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Designed Intent

Chapter 47

Thursday Morning

Bobby had spoken with Gleason this morning and she sounded better. The pulmonary edema eased as soon as her body was rid of the fluid, so her swelling and cough were gone. She was prepped and ready for surgery. They were waiting for her surgeon to finish with an earlier emergency.

They spoke of their love for each other and he apologized profusely for not being there with her. She understood, of course; but she did not admit to Bobby that she was comforted knowing that Malcolm was there.

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Thursday Noon

"Robert, it's Malcolm."

"Is she ok?"

"They just took her in. Dr. Manlowe and I are here. We'll keep you posted as we learn anything. Do you have any idea as to when you will get here?"

"No. I'm still waiting to testify. As soon as I'm done, I'm heading straight to JFK. I'll take a cab to the hospital. If I testify today, I should be there tonight."

"Ok. We'll let you know how she does."

"Thanks, Malcolm."

"Aye. Bye."

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Thursday Afternoon

Bobby waited, waited and waited some more. Court recessed for a short break and Carver found him in the hallway and said, "This is going more slowly than I ever imagined."

"Do you think I'll testify today? They took her in about ninety minutes ago. I need to get to her, Counselor."

"I know, Detective, I know, and I am sorry this is not going more quickly."

Bobby thought he would lose his mind. He wiped his face with his hands and paced in a circle.

"Detective, it will probably be tomorrow before you take the stand. I am sorry."

Bobby's fingers went to his lips and he shut his eyes, he did not trust himself to say anything. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and said, "I need to stay here just in case, don't I?"

"Yes."

"Ok. Ok." Bobby returned to the hard bench where he had waited the entire morning. His gut burned, and a headache began to build behind his eyes. Bobby forced himself to think of nothing. Dr. Stephens had told him to try to make his mind blank when he felt totally out of control of a situation. He and Dr. Stephens did not meet yesterday, as he needed to be at the courthouse.

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"I am surprised that gentleman friend of Gleason's isn't here," Dr. Manlowe mentioned to Malcolm.

"He needs to testify in a trial."

"I see. Still, I am surprised he did not arrange to be here with his lady. Surgery is a treacherous endeavor, especially concerning the heart." Manlowe thought a minute and then continued, "Gleason is a fine, strong young woman, however. She will be fine." Manlowe looked over at the tall professor beside him. "How are you and Maeve getting on? Still separated?"

Malcolm knew perfectly well what the old codger was thinking, "We're still separated."

"I see. Well, things work out the way they are supposed to, I have always maintained. Our Dr. Wintermantle will need some looking after while she is on the mend. Hope that policeman fellow of hers can get up here to see to her." The two men were quiet a moment, then Manlowe added, "Or, someone else will need to take care of her." He glanced over at the younger man and Malcolm ignored him.

Dr. Manlowe left after two hours. He apologized and explained he had a meeting with the Provost.

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Thursday Evening

Bobby dialed Malcolm's number.

"Hello."

"Malcolm, how is she?"

"They just took her into recovery. Everything is fine."

Bobby's eyes slammed shut and he hitched a sob. Thank you, God, thank you. "Uh, that's good, that's good." Bobby had to wait a moment before he could talk with a steady voice.

Malcolm knew the other man was crying and waited, not sure what to say; then, "They cauterized the leak and she has a pacemaker. They made a very small incision, about three inches. Dr. Chavez said Gleason should recover completely. She is going to be better for this." Malcolm wondered who he was trying to convince, Gleason's lover or himself. Both men loved this woman. One more than the other and each for very different reasons, but they both loved her, nonetheless. Neither man could say anything for a moment.

Malcolm spoke first, "We've got her classes covered, so that's not a worry. And she can pull from the sick day bank as she really has none built up yet; it's not a problem, she can take as much time as she needs."

"Thanks for seeing to all of that."

"Well, Dr. Manlowe took care of it. He was happy to have something to do."

They were silent again.

Again, Malcolm spoke first, "I'll stay until she comes out of recovery, I'll probably stay for a while tonight as well. She won't be allowed to take any calls tonight; it will be mid-morning tomorrow before she can speak on the phone. I'll call you later and let you know how she is."

"Thanks, Malcolm."

"Not a problem."

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Late Thursday Night

Gleason returned to her room from the ICU earlier than expected. Once the nurses had her settled, Malcolm stood by her side, just looking at her. She opened her eyes and moved her head back to look at him clearly.

