Star crossed lovers find happiness at long last... but will it last?
Love Made Over
Part 4
Cast of Characters:
Wendell Davis Anders
Gwendolyn Rene Jacobs
Marylinn (fellow waitress at the diner where Gwen works)
Doctor Cassidy
Life is full of twists and unexpected turns of events. Often, they are not welcomed or even wanted, but sometimes they are truly amazing… Such are second chances… An opportunity to set wrongs right, to make amends and to experience happiness and joy. For Wendell and Gwen, it might be life changing.
“So, tell me, what’s married life like?” Marylinn asked dreamily as she leaned against Gwen at the counter as the two were refilling salt and pepper shakers during a lull in the afternoon.
Both were watching the clock for pretty much the same reason. It was getting close to time for Gwen to end her shift and for Wendell to pick her up. Gwen had cut back on her hours but still worked four or five days a week to help out at the diner, usually on days that Wendell was working on the base or busy in his home office. It wasn’t that Gwen was bored at home, but she did miss the interactions with her regular customers, and she had been working for the biggest part of her life, so she only felt right when she kept busy. Even if it was just a few hours a day, and she felt like she was contributing. Wendell wouldn’t mind if she stayed at home every day, but he wouldn’t take away her pride and sense of self. He did, however, insist on at least picking her up at work after she got off shift.
“I still think I’m dreaming, Marylinn. I never knew I could possibly be so happy.” Gwen waxed dreamily with that smile that told everyone that she was as content as she was happy.
“Girl, I am so jealous. I remember what it was like after my Dave and I first got married. Seems like that was forever ago now though.” Marylinn said with a smile.
Gwen had told Marylinn all about the whirlwind romance and wedding plans and the wedding itself weeks ago of course. How Wendell had invited his parents, his brother and sister and their families, a couple of his Army buddies and even a few of their friends from high school attended. Gwen felt both overwhelmed and blessed that Wendell’s family all treated her like family and were truly happy for the two of them.
The day of the wedding, after the ceremony. Wendell made it a point to stop by the cemetery so that he and Gwen could visit her mother’s grave. They left a wedding bouquet on her marker stone. Some might have thought that was odd, but Wendell knew that it meant the world to his new bride. Kind of her (and him) letting her mom know that she had turned out okay. That she would be happy now.
They had honeymooned in a small Chalet in Gatlinburg Tennessee. The trip to the Smokey mountains had been a first for Gwen. Seeing black bears up close and personal was thrilling but not something she would want to do again. They had made love every day and night, often several times a day. They were both exhausted when they finally returned home to begin their new lives as husband and wife. Wendell’s consulting business kicked off soon after. Gwen went back to work at the diner, on her reduced hours of course, but it was good to be busy.
“Did I tell you that Wen’s mom and dad invited us down to Florida for Christmas?” Gwen asked distractedly as she scanned out the windows of the diner looking for her husband.
“Christmas in Florida?” Marylinn asked incredulously.
“Yeah, I thought it was nice of them, but I was kind of looking forward to Christmas at our house this year anyway.” Gwen said with a soft smile.
“Oh? Special plans?” Marylinn asked with a grin.
“Maybe…” Gwen answered and blushed a little bit before giggling.
“My, my, my… I wish I were younger again.” Marylinn sighed and smiled… then perked up and elbowed Gwen to get her attention.
Gwen looked up and saw Wen’s Jeep pull into the parking lot. Even now, she felt her pulse quicken and her heart did that little fluttery beat. Her man was here… to collect her. Glancing at the clock, Gwen grinned even bigger if that was possible, she wiped her hands on a bar towel and then reached behind her to undo the ties of her apron. Marylinn grabbed the strings and pulled the apron over Gwen’s head and shooed her towards the end of the counter to go around and meet her man at the door. Gwen stopped and leaned in to kiss Marylinn on the cheek before grabbing her purse and skipping off towards the door.
Wendell didn’t even make it to the door of the diner. Gwen all but exploded out of the door and into his arms. He caught her in mid-leap and spun her around, her feet in the air and her voice trilling a giggle of excitement. When he stopped twirling her, her feet set back onto the ground, and he leaned down to kiss her. Inside, still leaning on the counter watching the show, Marylinn sighed and shook her head in amusement.
