All My Tomorrows (26 page)

Jordan could hear a chuckle break out among the well-wishers.

Maggie punched her in the arm.

"You made me see that we are not alone in this universe, that our every waking moment impacts those around us, past present and future. Maggie, I vow to make you the center of my universe and to love you for all my tomorrows."

"Nicely said," the priest said. "Now, before I make the final proclamation, Jordan and Maggie asked me to extend an invitation to all of you to join them at the farm afterward for an old-fashioned country cookout."

After the announcement, the priest reached forward and removed the cords from their hands. "Now, without further ado, by the power granted to me by the great state of Vermont, I proclaimed Jordan Lewis and Maggie Downs, joined as one in the bond of matrimony. Ladies, you may kiss the bride."

Jordan tilted Maggie's chin up and placed a series of tender kisses on her lips, then took her into her arms and held her close for several seconds. "I will love you through all space and time," Jordan whispered again in her ear.

"Through all space and time," Maggie repeated.

* * *

"Goodbye, Jen and Dave. Thank you so much for coming," Maggie said to the final guests. She leaned against the door. "Wow, what a long day."

"You got that right," Jordan replied.

"We had a really nice turnout."

"You are well-known and respected in the community, Mags. I'm not really surprised at the number of people who came."

"I'm glad Chuck and Jessie came. I really like them."

Jordan took Maggie into her arms. "Well, like I said, I think Jessie has really bonded with you. It will be good for her to have another mother figure in her life. I'm sure she misses her own mom. I know I do, and I was in my twenties when my parents died," Jordan said.

"You never really stop needing your parents, I guess."

"I would hope not," Sharon said as she came through the kitchen door with Sam and Gina right behind her. "Sam, Gina and I just finished picking up the kitchen while your father cleaned up the grill."

"We can't thank you enough for all your help," Jordan said. "You've all been a godsend. The cookout ended up being a lot more work than I thought it would be."

"Your father loves to grill. He was in his glory out there today. Don't let him fool you," Sharon said.

"I heard that, Sharon," a voice boomed from the deck.

"We love you, Daddy," Maggie said, a grin splitting her face ear to ear.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Gary called out.

"We're going to hit the road," Gina said. "I'm sure you lovebirds don't need us hanging around for any longer than we need to," she joked.

"La, la, la, la," Sharon said as she put her fingers in her ears and escaped to the kitchen."

"I love your parents," Sam said.

"And they love you too," Maggie replied. "C'mere you," she said, hugging Sam close, and then Gina. "Seriously, we couldn't have pulled this off without your help. You two are the greatest besties a girl could ever have."

"Make that the greatest besties we could ever have," Jordan added as she hugged her friends and saw them to the door. "Come by for lunch tomorrow. We have tons of leftover food that needs to be eaten," she added as they climbed into Gina's truck.

Jordan closed the door and turned around to see Maggie opening some of the cards left behind by the guests. One in particular caught her eye as their names were written in the scrawl of a young person, including a heart in place of a dot over the small I in Maggie's name. Jordan lifted the flap and pulled out the card. "Congratulations on your wedding," she read before opening the card. "Holy shit," she said.

"What is it?" Maggie asked.

Jordan handed Maggie the check that was inside the card.

Maggie's eyes grew wide. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed.

"Listen to this,
Dear Jordan and Maggie, we would be honored if you would accept this gift to begin the renovations and upgrades necessary to open your riding school for handicapped children. We can not think of a better wedding gift for two such wonderful people. Always be happy, Chuck and Jessie Malone
."

"Jordan, we can't accept this. It's too much. It's $100,000. We can't possibly accept this," Maggie said.

Jordan took Maggie into her arms. "Sweetheart, Chuck Malone is a very wealthy man. Yes, this seems like a huge sum, and quite extravagant for a wedding gift, I might add, but compared to his net worth, this is a drop in the bucket. He wouldn't have done this if it wasn't important to him, and to Jessie."

Maggie looked into Jordan's face through misty eyes. "Jordan, didn't you say his foundation is named after Jessie?"

"Yes it is. The foundation is called the JEM Spinal Injury Research Association. JEM stands for Jessica Elizabeth Malone."

"Then we will accept this gift, on one condition, that we name our school after Jessie as well."

"That's a great idea." Jordan wrapped her arms around Maggie and nuzzled her neck. "Now, I recall someone saying to me that I looked good enough to eat. Just how hungry are you?"

Maggie released a throaty laugh. "I'm starved, but with Mom and Dad in the next room, I think we might be on a diet for a few days."

CHAPTER 30

Jordan climbed out of her car and crossed the parking lot to shake hands with Chuck.

"Thanks for coming, Jordan. I think you'll like the new facility."

"Wasn't this site owned at one point by a semiconductor manufacturer?" Jordan asked.

"Yes, it still is. WorldWide Mainframes, as a matter of fact. They consolidated their operations to the Essex Junction side of the river, making several buildings on the Williston side available for lease. I don't think it will take much to retrofit it for our use. There used to be a module test line in the facility so it's already equipped with the proper clean room configuration for our operating suite."

