True Love Waits

'After she wakes up, I'll help her glow like a mother-to-be again, 'Wesley mused.

Gifford Li crawled forward towards Blair and sat on her leg, looking at the woman who was asleep every time he saw her. She wasn't very interesting to him.

Wesley thought Gifford Li might call Blair "Mama." That was doable, but the child made no sound. So Wesley patted him on his bottom and urged, "Mama."

"Mama," Gifford Li called, reaching out his tiny hand to grab Blair's. Blair's hair had grown much longer. A few strands had fallen loose, covering her forehead. Wesley tenderly tucked it behind her ear. "Honey, our son's here to see you. You've been sleeping a long time. Could you open your eyes and hold him?"

There was no change. She still had her eyes shut, her breathing regular.

"Honey, the Spring Festival is just around the corner. What are you wanting? Tell me. I'll buy it for you. You said you wanted to buy me a down jacket. You always said I wasn't wearing enough. If you get up, we can go shopping with our son."

Gifford Li held Blair's finger and shook it. "Mama," he called lightly.

Wesley stroked his head and said, "Attaboy. Keep saying it. When your mom hears you, she'll wake up."

Later, after placing Gifford Li on the sofa, he fetched a basin of water, grabbed a towel and started cleaning Blair's body. Meanwhile, he kept an eye on his son.

Two hours later, carrying Gifford Li, Wesley walked out of the ward and into the attending physician's office.

"I want to take my wife home," he said simply.

The doctor thought about it and then replied, "I know. But you don't have the necessary medical equipment at home."

"My brother's a surgeon. He's going to be living with me for some time after his wedding. Tell me what kind of equipment we need, and I'll buy it. He knows med-techs, and they can set it up." Niles and Irene were getting married. At Cecelia's request, he transferred to a hospital up in his hometown so he could be closer.

"Okay. Let's go over instructions for outpatient care and get her discharged."

"Thank you, doctor."

as he got off work. He

Spring Festival, Debbie gave birth to Terilynn. When the baby was a month old, Carlos held a party to celebrate. Wesley was there, too. He wouldn't miss it for the world. Afterwards, the old gang-Debbie, Curtis,

her, so they didn't come along this

went. Soon, Gifford Li was a tender 18

Wesley. They opened the door to his bedroom and saw that he was cleaning

Wesley had told him to

and Irene talking about putting off the wedding until Blair

up short. "Okay," he said. 'She'll wake up soon. She

day ever since Blair got shot. "This wouldn't have happened if I had been with her. It's

eyes, she could see

lost count of how many times he said this. Guilt and shame ate at him. For more than ten years, he was

trying to

who refused to open her eyes, and then out of the blue, he said, "Since they're so helpful,

woman?" Cecelia thought there must be something wrong with her ears. "Wesley, if you're thinking what I'm thinking, cut it out! I'll disown you if you cheat on Blair! I won't have a

basin and looked

at him and then went back to playing with

mommy?" he asked

articulate yet. "Yes. We need a new one.

new, more beautiful mommy.

Wesley in the back of the head when he put one finger to his

Li didn't understand what Wesley

and doesn't even open her eyes to look at you. We don't want her anymore." Then a smug smile stole over Wesley's face. He

Li responded,