The last few months were hectic for everyone. Mike Lee and Karl Landsdorf had finally returned from Europe to begin operating their new divisions from the corporate offices. Drew had sold a parcel of land to both Mike and Doug to build their new homes. The only restriction being that if they ever decided to sell, the property would revert to the Retreat at fair market value. They both submitted their plans at the same time, which included a provision for a private road that would connect the estates to the Retreat complex.
Work on the road and the houses were started, and the new homes would be ready for occupancy in six months.
Mac had put together a package for Lenore to establish a new division that would concentrate exclusively in the general practice of Law for National & International business firms.
Mac had succeeded in hiring three full time teachers for Lance. The schedule allowed him the flexibility to pursue all the activities and educational programs he needed. He received special permission from the NY Board of regents allowing Lance to sit for the mid-term exams and any final exam at the Stevens Glen High School, giving him the necessary credits to allow him to enter college. Of course, Yale had developed a special program for students like Lance, and he was enrolled in that program. In the short time Lance attended Stevens High School, he met and became friendly with two bright teenagers that were on the swim team with him, Paul Cunningham, and Frank Hartley. Lance continued his swimming lessons while he was home-schooled and he remained active on his high school swim team. All three boys were dedicated to their team and attended every match. Lance asked his father if Paul and Frank could train with him at the Retreat.
Mac asked Doug and Pat to investigate both boys, and their family background, before he would allow them access to the Retreat.
Doug said as he presented the final report to Mac, "Paul Cunningham is a clean-cut young teenager. He is a junior in High School and an A-student. He is active in sports and was junior class president with a spotless record. He has a ten-year-old sister. Both parents are hard working middle class parents. They own a chain of fast-food restaurants that have been very successful. Jeff Cunningham operates the business, while his wife Janet takes care of the financial and accounting end of things. They both work out of an office they had built onto their home. They own a nice home in a gated community. Paul works part-time at the restaurants in town. Their home and grounds are valued at $750 thousand. The business is grossing six million a year. They are a very close-knit, loving family."
"Frank Hartley is a sophomore in Stevens High and is sixteen years old, a clean-cut young man. His father is a regional manager for a large paint company. They also live in a middle class neighborhood. Frank has two brothers, one is a senior at Cornell University and the other brother is a freshman at Seaton Hall University. Mrs. Hartley is a homemaker and is active in the PTA and the Red Cross. Both families are well liked and are active in their community."
Mac said, "Well I don't see any reason why Paul and Frank can't work out with Lance, do you?"
"I think they are nice young teenagers. Pat said he had a chance to observe the two young men at the High School and said they are okay in his book."
Mac said, "I'll let Lance know that Paul and Frank are welcome to take swimming lessons with him. Will you see to it that they have passes to use the lift? I'm glad that they check out. Lance needs to have friends his own age to hang out with."
Lance adored Lenore and showed his affection in so many little ways. Lenore dropped her rough and tough way when she was with Lance, she acted like a mother. They developed a friendly and close relationship. They would have lunch every time Lance was in town. Lenore's parents were crazy about him. He was their second grandson. Naturally, they loved their natural grandson, Mac Junior, Lenore's first-born, but Lance had that natural charm and warmth that was hard to resist. They invited him to visit many times, but he had such a heavy schedule, he was lucky he could spend a day, let alone a weekend. Lenore and Lance would drive to New Jersey for lunch and spend a few hours with the folks.
The MacDonald-Stevens board had approved a plan to finance two special projects. One was a charitable organization to shelter abused children like Lance. The second project was the establishment of a Foundation to build and maintain a private school for exceptional students like Lance. It was named the MacDonald-Stevens Academy for Advanced Studies.
Mac felt they could recruit enough students from all over the tri-state area to begin a first year class of twenty-five students. They relied on local schools to recruit their applicants. Each applicant would be thoroughly screened before they could be enrolled in either program.
In the case of the abused children program, the court must turn over guardianship of a child until they reach eighteen. The children would live, and be educated, at the foundation-owned facilities, and at eighteen would be encouraged to attend a vocational training program, or go on to the university. Again, the foundation would also pay all costs for that as well. This was known as the MacDonald-Stevens Academy.
The exceptional child program was handled in the same way, except the children would only be boarded if travel to and from the academy was a burden on the student. The students were encouraged to live at home and commute to the academy every day. Parents that could afford to pay tuition were asked to do so.
The need for the programs was obvious and the benefits to society incalculable. All students were eligible for entry-level opportunities in the MacDonald-Stevens Corporation and the GW Stevens Company.
GW Stevens and the MacDonald-Stevens corporations each agreed to match any private donations. Mac and Drew each made a private donation of five million dollars to the foundation to start the program. Their directors together donated twenty million. The foundation started with a budget of thirty five million dollars. All of the top executives from both divisions agreed to serve on committees to establish the foundations and to draw up the rules and regulations for each academy.
Both Mac and Drew donated stock to the foundation to make sure the foundation continued long into the future. The board of directors for the two funds read like the Who's-Who in the social register.
