Page 88 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
“We’ll be there. Thanks, Cord.”
***
They both dressed appropriately and hurried to their appointment. Once seated with Cord, the pretty, middle-aged nurse arrived carrying a tray of food. In a fluster, she apologized. “Sorry to be so late. My schedule is crazy, especially from weird, weather-related accidents. Around this season the hospital gets surprisingly full. I’m certain that everyone’s in such a rush to get things done in time for the big day, they don’t take care.” She plunked herself down and turned to Colin. “I remember you now. Your lawyer explained about your troubles with Children’s Services and that you wanted to talk with me.”
“Yes. The local Children’s Services manager wants confirmation that Gisele intended Maisie and Charlie to live with me. Since we never had time for the actual paperwork, we remembered that you must have overheard our conversation in the hospital room.”
“I did.”
“Would you be willing to testify that she was in full control of her faculties and meant what she said?”
“Yes. Of course. What I remember most is how kind you were to that poor woman. At one point, she confided in me that she wanted her children to be with you, that she trusted what you told her about wanting to give them a good home and lots of love. Then I overheard you talking with her, so compassionate and gentle. It wasn’t hard to understand why she felt that way… about both of you.” She turned to look at Jaqueline and included her in the conversation.
“Thank you. I don’t think we introduced ourselves in the hospital. I’m Jaqueline Bouchard and this is Colin Jones.”
While the flustered nurse unwrapped her sandwich and took her first spoonful of soup, she nodded at them. “I’m Nurse Dean, Cheryl Dean. I’m sorry to be in such a hurry, but I promised to get back as soon as I finished lunch. Another two accident patients arrived just as I was leaving.”
Cord interrupted soothingly. “No problem, Cheryl. I brought the papers from our earlier interview for you to read over and sign. I want to deliver them to the Children’s Services department as soon as possible. Based on your testimony, we’re hoping they’ll allow the kids to stay with Colin and Jaqueline for the holidays. During that time, I can get started on the actual paperwork to get Colin named as their guardian.”
“I understand.” She turned to Colin and added, “Cord showed me evidence of your background and from the discussion I had with your boss, I feel confident you are who you say you are. Can’t be too careful in today’s world.”
Hmm. Cord hadn’t mentioned that they’d contacted the president of the university, his boss, Henry Foder, but having nothing to hide, he knew the older man would have been complimentary. “Good. I’m glad you took the time.” Colin smiled… his satisfaction in her carefulness quite obvious.
Nurse Dean turned to Cord. “Can you read the paper to me while I eat. That way when I check over the document, it won’t take so long.”
Cord began reading what he’d written, and Jaqueline heard the lawyer language in the way he’d presented the beginning of the report, that is, until he got to the part where Nurse Dean began to speak. From then on, the file read from the heart of a woman who cared about the welfare of her patient and family. She’d given a succinct recall of what she’d overheard when Gisele and Colin had talked. What made the most impact though is when she recited her direct conversation with Gisele. Her words gave an explanation of a frantic mother running out of time, not having prepared for her children’s future, and having an answer to her prayers show up at the last minute. Those sentiments struck a nerve. Everything she said was a positive for their case, and Jaqueline thrilled as Cord read on.
At one point, wiping her eyes, she couldn’t help sending a teary smile at Cheryl Dean and got a nod and grin in return. By the time Cord finished reading, both Jaqueline and Colin were buoyed up with hope that this would be enough to swing the people who insisted on proof that Gisele knew what she wanted and voiced those wishes to Nurse Dean.
Quite simply, she wanted her children to be with Colin.
Chapter Fifteen
Colin’s hope skyrocketed after their meeting with Nurse Dean. In fact, he was so excited that he insisted they stop at a local store to buy more tree ornaments and even shop for groceries so the meals would reflect the season. “Jaq, we have to be prepared in case we get snowed in again. And I don’t know about you, but a turkey and all the trimmings is an essential in our house.”
“True. Gigi always invites us there for the big day so she can take care of the turkey. She swears my mother desecrates the bird on purpose.” Mimicking her gramma’s voice, Jaq continued, “Silly woman never listens. I told her she cooks it with too high a temperature until it’s dry as leather. And don’t get me started on the gravy.”
They both laughed as he pushed the over-flowing shopping cart. Suddenly, he stopped to look down at her. “I hope you learned everything from Gigi because I have no idea how to cook a turkey, just how to carve it.”
Her face crumpled with amusement, and she pointed at her chest. “Me? Nope.”
Colin pretended a seriousness belied by the twinkle in his eyes. “Thank goodness for Google… and a phone call to Gigi.”
“Works for me.” She watched him add more food into the already overloaded cart. “You’re like a kid in an amusement park, Colin. I don’t want to burst your bubble, but shouldn’t we make sure the kids will be with us before we splurge on so much stuff. We couldn’t possibly eat all this.” She looked over their groceries and started to laugh. “You have enough here to feed a hockey team.”
Feeling shy but determined, he admitted that he’d begun to think they might be there longer than Christmas when it came to having all the legal authorizations finished. “Which reminds me, I need to contact the landlord and make arrangements for January’s rent just in case I have to remain in Quebec City with the kids into next month.”
“Did Gisele have a lease for the place?”
“From what I’ve found in her papers, I don’t think so. Looks like she paid the first of every month, which makes me think she would have had to give a month’s notice before leaving. For me, that wouldn’t be a problem. I’m not due back until January third and can prolong my return if necessary. How about you?”
“I’m scheduled to be back on the ward January third also. But my flight leaves here on December thirtieth. That’s only a week away. Christmas is in three days.”
“I know. I’m praying Cord calls with good news.”
As if his wish registered with the angel department above, his cellphone rang. “Hello. Oh, hi Cord. What? We’ll be right there.”
Jaqueline saw the worry Colin couldn’t hide. “What happened?”
