Seasons

Looking back through the album, she couldn't help but smile. All the memories seemed to be so fresh—so new, as if they'd happened yesterday. As she pulled a few and set them aside, she felt a presence behind her. She giggled as two strong arms wrapped around her shoulders.

"Find any good ones?" Joey asked.

"As a matter of fact, I have...several," she teased, "But you can't see them yet...not til the rehearsal dinner."

"Oh, no," he teased, "You could have some of those embarrassing baby photos. You can't be putting those up on a big screen...embarrassing me in front of all my friends. Besides, you know all my co-workers from the Banner will be there. It would be front page news the next morning, if it didn't make Access Llanveiw that night."

"I promise no baby photos." She leaned in for a kiss as he took a seat next to her. Snuggling into his arms, she allowed her head to rest on his shoulders. "Can you believe it? Can you believe we're actually getting married? After everything that's happened? Did you ever think we'd end up here again?"

Joey just smiled at her. "It had to happen because you and I are meant to be together. You can't mess with fate." He gave her a quick kiss before he stood up. "I don't know about you, but I've got a rehearsal dinner to get ready for."

Winter 2016

She paced the floor, phone in hand. Joey was many things, but he was never late. She had spoken with him earlier in the day. He knew she was preparing his favorite dinner. He promised he'd be home early, especially because of the winter weather warnings that were popping up all over the county. He wasn't home and he wasn't answering his phone. She was worried.

She glanced out the window at the snow covered driveway. "He's just running late," she whispered aloud, in a desperate attempt to keep calm. Maybe there was a last minute story that had to make the papers. Maybe something to do with the weather—that made sense. Kelly forced herself to sit down on the sofa. Pacing the floors wasn't doing anything other than wearing ruts in the hardwood floor.

She looked over at the mantle. Framed snapshots stared back at her. The moments of their lives that she wanted to freeze—there was one of their wedding. She didn't know she could be that happy. The next picture was at the birth of their daughter, Dorie. They had tried for years and had almost given up entirely when Dorie was conceived. The nearly six year old was now the light of their lives. Kelly straightened the last picture, the family portrait that had been taken that Thanksgiving. Somehow it had worked out so that everyone could be together. Kevin, Zane, Kelly Dorie, and Joey were all gathered around the table—like a family. Her hands shook as she carefully placed the photo back in its rightful spot. He had to be ok. He was a part of this family.

Hearing his key in the door, she sighed heavily.

"Sorry I'm la..." His voice was cut off as she threw herself into his arms.

"I'm so glad you're here. I was so worried about you. You weren't here and you wouldn't answer your phone and I was just imagining you in a ditch or something..."

Joey softly stroked her hair. "Shhh...it's ok. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I just had to scrape the window a couple of times on the way home. It's really coming down out there. Don't worry. I'll always come home to you. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

Spring 2026

Joey's Room

"You're doing very well, Mr. Buchanan," the doctor explained, making quick notes on his charts as he spoke to him. "Considering the severity of the accident, both you and your wife are very lucky to be alive."

"When can I see her?" Joey asked, not even slightly concerned about his own condition. "I need to be with her. She's got to be wondering where I am."

"Mr. Buchanan. Your wife's injuries were very severe. There was severe brain swelling. Do you understand what that means?"

Joey nodded. He'd heard all of their medical jargon. Brain swelling. Permanent damage. Loss of cognitive function. Vegetative state. None of it mattered to him. The only thing that mattered to him was that Kelly was alone. He wasn't with her. He needed to be with her. "I need to be with her," he said again, with more force. "She'll respond to me."

The doctor's eyes softened slightly. "Mr. Buchanan," he said softly, "I want you to understand, with the injuries your wife has sustained, she's not capable of responding to anyone..or anything. I hate to have to say this to you. I know how badly you need to hold on to some kind of hope here, but the truth is...your wife will likely not improve beyond her current state."

Joey looked away. "I don't believe that. You don't know her. You don't know us...our connection. I can get through to her. I know I can. Please...let me see her."

The doctor nodded towards the nurse, "Can you get Mr. Buchanan a chair, please? He'd like to see his wife."

"Thank you," Joey said softly.

The doctor placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Please understand that you can't expect her to respond to you. She's there physically, but..."

Joey shook his head. "You'll see," he said, looking away.

The doctor stood, nodded, and walked from the room.

Kelly's Room

"I'll give you some time," the nurse said softly, as she pushed Joey up to the side of the bed and placed the brakes on the chair. "Just press the button when you're ready."

Joey nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. He'd known she was injured, but he never expected this. Her face was covered with scrapes and cut. Her arms and shoulders were bruised. Tubes came from everywhere. The machines made unsettling noises as they flashed their numbers, all of which meant little to him. Kelly looked so small, so helpless lying there.

He carefully reached up, softly touching her face.

"I'm sorry I haven't been in to see you," he said, feeling the lump rising in his throat. "They wouldn't let me out of bed. They claimed I needed to rest. They didn't know I couldn't rest without you. I never did learn how to sleep without you."

He stared at her, waiting for some sort of sign. He'd heard the doctor's words and he understood that her injuries were severe, but somehow he'd expected her to respond to him. He truly expected to come in, touch her and have her come back. Where was she? What was happening to her? Was she truly lost to him forever?

He watched as the machine beside her forced another breath into her body. He turned away. She wouldn't want this. She had too much life—too much spunk. This wasn't Kelly. He took a breath, and took her hand.

"Listen, Kel. You know I love you. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything...and Dorie loves you. You're our whole world, but I want you to know that if you can't come back...if it's too hard and you need to rest. It's ok. I'll take care of Dorie. I'll tell her all about you and how much we wanted her...how much we loved her and each other."

He stopped for a moment to collect his thoughts. Was he doing the right thing? Giving her permission to give up...to die? Was he pushing her over the edge? Should he be begging her to fight..to hold on...to stay with him?

"I don't want you to go," he whispered. "God knows I'll miss you. My life will never be the same, but I couldn't stand the thought of you staying because you thought I couldn't handle it if you left. If you need to go now, it's ok. I understand."

He watched her closely...his hands shaking a bit, holding his breath as he watched the monitors, fearing they might alarm at any moment. Nothing.

He laid his head on the bed beside hers so that he could whisper in her ear. "I'm right here, Kel. There's nowhere else I want to be."

At first he thought he imagined it...simply wanted it so badly that he dreamed it into being, but as he heard the soft moan again, he was certain it was true. He pulled away and looked at Kelly's open eyes.

"Kelly," he said, tears prickling at his eyes. "Did you hear what I said? Is that why you came back?"

Kelly smiled weakly. The tube in her throat prevented her from speaking though she tried.

"Hang on," Joey said, leaning back and grabbing a piece of paper. "What are you trying to say?"

He smiled as he saw the words she wrote. The handwriting wasn't perfect, but the message was clear... You can't mess with fate.

The End