"Okay, let's take a look."

While they toured the facility, Jordan provided recommendations for the layout relative to designing, manufacturing and testing the new implant.

"I think this will work," Jordan said as the finished the tour. "When do we start renovations? I'd like to be on site when that happens."

"Now that you've approved the site, I'll hire an architect and general contractor and get the ball rolling. I'm guessing they'll have blueprints for us to approve in about two weeks."

Jordan nodded. "That should give me enough time to heal."

"Heal? Are you okay?" Chuck asked.

"Walk me back to my car and we'll talk along the way," Jordan said.

"Okay, let's go then."

"All right," Jordan said as they left the building. "First, speaking of semiconductor manufacturers, we will need the most advanced computer chip available on the market today. It will need to have a MIPS of at least 10 GHz."

"MIPS?" Chuck asked.

"It stands for millions of instructions per second. It's a measure of task performance speed. This device needs to be capable of extremely fast execution speeds to avoid a measurable disruption in signal. A disruption in signal could cause the person to move in a jerky manner instead of fluid motion."

"That makes sense," Chuck replied.

"Also, since the unit will be self-taught, we will need a logic chip capable of millions of computations per second and memory enough to recognize, compute and store repeating events. This chip will be the brain of the device and must have the ability to adapt, become self-aware and develop its own order of intelligence. I won't lie when I say I'm a bit worried about this part of the development."

"What do you mean?" Chuck asked.

"What I mean is that we will be trying to duplicate the device implanted in me using an approach and materials that are quite antiquated compared to how the original device was made. I suspect the physical size of the computer chip we'll be able to obtain will be larger and less powerful than the one in the current device. We may have to piggyback two or more chips to get the same result."

"Will that work?"

"In theory, yes, but I expect the overall implant may be larger than mine. It will all depend on the size and power of the chip… or chips as the case may be. We may have to commission the design of the chip to meet our needs and hope technology is advanced enough to build it."

"I will set up a meeting with WorldWide Mainframes and ask them to present their roadmap to us," Chuck said.

"That would be good. I can give them the specs that we'll need, although I suspect they'll think I'm crazy. I know what I need the chip to deliver. If they can't make that directly, then maybe they'll have ideas on how to achieve it with other configurations."

"Okay, so now tell me about this healing you need to do," Chuck said.

"Ah, yes, the healing. You see, Chuck, I don't have any documentation for this implant. I helped develop it, but I did not personally carry out each and every step of the development. To truly duplicate it, we may need to remove it from my spine and reverse engineer it."

"Are you sure about that, Jordan? If we remove the implant from you, won't you be paralyzed again?"

"I don't think so. Do you recall me saying my incision was so long because we not only needed to install the implant, but all of the trappings as well?"

"Yes, I remember that conversation," Chuck said.

"Well, the trappings are actually electrodes. You see, a series of electrodes are surgically implanted on each side of the injury site, along with both autologous and endogenous neural stem cells. Then, a continuous-wave electrical charge is applied to the electrodes. The electrical charge excites the stem cells and encourages them to adapt to their surroundings. They essentially develop into spinal nerve cells and grow toward one another from both sides of the injury until they create a synapse in close enough proximity to allow nerve impulses to pass from one neuron to the other. In short, the nerve growth weaves a bridge over the injury site and basically heals, or mends the break in the spinal cord while reestablishing the lines of communication between the nerve endings. Once that bridge is weaved and feelings are restored, in theory, the implant is no longer needed."

"There's that phrase again… in theory," Chuck said.

"Unfortunately, I am the one and only human test subject, so we won't really know if theory holds until we test it."

"Is there a way we can test whether you still need it without taking it out?"

"That's exactly what we're going to do. I'm afraid I will need your help with that as well."

"How can I help you?" Chuck asked.

"We need to find a surgeon we can trust, someone who will not leak the existence of this device to anyone. It is critical this remain a well guarded secret, for my own safety, and for the success of this project."

"You leave that to me," Chuck said. "I assume we want to do this as soon as possible?"

"In order for me to be ready to help with the renovations, yes, we need to do it as soon as possible."

* * *

Jordan finished dressing as she waited for Dr. Hoffman to return. She didn't have long to wait. Dr. Hoffman entered the room and went directly to the viewing screen. She snapped the films into position over the light panels and turned the back light on. She stood there for a long time, studying the films without saying a word to Jordan.

Finally, Jordan came up behind her. "I'm sure your eye is better trained than mine, but it looks to me like the span has been bridged," she said.

Dr. Hoffman turned around and looked Jordan directly in the eyes. "Who are you?" she asked.

Jordan instinctively knew what she was asking. "I'm Jordan Lewis," she replied.

"Don't play games with me, Ms. Lewis. What I see on this x-ray is physically impossible with today's medicine."

"Correction, it's physically impossible with today's knowledge."

"Let me ask the question again. Who are you?"