It would be another six months before they would add on the special school addition for the MacDonald-Stevens Academy for Advanced Education. Drew had donated the land in the buffer zone between Stevens Glen and the Retreat. The buildings were a mixture of classic and modern design giving the appearance of a storybook village. The model showed that the complex was completely self-sufficient including security personnel and its own sanitary, water and power generating system.
Mac mentioned at his board meeting that he was planning to give a welcoming party for Lance. In addition, the party would celebrate the announcement of the two new foundations. What started out to be a nice family and friend's type gathering was forgotten after Noel Erickson started organizing things. By the time he finished, the party snowballed into a huge bash. One by one, his directors outdid the other until the meeting ended up as a joint corporate sponsored event, which would highlight the progress of the two companies. Committees were formed, and additional meetings were scheduled to hammer out the guest lists.
Mac's initial party totaled a hundred people tops, however the new party ended up being bigger than Mac's Graduation party at the Waldorf Astoria.
Eight committees were formed to deal with different segments of the party. The final guest list added up to 1200 people, six hundred of which were to be overnight guests Saturday night. One hundred and fifty children were on the list, including the junior and senior classes of the Stevens Glen High School.
Charles and Claudia King were appointed as Chairpersons of the committees. Jen Johnson chaired the children's committee, for toddlers to teenagers. Rod and David Chang chaired the finance committee. Mac was in charge of the entertainment committee. Karl Landsdorf was responsible for all communications. Mike Lee's committee coordinates all transportation both National and International. Noel chaired the committee handling all overnight reservations, Pete and Doug chaired all security and crowd control and liaison with the local police departments. Drew chaired the committee for food and decoration. Drew's mother headed up the committee for preparing the guest list. Scott headed up the medical emergency group. Chip, RW and John Chang were in charge of facilities, planning and erection of stages, lighting and parking.
Drew was an old hand at this, so his first order of business was to call in his two Party Consultants and work out the details. One was a specialist in interior and exterior decorating and space planning. The second was an expert in preparing and feeding large groups, from one hundred, up to several thousand. Drew and Mac spent several days planning the guest lists. This was their first priority, because this was the determining factor in planning the party. It was really three parties in one. The main purpose was to introduce Lance, the second was a party for Lance and his cousins and friends and the third was to showcase the MacDonald-Stevens/GW Stevens two year progress report and the announcement of their two new foundations.
The corporate image presentation was a formal affair that took place Saturday evening before the cocktail party and sit-down dinner. Two huge tents were set up for the dinner party. A band shell was erected at the front of the office building entrance that was to be used for three separate functions. The first was the afternoon concert program. The same stage and seating arrangement would also be used for the corporate presentation that evening. Later it would be changed for the live variety show after dinner. While the guests were watching the show, the two tents would be set up as two dance clubs. One for jazz and the other with a dance band for those that wished to dance.
The guests had the option of staying overnight at a nearby resort hotel, being flown by helicopters to any one of the three major airports in the area, or being flown to midtown New York any time during the evening. Shuttle buses had been reserved to ferry guests to and from their hotels, or to the car parks close by.
After the addition of the last two divisions, Mac had his advertising agency develop a corporate image presentation to promote MacDonald-Stevens Divisions. The agency worked with the presidents of each division to expand on their product or service. The visual presentation was designed as a stand alone, to promote a division, or combined as a corporate image presentation with all the divisions included.
Early on, Mac had a meeting with his group presidents, and told them of his plans for the corporate image presentation. He asked them to submit a list of their top customers, and any prospective customers for inclusion in his gala.
He called on his in-house agency to write a short script for the speech that each of his top executives would make at the event, including the speeches for himself, Drew, and Lance. Mac hired his speech coach to work with him and Lance to polish their presentation. Drew's welcoming speech was to start at five o'clock, followed by Mac and Lance. After that, the corporate image presentation would commence with a five-minute speech by each of the division presidents followed by the closing by Mac.
After his closing statements, he would ask the guests to walk to the dining area for cocktails and then dinner.
The teenage party was to begin at the same time the presentations were being shown to the adult audience. A pop concert was scheduled to be held at the Stevens Valley High School. Drew's caterers and decorators would be handling that party as well. The concert was to be held in the auditorium, and only invited guests, chaperones, and teenagers would be attending.
At first Lance was nervous about making a speech in front of a large audience until Mac had a long talk with him and explained to him that everyone was nervous in the beginning, that he must learn to overcome it as this was the only way to communicate his ideas to his audience. Mac worked with him until his speech was perfect.
Finally the big weekend was upon them and everything and everyone was ready. As the guests began arriving Saturday morning, they were greeted by uniformed teenage guides. All the guests were escorted to the Sports pavilion for the signing in ceremony. Each guest received a name tag with their first name, their city and country of residence. Each person was assigned a locker where they could store their evening clothes. They were then shown the women's and men's changing areas and where the hair stylists and dressers were standing by for those that needed assistance. The guides told the guests there would be conducted tours of the facilities every twenty-five minutes. They each were given a program and guide map of areas that were open to the public at the Retreat. Those who did not wish to tour were directed to the luncheon area where they could have light refreshments and snacks. Brunch began at noon followed by the welcoming ceremonies.
