Chapter 9

“When can we see them?” Scott asked.

“Brad will likely be the first to wake up. They’re both in the ICU and will be monitored closely until they are awake and alert. You’ll be able to see them in about an hour or so.”

“My office is in room 269, just down the hall on the right, if you have any questions.”

“I’d love us two to do a sixty-nine on him,” Vicky muttered to Karen.

Everyone could now finally relax somewhat and, for the next hour, tried to get some much-needed rest. Every magazine in the family room was read that night.

“Brad is awake now,” a nurse said, and everyone hurried to the ICU. “Only the parents first, then one person at a time; his voice will be a little weak from the respirator,” she said.

“How is Abby?” Scott asked.

“She’s doing fine. Once she’s awake and able to talk, you’ll be able to see her too. Everyone will have to wash their hands thoroughly and wear a mask, cap, and gown,” the nurse explained. Dan ushered Karen with his hand to the small of her back to be the first to see Brad.

“Hi Mom, hi Dad,” Brad said, trying to smile. He coughed to clear his voice, a little hoarse from the tube down his throat. “What about Abby? I need to know how she is.” Was his first concern.

“Hi honey, how are you feeling, stupid question?” Karen smiled, kissing his forehead through her mask. “The doctor says her operation was a complete success, and so was yours. She should be waking up soon.”

“I feel a little groggy, and my side hurts like hell.” He winced a little, touching his right side along his ribs. He tried to sit up but immediately laid back down, tired and woozy from just trying to change positions.

“Can Abby and I be put in the same room?” Brad asked, looking at the nurse.

“We’ll see how she’s doing first.”

“Everyone is here to see you and Abby,” Dan said, motioning with his hand to the large rectangular window. They all smiled and waved, seeing Brad looking at them. He smiled and waved back. “What you did for Abby was so brave; we’re very proud of you, Brad.”

“Thanks, Dad,” he replied, taking his gentle hug. “I love her. There was no second-guessing to be made.”

“Coach Stanton wasn’t too pleased when I told him you’d miss the rest of the season and hockey future because of your liver operation. He is proud of your decision to help Abby, and the team sends its best wishes.”

“Dad, I don’t know what this will do to my hockey future. Don’t get me wrong, I’d do it again in a heartbeat to save Abby, but apart from loving her, hockey is all I’ve ever known.”

“Just concentrate on getting well. Maybe you’ll never play in the AHL or NHL because of your operation. The OHL might be too strenuous on your body for you to play again, but if you can, you’d have at least two more years of junior hockey to get in decent shape. You liked coaching the Falcons before; maybe you could become one of their assistant coaches to still stay around hockey.”

“You always find the right words to say to me; thanks, Dad,” Brad stated, hugging him. “I knew the risks going in. Abby is my first concern, not my hockey career.”

Karen left for the next person to enter. “Do you mind if I see Brad next?” Scott asked.

“Of course you can,” she replied, patting Scott on the right shoulder. Scott donned a mask, cap, and gown.

“Hi, Mr. Kendall.” Brad furrowed his brow in discomfort.

“Hi Brad,” he replied, shaking his hand.

“How is Abby? I want to see her.”

“You’re recovering from major surgery, and all you can think about is Abby? You are something else, son. You can see her in a few minutes.”

“I love her, Mr. Kendall,” he confessed once again, tears beginning to well in his eyes.

“I know you do, Son. I don’t know how to ever thank you or repay you for giving me back my Abby, except to let her go to you someday as your wife,” Scott began, tears welling in his eyes too.

“I guess we both need her in our lives,” Brad agreed.

“Brad, all kidding aside about five cows and goats, I want you to know that you have mine and, of course, Vicky’s blessing.”

“You left out Maryanne. She also gave me her blessing to marry Abby.”

“With all that has gone on tonight, I don’t doubt you at all. You do have my blessing to ask Abby to marry you whenever the timing is right.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kendall. Between you and me, the NHL draft is on June 26th, and I’m going to ask her to marry me before then.”

“I’m sure she’ll accept. She’s talked about marrying you since the first day she met you at her restaurant.”

“That seems so long ago—two years, four months.”

“You know exactly the number of days?” Scott asked.

“I know it may sound corny, but that’s the day the rest of my life changed.” Brad smiled.

Vicky took her turn, giving Brad praise for making such a sacrifice for Abby. “If this doesn’t seal the friendship between you and Peter, nothing will.”

“We played all of the past two seasons against each other and never fought.”