‘I understand.’

  He looked at her and smiled. ‘I don’t think you do.’

  ‘I think Simone is very brave and wonderful, like her father.’

  ‘I haven’t started to be brave yet,’ he said cryptically. ‘Now, how are you today?’

  She looked down at their entwined fingers and savoured the feeling. Fergus had been a little more open with his affection every day since her operation, and she was happy to let it all progress slowly while she recuperated. The warmth of expectation had been growing since that first morning when he had been there when she’d woken up.

  ‘I’m better every day, Fergus.’ Fergus. Yep. She loved saying his name.

  ‘Keep going.’ His eyes were warm. ‘How about you come home to my house to recuperate instead of your mother’s?’

  Ailee wrinkled her brow. ‘Are you going to take up nursing, Mr McVicker?’

  Now they were heated. ‘Only one patient. And I was thinking full-time care.’ He paused. Said softly, ‘Forever.’

  Ailee looked up at the serious tone of his voice.

  He shook his head. ‘You still don’t get it. ‘Do you realise how much I love you and have loved you since the first time I saw you?’

  She kept her mouth shut, maybe she was beginning to realise. Especially with the way he was looking at her now. ‘I knew you fancied me,’ she teased.

  He waggled his brows at her. ‘That, too, but I was thinking “ever after” when you woke beside me on the plane that first morning.’

  Ailee’s eyes widened. ‘That can’t be true.’

  His lips twitched. ‘I’m afraid so. Why do you think I was so mean to you when you arrived on the ward? You broke my heart when you left me in Singapore.’

  She looked him up and down. ‘You look pretty hale and hearty for someone with a broken heart.’

  He squeezed her hand back. ‘I know you won’t get away this time. I can relax!’

  Despite the banter, she realised he’d given up on waiting and she couldn’t ask him to wait any longer. He’d been patient enough. He smiled at her crookedly and Ailee felt the tears prickle her eyes. He was her soulmate. The one she’d waited for.

  For a moment, her decisive man looked uncertain. So unlike him. ‘I want to do this properly. I should wait for you to be strong and for the setting to be somewhere romantic.’ He glanced at the floor. ‘But I’m not waiting.’ Warned her. ‘I’m going to kneel.’

  Ailee bit her lip and swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Don’t you dare.’

  Ignoring that, Fergus dropped to one knee beside the chair. His expression grew serious, intent as he took her hand. Raised his gaze to hers. ‘Darling, darling Ailee. Would you please do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’

  Ailee reached across, careful of her wound, and kissed his lips. ‘I would be privileged, Fergus. Thank you. Now, get up quickly before someone sees you.’ She glanced furtively at the empty doorway.

  Fergus smiled now. Joyfull. Teasing. Amused. ‘No, I think I’ll ring the nurse’s call button and get Rita in here to see what you’ve brought me to.’

  Ailee tugged on his hand. ‘Fergus. Get up. And don’t make me laugh. It hurts.’

  He climbed to his feet and bent to kiss her. ‘The last thing I want to do is hurt you. In fact, I’m going to spend the next fifty years looking after you.’

  Ailee smiled unsteadily at the man she’d waited so long to find and loved with all her heart. ‘And I’ll look after you, my love.’

  * * *

  They held a makeshift engagement party on the ward with lemonade and ice-cubes and paper cups, Rita found a balloon from somewhere and all the nurses toasted them. Simone looked down at William in his wheelchair, as they watched the two love birds hold hands, and she touched William’s shoulder. ‘That was quick,’ Simone said. ‘I’ve always wanted a brother.’

  Chapter 27

  Fergus

  * * *

  The wedding was held in the gardens of Fergus’s home with red and gold lanterns strewn among the trees. The exotic mix of Singapore orchids and splashes of vivid ruby from branches of bougainvillea highlighted the scarlet cheongsam worn by the young bridesmaid as she stepped to the head of the aisle between the people-filled rows of white chairs.

  The Wedding March began.

  Head high and smiling, Simone slowly paced down the carpet stretched in a ribbon of red across the grass that led to the roofless chapel Fergus had created for his bride.