A variety of entertainment started at the tennis courts at one o'clock and continue to four that afternoon. A concert began promptly at two, and official festivities would begin at the band shell at five.
Drew welcomed everyone and thanked them for sharing the event with them. He pretty much ran through the program and explained the adult portions of the party and the teenage party at the high school. People were free to roam the Retreat and ask the many guides for help if they needed it. He hoped that his guests would mingle and enjoy themselves.
After the concert, the band shell completely changed to a stage with two huge screens, a large podium with two pencil thin mikes and draped with very expensive fabric. There were beautiful large sprays of flowers placed on the stage to soften the effect.
Drew was the first to speak, again welcoming all to this celebration, inviting them to share the delightful summer evening with them, and then he introduced Mac.
Mac greeted the assembled guests in four languages, then became very friendly with his audience. He explained how the little party for his son turned into this large celebration. He injected humor and had the audience laughing at some inside humor of putting an international event like this together. "Now my friends, I would like you to meet the young man who was responsible for bringing us all together tonight, my son, Lance MacDonald-Stevens.
The audience clapped while Mac walked toward Lance who was walking onto the stage. He put his arm around his shoulders and walked with him to the podium.
"He told me he was nervous since this is the first time he has ever addressed such a large and distinguished group," Mac said. "But I explained to him that every person that has ever spoken to a large audience for the first time gets butterflies, isn't that right folks?" The audience clapped. "I'll keep quiet for a few minutes and let my son say a few words."
Lance said, "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for sharing this wonderful evening with me. I am overwhelmed by the kindness you have shown me by attending this celebration today. However, my true gratitude goes to my father, who answered my prayers and rescued me from a life of unbelievable torture. He has given me the chance to lead a normal and healthy life, and I don't think you will ever know the true love and affection that I have received from my wonderful new family at this Retreat. Thank you again for coming and please enjoy your evening."
Lance, like Mac, had that magic with his audience. The audience gave him a standing ovation. He bowed, hugged his father and walked off the stage.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your warm applause," Mac said. "Now, for our presentation." As Mac walked off the stage, the two large screens merged and the show began. After the presentation was over, Mac returned to the stage and introduced the presidents of his divisions. Each man gave his prepared speech and departed.
Mac returned to the stage once again and said, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for all evening, it's cocktail time." He repeated in four languages and left with the rest of the crowd.
Drew caught up to him, "That was a clever speech you delivered. It was amusing the way you got your message across, as well as being very entertaining. The way you handled Lance, too, was very touching as you shared your joy with everyone in the audience. I'm very proud of you."
"Thank you, my love, I think that son of mine is going to do just fine in the future," Mac said. "That was not his prepared speech, that speech was from his heart, I'm so proud of that kid."
"Yours was not the prepared speech either, Mac, was it?"
"No, I thought about it over and over again, and realized that this whole event began with a little family gathering to welcome Lance into the family, and it ended up being a slick presentation to promote the Corporation. When I stood in front of that audience and saw Lance standing in the wings, I decided to tell it like it was. I felt much better about myself after that."
"I'm glad you did," Drew said. "You always manage to do the right thing, Mac, that's why I love you."
As expected, the crowd thinned out after dinner. There was a constant flow of people flying back to Manhattan. Mike Lee had hired a shuttle service to ferry the people back to the City.
Only two hundred people were on hand for Brunch on Sunday. Everyone said they had a wonderful time. The entire party was over by three that afternoon. The special crews had already removed the band shell and had the office complex area back to normal. The large tents were gone and the area next to the mansion was cleared. Lance and his cousins, along with his two friends, Paul and Frank, were at the swimming pool playing water polo.
Drew hosted a supper party for his family and associates who worked on the gala. Mac made a little speech thanking everyone for their help and congratulated them on the success of the party.
They spent the rest of the day recounting some of the humorous anecdotes and screw-ups that turned out to be hilarious. Everyone had gone by eight o'clock, and most of the household turned in early.
Mac was still receiving thank-you notes weeks after the party. He was working in his office concentrating on the new project he was putting together and was unaware that Drew was standing next to him until he touched his arm. He looked up at Drew and saw the look on his face, "Are you all right, sweetheart?" Mac said. "You're as white as a ghost."
"I've just received some horrible news," Drew said. "Lance, Lenore and Pat were involved in a bad automobile accident. They are flying them to the New York Hospital."
Mac picked up his telephone and called Scott to tell him the news. He asked Scott to act as the family physician and fly with them to the hospital. "I need you with us, Scott, can you make it?"
"You bet. I'll meet you at the pad," Scott said. "I need to call Noel with the news before I leave. Give me five minutes."
Mac called the pilot to tell him that he wanted to leave in ten minutes for Manhattan. He called his VP of Public Relations and instructed him to handle the media and to assign his people to handle the press at the New York Hospital. He also told him to answer all calls regarding the accident. He called his secretary, Barbara, and told her to contact Kim and Chris to have them refer all calls to the PR Department. Pete Schneider would also keep her informed of what was going on and she should clear all personal calls and appointments for Drew and him.
