They wound their way toward the landing. The air was cool but no longer chilled. Spring had blossomed and tulips bloomed along the waterfront. Gaslights lined the shore along the shop fronts, and stars shimmered and danced overhead.
“The air smells so good.” Shayna drew a deep breath. “I had forgotten the sweet smell of flowers, the clean scent of a gentle breeze.”
“You’ve been away from it for a long time.”
“It feels like a lifetime, Nate.”
“I know.”
“What if the treatments are just too much for Zac? What if his little body can’t take the strain?”
“It’s going to be OK, Shayna. Zac’s a fighter—just like his mom.”
“But I don’t feel strong anymore, Nate.” She leaned against the rail at the edge of the landing and gazed across the water. “I’m so tired.”
“I know, honey.” He drew her close. “Lean on me. I’ll help you.”
“Do you feel anything—any different from the drugs you’ve been given?”
“Not really. Maybe just a bit sluggish. But that could be from everything else, too.”
“Do you think they’re working?”
“All the tests say they are.”
“I’m surprised you have any blood left.”
“This is nothing.” Nate laughed. “I’ve lost more blood on the football field.”
“Are you worried about the harvest?”
“No more worried than having a linebacker take me down.” He shrugged. “Don’t let it worry you, Shay. I’ll heal just fine. Zac will, too. I feel it.”
“You told me once, when you first met Zac, that you lost someone you loved.” She was quiet for a moment, and then turned to face him. “Who was it, Nate?”
His breath caught. The love in her eyes was so pure, the question so full of concern, that something in his heart dislodged. “My brother, Josh, died when I was fourteen. He was born with something…I don’t really know what. Though my mom took him to dozens of doctors, most of them specialists, none were ever able to define it. But whatever it was messed with his immune system, and he got sick all the time. When he was twelve, he contracted pneumonia.”
Shayna skimmed his stubbled cheek with smooth fingers. “I’m so sorry, Nate.”
“There was nothing I could do—nothing my mom could do, either. When Josh died, it almost killed her, too. I was mad for a long time.”
“But you came through it.”
“Yeah. Mom didn’t give up on me. She met a great guy, Harry. He took me under his wing and taught me football. Nothing channels aggression better than practicing tackles and running suicides. Eventually, Harry and Mom married. They’re really happy together.”
“I’m glad for that.” Shayna smiled through tears. “And you, Nate? Are you happy?”
“You make me happy, Shayna—you and Zac.” He drew her close. “I don’t ever want to let you go.”
****
Shayna woke to the sound of the IV beeping. She sat up and glanced at Nate, sleeping soundly in a corner chair, before she went to Zac. A quick feel of his forehead told her he’d made it through another stretch without an infection. If all went well, the transplant would be over by noon tomorrow.
She marveled at the miracle God had given to her, and not just concerning Zac. Her heart felt full of love—something she’d never dreamed of feeling after the way it had been shattered following her divorce and then Zac’s diagnosis. Nate had stepped into her life and filled all that was missing. She’d be forever grateful.
“Mama…” Zac’s voice whispered across the darkness. The sheets rustled as he shifted in the bed. “I’m thirsty.”
Shayna checked her watch for the time—no liquids after midnight—and then filled a cup with water. She offered him the straw. “Here you go, honey.”
“Is Nate still here?”
“Yes. He’s sleeping over there.” She pointed, and Zac craned his head for a look.
“He’s awful big for that chair, Mama.” Zac blinked hard once, twice, and then yawned hugely.
“I know, honey, but he didn’t want to leave.”
“’Cause of tomorrow?”
“Partly.” She offered him another sip of water. “And because he likes spending time with you.”
“He loves me, doesn’t he, Mama?”
“Yes, honey, he does.”
Zac smiled, though his dry lips cracked with the effort. “Guess what, Mama.”
“Hmmm?”
Zac lowered his voice to a whisper. He pressed a tiny palm to Shayna’s cheek. “I think Nate loves you, too.”
The words brought a smile to Shayna’s lips. From the mouths of babes…
She set the cup on the side table. “Go back to sleep now, Zac.”