“Hi gorgeous.” Wendell spoke after Gwen pulled back from her enthusiastic kiss.
“Hi handsome.” Gwen responded.
“Wanna go somewhere for dinner?” Wendell asked with a grin, “I know this great little diner… with a good-lookin’ little gal who works as a waitress there…”
“Actually, yeah I do wanna go somewhere for dinner.” Gwen said matter of factly.
“Do tell.” Wendell responded.
“I want you to take me home! Maybe whip up some eggs and toast or even some bacon… after you take me to bed and screw me silly.” Gwen said with a giggle.
“Oh man! How could I resist an offer like that? Eggs, toast AND bacon?” He said with a cheesy grin.
Gwen rolled her eyes and swatted him on the shoulder but grinned mischievously. Wendell offered her his arm and she slipped hers into it and they turned and walked back to his jeep.
Later that evening, after actually having eggs and toast and bacon… they sat at the table sipping some coffee. Gwen was entertaining Wendell with anecdotes of some of her regular customers at the diner, Wendell told her of little events on the base and how working as a civilian contractor was so very different from when he was still in the service. He particularly liked that now he didn’t feel the least bit pressured or beholding to officious assholes who simply wanted to pull rank or strut. He could call their bluff and put them in their place… point out that stupid is stupid despite their rank. Gwen laughed at that but winced momentarily. Wendell almost missed it, but Gwen brushed away his concerns saying it was just indigestion maybe.
They had just decided to clean up after dinner when the phone rang. Wendell answered it and excused himself to take the call in his office, it was a work matter from the base. Gwen shooed him off and cleaned up herself. With the dishes in the dishwasher and the food put away, Gwen went to their bedroom and pulled out her diary. It was nearly the size of a phone book, with years and years of entries and notes and letters to someone that she only met once.
She was writing down her entry for the evening when Wendell appeared in the doorway and stood there watching her. She blushed and looked up closing her book with a sigh. Her smile was both bright and still somewhat saddened. This puzzled Wendell and he moved to the bed to sit on the edge beside her and take her hand.
“What’s wrong beautiful?”
“Nothing. Just jotting down some thoughts of the day.” Gwen responded with a shrug, one hand running slowly over the cover of the diary as her thoughts were filled with decades of entries that were enclosed within.
“I remember you used to keep a diary when we were kids, but I don’t remember it being that big.” Wendell said as he placed a hand on top of Gwen’s.
“Yeah, well… I got tired of putting everything in flimsy little notebooks. I found this right after we graduated high school, at a thrift store. I thought it would be perfect for keeping a journal.” Gwen said with a thoughtful look, her eyes still on the book.”
“Penny for your thoughts.” Wendell said softly.
“I don’t know… just…” Gwen looked up into Wendell’s eyes and he saw an unspoken sadness there that almost took his breath away. “It’s just that sometimes I wonder what she might have turned out like…” Gwen’s bottom lip trembled slightly.
Wendell leaned closer and brought his hands to her shoulders and pulled Gwen into a warm embrace, her head going to his shoulder as she began to weep silently. This wasn’t the first time he sensed an inner struggle in Gwen, concerning her one and only child that she had to give up for adoption so very long ago. He knew that it weighed heavily on her heart, the wondering and imagining.
“I wish I could tell you babe… but I know one thing, if she inherited even one ounce of your heart and strength, she would be awesome and of course, beautiful.” Wendell spoke softly into her ear, one hand stroking her back gently.
“I’d like to know though. I can’t help but to wonder.” She said in a muffled voice into his shoulder. “I keep hoping someday, maybe, she might look for me. I’ve kept my journal, my diary, as much for her as for myself. I wanted her to know that even though I had to give her up, I have always loved her. Sometimes the entries are as much letters to her as they are just chronicling my day-to-day life.”
“Wow! I would never have thought of something like that. That’s very thoughtful… and special.” Wendell admitted and kissed the top of Gwen’s head.
Gwen turned her head and looked into Wendell’s eyes for a long moment. She smiled that sad smile again but then her eyes took on a more determined look.