The helicopter lifted off as soon as Scott and Pete were on board. The pilot asked everyone to put on their earphones and switch to channel two; they are repeating the special bulletin about the accident.
"We repeat once again, the wife and son of the well know businessman, Duncan Stevens, were involved in a tragic automobile accident between a truck and the Stevens' SUV on the New Jersey Turnpike. We have confirmed that the driver of the SUV was killed instantly. The driver of the truck was injured and has been taken to the hospital. We don't have all the facts yet. What we do know is that the Emergency Rescue team of the fire department was able to remove the passengers from the crushed SUV. The other passengers in the SUV were Mrs. Stevens, her son Lance, and an unidentified male passenger. The injured victims are being flown to a hospital in New York City for treatment. We will have more information for you later in the broadcast."
Charles was waiting with the new SUV when they arrived at the helicopter pad. He drove them to the New York Hospital.
Mac took Drew's hand, "I'm sorry, sweetheart, this has been as hard on you, but I had to get these things out of the way first. Scott, I sense that one of the three has just died. The thing that is driving me up the wall is who. It is essential that Drew and I sneak into that hospital without being noticed. I'm sure the emergency entrance and the main entrance to the hospital will be swarming with media people. Can you get us in through the doctor's entrance? Do you know any doctor with pull in this hospital?"
Scott said, "I know the chief of Staff, Dr. Mosic, and the head of Emergency Trauma center, Dr. Grace."
"Call both of them right now and tell them we are on our way. Please explain to them that we need to get in without being noticed. Ask Dr. Grace if he can provide you with three sets of green scrubs to get into the emergency area without arousing any attention."
"That will work," Scott said. "I'll have them meet us in the doctor's lounge. We can change in the locker room."
Scott made the necessary arrangements. They pulled into the parking garage and entered the hospital through the Physicians entrance. Dr. Grace met them, and took them into the doctors' locker room to change into the scrubs. Scott introduced Mac, Drew, and Pete.
"I'm sorry your family was involved in this senseless accident," Dr Grace said. "I think you better know what you are walking into. If you have weak stomachs and can't stand the sight of blood, you should stay out of the emergency room. Mr. Stevens, I must inform you that your wife didn't make it. She is legally brain dead. We have her on life support equipment now. The baby is still alive. Mrs. Stevens is being prepared for a Cesarean section operation. We are waiting for the specialists to arrive who will perform the operation. Your son is in critical condition, and we have stabilized him. He will pull through, but Pat McCormick may not make it. I give him a 50/50 chance. We are waiting to hear from a plastic surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon to come in before we can start on Lance."
"My wife is an organ donor and wanted her organs donated to the organ bank if she was killed, so please make arrangements," Mac said. "I will sign the papers when they're ready. Scott, you are the best reconstructive plastic surgeon around, do you think you can operate on Lance?"
"Of course, Mac," Scott said. "Let me call Dr. Clarence Cohen at Mount Sinai hospital to see if he will take care of the broken bones. He's the best in the business."
Scott went into the other room and made his call to Dr. Cohen. He was back in a few minutes and said, "Clarence is on his way over here. We will need your best people on this one, Dr. Grace, and we will need two teams since we will both be working on Lance at the same time. Now we had better see to our patient." Mac was shocked when he saw Lance. He was on a large hospital stretcher and covered with a thermal blanket. He had a blood transfusion going into his left arm, an IV and antibiotics into his right arm. There were pressure bandages on both legs and another large bandage covering his face. There was a plastic oxygen tube inserted in his nose. He also had a urinary catheter draining into a plastic bag, which held a mixture of blood and urine. He also had been connected to automatic monitoring equipment.
Scott read the x-rays and shook his head. He rolled back the bandages on Lance's face and shook his head again and put the bandages back in place.
"He's in bad shape," Scott said. "This operation is going to take a long time. He won't be able to speak for months afterward. He has a broken jaw and a broken nose with some splintered bone chips floating around. I hope he doesn't lose his teeth. Both his legs and his left arm are broken. Life has not been kind to this poor kid so far, but it could have been a lot worse. We can be thankful that he has no brain damage. If you and Drew want to be alone with him until he's ready for surgery you can. Dr Grace will be around and the nurses here are the best. I'll need more x-rays before we start. If you want to get closer you can; he's sedated and he can't speak.
"He doesn't have to speak, Scott," Mac said. He and Drew walked over to Lance, and using their telepathic powers they were able to communicate with Lance. Lance opened his eyes, "It was horrible, Dad, and I keep passing out from the pain. The pain is so terrible I can't speak; please tell me what's wrong."
Mac repeated exactly what Scott had just told him about his condition. "Your jaw is broken. After the operation, your jaw will be wired shut for several weeks. You have two broken legs and a broken left arm. You will be able to use your computer to communicate with the staff and other people. You can still use your power of telepathy to communicate with your Uncle and me."
"How are Mom and Pat doing?"
"Your mother and Pat are both in the operating room now," Mac said. "We'll know more after they are out of surgery. Your driver didn't make it."
"Dad, could I speak with Uncle Drew for a few minutes?" Lance asked.
"Sure son." After Mac walked away, "What did you want, Lance," Drew asked.
