28. Ring

RING

O ver the next week, I slowly heal from my injuries. My neck swelled up, but not enough to close off my airway. I spent the first night under observation in intensive care. Two days on the step-down unit while they scanned and rescanned my abdomen. Initial concerns about a ruptured spleen didn't pan out—thankfully. By day four, I went to the general medicine ward while neurologists watched me, and I regained my strength.

At the one-week mark, they release me.

And Drake is there to take me home.

He hasn't left my side, sitting by me during the entire ordeal.

During the week I'm in the hospital, my uncle's health sharply declines.

I sit with him in his bedroom, holding his hand as he takes his last breath. It seems as if half the town has stopped by. The news of his imminent death brought everyone by to say their final goodbyes.

Sara manages the visitors, ushering them out when the end draws near. The entire office staff is present, as are Drake and Bert. Under Sara's watchful eye, they each say their final goodbyes and leave me to sit by his side.

Despite his struggle to breathe, a smile curls the corners of his mouth. Uncle Pete takes one last breath, then leaves me with peace in his heart. A dignified death speeds his journey to rejoin the love of his life in Heaven.

Tears fall as I leave his room and join Drake. Everyone else is gone. He holds my hand, then holds me as I cry. I don't have to worry about anything. Between Drake and the Hospice Care worker, the necessary calls are made.

Drake stands by my side as the mortuary service comes and goes. He stays with me that night, refusing to leave me alone. We watch our favorite movie, holding hands, sitting side by side.

Words scroll across the screen as the rebels prepare to fight an empire.

At some point, I fall asleep. I don't remember Drake carrying me to bed, but I wake to the most amazing scent floating in the air.

It reminds me of my first day in Peace Springs. I woke to Drake and Bert cooking breakfast for a stranger. Like I did that morning, I follow the delicious scent of bacon in the air. Drake's in the kitchen, cooking for me.

"I love that smell." I sit down at the kitchen table and draw my legs up, knees to chest.

"I thought you would. Bacon and pancakes."

"Mmm, my favorite."

"I know." A mischievous smile lights his face.

I don't know what he's up to, but he's definitely up to something.

Drake places crispy bacon on the table, then two plates with chocolate chip pancakes. My eyes grow wide, as those are my favorite, and I dig in. He takes something from the counter, then joins me at the table. As I shovel bacon into my mouth, he places a sorry-looking plant between us.

Boston's fronds are curled and black. He's had it hard, but I peer into the very center where something sparkles inside.

A diamond glitters with a thousand rainbows.

"Drake…" My hand goes to my throat as a lump suddenly forms. Tears well in my eyes, but these are happy tears.

Drake lifts the ring from the center of Boston's brutalized foliage and goes to one knee.

"City girl, you are an unexpected treasure. I can't imagine my life without you. I believe fate brought me to you. Since the night I found you struggling on the road, facing down wolves, I've known you were the one. You're the one I want by my side, forever and always. Will you be my wife?"

The tears fall and I can barely see, but I stick my hand out, wiggling my fingers until he slides the ring in place. I cup my hand, staring at the ring. Then I suddenly realize what he did.

"How did you know?"

My attention shifts from the ring on my finger to the tiny shoots of green growing in the very center of Boston. They're tight curls of what will soon be new fronds.

Boston will survive.

I will too.

There's so much I want to do, and for the first time, in a very long time, I can live without fear. I understand better what it means to live in Peace Springs.

In this town, we take care of our own. I thought I would feel incredibly lonely after my uncle passed. Instead, I'm surrounded by friends who care about me and a man who's desperately in love with me.

I've found more than peace. I've found love. I've found friends. I've returned to the place where I most belong.

I've finally found home.

THE END