The New Ever After (The New Ever After Series) (17 page)

Looking out towards the horizon, Heather could see clouds turning pink and that could only mean sunrise was approaching. For once Heather was happy to hear the birds. Sunrise would bring new hope and new opportunities to find Peter and Blue. It would also mean George would be up shortly. She felt like a terrible mother, but she didn't think she could handle taking care of them right now. They would need their regular morning routine of getting dressed, breakfast, bottles and playtime. Tom and Mary would help, but Heather knew they were exhausted too.

At lea
st it would warm up out there for Peter if he was still alive. Heather couldn't help remembering that movie she had watched a few weeks ago,
The Impossible
. If people survived things like tsunamis, surely Peter could survive this. He had to.

She watched Tom and Mary sitting on the couch together
. Their shoulders were next to each other, and they were holding hands. They were so calm. Heather could hardly stand it. But she knew they were holding it together for her. They had been together for over 40 years, and this had to have been one of the worst things that had ever happened to them.

There was a knock at the door and Tom stood up. Sgt. Sanders was back with another person.

"Any news?" asked Tom.

"No
. Just wanted to introduce you to Megan O'Reilly. She's going to stay at the house now and will give you any updates as they come in. She'll also get you anything you need. As soon as the sun comes up, we'll have more aircraft and boats out there looking. We're bound to know something today. We've mapped the area and created a search area based on the tides and time Mr. Adamson left. The media is out there in force. I suggest you all stay put unless you want pictures plastered everywhere you can imagine. We can have anything brought in if you need it."

"No problem. We have no intention of leaving unless you need us to," said Tom, the voice for the group.

The voices woke George up. Heather excused herself and went up to see if she could soothe him back to sleep. She walked in the room and rubbed his back. She put his binkie back in his mouth and covered him up with his blankie. He fell back to sleep easier than she had imagined. Maybe something was going to go right today.

Mary was on the phone with Janie when Heather went back downstairs
. Heather stopped on the stairs and listened to the conversation.

"She's ok
. She can't help but think about losing Hank, and that is making this so much worse."

"I know you want to be here
, but wait until we know something, please. Wait until at least we get some news today."

"I love you too."

Heather heard Mary sigh and sniffle as she hung up the phone. She waited on the steps for another minute to give Mary some privacy. Worrying in a group was difficult. Everyone worried about the other person's reactions. The sun was coming up and Heather wanted to go to the rocks and see what she could see. She started out the door and was stopped by the officer.

"I can't stop them from getting to you down there."

Heather stood and thought about it. Having news media around was worse than any of the Facebook mommy drama she had endured. She turned around and went back in, mad that this is what her life had come to.

"It's hard to get air around here
. Can't go anywhere," said Heather to no one in particular. Megan heard her and replied.

"I'm sorry, ma'am
. We're just trying to protect you. The news loves a sad story."

Heather looked at her.
I don't want to be a sad story again. No more pity. No more dinners wrapped in foil for the poor family without a dad. I'm not doing that. People's idea of help is not what I want right now.

Heather's phone had been pretty quiet
. She imagined her friends had a little secret network going that would pass information back and forth. She also imagined her Facebook was lit up with comments from well meaning and plain old nosy people.

All of the kids woke up shortly after the sun rose
. Henry came bounding down the stairs asking for Peter. Tom was the unfortunate one who was forced to break the news to him that Peter was not back.

"That sucks," said Henry.

"Henry, you know we don't speak that way," said Heather. But he was right, it sucked.

"Mom, you look bad
. Have you slept yet?" asked Henry.

"Just for a bit." Gracie ran over and gave her a hug.

"It's getting light now. They'll find something out soon," said Tom.

Hayes was looking out the back window. "Why's there a police man out back?"

"Well, Peter's famous and lots of people want to know when we find him. It's been on the news I guess. He's making sure no one comes close to the house."

"Can we turn on the news and watch?" asked Henry.

"I think it's better if we keep it off," said Mary.

"Lots of times the news doesn't tell the whole truth
. We will be the first ones to know anything. Until then we get to hang out here and on the porch."

"Great," said Hayes in his best teenage tone
.

Heather didn't have the attention span or concentration to entertain the kids
. She did make them breakfast. She figured a mom like Tanya would be able to play games and entertain them while her husband was missing, but she had to focus on simple things...like breathing.

At 11 a.m., Sgt. Sanders came to the door. He spoke with Megan and then asked if they could all talk away from the kids. Mary grabbed Heather's hand and Tom guided them to the porch.

"Hayes, watch the twins," said Heather.

"We have a little something to report. The ferry to Nova Scotia has spotted something in the water."

"THE FERRY TO FREAKING NOVIA SCOTIA?" yelled Heather.

"Yes, it leaves just north of here. The Coast Guard has the coordinates and is trying to reach it now. It's pretty far out."

"What is it that they saw?"

"It's hard to tell. They saw a mass in the water."

"A mass like a body?" asked Heather.

"No, it sounds like they may have seen a boat. I just don't want to get your hopes up though. It could be many different things, but we wanted to give you an update and as soon as the Coast Guard reaches it, we'll have more information."

"Thanks, Sgt," said Tom
. Mary was silent taking it all in.

"In the meantime, can we get you anything? Why don't we have some food brought in for lunch? That way you can have the kids fed
. I know they are getting restless being stuck inside," said Megan.

"That would be nice
. Thank you," said Tom.

An hour later, sandwiches arrived from a local deli in town
. Megan set them up for them on the counter.

"Any news?" Heather asked.

"Not yet. It takes awhile to get the boats out there. And his boat would have moved. Remember, things don't stay in the same spot like they do on land."

