Page 65 of Till Death Do Us Part

The doctor's words hit me like a ton of bricks. Amputate? Was he really suggesting that they cut off Matt's leg? Wasn't there another way?

I stared at the doctor, my mind racing with a million different thoughts. How would Matt cope with losing a limb? Would he ever be able to walk again? Would his life ever be the same?

The doctor must have seen the fear in my eyes because he put a hand on my shoulder and said, "It's going to be okay. We can fit him with a prosthetic leg, and he'll learn how to use it."

I nodded, trying my best to stay calm. He was right. This was by far the best option for Matt, and if it meant saving his life, then I had no choice but to accept it.

"Okay, then, as long as he will come home with me, and we can be a family again."

The doctor nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Of course."

Then he left, and I stood there in the cold waiting room,my heart heavy with worry and fear for the future. But despite it all, I knew I would never give up on Matt. I would do anything to ensure his recovery and bring him back home to me and our family. Nothing was more important right now.

Chapter65

Finally, after many long hours, a nurse approached me with a slight smile on her face. "You can see him now," she said, motioning for me to follow her.

I took a deep breath and followed her down the hallway to Matt's room. He was lying in the hospital bed, his eyes closed, but I could see his chest rising and falling slowly. I approached him, taking his hand in mine.

"Hey," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. "You scared me, you know that?"

Matt's eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at me with a weak smile. "Sorry," he said, his voice only a whisper.

I leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Don't be sorry," I said. "Just promise me you'll never scare me like that again."

“I promise.”

I smiled at him, tears in my eyes. “Kyla made it,” I then said. “She was in critical condition for a long time, but they just told me she made it. So, we saved her from her mother’s claws. That’s something you can be proud of. And Parker went back to jail. He will try for a retrial, and I will testify that I heard the confession from Madeleine, and hopefully, he won’t have to serve any more time in jail for what she did to her own daughter.”

“And the children?” he said and winced in pain.

“I'm afraid they will probably all have to go into foster care. Unless Kyla will take them, but she will need months of recovery, and they need homes now. We’ll have to see what happens there. Either way, they’re safe.”

As I held Matt's hand, I could sense the fear and sadness that was consuming him. I knew I had to be strong for him, but it was hard to see him in this state. His gaze shifted to his missing leg, and he turned back to me with a look of desperation.

"Did you know they took my leg?" he asked, his voice trembling.

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "Yes, Matt. They had to. Your life was in danger, and they had to do what they could to save you."

He closed his eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks. "How will I be able to live my life now?" he whispered, his voice filled with despair. "How will I be a detective if I can't run or chase after suspects?"

I hugged him tightly, holding him close to me. "We'll figure it out, Matt," I said, my voice breaking. "We'll find a way to make it work. You're still the same smart and talented detective you've always been. We'll adapt and find other ways to catch the bad guys. And most importantly, you're alive. That's all that matters."

Matt sniffled, leaning his head on my shoulder. "I know you're right," he said, his voice muffled by my shirt. "But it's just hard to imagine my life without running and chasing. It was part of who I was."

"I know," I said, smoothing his hair back. "But you're so much more than that, Matt. You have so many other talents and skills that make you an amazing detective. We'll find a way to make it work. Together."

Matt looked up at me, his eyes red from crying. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely audible. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

I smiled, wiping away his tears. "You'll never have to find out," I said. "I finally have you, and there's no way I’m letting go of you again."

That made him laugh. It was a wonderful sound.

"You sound like Madeleine Johnson,” he said.

I laughed, too, realizing he was right. "I guess that did sound kind of crazy, huh?"

"Sure did."

I kissed him and looked deeply into his eyes with a deep sigh. I guess the lesson we learned was that we never knew how long we would have the people we loved in our lives. It was all a matter of enjoying them while we still could.

THE END

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