CHAPTER 43
"Okay, Jess, while I work with Christopher, I'd like you to show Will how to control the horse with his hands and voice," Maggie said. "Please stay in the ring today. We'll take him out to the north pasture after he has built up a little confidence."
"Sure thing, Maggie," Jessie replied as she maneuvered her horse close to Will.
"All right, young man," Maggie said to Christopher, "Let's get you onto this horse."
For the next two hours, Jessie and Maggie worked with their new students, focusing on balance and control. Both boys had spinal injuries. Will had a complete thoracic injury, immobilizing him from the waist down, while Christopher's partial injury was in the cervical region, effectively making him a quadriplegic, but with limited control over his arms and hands.
Maggie stanchion the horse and used the special lift she had designed, to raise Christopher to a level high enough to move him into the saddle. She then strapped his legs, arms and chest into the leather cradle. She placed the reins into his hands. "Okay, big guy, are you ready to ride?" she asked the boy.
A wide grin appeared on Christopher's face. "I'm more than ready," he said enthusiastically.
"All righty then, let's go."
Maggie mounted her own horse, then reached for the tether on the harness of Christopher's horse. She led him around the paddock several times while instructing him on how to use the reins to dictate the direction the horse would go in. Finally, she brought his horse to a halt near the fence, then rode her own horse into the middle of the arena.
"Okay, Chris. You're on your own, bud. Tap the horse's side like I showed you, then steer him slowly around the periphery of the ring using the reins. When you get back to where you are now, we'll reverse direction and circle the other way. If you can manage this, you'll graduate to the open plain. Are you up for the challenge?"
"Try to stop me," Chris said.
Maggie watched Chris guide his horse around the ring, while spot-checking Jessie and Will in the next ring. She smiled as Jessie encouraged the young boy to push himself out of his comfort zone.
"Come on, Will. You can do it," Jessie said. "You're not going to fall out of the saddle, so don't be afraid to push yourself. Use your voice. That's it. Good job. Now pull back on the reins to stop him. Fantastic!"
Over the next hour, both boys ran their horses through a routine designed to teach them control over the animals' movements, while their mothers watched from the porch. Every so often, Maggie would glance over at them when they clapped and offered encouragement to their sons. At the end of the hour, she led the boys back to the barn, one at a time and helped them dismount and settle back into their chairs. Jessie was the last one to dismount.
"Race you to the house," Will challenged Jessie.
"You're on, squirt," Jessie said as they two of them took off, leaving Maggie to push Christopher behind them.
"What do you think of this guy, Kathy?" Maggie said as she pushed Christopher over to his mother.
"I'm amazed, and very impressed," Kathy said. "Maggie, I can't tell how good this has been for Chris."
"Well, I've enjoyed every minute of it. Give me five, dude," Maggie said to the boy as she put her hand near his. "Will we see you again next week?"
"You bet," Chris said.
Will rolled his chair over to Maggie. "Can we go see the new foals in the north pasture next week?" he asked.
"That's the plan, Stan. I think both you and Chris are ready for a ride across the plains," Maggie said.
Both boys cheered.
"All right then. We'll see you next week."
Maggie draped her arm across Jessie's shoulder as they watched the boys leave. "What do you say we go unsaddle the horses then have ourselves some lemonade?"
* * *
Maggie took two glasses from the cupboard and put them on the table, then reached for the refrigerator door just as her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the number.
"Hmmm. I wonder who this is." She pressed the answer button and raised the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"Maggie, this is Tom at the lab."
"Tom? Is Jordan all right?"
"Actually, she's in labor."
"What? Oh, my God. Where is she?"
"The ambulance just took her to the hospital."
"Okay. I'm on my way. Thanks for calling, Tom."
Maggie hung up the phone and looked at Jessie. "The lemonade will have to wait. We're having a baby!"
Maggie pushed Jessie down the porch ramp and helped her into the car. She pushed the Bluetooth feature on her dash and called Chuck.
"Charles Malone," he said when he answered the phone.
"Chuck, this is Maggie. I'm on my way to meet Jordan at the hospital. Jessie's with me. You're about to be an uncle."
"Holy shit. I'll be waiting for you in the parking garage."
As soon as Maggie hung up with Chuck, she dialed Gina and Sam.
"Hey Maggie, how are you, darling?" Sam said.
"I'm about to become a mom. The ambulance just took Jordan from the lab. She's in labor."