“OK, Mama.” He sipped once more and then let his head drop back against the pillow, and just as quickly as he woke, he was asleep again.
Shayna stepped over to Nate and smiled at the way his bulk was curled into a chair two sizes too small. She covered him with a blanket and kissed her index finger before pressing it to his cheek. Her heart fluttered with the thought that one day soon they might share a real kiss.
12
Nate woke to the sound of sobs. He sat up, and a sharp stab of pain coursed through his hips, racing up his back. His skull cried out, and for a moment all the world went black.
Slowly, the room came into focus. Shayna stood over him, her tears splashing onto the sheet. He reached for her hand and struggled to find his voice.
“Shayna, honey…” The sound was gravel in his throat, but he fought through to add, “Zac?”
“He’s fine, Nate. Dr. Garrison said the transfer was perfect. He’s recovering just as planned. He’s sleeping now.” She smiled through her tears. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I was just tackled by the full line.” He grunted, trying to shift pressure from the sore areas. “But, Doc said it would smart for a few days.”
Shayna smoothed his hair. “I’ll call the nurse to bring you something for the pain.”
“No.” Nate squeezed her hand. “Just help me up. I want to go see Zac.”
****
Shayna marveled at how well Zac fought back against the disease that tried so hard to break him. She knew Nate played a big part, helping to boost his spirits. The two did anything and everything to pass the time. Nate even brought football film, and they dissected each play like expert commentators. Shayna laughed when Zac came up with the idea to use a tissue roll as a microphone, decorating it with markers, construction paper that the nurses brought by, and a touch of glue.
Nate sat in the bed beside Zac, both decked out in Titans gear, and together they offered up game highlights that would make ESPN proud. Quickly, the nurses figured they ought to enter the room with caution—they never knew what kind of sidesplitting pranks they might encounter.
Now Zac slept, and Nate had gone for coffee. Shayna gazed out the hospital window, beyond the parking lot to the landing. Bradford pears were in full bloom, and the water danced clear and blue beneath a brilliant sun. Wisps of high clouds were ribbons floating in the sky, and she could almost hear the song of blue jays. Soon, she and Zac would leave the confines of the hospital room and head home to enjoy the late-spring air. Shayna could hardly wait for sunlight to kiss her cheeks once again. The very prospect filled her with renewed hope.
Nate shuffled into the room holding two cups of coffee and a white pastry bag. The sweet aroma of chocolate mingled with vanilla, masking stuffy hospital odors. For a moment, Shayna almost forgot where she was.
“Your feast, ma’am.” Nate’s smile chased away a chill. His boots whispered over tile, and she was glad to see the limp he’d suffered for several days following the harvest was completely gone. He slipped into a chair beside her. “I’ll let you have first choice of the confections.”
“Thank you.” Shayna took the bag and peeked inside. “Yum, chocolate éclairs—my favorite.”
“I know.”
There wasn’t much they didn’t know about each other by now. Hours spent together in a hospital room had a way of doing that to people. Shayna especially loved the times Nate read to her from his devotional. Those quiet times resulted in reflection and a plethora of topics for conversation.
“The éclair will tide you over for now,” Nate continued, “but you’ll need some real food later. Your mom will be by to stay with Zac while I take you to dinner on the landing.”
“That sounds nice.” Shayna drew an éclair from the bag and took a bite. She chewed, swallowed, sighed. “The spring concert series closes tonight, and the symphony is scheduled to play. It would be nice to hear a song or two.”
“That’s a great idea.” Nate sipped his coffee. “I’ll make a reservation for a table on the water. The fresh air will do us both good.”
“And soon Zac will be able to enjoy sweet spring air, too.”
“I can’t wait for that.”
****
The symphony played, filling the evening air with the rhythm of soft music. The sky was clear, and stars danced in cadence to the music, the display more brilliant than fireworks. A gentle breeze lifted Shayna’s hair, and she closed her eyes, sighing as she truly relaxed for the first time in weeks.
Mom had brought a dress and sandals to the hospital, and Shayna had made a quick transformation in the visitor’s shower room. Nate seemed pleased with the outcome, and his smile had caused a flurry of butterflies to take flight in Shayna’s belly. For the first time since Zac was diagnosed, she felt like more than a mom and caregiver—she felt like a woman again.
