Chapter 12

Paul sat in his big chair and stared at the TV…not really watching it, he kept it on because Stephanie was watching the news. They'd been married a couple of months now, and were blissfully happy. Steph was sitting on the floor and had her head resting on Paul's knee.

Steph looked up at Paul and said, "Don't worry she'll be here soon." Paul caressed her head and said, "I know…She just sounded so upset. I can't imagine what upset her that much." Steph said, "She'll' let you know honey…" Steph got up and gave him a soft kiss on the nose and said, "I'm gonna go shower…I'll be back down in a few and we'll all figure out what's going on when she gets here."

Paul just kept staring at the TV, trying to will his sisters plane to get her there faster.

Stephanie had just walked back down stairs in one of his T-shirts and her sweat pants, when the door bell rang. Paul jumped up and walked over and opened the door. Alyssa stared back at him with a tear streaked face. She collapsed in his arms and cried against his chest. Paul scoped her up and cuddled his little sister to his big body.

He sat on the couch with Stephanie kneeling in front of them…Paul rubbed Alyssa's back and calmed her down slowly. She moved off his lap and sat next to him…He said, "Aly what's going on…you call me in the middle of the night, crying, and tell me if Randy calls tell him there was a family emergency…he didn't hurt you did he."

She wiped her eyes and shook her head no. Aly said, "Here read this." She handed her brother the blue stationary letter, Paul stood up and while pacing in the living room he read the letter she'd written 3 years ago.

Paul looked at her and said, "I thought you mailed this already…Alyssa Marie…You told me you mailed it!" Aly nodded and said, "I did mail it Paul…" He looked at his sibling and said, "Why do you have it? How in the world did you get it?" Aly said, "I found it." Paul said, "Aly where did you find this?"

Alyssa started to feel the tears well up in her eyes again…Paul sat next to her and said, "Alyssa…Where did you find it?"

Alyssa looked up with fresh tears sliding down her cheeks and said, "Randy's house." Paul still looking confused…it suddenly hit him…in a shaky voice Aly said, "I have…his wife's heart…Keeping me alive."

Paul looked totally defeated, Stephanie had huge tears falling from her blue eyes as she sat on the floor…

Alyssa stood up and started pacing the room and said, "What was God thinking? How the hell am I going to explain it to Randy?" Stephanie stood up and grabbed her hands and said, "Don't worry sweetie, we'll help you think of something. You'll just tell him…ya know…and everything will be fine."

Aly looked at Stephanie and then down to Paul who was still stunned on the couch and she said, "No…I don't think it will."

Aly walked out to her rental car and left. She drove the 10 miles down the street to her own home…she walked in and listened to her messages on her answering machine. She walked in and took a shower…and unpacked and then repacked…then got online and ordered a plane ticket for Scotland.

She then relaxed in her chair and called Randy. When he picked up she said, "How soon can you get here?" Randy said, "I'm on my way right now." She said, "Thanks…and Randy…I love you." Randy thought it was odd but said, "I'll be there soon…I love you too."

She dropped her phone in the chair as she moved over and laid on the couch and let sleep enter her body.