"Since I'm going to have a new face, I want you to ask Uncle Scott to make me look like my father," Lance said.
"If that's what you want, I'll tell him."
"I'm getting a little tired now, I love you Uncle Drew, is Dad still around?"
"I love you too, Lance," Drew said. "I want you to heal fast; we have a lot to do when you're better." Drew beckoned to Mac to come over again.
"What's up, Tiger?"
"I'm beginning to feel sleepy," Lance said. "Will you stay with me until they put me under?"
"I have no intention of leaving," Mac said. "I'll be waiting with you until your surgery is over. Your uncle and I will be staying at the penthouse and will be with you every day until you are able to come home."
"Thanks, Dad."
Mac leaned down and kissed Lance on the forehead and said, "You try to sleep now."
The x-ray equipment was wheeled in and additional images taken. Scott was back in ten minutes with a large Polaroid camera and asked Mac to pose for several shots.
"What's this all about, Scott?" Mac asked.
"Special request from your son; he wants to look like you when I redo his face," Scott said. "It will be easy since both of you have the same bone structure. Doctor Cohen is scrubbing now, so they'll be moving Lance in a few minutes. After Dr. Cohen takes care of the bone work, I'll begin my reconstruction surgery. Don't be alarmed it you don't see me for at least five hours. I think you should grab something to eat and relax in Lance's room. It's one of the best in the hospital."
Mac and Drew headed to the staff cafeteria, but couldn't eat the food. They went to Lance's room and called Chris to have him arrange to have a caterer set up an assortment of platters of meats and cheeses, and fruit and beverages. He gave him the charge nurse's name and number for permission to set up a small buffet in a vacant room open to all staff and patients on the floor.
Pete returned a few minutes later. "Pat is in the recovery room now," Pete said. "The surgeon said it's up to him now, if he is a fighter, he'll make it; he's in bad shape."
"I'll visit Pat after he's moved into intensive care," Mac said. "We'll be staying at the Penthouse until we move Lance and Pat to the Retreat. Have one of your team deliver our computers to Chris at the penthouse. I would like to meet the agent you are assigning to Lance before you head back to the Retreat tonight. I appreciate you taking charge on such short notice, but you have more work that is important back at the office. You have everything under control now, Chris and Mary can handle it at this end."
"You both have a list of messages a mile long," Pete said. "The only important ones are from your families, Lenore's folks and Robert."
"I'm not going to call the Hart's until we know about the baby," Mac said. "Get back to them and tell them we won't know anything for at least four hours."
Dr. Grace returned in two hours with some news. "You have a healthy seven pound daughter. Lenore's organs have been removed and her body has been turned over to Campbell's Funeral Home," Dr. Grace said. "Your daughter is a pretty little baby and is in the nursery if you would like to see her. If you want to move her, you can. The pediatrician said she's a healthy baby."
"I would like her to be brought to this room if that's all right," Mac said. "I want to hold her."
"That's no problem. I'll have the nurse bring her in to you."
"I want to have her moved to the Retreat as soon as you can make the arrangements," Mac said. "Our nursing supervisor from the Retreat will be here in an hour and will take her home. I would appreciate it if you would call our own pediatrician tonight and have her examined tomorrow. We really appreciate your making the trip over here to help us out doctor."
"It's my pleasure. I'll put through the paperwork and drop it off before I leave," Dr. Grace said as he left the room.
When they were alone again Mac said, "I want our daughter to spend her first night at home. I'm going to name her after her mother, that's the least I can do for Lenore," Mac said. "Campbell's can handle the funerals. Now comes the hard part: notifying the families." Mac called their driver's family first and explained the arrangements he had made. Then he called Robert and gave him the bad news, and finally, the Hart's.
Mac spoke with the Hart's quite a while and gave them the complete story on the accident. The Hart's wanted Lenore to be interred in the family cemetery in Bedminster. Mac said he would have Campbell's make the arrangements. The viewing was to take place at Campbell's on Thursday and Friday. The High Mass and interment at Bedminster was scheduled for Saturday morning. He invited them to drop by to see their new granddaughter on Sunday.
Mac also called the District Attorney and his VP of Public Relations and gave them the sad news and the particulars on the funeral. The family requested that all donations be made to the Lenore Stevens Memorial Foundation for Abandoned & Abused Children.
"Drew, if your Mother would like to visit Lance she can," Mac said. "She is one of the few people that can communicate with him now."
"My mother would like that," Drew said. "She and Lance have become good pals," Drew said. "Did you know that Lance used to visit her regularly when he was in town?"
"You're kidding," Mac said. "I knew he visited my mother once a week, but I was unaware he did the same to Mother Baldwin. That was sweet of him. It probably makes him feel closer to the family knowing there are relatives to visit."
The nurse arrived and handed Mac his daughter.
Drew walked over and stared down at the baby. "She is a little doll," Drew said. "Another welcome addition to our growing family."
After he held the baby for a while, he handed Lenore to Drew. He walked over and closed the door. He walked back to Drew, leaned down, kissed him, and said, "I love you, Drew, you are a wonderful husband."
