Chapter 22
It was after dinner and Sportacus was helping Stephanie clean up when the Mayor announced he was taking Bessie home. Stephanie watched as the two walked out the door and then she turned to Sportacus.
"We might as well have that talk now." She told him.
"All right. Well I have been thinking about us and I think that we need to make it work. I know that there is quite an age difference but I don't care. I want to make it work. I love you and that is what is the most important." Sportacus spilled.
"I agree. I was thinking about us too and I decided that no matter what we should make it work. I know that telling our friends won't be easy and I know the age difference won't be easy but I don't care. I love you, Sportacus. I always have and I always will." Stephanie said as she pulled the package from the cupboard.
"I have something to give you." Stephanie smiled.
"You do?" Sportacus asked. She handed him the package from the hospital staff. He opened it and a look of surprise crossed his face.
"One of the nurses gave it to me to give to you. They mended the tear and washed it for you. The nurses noticed how upset I was in the waiting room and thought it should be me giving it to you rather than them." Stephanie explained.
Sportacus smiled and said, "You know that hospital staff was something else. I have something that they gave back to me. I had this in my pocket when they brought me to the hospital." He pulled the piece of paper out of his wheelchair bag.
"I can't sing it to you because of my ribs, but I thought you should have these lyrics to read anyway. They really express how I feel." Sportacus smiled. Stephanie took the piece of paper and was about to read it when Uncle Milford walked through the door. He was whistling and in a really good mood. Stephanie stuffed the piece of paper in her purse and asked Uncle Milford why he was in such a good mood. He responded by saying that the love of his life was in love with him and nothing could be more right. Stephanie and Sportacus looked at each other and then back at Mayor Meanswell. Sportacus asked him what he meant and Milford explained that he and Bessie were now a couple. Sportacus winked, with his good eye, at the Mayor and congratulated him. Stephanie gave him a hug and said she was happy for them. Then looking at his watch, Mayor Meanswell said that he needed to talk to Stephanie in private for a few minutes. Sportacus said he needed to go put something away and wheeled down the hall.
"Stephanie, I want to talk to you about what happened the other day. You know that I love you. You're my niece and I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you. I'm sorry for what I said. I do trust you but I was so confused and so hurt by what had happened I just over-reacted. Can you ever forgive me?" Uncle Milford begged her.
"Uncle Milford, I forgive you. I know that you were confused. I'm sorry I pushed you away at the hospital. I shouldn't have done that but I was hurt by what had happened and was nervous about Sportacus." She stopped there. She didn't want to tell him about her and Sportacus just yet. The two hugged and Milford said that he had to give Sportacus his pain pill. Stephanie went with him down the hall to Sportacus' room. Sportacus was just getting into bed when they arrived. Sportacus took his pill and Milford said he had to make a phone call and left Stephanie and Sportacus alone.
"So how did it go?" Sportacus asked.
"I t went well. Uncle Milford and I forgave each other and now we are close again. I want to talk to you about telling people about us. What should we do?" Stephanie asked.
"I think we should wait until I'm better. That way we can do subtle things like hold hands or kiss on the cheek and people will just get used to the idea. What do you think?" Sportacus asked.
"That will work for a little while. But what about when I go back home?" Stephanie asked.
To Be Continued…