Seeing Forever Read online

  She took the ball and he heard her unclip Willow’s harness. He felt the bench hit the back of his thighs, and sat.

  Willow barked and then Katey called to him. He put his face up in the air and let the sun beat down upon it.

  He must have dozed off because Willow’s non-stop barking jarred him awake.

  “You and Willow ready to go?”

  There was no response from Katey, just Willow’s insistent barking.

  “What are you barking about? Katey won’t give you the ball?”

  Willow barked again and this time slammed himself into Luc’s knee.

  “Hey, that hurt, what are you playing at? Katey, what’s gotten into him?”

  No response.

  Willow barked again and nudged him harder.

  Luke stood. “Katey, Katey?”

  There was something wrong, and he knew it.

  “Willow, come here.”

  He heard Willow pound toward him. He reached down and hooked his hand through the dog’s harness. “Take me to Katey.”

  Willow hurried, almost pulling him over. In the end Luc lost his footing and hit his head on a rock as he fell. He sensed it was bleeding because he felt something sticky oozing down his cheek. He got up.

  “Katey?”

  Willow pulled him again and then stopped and barked. Luc got down on his hands and knees and tapped the ground around him, but there was only grass. What was Willow trying to tell him and why hadn’t Katey answered? Luc edged back and felt around some more. Still only grass, but then as he moved his leg he felt something. He turned and patted his hands in front of him, a foot, a leg. He moved them swiftly upwards and then he felt her hair. Katey’s soft hair, and her face. Had she passed out, fallen over something?

  Was there anyone else around? Was there any point in calling for help?

  His cell phone. Luckily as he was on his own with Willow, he’d put it into the pouch along with the ball.

  At first and in his panic, he was all fingers and thumbs and couldn’t get it out. Finally he pulled it free.

  “Dial 911.”

  “Hello, what is your emergency?”

  “I need an ambulance because a pregnant woman has passed out in the park.”

  “Is she breathing?”

  Shit, was she?

  He felt around and put his hand near her mouth. He could feel her breath.

  “Yes, but I’m blind, so please hurry.”

  “Sir, I’ve just dispatched the paramedics, someone will be with you very soon.”

  “Thank you.”

  Luc touched Katey’s face. She felt cold, despite the sun being out.

  He heard sirens a few minutes later and then voices approaching him.

  “It’s okay, we’re here now. Sir, what’s your name?”

  “Luc. Is she okay?”

  “Luc, I’m sure she’s going to be just fine. How many months pregnant is she?”

  He wasn’t sure, but it had to be at least four.

  “At least four, maybe more.”

  “Does she have any medical conditions, epilepsy, diabetes?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “And you’re the baby’s father?”

  “Yes, yes I am.”

  “Okay, we’re going to take Katey to the ER.”

  “Then I need to be with her.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  If he was able to see, he’d be pacing up and down. Instead he sat and tapped his fingers on his knees. He wasn’t sure if there was anyone else in the waiting area. If there was, he was probably irritating the hell out of them, but it was the only thing he could do to let go of the pent up energy. They’d promise they’d come and get him as soon as the doctor had checked on Katey but that had been hours ago, or at least it seemed like it. He didn’t need his sight to tell him that he was in a hospital. How he hated the odor. It made his stomach turn. And if it wasn’t for Katey being here, he’d get out as quickly as he could.

  He sensed that Willow was lying in front of him because he felt him on his foot. Poor guy was probably wondering what was going on, but he’d been the hero today. Without him, Luc would never have found Katey, or known something was wrong with her.

  “Luc?”

  He turned his head to the left when he’d heard the woman’s voice.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you want to come along with me and I’ll take you to Katey?”

  He stood and reached down for Willow’s harness.

  Whoever it was took his arm and led him on what seemed like the longest walk of his life.

  “Here we are.”

  “Luc.”

  He heard Katey’s voice and reached out for her hand.

  “I’ll leave you two alone and the nurse will be back shortly.”

  “How you feeling?”

  “Better than I did in the park. I suddenly got light-headed when I was playing with Willow, and then fell to the ground.”

  “Did the doctor figure out what’s wrong?”

  “He’s pretty sure it’s gestational diabetes.”

  “Shit, you’re a diabetic.”

  That was bad right? She’d need insulin and shots? How would he take care of her? How could either of them take care of a baby?

  “My mom had it but the doctor thinks mine will go away once I’ve had the baby. They’re keeping me in overnight so I’ll need to call my dad. And they thought I might as well have the ultrasound done while I’m here. The nurse has just gone to get the machine and I wanted you with me just in case something’s wrong.”

  Luc squeezed her hand. “Hey, the baby’s fine and you’re going to be fine.”

  They both had to be.

  ****

  “Would you like to know if it’s a boy or girl?”

  The ultrasound technician’s voice had made this seem so suddenly real.

  Did they want to know the sex of the baby? Did it really matter, if he’d never see it?

  “I want to. Is that okay with you?” asked Katey.

  If she wanted to then he had no problem with it.