Pete and Scott arrived a few minutes later, each with a plate of food. "You should try this food," Scott said. "It's really good. I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"The good news is that Lance came through the operation without a hitch," Scott said. "I can assure you that my nephew will have no visible scars in a year or so. Clarence Cohen let me do the stitching after he finished his work since I am so good at it. God he is remarkable, those tiny little incisions, I had forgotten how good he is."
"Lance's face will be perfect," Scott told them. "I was able to put everything back into place. It's a pleasure working with young healthy tissue. Now don't be alarmed if you see him with a trachea tube. I'll be removing it as soon as the swelling goes down a little. I'll have to remove the plastic splints from his eye in six months, but that's a twenty minute procedure at most and I can take care of it at the Retreat. The dressing must stay in place for five days and ice packs for the next 48 hours to keep down the swelling. I will keep an eye on him, don't worry.
"He will be in the recovery room for two more hours, then in intensive care for a couple of days. He will be under for at least two hours. I'd say you should be back in three hours," Scott said.
"I would like to see him now if I can," Mac said.
Scott said, "Not until I say hello to that daughter of yours." Scott reached down and took Lenore from Drew. "What a bonny lassie," Scott said. "I think I'll keep her to round out our family, Mac. We need another girl in the house, you already have one."
Scott handed the baby back to Drew, "Here, you can play with the little one while we visit Lance"
Mac stood over his son. All he could see were his eyes and mouth. His body was covered with a thermal blanket and only the maze of tubes and wires were visible. He was breathing normally and the life support monitors above the bed showed all his readings.
"He's doing well considering the trauma he has been through," Scott said. "He will look a lot better in a few days."
"You are a good friend, Scott," Mac said. "I appreciate everything you've done. When do you think I can move Lance back home?"
"Five days would be my guess," Scott said. "Once that trachea tube is removed he should be ready to go home. You have everything you'll need at the Retreat to take care of him, and I can check on him every day, so I don't see any problem."
"He is in your hands now, doctor," Mac said. "Can you break for dinner at the penthouse?"
Scott said, "That would be great. I'll meet you in the doctor's lounge when you're ready."
Mac returned to Lance's private room. Pete, the nanny, and another young man were sitting with Drew.
"I'll just be a minute," Mac said. He called Chris and told him they would be home for dinner in a half hour with Dr. Macgregor.
Pete introduced John Shuben, Lance's new security guard. Mac took him aside and talked with him for a good fifteen minutes. They joined the rest again.
"John is going to hold down the fort and let you know if Lance wakes up before we return later this evening," Pete said. "He already has his people in place in the intensive care unit. I'll escort your daughter and her nurse back to the Retreat and drop you off at the Penthouse on the way downtown."
"Thanks, Pete," Mac said. "John, make sure your men know where our lunch room is. Our caterers will keep it operating twenty-four hours a day." Everyone went their separate ways. Mac and Drew headed to the Doctors' lounge to pick up their clothes. "We might as well keep these on since we will be back in a couple of hours," Mac said.
They were eating dinner when Scott said, "It's good to sit down to a good meal again."
"I was very happy you handled Lance's operation," Mac said. "I felt comfortable knowing that Lance had both the best surgeon and a good friend there for him."
"I was happy you asked me to do the job," Scott said. "I would have been worried the entire time if Lance had another surgeon. A surgeon has a fair idea of what he is getting into in a normal surgical procedure, but with an accident case, we really can't tell everything from the x-rays. You really don't know what tissue damage there is until you're in there. I was extremely lucky in Lance's case. The tissue was not badly torn and the nerves were all intact. He looked much worse than the damage actually was. Don't misunderstand me; Lance sustained some serious damage, but nothing that will scar him for life. In six months, you will never know he was in an accident. His broken bones will heal much faster and those scars will fade and finally disappear.
"We'll keep him on medication that will keep down the swelling and keep his pain at acceptable levels. Tomorrow he will be stiff and will really be aching. Everything will depend on how fast he heals. Youth is on his side, so he should heal quickly."
"Again, thank you for everything, Scott," Mac said. "We really appreciate everything you've done."
"I owed you, and still do," Scott said. "Anyway, I'd do it for Lance, he is a good kid and I like him. I'll stick around here tonight and check on Lance first thing in the morning before I write up my orders and head to the office. I've a good team watching him in the intensive care unit."
"Drew and I plan to make a short visit to hospital to see Lance and Pat before we call it a day," Mac said. "I'm sure you have some calls to make, so do your thing and we'll see you in the morning."
Scott said, "Great, I'll see you at breakfast."
When they returned to the hospital, they went directly to the intensive care unit. The nurse said that both patients were under heavy sedation. The chief of staff said they could go in together. Pat and Lance were in beds next to each other.
Mac and Drew stood on either side of Lance's bed. The bandages were removed from his face. A small amount of fluid was oozing from the incisions. His face was covered with a transparent gel that gave some protection for his skin. The dark circles around his eyes looked as if he had two black eyes. He was breathing through a trachea tube, and a fine mist was directed toward his face and neck from two misting machines. The purpose was to keep the membranes of his mouth and throat from drying and to keep the incision from forming a scab.