  For the last month he’d watched his daughter and Ailee do all the feminine things Simone should have been doing for the last few years. Clothes shopping and hairdresser visits. Hilarious dancing lessons so Simone and William could dance with the bride and groom at the reception. Redecorating her bedroom and interfering in the refurbishment of what would now be Fergus and Ailee’s room.

  Fergus watched with pride as his daughter swayed sedately up the aisle and took her place beside him as they waited for the bride.

  ‘You look beautiful,’ Fergus said, as Simone arrived.

  ‘Wait until you see Ailee,’ Simone whispered.

  ‘I can’t,’ Fergus whispered back.

  An indrawn gasp of delight from those assembled heralded the bride’s arrival.

  His gaze fastened on the vision of his bride-to-be as she stood, paused and looked his way. Her mouth tilted in that gorgeous smile he adored, her eyes sparkled and shone with so much love he felt the pain in his throat as so many emotions rose in his chest.

  The music swelled.

  Fergus had waited for this day for three months. Accompanied by a new and vibrant William, Ailee held his gaze from the end of the carpet.

  She’d chosen to dress simply in a pure white, high- collared sheath that accentuated her height and slimness, and a tiny veil that Fergus ached to lift. Graceful, like a dancer she swayed towards him, tightening his already rigid chest and filling his soul with homecoming.

  When Ailee stopped at the flower-strewn altar, William transferred her fingers from his arm to Fergus’s.

  She looked at him, the man she loved, and exhilaration expanded in Fergus’s chest. He wanted to sweep her up in his arms and spin her around. Finally this moment had arrived and he couldn’t help but look at the minister to get on with it.

  ‘Dearly beloved... ’ The minister hurried into speech and Fergus held Ailee’s gaze as the words washed over them. ‘I love you,’ he whispered, and squeezed her hand.

  ‘I love you, too,’ she said, and he could see the shine of happy tears in her eyes. He loved her so much he hoped he could speak the vows through the tightness in his throat.

  But when the time came, both their promises carried clearly across the garden.

  Fergus gazed into Ailee’s eyes, hoping she knew how proud he was to stand beside her. In this moment and forever.

  * * *

  When the service was complete, Fergus lifted the tiny veil and her face was there before him. They smiled at each other and then he bent and rested his lips against hers to taste the sweetness to come. He kissed his bride, finally sure that everything would turn out right.

  Ailee and Fergus turned to the congregation and Fergus tucked his wife’s hand firmly into his arm, leaving no one in any doubt that he meant to keep Ailee close by his side.

  The minister’s voice boomed. ‘It is my pleasure to introduce Mr Fergu
s and Dr Ailee McVicker.’ The applause washed over the happy couple as they walked back up the carpet.

  Within minutes guests milled and spilled out into the garden and the sun shone down on everyone.

  Ailee’s mother sniffed happily into a handkerchief lent to her by Dr Harry’s wife.

  William and Simone came up to congratulate them and there was a twinkle of mischief in Ailee’s brother’s eyes.

  ‘Hey, bro,’ he said, with a smile to Fergus. ‘I’ll take great care of her kidney if you take good care of the rest of her.’

  Fergus laughed. ‘I’ll be spending my life doing that,’ he said, as squeezed the precious fingers of the woman he loved.

  Reviews help authors.

  If you enjoyed this book then please consider leaving a review on Ione of the online retail sites or goodreads. I really appreciate your time and thoughts, while I and other readers, do value your opinion greatly. But most of all thank you so much for reading my book. xxFi

  Would you like to read more books by Fiona McArthur

  Midwife On The Orient Express

  DEAR READER

  * * *

  Have you ever wanted to experience the romance and glitz of the world’s most glamorous train journey the Venice Simplin Orient Express?

  A few years ago I travelled in style with my writing friend, Alison Roberts, from Venice to London on the famous Wagons Lit. What a magical journey it proved.

  We always had the idea that we would write about our experiences and my original book was called Christmas With Her Ex. How much I loved the writing and for a long time I’ve wanted to spend more time with those characters.