Heather got food out for the kids and made plates for the twins
.

"Eat something so you have strength to help him," said Megan.

"Awfully optimistic aren't you?" asked Heather.

"There's no reason not to be yet. They told me your first husband died
. I know this is hard. You understand all this in a way that most of us can't."

Heather nodded
. Megan got a call on her cell and left the room. When she walked back in Heather knew she knew something.

"What is it?"

"I don't have anything definitive. It's protocol to wait."

"I think when you're dealing with a widow with
five kids and trying to figure out if her new husband is alive, protocol goes out the window. Please, I am begging you, tell me what you know. Good or bad."

"They see a boat
. A sailboat. It's been through a knockdown."

"What the hell is a knockdown?" asked Heather.

"Mom, don't swear," said Henry.

"A knock
down is when the boat is perpendicular to the water. The mast and sail are resting on the surface," said Tom.

"So it tipped over?" asked Hayes.

"Pretty much," said Tom.

"But there's a chance Peter could be in there, right?" asked Gracie.

"Definitely," said Megan exchanging a glance with Tom. Tom knew that if a person were in control of a sailboat, they would recover from a knockdown unless something catastrophic had happened.

"So, we just wait?" asked Heather.

"Yes, they must be close by now."

Heather went out to sit at the rockers
. She rubbed her beads. Gracie followed her outside and cuddled up on her lap.

"You love Peter, don't you?" Heather asked.

"Yeah. I didn't think I could ever love another Daddy but I guess I can."

"What do you love about him?"

"The way he's goofy with my friends. The way he sits with me while I do my homework and doesn't yell at me when I dilly dally."

"I yell, don't I?"

"Yep. Peter's just getting started with this parent stuff. He'll probably yell at me when I'm in middle school."

"I hope he does, Gracie
. I sure hope he does." Heather sat and rocked them both back and forth. There was so much hope in Gracie's prediction. Heather knew she had to be just a little bit more optimistic.

Tom, Mary, Megan and Sgt. Sanders walked through the screen door onto the porch one by one
. Heather knew this was the moment of truth. She looked at her phone. She needed to check the time 1:39. 10:47 was the time that changed her life the last time. The moment Hank died. 1:39 was going to be the time, the new time that her life would be based on.

Please, God or whoever is out there, please make me love the next few minutes
, thought Heather.

Henry and Hayes were lined up at the window
. Gracie was next to Heather. She had no idea where the twins were.

"Ma'am," said Sgt. Sanders. "He's alive."

Heather fell to the floor. Tom and Mary hugged each other. Everyone started crying. Hayes and Henry ran out onto the porch.

"Mom, what's wrong? What happened?" asked Henry.

"He's alive, son," said Sgt. Sanders.

"Then why are you on the floor crying, Mom?"

"She's happy, just happy and relieved," said Megan.

Heather stood up.
She grabbed Henry, Gracie and Hayes and hugged them until Henry yelled that she was smushing him. Mary embraced her and rubbed her back. Heather could feel tears from Mary’s eyes on her own cheek.

"Where is he?"
asked Heather.

"He's on his way to the hospital
. The boat reached him and brought him to the closest point on land. They were met by a helicopter that took him straight to the hospital. He's been out there a long time. He's asking for you. We have a vehicle ready to take you. Do you have someone who can stay with the kids?"

"I'll call our neighbor, Tina
. She'll be happy to help," said Mary.

"I can stay with them until she gets here," said Megan
. "Actually, I’ll be here while she's here to help."

"Thank you," said Heather
. She was aware it was probably outside the line of her duties.

"Mrs. Adamson, let's get your purse
. We have a car pulled up to the house. Mr. And Mrs. Adamson, I assume you will come as well?"

"Yes, oh yes," said Mary.

They walked inside.

"Hayes, we'll need you to help Ms. O'Reilly and Tina with the twins
. I'll be back as soon as I can or send for you to come to see Peter."

"Of course, Mom
. Will you tell Peter I can't wait to see him?" asked Hayes.

Heather hugged each one of the kids
. She felt hope again. That crazy feeling that had eluded her for the last hours. Reality pinched her and reminded her she didn't know what condition he was in. But at least he was in a condition. She was ready to face it though. She walked out the front door with Tom and Mary. There was a black SUV waiting for them. They got in and pulled out of the driveway lined with cameras. She couldn't talk to anyone right now and sent a group text instead.

1:51 Heather: He's alive.

1:52 Lauren: I am so relieved...the cards never lie.

1:53 Mom: So happy, darling.

That would have to suffice for now. Mary was on the phone with Janie. Mary sobbed quietly telling Janie they were on their way to the hospital to see how Peter was.

"No, we have no idea of his condition. But he's alive
. He's alive."

"Heather, can Janie speak with you for a moment?"

"Sure." Mary handed Heather the phone.

"Hey," said Heather.

"I just wanted to tell you how happy I am. Hug him for me. And then yell at him and tell him he's an idiot and never to scare us again. I know Mom won't yell at him but you might."

Heather laughed. "Ok
. I just want to see his eyes."

They arrived at the hospital in minutes
. A doctor met them at the door to advise them of his condition.

"He's suffering from hypothermia and dehydration
. He's in critical but stable condition. We expect to be able to upgrade his status quickly. He's a strong man and very lucky, Mrs. Adamson."

"Thank you so much," cried Heather.

"Let's start with one visitor at a time if that’s ok with you."

"No problem
. Heather, please go see him," said Tom who was simply happy to have his son alive.

The doctor walked Heather to the elevator
, and they made their way to the third floor.

"He's been a little delirious, which is common
. We wrapped him up in warming blankets and have an IV attached, but I don't think he'll need anything else. Take your time with him."