“Wen… I want her to have this journal. If ever she does look for me and finds me, no matter what else happens, I want her to have this. I want her to know… know me…” Gwen spoke, her bottom lip trembling again but her eyes had that determined glint that let him know she was serious.
When Wendell nodded in understanding, her eyes softened, and she brought her lips to his. It was a soft gentle kiss, one full of thanks and gratitude for his understanding. Wendell melted into the kiss, and they began rocking gently in each other’s arms, relishing the closeness and love shared. After a while Gwen pulled back and wiped her eyes and smiled.
“Let me get up. I have to go pee then I’m going to get dressed for bed.” She said with a smirk.
“Go ahead, I’ll change and get ready for bed too. I have an early day tomorrow. Someone made a mess of the project we are working on at the base. I’m just glad I don’t have to answer to brass for it now. I’ll get it straightened out and squared away though.” Wendell said, standing and offering his hand to his wife to assist her off the bed.
“I have no doubt that you will get it fixed.” Gwen said. “Call the diner if you’re going to be a little late tomorrow… I can walk home and fix dinner for us.” She added as she stepped through the door to go to the bathroom.
“I will. It shouldn’t be that late though. I hope.”
“Gwen! It’s your man… he wanted to talk to you on the phone.” Marylinn told Gwen as she came around the counter with another carafe of coffee for the customers in the dining room.
Gwen glanced up at the clock and sighed, then excused herself from a customer at the counter saying she’d be right back. She picked up the phone at the end of the counter and stepped around the corner for a little privacy.
“Hi babe” she said into the phone.
“Hi gorgeous… Um… I think I’m going to be just a little bit longer yet. We’ve about got it licked but I wanted to make doubly sure before I signed off on it. I hope you will forgive me.” Wendell said on the other end of the phone line.
“Oh… I might forgive you… maybe.” She said playfully and laughed softly. “It’s okay Wen, I’ve walked home many, many times. The exercise will do me some good. I’ll have dinner ready for you when you get home. I love you babe!”
“I love you too… See you a little later Gwen.” Wendell said with a smile in his voice.
With a smile and a sigh, Gwen came back around the corner and hung up the phone. She took a moment to straighten her apron and then started towards the counter to resume waiting on the customer she left a minute ago. Three steps and she nearly doubled over from a searing pain in her gut. It took her breath away and she staggered to catch herself on the edge of the counter for support. Marylinn witnessed it and was at her side in a flash
“Gwen? Are you okay girl? You’re as pale as a ghost.” She asked with concern in her eyes.
“I… I don’t know. I just felt a pain and nearly fell down.” Gwen said with some confusion and worry in her voice.
“Why don’t you just sit down and take a minute. I’ll cover the customers.” Marylinn said still looking worriedly at Gwen’s face.
Gwen did have a seat in the booth at the end of the counter. The pain had gone away but her hands were still shaking, and her heart was racing. She knew something was wrong. She didn’t know what it was, but something was definitely wrong. Gwen sat there for almost half an hour before she felt steady enough to go back to work.
Marylinn practically hovered over her until the end of Gwen’s shift. Gwen didn’t have any more spells or pains, but she was paying very close attention now to how she was feeling. When the time came, she bid Marylinn good night and left the diner to begin her walk home. Yeah, the walk from the diner to their house was considerably longer than the one she used to make to her rented apartment for so many years, but not too difficult. She got home just under an hour after leaving the diner.
Gwen changed her clothes after reaching home, then began making dinner. It was pasta tonight, with ziti and marinara sauce with toasted garlic bread and a salad. Filling but not too heavy. She had just pulled the bread out of the oven when Wendell walked through the kitchen door from the deck. He didn’t even wait for her to set the pan on the counter before he wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck.
“Perfect timing.” Gwen said with a giggle, relishing his affections and the feeling of him wrapping her up so warmly.
“Smells good…. So does the food.” Wendell said playfully again kissing her neck and squeezing her close to him.
Gwen moaned softly and smiled, turning in his arms to bring her own arms up and around his neck to pull him down into a steamy kiss. This had Wendell sighing and emitting a soft moan himself. They kissed for a moment or two longer before she pushed him away playfully.
“Go get washed up while I set the food on the table.” Gwen said and swatted him on his hip to get him moving.