"I am a doctor and a research scientist, specializing in spinal cord injury regeneration techniques. What you see on those films is a complete spinal cord injury I sustained at the age of sixteen. The spider-like tentacles you see radiating over both sides of the injury site are electrodes. The box you see below the injury site is a combination spinal implant and self-charging battery pack. Upon installation, the device immediately restores mobility. Over time as the nerve endings bridge the injury, feeling is restored as well. I was one of the principle designers of the device and now I intend to apply what I have learned to further its development. Does that answer your question, Dr. Hoffman?"

"But science hasn't advanced far enough for this to be possible."

"I'm standing here beside you, Dr. Hoffman. It
is
possible."

"Why are you here Dr. Lewis? You obviously don't need my help."

"That's where you're wrong, Dr. Hoffman. I
do
need your help. As you can see, I have total mobility… and for the most part, tactile feeling has returned as well, but I need to know if it's the device providing that functionality, or if I am truly cured and no longer need the device."

"What exactly is it you want me to do?"

"I want you to temporarily disconnect the device from the electrodes. Depending on what happens, I may need you to either reconnect it, or remove it all together. I am hoping for the latter."

Dr. Hoffman stared at the x-rays again without speaking. After a time, she said, "Your Mr. Malone offered me a handsome price in exchange for helping you and for keeping my silence. I, however, want more."

"Such as?" Jordan asked.

"I want to be on the team."

* * *

"Baby, I'm worried about your surgery tomorrow," Maggie said as she snuggled into Jordan's side.

"We're only going to disconnect the device. It's just under the surface of the skin. I'll be in and out of there in less than a day. Please try not to worry."

"But what if something goes wrong? What if disconnecting it puts you back in a wheelchair?"

"If that happens, we'll simply reconnect it again." Jordan rolled over so she was lying partially on top of Maggie.

"Maggie, please don't cry," she said as she wiped the tears from Maggie's face. "It'll be fine. I promise."

"Do you trust her?"

"Do I trust who?"

"Dr. Hoffman."

"After meeting with her, I did a little research, and yes, she seems well qualified. She has a very good reputation as a neurosurgeon. More than that, though, she seems genuinely interested in the implant and in the project as a whole. I've decided to add her to the implant team. She'll play an integral role when we reach the testing stage."

Maggie traced the side of Jordan's face with her index finger. "I would want to die if anything happened to you," she whispered. "I have so many plans for our future together. Our whole lives are before us, love. Promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks."

Jordan kissed Maggie tenderly. "I promise."

She kissed her again, a little deeper this time. A surge of desire spread through Jordan's abdomen as she deepened the kiss yet again. She felt Maggie's arms circle her waist, pressing her hands into the small of her back and pushing her heated core into her own.

"Love me," Maggie said.

"My pleasure," Jordan replied as she placed a line of kisses across Maggie's jaw and down her neck. A spasm shot through Jordan's abdomen as she fought to control her own desire. "God, Maggie, what you do to me," Jordan rasped into Maggie's neck.

Maggie's head pressed into the pillow and her chest arched upward as Jordan devoured first one breast, and then the other. She grasped two handfuls of Jordan's hair and held her there as Jordan gently nibbled on the swollen nubs. "Jordan," Maggie whispered hoarsely. "Baby, I need you. Please."

Jordan moved slowly down Maggie's body, tasting her skin and placing kisses along the way. Finally, she reached the golden-red triangle of hair at the apex of Maggie's legs. She glanced up the expanse of Maggie's body and nearly climaxed from the look of passion on Maggie's face. She gently parted the curls and blew a stream of warm air across Maggie's heated core.

"Oh, God. Jordan. I need to feel you inside me. Please," Maggie begged.

Jordan ran her tongue in circles around Maggie's passion point before sucking it into her mouth and flicking her tongue across the engorged bud for several minutes. Maggie pressed her heated core toward Jordan's mouth in a silent plea for more.

"Jordan, please. I need you now."

Sensing Maggie was on the edge of climax, Jordan placed two fingers deep inside her, setting up a rhythm that Maggie fell into cadence with, until finally, she felt Maggie's muscles tighten around her fingers.

"Let it go, love. I want all of you," Jordan said.

A guttural scream escaped Maggie's lips as a wave of orgasmic spasms tore through her. Jordan could feel Maggie's body pulsing against her fingers as she strove to bring as much pleasure to Maggie as possible before the orgasm finally subsided and her body became still. Jordan removed her hand then crawled up the length of Maggie to gather her into her arms. "I love you, Maggie Downs. Through all space and time."

"I love you too, Jordan. You are my heart," Maggie said, fighting to keep her eyes open.

"Sleep, my love," Jordan said.

"No, I need to love you," Maggie said.

"I can wait. Now close your eyes and let me hold you while you sleep."

Try as she might, Maggie was unable to keep her eyes open as she fell asleep in Jordan's arms. Jordan, still heated from Maggie's own arousal, lay beside her, wide awake until finally, the desire subsided and she joined her in sleep.