Pat had a few more drain tubes than Lance. In addition to the urine bag, he had drains from his stomach and lungs. He had a three-inch bandage on his forehead and a casts on his broken left arm and hip.
Mac took hold of Lance's hand and held it. He tried to communicate with Lance using his telepathic powers. Lance slowly came out of the drugged state and opened his eyes. Mac said, "How do you feel, Tiger? You look much better than the last time I saw you."
"I feel like Uncle Stan had a go at me again," Lance said. "When the shots wear off I am really in pain, right now it's under control. What did Uncle Scott say?"
"You'll look handsome again in a few months," Mac said. "He also said you are going to be in a lot of pain for the next few days. Afterwards, you will have less pain each day. They will have you out of bed tomorrow for a few hours. I know that's not going to be easy, Lance, but you must move your muscles. Each day it will be easier. I know; I went through the same thing."
"Pat is in the bed next to you. Say a few prayers for him tonight," Mac said. "If he can make it through the night he will pull through. I think he'll make it, he's a fighter. I'm having you both moved to the medical center at the Retreat as soon as your Uncle Scott can arrange it. Mac leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. "Use your powers to sleep all night son. I know you can do that. I love you and I will be here first thing in the morning. Your uncle Drew wants to say goodnight before you doze off again."
Mac turned to Pat and used his telepathic power to communicate with him. "Pat, this is Mac. Can you hear me, Pat?" Mac said.
"Yes, Mr. Stevens," Pat answered.
"I know you are in a lot of pain right now and can't decide which part of your body hurts the worst," Mac said. "You're at a turning point now. I want you to fight for your life tonight, Pat. You can take the pain, you're a strong man and you still have to take care of Lance. He is in the bed next to you. If you do this, Pat, I will see that you will never regret your decision. Lance said he is praying that you get well, as we all are, Pat. Now you fight this thing and heal yourself. We will talk again about this tomorrow morning. I want your word you'll not take the easy way out. Oh, by the way, Lance's jaw is wired, so he can't speak. He will communicate with you the same way I did."
Drew and Mac waited until they were asleep again and left for the apartment.
Chris greeted them at the door and said that their computers had arrived and moreover they both had a number of sympathy calls.
"Thanks, Chris, I'll be heading for the hospital first thing in the morning," Mac said. "Just put all the messages next to my computer and I'll answer them all tomorrow. We're both beat, but we're going to have a nightcap before we turn in. I appreciate all your kind thoughts and your understanding. It will be a trying time for us all this coming week. I'm the guest speaker tomorrow at one of the Overseas Press Clubs. Will you make sure to have a dark suit ready for me?"
"I thought you would cancel that speech," Drew said. "Everyone will understand the reason for the cancellation."
"I'm doing this to honor Lenore's memory," Mac said. "I want our community to know the sacrifices she made to protect them from the criminal element in our society. The PR people have scheduled ten important speaking engagements for me in the next two weeks. I plan to use this tragedy to promote legislation for stronger truck regulations. In addition, I will promote the Lenore Stevens Foundation for Abandoned and Abused Children."
Mac showered and climbed into bed and fell sound asleep. Drew followed him a little later. Drew kissed his face and his neck, while at the same time, he was fondling his genitals. Mac awoke, turned on his side and pulled Drew into his arms. He kissed him passionately and said, "Hello, lover. Sorry I fell asleep." Mac kissed him again, and turned Drew on his back and kissed his entire body.
"I want you inside me tonight," Drew said. They still enjoyed the delightful sex of two people in love and never denied each other any pleasure.
Mac lay on his back, pulled Drew close to him and said, "I love you, sweetheart. It's days like today that I need you by my side," Mac said. "I know this tragic accident has hit us hard. It's the kind of a day I hope we never have to live through again. My mind has been on an emotional roller coaster, with the death of Lenore, and our chauffeur, on the one hand. Then the joy of the birth of our beautiful daughter, and knowing that God has spared the life of Lance and Pat."
"I'll miss Lenore, we became very close these last few years," Mac said. "Did I tell you that our children are the only heirs that can inherit the Hart family businesses? Lenore's brother cannot have children and only blood heirs can inherit. My brother-in-law has no interest in running the family business anyway. When my father-in-law retires in a few years, he wants yours truly to take over and run his business. My brother-in-law is a gentle person like his parents. He's an archeologist and that's his whole life. Lenore had the balls in that family. It will be fun watching young Lenore grow up. If she is anything like her mother, look out world."
"Lenore had a lot of spunk and liked to stir the pot. Underneath that tough shell, she was a warm and gentle soul," Drew said. "I'm going to miss her. She was a welcome addition to our family. Little Lenore is a beautiful little girl. Her mother would have liked to spoil her. I can see a little of each of you in her features. She will grow up to be a beautiful woman."
"My heart goes out to Lance," Drew said. "He had a healthy relationship with Lenore and she was giving him that motherly support he needed. Her death will hit him hard. That poor boy keeps losing the people he loves. We must keep him involved with his brothers and sisters. Little children give their love so freely. I think that will help Lance to feel less alone. He's a fine young man, with his whole life ahead of him."