"Malcolm?" she whispered.

"Aye, Lass, 'tis me." He put his hand against her cheek in much the same way Bobby does. "How do you feel?

"Where's Bobby? Is he here?"

Malcolm didn't want to talk about Robert; he wanted Gleason to be happy to see him. "Here, Sweet, have a drink, eh?" He poured a bit of water into the cup and offered it to her.

She turned her head away and said, "Is he coming? Why isn't he here?" Gleason began to cry softly.

"Love, he's still in New York. He has to testify in that big trial. He's called several times asking about you. He's worried and glad you are out of surgery." Malcolm didn't want to say anything else about the other man. "I've been here all day; I have been with you the whole time." He reached for her hand. "Don't cry, Love. I'm here. I'll look after you."

She looked back at him, and knew he was good to stay with her, but she wanted Bobby. "Malcolm, I want to see Bobby. When is he coming?"

"He's not coming for a few days, Love. He needs to be in New York. I'm here, Gleason, I'm here." His heart was bursting and breaking at the same time.

"I need Bobby. Can I call him?" Gleason's crying increased and she began to cough; the alarm attached to her heart went wild. At the same moment, Malcolm's phone rang, nurses dashed in and he into the hall to answer the call.

"Malcolm? Did I wake you?"

"No, Robert, I'm in her room."

"How is she?"

"Uh, she's awake. The nurses are looking after her at the moment."

"Is she ok?"

"She asked for you and got upset when I told her you were still in New York. She started to cry and then cough and her heart acted up. They're trying to get her settled now."

Bobby felt sick to his stomach. Jesus, he needed to be there. His eyes shut tight and he squeezed them with his fingers. The lump in his throat made it hard to swallow and breathe. Neither man said anything.

"I'll call you and she can talk to you when they are done. She'd like that, I think. Is that ok with you?"

Bobby shuddered a sigh and cleared his throat. "Are they still working on her? Can you tell what happened?"

"No, they threw me out when she got upset. Wait, hang on –," Bobby heard Malcolm talk with someone, but he could not make out the words. "The nurse said they've had to sedate her and she'll be asleep the rest of the night." He listened to Bobby issue a soft, sad groan. "I'll stay with her for awhile. Do you want me to call you later?"

Bobby sniffed and said weakly, "No, Malcolm, no, that's ok. Call if anything happens, though."

"Ok, then. I'll talk with you tomorrow. Gleason will be stronger tomorrow. She'll talk with you then. Try to get some sleep. Hopefully you'll testify tomorrow and be here tomorrow night."

"Malcolm thanks for keeping me posted."

"Aye, get some sleep now."

Both men clicked off and Malcolm returned to her side.

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Malcolm sat most of the night in Gleason's dark room. Nurses came and went, checking her, recording information, asking if he needed anything. He must have fallen asleep in the chair because his neck hurt when he straightened up. Two nurses were fussing over Gleason and he heard her cough and then moan.

"Is she all right?" he asked.

"She's fine, just waking up a little earlier than we expected. Gleason? Gleason, dear, we're going to pull you up a bit so you can breathe easier. Ready? On three."

The nurses hoisted Gleason to a sitting position and propped her up with pillows behind and beside her. She took a sip of water and leaned back with her eyes closed. The nurses left and Malcolm moved to her side.

He thought she had fallen asleep again. God she is beautiful, he thought. I love this woman. I could make her love me, I could. But she won't, she loves that cop. He loves her all right. Malcolm smoothed her hair away from her forehead, leaned in, and softly kissed her lips.

"I love you," she whispered sleepily, eyes still closed.

"I love you, too, Sweet," he answered, knowing full well she thought he was that cop.

Gleason sighed and was asleep.

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Early Friday Morning

Maeve looked over her shoulder when she felt the bed dip as Malcolm lay down.

"Is she ok?" she asked.

"Aye, she came through all right. They repaired the patch and she has a pacemaker." He lay on his left side and embraced her. She felt warm, soft. He began to stiffen.

"Is her boyfriend ever going to show up?"

Malcolm nuzzled his wife's neck; God she smelled nice. "Huh uh," he kissed her shoulder and slipped his hand under her arm to cup her breast. He shifted to ease his lengthening member.

Maeve liked what he was doing. She missed this; she missed him.

"You feel so good," he mumbled into her neck, under her ear.

Malcolm made love to his wife; but in his mind's eye, it wasn't Maeve.

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