“Yes ma’am.” Wen said with a smile and headed down the hall to the bathroom to wash his face and hands.
Gwen smiled as she watched him walk down the hall, then turned and moved the food to the table. Setting the plates down she was again struck by an agonizingly sharp pain in her abdomen causing her to gasp and bend over double, nearly falling to her knees beside the table. Gripping the edge of the table with one hand and her stomach with the other she reeled for a moment before the pain began to ebb. Not trusting herself to walk, she sat in her chair and tried to understand what was causing this pain. She knew that she needed to see a doctor to be checked out, but she didn’t want to worry Wendell just yet, maybe it was just really bad menstrual cramps. Gwen had heard that some women experienced really bad cramps just prior to their periods, but she had never been one to suffer from cramping. At least, not like this.
She was still feeling a little shaky but otherwise okay by the time Wendell re-entered the kitchen. He bent down to kiss her on her cheek before taking his own seat at the table. It was then that he noticed that Gwen was looking a little pale and… maybe a little worried.
“Babe? Are you okay? You look a little pale.” Wendell said, his napkin halfway to his lap as he paused to ask her.
“I’m fine, I think I’m having some menstrual cramps. Just a little uncomfortable.” Gwen said, avoiding looking Wendell in the eyes.
“Okay, if you’re sure.” Wendell responded not sounding entirely believing.
Wendell offered her his hand and then bowed their heads and said grace. Gwen’s hand in his squeezed gently as if reassuring him. They then began to eat. Wendell telling her of the fiasco that he had to deal with this morning and taking all day to correct. Apparently a newly stamped Lieutenant invoked rank on the team of enlisted men already working on the project and made changes of his own. Of course they didn’t work, hence the botched rebuild and the emergency call to Wendell for guidance and rebuild. It seems that the new Lieutenant got reassigned by the end of the day.
Gwen didn’t really have much to talk about her day at work, pretty usual and uneventful. She did mention that she was going to set up an appointment with her doctor tomorrow, to get in to see him sometime this week. Again, Wendell paused and studied Gwen who was avoiding his gaze, focusing on her meal instead. He couldn’t help but think that there was more going on but would leave it for her to share when she was ready. Still though, it didn’t sit well with him for some reason.
Dinner was over, and they both cleaned up, and loaded the dishwasher before again attending to their after-dinner routine. Paperwork for Wendell and getting ready for bed and making a journal entry for Gwen. Wendell had just got into the shower as Gwen was clicking off her pen and closing her journal. She looked down at the volume and ran her hand lovingly across its cover as if blessing it or saying a prayer for the one she had been keeping it for all these years. If only she could send her love and hopes in another way other than just her words.
Tonight’s entry told her of the pains that she had recently begun having and that she was worried about it being a premature change of life. She thought she was far too young yet to be entering menopause, and the fact that she was still having periods made her think that there were other things going on in her body. Only time and medical attention would tell for certain though. She also mentioned for maybe the thousandth time, or maybe ten thousandth time, how wonderful and loving that Wendell was. How lucky she was to have him back in her life again. If only she could have given him a child, life would be perfect… or to have her one and only child to reconnect with her, with them… A single tear broke free and ran down her cheek before She wiped it away and stood up to put the journal away and join Wendell in the shower.
Wendell was not surprised when the sliding glass door of the shower slid open, and a cool draft blew across his body as he was rinsing the shampoo from his hair. He felt the warm soft hands of his lover, glide across his back and wrap around his waist to hug him tightly.
“Mmmmm… Hi there.” Wendell half moaned and half spoke.
“Hi babe. Mind if I join you?” Gwen said in a purring voice that promised so much more than just company in the shower.
“Don’t mind at all babe. I love your company, anytime, anywhere.” Wendell replied turning with his hands and arms still over his head, to come face to face… or perhaps face to chest, as Gwen was just a bit shorter than he.
Tilting her head up to look into his smiling face, she turned her head just slightly so that their noses brushed alongside one another as their lips met. Wendell felt Gwen’s hands slide down his back and onto his ass before they gently but firmly gripped them and squeezed. He lowered his arms down encompassing her shoulders, his hands splayed on her back before splitting directions. One hand drifting down to her own gorgeous little rump and the other sliding up the back of her neck to gently cradle the back of her head as they continued to kiss and duel with their tongues.