“Would you like a slice of chocolate cake or some peach cobbler?” Nate asked, drawing her back.
“No, thanks.” Shayna opened her eyes and shook her head slowly as the landing came back into focus. Nate looked so handsome in his khakis and a navy polo that brought out the deep blue of his eyes. It took her breath away. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“The pasta was good,” Nate agreed. “And a nice change from our usual hospital fare.”
“Dr. Garrison said if all continues to go well, he’s planning to release Zac to go home in a few days.”
“That’s amazing news, Shayna.” Nate took her hand. “You’ll sleep so much better in your own bed, and so will he.”
“You will, too.” She searched his eyes, reveling in how he’d barely left her side during the past month. He’d been a rock, and although the time together had been a blessing to her, Shayna knew he was anxious to get back to a normal routine, as well. “When do you have to report to training camp?”
“I still have time, Shay. I’m not due to report until July.”
“Do your hips still hurt?”
“Not at all.” He patted them for emphasis. “I feel good as new.”
“What happens next, Nate?” Shayna struggled to keep the quiver from her voice.
“What do you mean?”
“What’s going to happen to us when Zac heads home and this trial is all over?” A tear slipped down her cheek. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. “You’ll go back to football, and I’ll go back to—”
“Shay.” He pressed his palm to her cheek. “The only thing I know for sure is that I’m going to love you—and Zac—for the rest of my life.”
The breeze stilled like the slightest hush. Shayna’s pulse stuttered as Nate leaned in. His breath was warm against her cheek as he slipped a finger beneath her chin. “I love you, Shayna…with everything I have,” he murmured.
“I love you, too.” Shayna sighed as his lips captured hers. The kiss, long promised, was everything she’d wished for.
Epilogue
Sunlight spilled over the field as Shayna and Zac followed Nate onto the sideline of Alltel Stadium. The weather was unseasonably warm—high fifties on this early-February evening in Jacksonville. Shayna and Nate had spent the week sightseeing with Zac in tow and visiting with Nate’s mom and stepdad, who lived close by in Fernandina Beach. Shayna enjoyed getting to know them and felt like family after the first half-hour. Nate had to report for practice each day, but that still left plenty of time to scour the city—and the gulf shores. Zac loved combing the sand for shells.
“Wow, look at all the people.” Zac scanned the crowd, his golden eyes wide with awe. “This is so cool, Nate. I can’t believe we’re really here.”
“Believe it, buddy.” Nate high-fived him, and Shayna was positive she, too, must be glowing. Zac had celebrated his eighth birthday just a few weeks ago—a milestone she wasn’t sure he’d ever reach. “And I think all these people are here to see you.”
“No way.” Zac’s grin widened. “You’re kidding me, Nate.”
“Just look over there.” Nate pointed to a camera crew flanked by several photographers. “They’re motioning for us. They want to do that photo shoot for the Moments for Miracles campaign.”
Shayna would be forever grateful to the organization that had brought her and Nate together—and saved Zac’s life. The miracle continued, as each of Zac’s follow-up visits offered nothing but good news. Her son was cancer free.
“Then we’d better hurry.” Zac’s voice drew her back. “Come on, Nate.”
“Hop up.” Nate hoisted Zac onto his shoulders, and they loped over—both decked out in special Titans jerseys and ball caps designed just for the Super Bowl. Nate was wearing cleats, and Zac the cowboy boots Nate had surprised him with for his birthday.
“Come on, Mama.” Zac glanced back and urged her on. “You have to get in the picture, too.”
Shayna struggled to hear over the roar of the crowd. The sound was deafening. How did the players ever decipher the quarterback’s calls? She smoothed her skirt and sweater as she neared the camera. This was something she’d have to get used to.
Just like the diamond that sparkled on her finger, given to her by Nate a few days after Zac was released from the hospital, along with his promise of love. Come spring they’d be married. Shayna smiled as the diamond caught the stadium lights, refracting into a rainbow.
She thought of God’s promise and thanked Him once more for the health of her son and Nate’s precious gift of life.
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