CHAPTER 14: Thursday –Maggie Day

Thursday morning, one week after the kidnapping, Miranda announced it was 'Maggie Day.' She was right, but how she knew was somewhat of a mystery to Bianca. Miranda was insisting that she had to see Maggie. When Bianca explained that Maggie still wasn't well Miranda seemed to understand, but wouldn't give up the idea. She had gotten into her head that she could make Maggie feel better. Bianca finally relented and told her daughter they would go after lunch.

Bianca walked into Maggie's hospital room holding her daughter's hand. Miranda had a stuff doll for Maggie clutched in her other hand. When Maggie saw Miranda her face lit up. At Maggie's smile, Bianca thought, "Maybe Miranda can make her feel better."

Miranda broke from her mother's hold and went right over to the bed. "Hi, Munchkin." Maggie beamed.

"Maggie look bad," Miranda declared. Maggie looked up to catch the amusement in Bianca's eyes. "Can I go up there with you?" Miranda asked.

"Sure." Maggie was delighted.

"No Miranda, I don't think that's a good idea." Bianca said as she rushed to pluck her daughter off the side of the bed. But it was too late. Miranda had already scrambled up. Bianca was about to lift her down when Maggie shook her head no.

Miranda settled on the bed and said, "This is for you." She handed Maggie a stuffed Eeyore, the last of her Pooh collection. Maggie still had Piglet with her in the bed. She slept with it most nights. The bed was surrounded with the rest of the Pooh characters.

"Thank you, now all Piglet's friends are here," Maggie said placing Eeyore next to Piglet on the bed.

Bianca sat and watched as Maggie and Miranda talked. Miranda questioned Maggie about what was wrong with her and Maggie explained a doctor helped her because her insides were hurt. They discussed what Miranda had been up to and played with Piglet and all the Pooh toys. Maggie insisted the stuffed animals made her feel better. They giggled together over Miranda's favorite Winnie-the-Pooh stories. When Maggie started to get tired Miranda noticed. She had always been intuitive were Maggie was concerned.

"Maggie nap," Miranda announced.

"I don't want to sleep while you're here," Maggie whined. Bianca almost laughed at the strange roll reversal playing out in front of her.

"Sleep." Miranda leaned over and kissed Maggie on the cheek like Bianca had done many times when putting her daughter down for a nap.

"What about you?" Maggie said with puppy dog eyes.

Miranda said, "I stay."

And then Miranda did something that surprised both women, she stretched out gently beside Maggie and put a small arm around her. Maggie ignored the slight twinge of pain it cause and wrapped her arm around the child. With a contented smile, she placed a kiss on the top of Miranda's head. She looked up at Bianca and mouthed 'thank you'. Within seconds Maggie was asleep and the pain that had been on her face for days seemed to disappear.

Bianca sat quietly and watched the two asleep in the hospital bed. Maggie and Miranda belonged together; their love for each other was evident. Bianca regretted every moment she had kept them apart. Bianca promised silently that she would never keep them apart again.

Zoe, as pre-arranged with Bianca, came to pickup Miranda. When she walked into the room all three girls were asleep. Bianca had fallen asleep in the chair, a small smile on her face. Zoe stood looking at the family before her. She knew they were a family even if Bianca hadn't accepted it yet. Zoe's resolve to stay a part of their family strengthened.

Maggie was the first to open her eyes. Zoe put her finger to her lips and pointed at Bianca. Maggie looked over at the sleeping women. Never had she seen anything more beautiful. Zoe noticed the love for Bianca in Maggie's eyes. She tiptoed over to the bed and squeezed Maggie's hand. She winked when Maggie looked up at her. Maggie knew at that moment Zoe would not be an impediment in her relationship with Bianca. She also knew that Zoe had become an important part of her life. She winked back.