Gwen moaned and felt herself melting into Wendell’s embrace and his kiss. Then she giggled when she felt his manhood coming to attention like a soldier, between them. She simply heated up her own kiss and gripped his ass cheeks all the more firmly as she ground herself against his torso and his very happy soldier. Wendell let out a low growling moan as well. God! What was it with this woman that such a simple thing like a kiss in the shower could turn so hot so fast?
“I guess you are happy to have me join you in the shower.” Gwen stated as they broke the kiss for a few gasping breaths, her smile couldn’t have been wider or brighter.
“Always happy to see you and have your company…” Wendell began but was interrupted by his own moan as Gwen’s hand found its way between them and grasped that hardened staff standing at attention.
Gripping it in her smaller hand, as best she could. She encircled the head and rubbed it with her palm several times before stroking downward along the shaft, all the way to the root before reversing and tugging her hand back to the head. What to do? What to do? So many ideas sprang into Wendell’s mind, but his body took over for his thinking mind and simply slipped both of his hands down to Gwen’s backside and gripped firmly and lifted her off her feet.
Gwen squealed delightedly as her feet left the floor of the shower and she wrapped her legs around Wendell’s waist. She felt his hard shaft slide between their wet bodies, and she let go with her hand to wrap both of them around his neck. When Wendell had lifted her high enough, he half turned and pressed Gwen’s back to the wall of the shower and his body into hers. His hard cock now was lined up almost perfectly with her wanton and waiting sexy labial lips. The head pressing against her very wet and willing entrance even as the hot water from the shower ran down their bodies and over his balls.
With a long low moan of intense pleasure and happiness, Gwen rocked her hips slightly as Wendell’s cock slid home. Yes, that’s what it was… home. That’s where it was meant to be. This thought made her smile even brighter just before their lips reconnected once more. It was not a hurried or in any way frenetic coupling. They were neither in a hurry or impatient, this was a slow sensual if very wet making love. Slowly in and out Wendell ground and pumped his cock as deeply as was possible. Gwen rocked and angled her hips to further the enjoyment of them both. Both professed their love for one another over and over again between gasping breaths and fervent passionate kisses.
Unhurried or not, eventually both had built up to the point that passion surpassed their restraint, and the pace quickened just before they enjoyed a simultaneous orgasm. Gwen trembled in his arms as Wendell still had her pressed firmly against the wall. Her legs and arms shaking and trembling with her climax, as well as his own legs trembling and shaking almost to the point of collapse with his own climax.
When they could finally breathe again, they shared one more long passionate sensual tongue dueling kiss before they parted. Wendell gently easing Gwen back to her feet even as he nipped at and nibbled and kissed her neck and throat while his hands slid up her sides to hold her under her arms. Gwen brought her hands to the sides of Wendell’s face and held him still for a moment as she looked deeply into his eyes.
“God, I love you!” She said with a touch of awe in her voice.
“I hope you understand that I love you just as much, or maybe even more.” Wendell said solemnly, a soft smile on his face before he leaned in and gently kissed her lips chastely.
Gwen’s only response this time was that smile that melted Wendell’s heart. In an unspoken agreement, they turned the water off and exited the shower. Both toweled and patted dry the other, still smiling all the while. When dried sufficiently, they moved to the bedroom and climbed into bed. They snuggled close, still naked, under the covers, Gwen spooning into Wendell, Wendell’s arm over Gwen’s waist and his arm tucked between hers, nestled and held closely between her breasts. It was like that they both drifted off to sleep.
The next day dawned clear and warm. The air was full of birds singing and of course music from the sound system. It would seem that Gwen loved the sound of music in the mornings, and Wendell often found her dancing to the music as she prepared breakfast for the two of them. He would just lean against the door jamb leading into the kitchen and watch her without her knowing it. Wendell loved to watch her move, especially dancing when she didn’t think anyone was watching her.
