Page 55 of Eternally London

“I know. I do, too.”

The next day, London and I rise early and get ready to go to the hospital. London has a suitcase full of stuff that she wants to deliver to the patients there, who are predominantly children. She instructed me to bring clothes, stuffed animals, games, and some basic first aid medicines and bandages.

“Did I tell you that, when I first saw Lindi, she was clutching a dirty plastic water bottle like it was a baby doll?”

I shake my head.

“Yeah, that’s why I gave her the bracelets. It was all I had on me at the time. But these kids have nothing. I mean, Lindi’s comfort item was a piece of trash. That’s not right. They should all have at least one toy that they can love and cherish.”

As soon as we enter the hospital, Lindi starts flapping her arms with a wide smile on her face. London and I rush over to her and give her hugs. London leaves me with Lindi while she passes out the contents of the suitcase to the children.

The children are all smiles and giggles as they hug their toys. The sight actually makes me a little sick to my stomach as I imagine the lives these little humans have lived up to this point and the horrors that face them in their futures. It’s not right that anyone has to live a life full of such terror.

London hands out clothes to the older children and adults. Every person also gets a wide-brimmed sun hat and sunscreen. I know she plans to leave Dr. Gyasi a sizable donation for the hospital and money for all the patients to help them when they leave here. It won’t be enough for them to live off of forever, but it will last them a good year while they try to find work.

I see London talking to Dr. Gyasi, and he looks worried. He nods, and London walks back toward Lindi and me.

“Well, he’s anxious about it, but Dr. Gyasi says we can take Lindi out of here for a couple of hours.”

“‘I’m sure your donation to the hospital helped.” I chuckle.

“No, he trusts me. He’s just afraid that something will happen. But I assured him that we’d be super careful.” Lindi reaches for London. “One minute, baby girl. Let Mommy get you protected from the sun.”

London puts Lindi in a white dress made of light fabric and long sleeves. Then, she places a sun hat on her head. “We can’t let the sun hurt your skin.”

We stop at the market to pick up some fruits, vegetables, and other healthy snacks for Lindi. She’s not had access to the healthiest of diets in the hospital. We take her to our hotel room.

First thing, London takes off the piece of fabric that was acting as a diaper for Lindi. “Oh, sweet girl. Your bum is all sore. Don’t you worry. We’re going to get you a bath. Then, we’re going to put some medicine on your bottom that will help all of the ouchies go away. We bought you some real diapers that won’t hold the wetness against your skin anymore, so you shouldn’t have any more boo-boos on your butt. Okay? We’re going to take care of you. I promise, you won’t be hurt or hungry or dirty anymore. We’ll see you every day, and soon, you’ll be able to come home with us. Okay?”

I’m almost positive that Lindi doesn’t understand English, as she came from a Swahili-speaking home, but she stares intently into London’s eyes as she speaks. So many emotions flash through Lindi’s eyes, as if she’s soaking in every word. I suppose she doesn’t have to understand the words to feel the love in everything London says.

We have a perfect day. We spend time with our girl. We read stories and play peekaboo. She giggles.

When we take her back to the hospital, she is clean, dry, well fed, and happy. Our hearts are full.

The next several months will consist of more of the same mixed in with phone calls to our lawyers. It will be a long process, but I can’t complain. I have my wife and my daughter here with me. There’s not much else I need.

Once we’re back at the hotel, I lie in bed with London, tightly wrapping my arms around her middle and pulling her close to me. My lips find hers, and I kiss her hard, unable to ever get enough of her.

We kiss for what seems like hours. Her breath mixes with mine, and my lips numb until I don’t know where I end and she begins. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter because everything I am is hers anyway.

The depth of what I feel for her can’t possibly be described. My love for London is infinite, yet it manages to grow deeper every day. She’s my reason for everything. Through her, I’ve found life. She’s shown me my purpose. She’s loved me unconditionally. And, now, she’s given me a daughter.

I know that the darkness of infertility is behind us. I can feel the change in London. I knew she was different the moment I saw her in the airport.

Finally, I pull my lips from hers and simply hold her. “Thanks for coming back to me,” I whisper.

“Thanks for loving me until I did.”

“I love you—always.”

From as early as I can remember, I wanted to go to the magical place named London. My entire life, I saw the city, an ocean away, as my safe place. All would be well when I reached it. I would finally be happy. I would finally know what it felt like not to be in pain. I would be loved. I wouldn’t hurt anymore. I still can’t believe that my safe place, my sanctuary, my heaven on earth, found me. Bikini-clad and obnoxious at a car wash, she found me.

Even as a young boy, I knew that I needed London. And I was right.

Wherever she is will forever be home. She’ll always be my happy place.

My London.

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