Thanks everyone for reading and responding! Without further adieu the chapter you've all been waiting for…

Chapter Forty-two

Ned stood on Andrew James' porch, scanning the expansive property before him, as he waited for someone to answer the door. The Jameses and the Logans had come a long way since they first set foot on American soil Ned thought. For when Henry James, Andrew's father, and Shane Logan, his father, came to America, they were dirt poor, could barely afford to feed themselves or keep clothes on their backs. But after years of hard work and determination, both men had built their fortunes, and had maintained their friendship along the way, which in some ways still lived on in the 30 year friendship Ned and Andrew shared today…

"Ned?" Ned heard a voice call behind him, prompting him to turn around.

"Andrew!" Ned exclaimed. Glad to see Andrew after such a long while as he walked towards the man who was now ascending the porch's front steps.

"I didn't expect you so soon." The man said as he took off his work gloves. Then embraced Ned in a quick hug, being careful not to hurt Ned's arm and shoulder which were still wrapped in a sling.

"I want to be back in Lexington before dusk." Ned explained. "I hope I'm not disturbing any of your plans."

"It's no problem!" Andrew assured as he now opened the door to his home. "Come in." He continued as they entered the house, stopping in the foyer to remove their coats. "You know I heard about the attack on you and Sean…I don't know what to say except I'm sorry." He conveyed with sincerity.

"That's more than enough." Ned stated solemnly; the constant ache in his heart over his son's condition magnifying at the man's words.

"So how is he?" Andrew asked as he now led Ned down the hall towards his study. "How's Sean?"

"Not so good." Ned answered. "The doctor says there's nothing more that can be done, but we're all still praying for a miracle."

"Well know that I'm praying too." The man said earnestly; thinking how the Logans were like an extension of his own family.

"Thank you." Ned uttered; his appreciation strong in his voice.

Silence –

"So how are Matilda and the kids?" He then asked, briefly thinking that he hadn't seen or heard Andrew's family about the house.

"They're fine." Andrew answered as they entered his office. "She and the girls are off visiting her sister in Illinois, and Desmond is working in town."

"Well tell them all I said hello."

"I will." The man promised… "So…what brings you here with all that's going on?" He then asked; even though he was pretty sure he had the answer to that question.

"I need your help." Ned stated as they both sat down. Andrew at his desk and Ned in one of the chairs at it's side.

"I figured as much." Andrew said. "This about the attack?"

"Yeah."

"You want me to find out who was behind it?" The man asked, knowing that no matter the Logan's status, the authorities would do little or nothing to investigate the attack if it stemmed from Sean being involved with a Negro. "I know with everything that's been said…" Andrew continued. "You'll get little help from the authorities."

"Well Assemblyman Clancy is working to get Federal Marshalls to come down from Frankfort." Ned revealed. "Because the Sheriff wasn't much help, but I'm not expecting much to come of that." He stated. "So yes, what I need from you is related to what happened to Sean."

"Okay, so what is that you need?" The man asked eagerly, willing to do whatever he could to help the man who'd been a tremendous friend to him over the years.

"I want you to look into Asa Winters." Ned said, knowing that Andrew could get information about private business deals that no one else knew, and that he also had reliable sources that were connected to the dark side of goings ons.

"Asa Winters?" The man said with surprise. "You think he was behind the attack?"

Ned didn't answer with words, but Andrew could see by the change in the man's stance what he thought.

"What do you want to know?" Andrew then asked, not needing to inquire further about Asa's involvement in all that had gone on. Ned then gave the man an answer, telling him all he wanted to know regarding Asa's current business deals; before lastly adding what was most important to him, the names of the men who'd attacked him and his son.