  She got hold of his hand, squeezed it, and burst into tears. Something had to be wrong.

  “Luc, our baby is beautiful.”

  A tear ran down his cheek and he couldn’t get rid of the lump in his throat.

  “I can’t say with 100 percent certainty, but I think it’s a boy,” said the technician.

  Luc squeezed his eyes together. He’d always dreamed of one day having a son. Someone he could throw a football to in the backyard, go fishing with, take camping, and teach him all the survival techniques he’d learned in the army. He felt suddenly sick. He’d never see him, never be able to do all those things he’d planned. Life stunk … well, not everyone’s, just his.

  “Let’s wipe that off your belly and I’ll get you a copy of this to keep.”

  “Thank you,” said Katey.

  Luc felt the nurse walk by and knew they were alone. He hoped Katey didn’t mind, or that the hospital didn’t have rules against it, but he climbed on the bed with her and laid his head on her shoulder.

  He ran his hand over her belly, imaging what the baby looked like.

  Katey wiped the tear away from his eye.

  “I want to see my son,” said Luc.

  “We’ve been through this before and you know there’s a chance that you might be able to see him. I know it won’t be the clearest view, but you’d see him.”

  “I just don’t think I can be put under and then wake up just to be told that it didn’t work and then the only hope they’ve ever given me is gone for good. I don’t think I could deal with it. I’m too scared.”

  “I’m scared too, of having this baby, giving birth, being a mother, and raising a child. I guess nothing worthwhile in life ever is guaranteed.”

  “Why do you always make such perfect sense?”

  “Luc, take a chance and have this operation. I’d be with you every step of the way.”

  “How about I agree to think about
it?”

  “Just as long as it’s a good think.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Katey smiled when she saw Jake and Gen walking into the family lounge. They both hugged her at the same time, almost crushing her in the process.

  “How are you doing?” asked Jake.

  “I’m feeling fine, big and round, but fine, and nervous too. They said I’ll be able to see Luc before they take him into the OR.”

  “We’re just glad we could be here with you,” said Gen.

  “Thanks for driving all this way.”

  “No trouble at all,” said Jake. “I’m happy to hear that he finally decided to take a chance on the surgery.”

  “Yeah, he was stubborn, but I think the baby was the deal maker.”

  “Then it came along at the right time,” said Gen, putting her hand on Katey’s belly.

  A nurse approached them. “Katey, you can come back here for ten minutes with Luc,” she said.

  Both Jake and Gen took her hands and squeezed them. “We’ll wait here for you, and tell him hello,” said Jake.

  She nodded and then followed the nurse. Her legs shook when she went through the double set of doors. She’d always hated the smell of hospitals, but she had to stay strong for Luc. He’d sense if she had any apprehension about the operation.

  The nurse walked her to the gurney he was lying on. She took his hand and squeezed it.

  “Katey,” he said before he pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed it.

  “I’m right here for you, and you know if I could I’d go into the OR with you. I would.”

  “I know.”

  “Your son and I will be waiting. Oh, and Jake and Gen have just arrived.”

  “Tell them hello.”

  “You can tell them after the surgery and we’ll all have a big celebration.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in all my life.”

  His hand shook in hers.

  “This is going to be a piece of cake compared to labor and the birth. And you’re going to be there, right?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Good, because I’ll want back and foot massages throughout the whole thing.”

  He smiled and she hoped she’d made him relax a little.

  “Okay, Luc, time to go to sleep for a while,” said the nurse.

  “I don’t know if I’m allowed to do this, but I’m going to anyway.”

  She leaned over and kissed him on the lips and he put his hand on the back of her head so her lips stayed on his for a bit longer.

  “Okay, plenty of time for that after we get you into recovery,” said the nurse.

  Luc held her hand until his slipped through her palm as he was wheeled away. She stood and watched him head down the corridor to the ER.

  “I love you,” he shouted.

  “I love you too.”

  Katey’s heart beat faster. He loved her. He’d said it for the first time. She had too.

  ****

  Luc felt nauseated and disorientated. Although he’d been blind for close to a year now, he’d been able to see some light and that had been a small comfort to him, but now they’d bandaged his eyes and he was completely in the dark. Or maybe he’d died during the operation. Months ago he wouldn’t have minded and would have looked at it as a blessing, but now he had Katey. Even if the operation hadn’t worked, she was his miracle.

  Guess they don’t all come in the shape of medicine or science.

  The bandages would stay on his eyes for ten days and then they’d know if he’d regained some of his sight. He’d requested that when they did remove them that the first thing he focused on was Katey. Seeing her, even if it wasn’t perfectly clear, would be the most wonderful thing in the world. Seeing her give birth to their son would be the second.

  He lifted his hand to his face and felt the bandages wrapped around them. He had a killer headache and tried to sit up.

  “Hi, Luc, you back with us?” It was a woman’s voice. An older one, by the sound of it.

  “Am I in my room?”

  “Yes, we wheeled you in here about thirty minutes ago.”

  “Can Katey come and see me yet?”