"I managed to bring a lot of grief to your doorstep, Drew," Mac said. "Do you still feel you made the right decision three years ago in marrying me and having children?"
"I've never regretted marrying you for one second," Drew said. "This is what married life is all about. You must take the good times with the bad times. You are the most wonderful person in this world and you have filled every day with happiness. These past three years with you have been exciting and worthwhile, not to mention the joys we have shared together. You and the children have enriched my life in a way I never thought possible. You are still the most dynamic and charismatic person I have ever known."
"We cannot expect to sail through life without running into some bad storms along the way," Drew said. "God has been good to us Mac. He took Lenore and our chauffeur, but spared us Lance, your beautiful daughter and Pat. Lenore lives on in her children. It's our job to see that all the children grow up and become healthy, well-adjusted adults and to give them the love and attention they will need."
"Our marriage grows stronger as we grow older," Mac said. "Our children have made the bond our marriage needed. I feel love for you in a mature and different way. I'm thankful you are not disappointed with your Kentucky farm boy. All my troubles and anxieties melt when I'm in your arms like this. I feel content and happy with you"
Mac kissed Drew tenderly and said, "Now that I am legally free to marry again, will you marry me, Drew?"
"I thought we are already married, sweetheart?"
"We are in our own eyes, but I want to be married to you legally, and also have our marriage blessed by a priest. When we are legally married, the children will become ours. You know I always wanted to marry you my love, and I refuse to marry anyone but you again. I want to go to Massachusetts and marry you, even though it may not be legal in every State."
"You are the most loving person in the world and I would be delighted to marry you again in Massachusetts," Drew said. "Certainly we want our children to be legal anyway; I like the idea of being legally married to you."
Mac kissed Drew again and said, "Be a good baby and go to sleep. We have another grueling day tomorrow and I must be at the hospital early. You sleep in the morning, and call me after breakfast. I will make all the arrangements for our wedding. I'll see if some of our close friends would like to see us tie the knot."
"Yes dear, as long as you let me plan everything."
Mac arrived at the hospital at five-thirty, and went directly to the intensive care unit where spoke to the charge nurse. The nurse told him that Lance had a restful night's sleep and that Pat's condition was downgraded to serious.
Mac walked into the intensive care unit and checked on Pat and Lance. They both appeared to be breathing easier. He walked over to Pat and gently placed his hand on Pat's forehead. He used his telepathic powers to communicate with Pat. He told Pat he had turned the corner and that he could expect a full recovery. Pat was overwhelmed by the good news that he and Lance would be transferred to the Retreat to recover.
Mac walked over to Lance, and took hold of his hand. He kissed him on the forehead. Lance opened his eyes and used his telepathic powers to communicate with his father.
"Hi, Dad, I feel sore all over this morning, but a lot better than yesterday," Lance said. "I used my powers and slept all night. You were right, it worked."
"Good. I knew you had the power to control pain, I talked to Uncle Scott last night," Mac said. "He will transfer you and Pat to the Retreat as soon as your trachea tube is removed. I'm sure you'll be glad to be home again."
"Mom didn't make it, did she?" Lance asked.
"No, she passed away yesterday," Mac said. "I knew you would have figured it by now. You have a beautiful baby sister to take care of now. I know it's hard to take, but as Drew said, Lenore lives on in her children."
"I felt she was gone when she was not with Pat and me in intensive care. When you didn't mention her this morning I suspected the worse," Lance said. The tears began to fill his eyes. "She was a good person and we became very close," Lance said. "I will miss her."
"We all will, Lance," Mac said. "Her baby daughter lost most of all. We must try to make little Lenore loved. I'm counting on you to help me to share your love with them now. Your mother's estate will be divided among you four children. The Hart Corporation will eventually be divided among you four also. It looks like you will be a busy man in the future running MacDonald-Stevens and the Hart Corporations. What do you say, Tiger?"
"It's hard to believe this is all happening to me. Are you telling me that I will share in my mom's estate?" Lance asked. "I don't understand, Dad, I've only known her three months?"
"What's not to understand?" Mac asked. "Your mother and I adopted you. You are our child and deserve the same as your brothers and sister. Your mother wanted you four to have her money. I agreed to run the corporation until you children are ready to decide what you want to do with the company. Lance, you're a wealthy young teenager. Your mother and I created a trust fund for you when we adopted you. You, your brothers and your sister are wealthy. Now with your mother's trust fund you are even more so."
"This is too much to accept right now, Dad. It is certainly something to think about."
Mac chuckled, "Don't let it get you down, Tiger. I know what you're going through. I felt the same, when your Uncle Drew handed me three hundred million to build my corporation. Only you don't have anything to prove. Knowing you, you are going to carve out your own niche and no doubt make us all look like underachievers. Look, son, don't let this wealth overwhelm you. You must continue to study and learn. Use this time given you, to plan and decide where your future lies."
"I'll try, Dad, but, wow, this is something. I'm feeling sleepy; the medication must be kicking in again."
"You rest, son. Uncle Drew and I will check in on you later. Grandmother Baldwin will be by to visit you later this morning."