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Alone at last Vivian thought as she looked out the window, watching as Wilhelmina's wagon progressed further and further from the house. When she'd been thinking earlier that she needed to find a way to move her plan forward, she never thought that an opportunity would come so soon. She was certain that after the conversation she'd had with Wilhelmina, after begging the woman to allow her to go visit Sean, that Wilhelmina wouldn't let her out of her sight. But surprisingly the woman had done just that, stating that she had to go to town to do some business as well as pick up supplies. Vivian nervously inhaled, now thinking how fooling the Logans would be a much more complicated task; but she had to do it she declared to herself, otherwise she would never win Sean back. Vivian now watched as Wilhelmina's wagon disappeared out of sight. Well it was now or never she thought. The young woman then turned from the window and quickly headed for her room, to change into something more appealing for paying a call on the Logans.

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Marita opened the draperies and was instantly struck by the beautiful scene before her. A scene that stirred intense memories within her soul; reminding her of the many good times, first times, and bad times she and Sean had experienced together. Her heart sank in pain, missing him so much. She then briefly closed her eyes, and turned from the window, when her eyes caught something atop Sean's desk. Marita slowly walked to the desk to get better view, and once she reached it, her heart panged at what she saw. It was The Aenied; the book that Sean had given her years ago, which was now back in his possession because of her actions months before. Marita picked the book up, and ran her hand over his cover; then noticed that he had a place marked somewhere in the middle. He hated this tale she thought, yet he was reading it again she knew, for her. Marita turned around and gazed at Sean, who looked as if he was only asleep in his bed. She smiled to herself, a mixture of love and anguish flooding through her; before she returned the book to the desk and again made her way back to Sean. Marita sat in the chair next to his bed and immediately took his hand in hers. She then lifted her eyes to his face and helplessly sighed at the bruises that were still there. He was getting so pale she grieved, and his weight was steadily dropping. This condition was starting to take it's toll, just like the doctor had said it would. Marita cried inside, knowing that Sean had to awaken soon. Otherwise he'd waste away, and would be lost to them – forever…

"Sean…" Marita uttered shakily; forcing herself to speak, to conquer the angst within. "Sean I know that you're still with me…I know…that you're not gone…" She paused, pain ripping through her. "I know that you're not gone because I can feel you…all around me…I can feel your spirit alive within my soul. And I know…I know… that if I can feel you, you can feel me to…" Marita croaked, fighting the tears pressing down upon her, trying to stay strong. "Sean I need you to wake up…" She continued emotionally. "I need you to fight whatever it is that' s keeping you in this state, and come back to me, come back to your family…" She urged impassionedly. "Sean we need you so much…we need…your humor…" She said, a tearful smile in her voice. "And your faith…we need your strength, to keep us centered and sane…Sean you have so much to live for…so much to give…" She declared; now thinking of his passions and dreams. "Remember all we talked about…How you want to build that hospital for minorities, and re-integrate schools; how your dream is to someday open a store selling the beautiful furniture you've always designed as a hobby…And you still have to take me to Europe…" She uttered with emotion, recalling their talks in Cholena and the many times before. "And you still have to tell me what's in that letter you wrote me…" She laughed weakly, now thinking how she'd forgotten to revisit the subject before he'd left Cholena. "Sean I need you…" She nearly cried. "…And I love you." She uttered brokenly; her heart pounding with grief as she closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, trying desperately to stop the feelings that were crowding in upon her. "I love you…" She whispered again, her voice steadily faltering. "And I'm not letting you leave me…I'm not letting you d…" The words choked in her throat; signifying the pain that had finally overwhelmed her. She then brought Sean's hand to her lips, kissing it, as tears flowed down her face. Before she then slid his hand to her cheek, and again closed her eyes. "God Please." she uttered within. "Let Sean hear me, bring him back to me." Marita's eyes remained closed as she continued to pray, willing Sean to wake up; when suddenly, she felt a change in her soul; the deep sorrow that was drowning her in despair dissolved at the inception of an incredible warmth, racing through her. Marita was stunned, and didn't understand what was happening within her; when a murmur flowed to her ears, coming from the bed before her.

"Sean…" She gasped as her eyes snapped open, and eagerly gazed upon the love of her life. "Se…" She began to utter again, but his name ceased on her lips, when Sean slightly begin to stir; then slowly opened his eyes, and quietly spoke her name.