This morning was one of those days, where she was lost in her own little world, dancing and swaying as she made breakfast. The joy and happiness radiating from her was palpable. She did usually notice him standing there after a few moments though, and she would blush and smile, then stick out her tongue before giggling and resuming her dancing and meal preparation. Of course, that was Wendell’s cue to slide up behind her and wrap her in his arms from behind and nuzzle her neck with a good morning kiss.
Wendell offered, as usual, to drive Gwen to the diner on his way to work at the base. This morning, she declined, as it was such a beautiful day, she said the exercise would be good for her. So, with breakfast finished and dishes loaded into the dishwasher, Wendell gave Gwen a kiss goodbye and headed out the door on his way to work. Gwen soon followed, locking the door behind her before beginning her walk to the diner.
About halfway to the diner, she nearly doubled over once more from a searing tearing pain in her abdomen. Gwen staggered and fell to her knees on the sidewalk clinging to a lamp post with one hand on her way down. Such pain, it took her breath away and made her want to puke up her breakfast, how she kept it down she didn’t know. The pain, like it had in the past, soon passed and she could breathe again. Climbing slowly to her feet, still shaky, she resumed her walk to the diner, but now she knew that there was something dreadfully wrong. Gwen knew she needed to see a doctor to find out what was going on, and soon.
It was just after the lunch rush began at the diner when the next pain struck. Gwen was carrying a tray loaded with a customer’s food at the time and she doubled over. The food and plates all crashing to the floor. Unlike before, however, the pain did not abate quickly. Curled nearly into a fetal position, writhing on the floor, Gwen passed out.
When Gwen awoke, she was disoriented and confused. She was no longer at the diner. She did find that someone was holding her hand and trying to explain something to her, it was a nurse. She learned that she was in the hospital. Gwen had been rushed to the hospital by ambulance after she had collapsed at work. A doctor would be in shortly to speak with her. Gwen hung on tightly to the nurse’s hand and asked her if anyone had contacted her husband. The nurse said that she didn’t know about that, but she would try if Gwen wanted her to do so. She did, but before the nurse could leave the room, a very worried and pale Wendell burst into the room.
“Gwen!” Wendell exclaimed as he rushed to the bedside and grasped her hand that the nurse had just released as she moved aside to make room for him.
“Oh Wen… I… I don’t know what happened.” Gwen stammered, still pale and still very scared.
“According to what we know, she passed out at work and an ambulance was called to bring her to the hospital. As I was just telling her, a doctor will be in shortly to talk to her. I’ll be just outside at my station if you need anything.” The nurse said as much to Wendell as to Gwen. With that she exited the room.
“Baby, are you okay? What happened. Marylinn only left word for me that you had been brought to the hospital.” Wen said as he sat in the chair next to the bed, still holding possessively onto Gwen’s hand and she clutching his as if it were a lifeline.
“I don’t know Wen. All I know is that I was working, and I was hit by a sudden intense pain in my stomach and then I woke up here… Only…” Gwen sighed and looked away nervously before continuing. “I’ve had a few pains… like that… over the past week or so. I thought they were just really bad menstrual cramps and that they would go away. Oh Wen, I’m scared now.” Gwen admitted with a shaky voice and a pleading look in her eyes as she looked up into Wendell’s face.
“Maybe the doctor can shed some light on it then… Surely there’s a simple explanation for it. We’ll get you fixed up in no time babe. It’ll be okay.” Wendell assured his wife, but wished he could assure himself as well. He was worried much more than he was letting on.
It was almost an hour later before a doctor came in to see Gwen and have a conversation with her and Wendell. According to him they had to do some more tests other than just the blood and toxin screenings they did initially. He wanted Gwen to stay overnight at the hospital so that she could be kept under observation. When pressed for an idea or some possible diagnosis, the doctor was reluctant to give any until after running the tests he had ordered, a cat-scan, MRI, and x-rays. Meanwhile Gwen would remain hooked up to the monitors and under the watchful eyes of the hospital staff and nurses. Wendell was told he could remain until visiting hours were over but then encouraged to go home and rest, Gwen would be well taken care of here.
Neither Gwen nor Wendell was very enthusiastic about being separated, if even for just the night. It was just a few minutes before visiting hours were to end that a couple of orderlies and a nurse came to collect Gwen and wheel her away to begin a cat-scan, to be followed by x-rays and an MRI as well. At least the tests were being made that evening and not waiting till the next day. Holding hands, Wendell kissed Gwen goodbye and promised to be by her side first thing in the morning.
