Chapter Twenty-two
Alyse
His parents haven’t left my apartment. I let them have my bed and I put a blow-up mattress in K.C.’s room. I love having them here, actually. They are keeping me strong. The stories they have told me about Kaden have us laughing through the tears of worry. They see so much of him in K.C. They point it out for me to see, and I think that’s what I needed.
I needed to hold on to things to remind me of him. I’m trying to stay positive, but we are still no closer to knowing what is going on. I’m trying not to think the worse. I also want to try to focus on the positive, if that’s even possible. I have this beautiful gift. My son. I didn’t even think that I would even find Kaden. I was given that gift of spending three incredible months with him and falling deeply in love.
I’ve been given something that not a lot of people get to experience. What I feel is the fate of true love. Finding my soulmate. A chance meeting that produced a child that I know will make a different in this world. Maybe that is why this all happened. I may end up being a cat lady and never finding love again, but I’m okay with that at this point. I’ve experienced so much in such a short time and have this little human that I need to focus on. I also gained Kaden’s parents. Two incredible people that I know will be in our lives forever.
I sleep with my phone. I have a death grip on it. I’m tossing and turning the whole night. At one point, I’m just laying here watching K.C. sleep.
Suddenly, my phone starts ringing. I almost throw it because it scares the shit out of me. I find myself staring at the phone number that I don’t recognize.
Laura comes running into the room and drops to her knees. “Who is it? Is it Kaden?”
“No, I don’t recognize the number,” I say, still looking at my phone.
“Alyse! For God’s sake answer it!” Kaden’s mom exclaims.
“H…Hello?” I ask.
“Alyse Dawson?” I hear on the other end.
“Yes, this is Alyse Dawson.” I say with a shaky voice.
“Ms. Dawson, this is specialist Greene of the U.S. Air Force. You are listed as Staff Sergeant Kaden McIntyre’s emergency contact. First, he’s okay. His unit was caught in a sudden sand storm. He is currently in the medic ward with a few broken ribs, among other injuries. None that are life threatening. I wanted to let you know that he will be transported to Germany as soon as the doctors release him and then moved back to the states. I don’t have a lot of information but do know that he is okay. I can relay anything back to him that you want. One thing that I can tell you is that he sustained injuries to his eyes and throat, so I don’t think that he will be able to contact you anytime soon. Please know he is in the best care and will be home soon,” the man says.
“Oh, thank God. We were so worried. You sure he’s okay?” I say, grabbing Laura’s hand.
“Yes, ma’am. Like I said, he’s unable to speak due to the damage to his throat and they are working to repair the damage to his eyes. It’s going to be difficult for him to communicate right now,” Specialist Greene says.
“Will he be blind?” I ask, squeezing Laura’s hand.
“Ma’am, I can’t say at this time. Someone will be in contact. Just know that he is alive and in the best of care. We take care of our own,” he responds.
“Thank you,” I whisper as I feel a tear roll down my face. He gives me a few numbers so I can keep tabs on the situation and ends the call.
“He’s okay. He’s okay!” I say, dropping the phone and pulling Laura into my arms.
Seconds later, Ed is on the floor with us pulling us in and getting caught up on the phone call. I hear K.C. bouncing in his crib and looking down on us.
I pull him out of his crib to the floor with us. We laugh and cry at the same time. My emotions are over the place, but I feel such relief. We all hug, and I think of how blessed I am right now. My heart hurts thinking about the possible pain he may be in right now. I wish I could be with him.
“How long do you think he will be in Germany? I have passports for us both. I feel like I need us to be there for him,” I say.
“They gave you numbers to call, right?” Ed says. “Call them and get something set up. We will go too, if you want.”
“Of course! Thank you so much for being here. I can’t image having to go through this without you,” I say, pulling up the numbers that I was sent.
I call the first one and get an immediately answer. They have to check on what the arrangements are for him to be transported to Germany. They let me know that there are transports for family in these kinds of situations.
Two days later, we have travel arrangements made for the four of us to Germany. I’m coming, Kaden, I think. Hold on, baby.