  “Sure, let me just check the drips here and I’ll have someone go get her.”

  Luc licked his lips. His mouth was parched and he was still sleepy but he wouldn’t give in and close his eyes until he’d spoken to Katey.

  The nurse seemed to be taking forever, and then he sensed she’d gone. He tried to sit up but felt dizzy.

  “Luc.”

  It was Katey. He reached up in the air and felt her take hold of his hand.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked him.

  “Still sleepy. How long was I out?”

  “Three hours, and then a few in the recovery. Josie’s here and also Sadie, and they said as Willow’s a service dog, he can visit you tomorrow. My dad said he’d like to visit you if that’s okay. Jake and Gen will be back in an hour because they went to your house to feed Willow and take him for a walk.”

  “I’m so lucky having all these good people around.”

  “That’s because you’re a good person.”

  “Did you mean it when you said you loved me?”

  “Of course I did.”

  “Then whether I see or not, that’s all that matters.”

  ****

  Katey couldn’t stand it. She paced up and down in the doctor’s office as they waited for him to arrive. Ten days had felt like ten months waiting for Luc’s bandages to be removed. And this was the big day.

  “Is there a pattern on the carpet or floor or whatever’s in here?” Luc’s question made her stop in her tracks.

  “No, why?”

  “I was worried you’d wear it away with all the pacing. And yes, I know you were pacing.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be, because you’ve done the worrying for me.”

  She sat down next to him. What if the operation hadn’t worked? How was he going to react? How was she going to feel? Katey heard the door opening and then saw Luc’s doctor walking in. This was it. She almost grabbed Luc’s hand but didn’t want to make him more nervous than he probably already was.

  He hadn’t told her about him wanting her to be the first thing he focused on until they were driving to the hospital. While she’d been honored, she’d been scared too. Frightened that he wouldn’t like what he saw. The pregnancy had made her heavier and her face rounder than usual. What if he realized he hadn’t made love to someone who didn’t look like a model? That he’d told someone he didn’t find attractive that he loved her, and was desperate to take it back?

  “Good morning, Luc. Katey. Here we are at the big day.”

  “Remember, I want to be facing Katey when you take off the bandages.” said Luc.

  “I haven’t forgotten, and if you’re ready we can get started.”

  Luc tapped his hands on his knees. “Sure, let’s get this over and done with.”

  “How about I un-wrap these from behind you and Katey, can you stand in front of Luc for me?”

  She couldn’t stand let alone get in front of Luc because her knees were wobbling too much. She finally managed to walk over to the desk.

  Luc continually ran his hands up and down his legs as the doctor began un-wrapping the bandages from around his head. With that gone all that was left were the two pads taped to his eyes.

  Bile rose in her throat. Please let him see something, and let him like what he sees.

  “Okay, if you could close your eyes while I remove these and then slowly open them.”

  Katey put her hands behind her back so she could cross her fingers without the doctor seeing her do it. He pulled the pads away from Luc’s eyes. His lids fluttered and then slowly he opened his eyes.

  She swallowed and suddenly felt sick. He hadn’t said anything. Was he still without his sight or did he see her and was shocked at what he saw?

  “They lied to me,” said Luc. �
��Jake, my sister…they all said you were pretty and they lied.”

  Katey wanted to run. She’d never expected Luc to be quite this blunt and cruel, but she guessed she couldn’t blame him.

  “You’re not pretty, you’re beautiful.”

  She closed her eyes.

  “Tell me what you can see, Luc?” asked the doctor.

  “Not much more than an outline of Katey with the left eye, but the right one, while not clear, I can see her, and I hope you’ll agree with me that she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  “Luc,” said Katey. She couldn’t help it. His sight had improved and he’d paid her the best compliment a man ever could.

  She fell toward him and they kissed and hugged.

  “Luc, we could try a second operation in say, six months’ time, to try and improve on the left eye.”

  “Sure we’ll try that, but for now I just want to take Katey home and spend the rest of the day looking at her.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  They’d phoned just about everyone they knew when they’d gone back to Luc’s house. Josie, Jake, Mitchell, Sadie, Katey’s dad. Willow had run around in circles as soon as they’d opened the front door. Luc was happy to think at least he’d have enough sight to take Willow for long runs now.

  And Katey.

  He wanted to carry her in his arms upstairs, but she’d told him now he’d regained some sight the last thing he needed was to put his back out. He sat staring at her for an hour and then he couldn’t stand it any longer. He wanted to make love to her. To see her naked for the first time.

  “I don’t think this is going to be as sexy as you think,” she said, taking off her blouse.

  “Hey, this is my day and I want to sit here and see you strip off.”

  She playfully threw her blouse at him before unzipping her pants, its zipper straining over her belly. She lowered them over her thighs and then her knees.

  The woman was gorgeous.

  “Come here, you.”

  He beckoned her over and as she got closer he pulled her toward him and kissed her belly.

  “Take your bra off,” he said, and glanced up at her. “I want to see if your boobs are as wonderful as they felt and tasted.”