Wendell didn’t sleep a wink that night. The house, that had felt so much like home and a comforting place once again with Gwen living with him as his wife, felt… alien… lonely and cold. He had made phone calls to his mom and dad and one to Marylinn to let them all know what they knew at this point. All wished him and Gwen well, and asked if there was anything they could do to help. Wendell thanked them but told them no, not at this time. He’d keep in touch with them and let them know of course. Later he tossed and turned all night. So, with the first glow of dawn on the horizon, Wendell was up and showering before getting dressed to drive back to the hospital.
Like Wen, Gwen didn’t sleep a wink that night either. The tests that were run on her took about four hours the night before, but no results were shared with her. Not knowing was as bad as not being with her beloved. She felt so small and alone and vulnerable laying in that hospital bed attached to monitors and what not. She was overwhelmed with relief when Wendell appeared in her doorway with a handful of flowers and a smile, even if a worried smile, on his face.
“Good morning beautiful.” Wendell greeted her.
“Hello handsome.” Gwen responded with a smile, holding her hand out to him to sit next to her.
Gwen smiled at the handful of daisies in a coffee mug that Wendell was holding. He held it close to her face for her to smell them then set them on the little table beside her bed before sitting down next to her and taking her hand in both of his. Well… he started to sit. Gwen cleared her throat and gave him an arched single eyebrow with a questioning look on her face. Wendell chuckled and smiled then leaned down and kissed her lips sweetly. She smiled and the joy in her eyes was like the sun rising on the horizon.
“That’s better.” Gwen muttered with a grin.
“Sorry babe, I lost my mind. I’ll do better.” Wendell responded with a smirk of his own, but the love in his eyes made Gwen want to tear up, she nearly gasped.
Wendell studied the wires and hoses connected to his beloved. A single IV bag hung from a hook by the bed, a slow steady drip of whatever fluid was in it made its way through the line into a needle secured into the back of her wrist.
“No word yet on the test I presume.” Wendell stated more than asked.
“Not a word. I hope that’s good news though.” Gwen said in a voice that told Wendell that she was trying very hard to be brave, but that she was still very scared.
At that moment the nurse from the night before walked in carrying a clipboard. She said good morning and then checked the readings on several of the monitors and the IV bag… marking things off on her clipboard before finally stopping a moment to talk with them.
“Has Doctor Wainwright been in to see you yet?” The nurse asked.
“No, only my husband Wendell and now you.” Gwen replied.
The nurse looked at her watch and frowned. Wendell didn’t miss the shadow that crossed her face momentarily before returning to a smile to put Gwen and he at ease. She then said that she’d go see what’s keeping him and would check back again a little later. With that the nurse left the room to continue her rounds, on to the next patient under her care.
“I’m sure the doctor is just running a little late, maybe something came up with another patient.” Wendell said reassuringly to Gwen as he stroked her hand with one of his.
It was an hour later when they heard a polite knock on the door before a doctor entered carrying a clipboard and Gwen’s chart. He was flipping through several pages of notes as he approached her bed on Wendell’s side. Frowning slightly as he closed his notes before facing them both and smiling. The smile was rather sad, and it didn’t reach his eyes. Wendell suddenly had a very bad feeling in his gut, he knew Gwen did as well as her hand clamped down on his own as if seeking an anchor.
“Good morning. I am Doctor Cassidy, oncologist.” He extended his hand to Wendell to shake. “You are her husband?” the doctor spoke more as a statement than a question before focusing on Gwen. “How are you feeling this morning Mrs. Anders?”
“I feel kind of loopy actually, I think it’s whatever medicines they’ve been putting in me… and I feel… nervous.” Gwen responded meekly.
“Yes, well, that is a mild sedative to ease your pain.” The doctor began.
“But I’m not in any pain…” Gwen responded.
The doctor smiled knowingly and raised one eyebrow before continuing. “Then I would think it’s working as it’s supposed to. Other than feeling a little… “loopy” … Anything else out of the ordinary?” He asked.