It was Maggie's tenth day in the hospital and she was getting stronger with every day that past. Zoe would help her each morning by walking her slowly, at first just around the room, then as she got stronger, to the nurses' station and then down the hall. Bianca was there when the physical therapist came in the late afternoons. The first couple of visits, Bianca had to leave the room. She couldn't stand to watch Maggie in pain. After substantial teasing by Maggie and assurance that it was 'good' pain by the therapist, Bianca was able to stay. In fact, the therapist was teaching her some of the exercises so she could help Maggie.

When Bianca arrived back at the hospital on that tenth afternoon Zoe was still there. Maggie was asleep so Zoe motioned for Bianca to step outside.

"What's wrong? Why are you still here? Is Maggie okay?" The questions rushed out of Bianca.

"Slow down, don't panic. I wanted to stick around till you got here."

"What's going on?" Bianca said nervously.

"Good news, Maggie is going to be released tomorrow," Zoe said with a smile.

"That's great news," Bianca said with relief.

"But it has been a hard day. Benoit came just as I was getting ready to leave. He wanted to finish questioning Maggie, so I stayed with her."

"How did that go?" Worry was back in Bianca voice.

"Maggie was amazing as usual. She was steady as a rock. She answered all his questions without hesitating," Zoe said admiringly, but her smile faded.

"So what's wrong, Zoe?" Bianca reached out for Zoe's hand.

"It was so hard to think about again. It was hard for me to relive it and I wasn't shot. I can't image what it must be like for Maggie." Zoe rubbed her hand across her face as if she could wipe away the memory. "She didn't show it for one second, but I know it tore her up inside. I didn't want to leave her alone. She hasn't said a word since he left and fell asleep just a few minutes ago"

"Oh Zoe, I'm so sorry you both had to go through that again." Bianca wrapped Zoe in a strong embrace. "I wish I'd been here to help."

"I'm okay, B. But I'm worried about Maggie. She's got to let it out. Nobody can be that stoic," Zoe fretted.

"I'm sure she will in her own time," Bianca assured Zoe. "Why don't I go get Miranda and we can all stay with Maggie tonight. I think she could probably use a Miranda visit after today." Bianca didn't want either woman to be alone that evening.

"Why don't you stay and I'll get Miranda. I could use the break and I bet Maggie would be disappointed if she woke and you weren't here."

"Alright, how about picking up some food on the way back?" Bianca asked. "We can eat it here."

"Great idea, I will see you in a little while. Take care of the Magster while I'm gone." Zoe kissed Bianca on the cheek before she left.

Bianca walked into the hospital room and stood by the door looking at Maggie for a moment. Maggie looked so small and vulnerable asleep in that bed, but she could be a tower of strength when it was called for. All those times she had been there for Bianca and now she had saved Zoe. Bianca walked quietly over to the bed. She loved the petite woman laying there, had always loved her. Bianca had run from the pain Maggie had caused her but she would never run again. If she had to she would fight for the rest of her life to hold onto this woman that meant the world to her.

Maggie was delight to see Miranda when she woke up. They all had a pizza picnic with the hospital bed as the table.

It was Bianca who brought up the plans for Maggie's release from the hospital. The subject was a delicate one but Bianca went right to the point. "Maggie, we want you to stay with us. You can't go back to the dorm. And we don't want you to be alone."

Miranda's eyes got really big. "Maggie's coming home?"

Zoe laughed at the expression on Miranda's face. "Well Maggie, are you coming home?"

"Really?" Maggie looked at all three women encouraging her. The word 'home' sounded incredibly nice.

As Maggie search Bianca's face for hesitation, Bianca nodded her head, smiling genuinely.

"That would be great." Maggie grinned. "But just until you get tired of me."

"I will never tire of you," was the thought that popped into Bianca's head. But she didn't say it out loud.

Miranda whooped and started bouncing up and down on the bed. Zoe snatched her up as Bianca yelled in horror, "Miranda, no!"

"Maggie, are you alright?" Bianca was momentarily scared until she realized the tears in Maggie's eyes were from happiness not pain.