Gwen looked at Wendell, then averted her eyes and swallowed. Her hand again clamping down on Wendell’s seeking to anchor herself. Her eyes looked back up at the doctor and then began to speak again.
“These pains… I’ve had them for a couple of years, but I always thought they were just menstrual cramps. Recently though they’ve become much worse. Is there… is there something wrong with me?” She asked with a timid frightened sounding voice. Your answers may clarify some of my suspicions.” The doctor spoke softly, glancing at Wendell then back to Gwen.
Gwen didn’t miss the look, and she too looked at Wendell a little puzzled by the doctor’s tone and words.
“I suspected you may have had some pain and discomfort for some time. First, may I ask you some very personal questions?
“What kind of questions?” She asked
“You might wish to hear them and give your answers in… private.” The doctor added, shuffling silently and fidgeting with his clipboard.
“Doctor, Wendell is my husband, I have nothing to hide from him, no matter what questions you may have.” Gwen said, her tone taking on a more defiant note at the doctor’s unspoken connotations.
“Very well,” the doctor sighed and straightened before continuing. “Mrs. Anders…”
“Gwen, please.” Gwen interjected.
“Gwen…” the doctor smiled that sad smile again. “The MRI, the cat scan, and the x-rays all show a… mass… in the region of your ovaries and Fallopian tubes. There is significant scarring around your cervix and vaginal walls. Now at first glance it appears to be fibrous, like endometriosis. But the mass is so unusually spread that there were samples taken for biopsy.” He paused to allow both Gwen and Wendell to digest what he had spoken so far.
Gwen looked at him still uncomprehending fully what he was telling her. Wendell on the other hand, looked like he had been punched in the gut. His face was pale, and his eyes just shy of being panicked. Wendell knew that an oncologist dealt with cancer, the mention of a biopsy only cemented that fear in him. He swallowed a lump in his throat before trying to speak.
“A biopsy? Do you suspect she has cancer?” Wendell croaked out as steadily as he was able.
“It may be too soon to be certain, and that’s another reason I wanted to ask a few questions of Mrs. …Gwen.”
“Like what?” Gwen asked.
“Well… the scarring is indicative of trauma. Have you ever been pregnant, perhaps had a child? Also, and this is rather embarrassing… have you ever participated in any… unusual or unconventional sexual acts?” The doctor said as mildly as he could, but he still blushed slightly, nonetheless.
Wendell looked at Gwen, and she at him… biting her bottom lip that was beginning to tremble. She wanted to scream in anger and frustration and out of sadness but only nodded her head slightly to Wendell as she was having trouble finding her voice.
“Gwen was… raped… many years ago. She doesn’t remember exactly what happened or who by as she was drugged and unconscious. She was also pregnant as a result and though the baby was full term, it was given up for adoption. There were complications with the birth. As a result, she was no longer able to have another child. Could this have something to do with all of that?” Wendell asked.
“Hmmm… yes, that would explain some of the scarring. But I’m afraid that it might be more. I’ll be able to determine better when the biopsy results are in. For the time being though. I think you should remain here under observation for a day or so and let us manage the pain for you.” The doctor said sincerely. “If there’s anything you need, just let us know, the nurses will be in and out all day and of course they are at your call, just push that button on your bed.” The doctor said and made a note on his clipboard before extending his hand once more to shake, then left the room.
What the doctor had said about the biopsies finally sank in for Gwen. She turned even more pale and looked at Wendell pleadingly before speaking in a very scared little voice.
“Oh Wen! Do you think he meant I have cancer?”
Wendell felt his insides twist and turn but knew that he had to support his wife. Gwen needed him now more than ever before. He squeezed her hand gently and tried to speak in the calmest and most reassuring tone of voice he could manage.
“I don’t know Gwen. I think they are trying to cover all the bases. Looking for reasons for your pain and how to treat it. He did say that it was a chance it was just endometriosis. That’s basically just scar tissue… right? That can be surgically treated and even removed, I think. We will just have to wait till they know more and are certain. Try not to get too worked up and worried. It might be all for nothing.”
Wendell then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly before patting it with his free hand and squeezing it between them. Gwen smiled weakly and lay back on her pillow and closed her eyes. The knitted brows gave away her true thoughts though, she was worried… worried sick.