"Oh my! Gina and I will be there as soon as we can. Congratulations, sweetie. We'll see you soon."
“One more call,” Maggie said as she dialed Florida. “Mom… Dad, you’re about to become grandparents. I’m on my way to the hospital right now. Jordan is in labor.”
“How wonderful, Margaret! Gary, Jordan is in labor,” Maggie heard her mother shout to her father.
“Call us as soon as the little one has arrived,” Sharon said. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”
“I will Mom… I mean, Grandma. Talk to you soon.”
* * *
Maggie arrived at the hospital just as Jordan was being wheeled to the operating room.
"Maggie. Thank God you made it," Jordan said as another contraction tore through her abdomen. "Ahhh."
"And you are?" a nurse asked Maggie.
"I'm Maggie Downs, her wife."
"Come with me," the nurse said.
"Where am I going?"
"We need to get you suited up and scrubbed before you can go into the OR."
Maggie squeezed Jordan's hand and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you there, love."
* * *
Maggie stood to the side and talked to the doctor as the scrub nurse prepared Jordan for surgery. "Doctor Cross, isn't the baby a bit early? I mean, her C-section isn't scheduled for another two weeks."
"Two weeks is nothing to worry about, Maggie. I'm more concerned about the contractions. Jordan isn't able to push, so to minimize the stress on the baby, we need to do the C-section right away."
Maggie looked at Jordan, worry evident on her face.
"Don't look so glum. She'll be fine. This will be over in no time. The spinal should take effect in a few minutes, then we'll get started. I will warn you though that C-sections are pretty gruesome to watch."
"I've birthed countless foals. It can't be much different than that."
"We're ready, Dr. Cross," the nurse said.
Dr. Cross winked at Maggie. "Let's go have a baby," he said.
Maggie held Jordan's hand throughout the entire surgery, relaying to her each step in the delivery process. Finally, Dr. Cross reached into the incision with the scalpel and cut the uterus.
"Suction," he said as the excess blood and amniotic fluid were removed.
Dr. Cross reached into the opening of Jordan's uterus and guided the baby's head out. The attending nurse immediately began to suction out the infant's mouth.
"It looks like the baby has lots of brown hair," Maggie said.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Jordan asked.
Just as the words left Jordan's mouth, Dr. Cross pulled the baby the rest of the way out of the opening. "You have a son, ladies," he said, holding the child high enough for Jordan to see.
"We have a son? Maggie, we have a son." Jordan's voice shook with emotion as she looked into Maggie's eyes.
"We have a son," Maggie said. "I love you so much right now, my heart's about to burst."
"Maggie, do you want to cut the cord?" the doctor asked.
"Yes. Yes, I do." She kissed Jordan once more then accepted the scissors from the nurse. When the cord was cut, the little boy was carried to the scale where he was weighed, measured and bathed. Finally, swathed in a warm, soft blanket, the nurse handed him to Maggie who carried him over to Jordan and placed his head close enough for Jordan to kiss him.
"Hey little man," Jordan said tenderly. "I'm your mamma, well, one of them at least."
Maggie looked at him for several long moments, then kissed him on the cheek. "Kale Charles Downs-Lewis. Welcome to the world, little dude," she said.
"Kale Charles. I like that. Thank you, Maggie," Jordan said.
"It seems only fitting to name him after the two men who made all this possible. Do you want to hold him?"
"I was wondering when you'd ask," Jordan joked.
Maggie placed Kale in Jordan's arms then draped her arm across the pillow above Jordan's head. "He looks like you," she said.
"I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse," Jordan remarked.
"Oh, it's a blessing, all right. You're a beautiful woman, Jordan, even all sweaty and bloated after giving birth."
Jordan's eyebrows rose high on her forehead. "Sheesh, do I really look that bad?" she asked.
"You are more beautiful than I've ever seen you, my love." Maggie kissed the top of her head.
"Okay, ladies. Just a few more stitches and we'll have you on your way to your room," Dr. Cross said.
"Sweetheart, why don't you go break the news to the crew. I'll see you in the room. Okay?" Jordan suggested.
"Okay." Maggie kissed both members of her new family and left the OR.
* * *
Maggie walked into the room with a big smile on her face. "We have a son," she said. "Kale Charles Downs-Lewis."
Gina and Sam were the first to embrace Maggie as she entered the waiting room, showering her with kisses.
Sam looked down at her own bulging abdomen. "Do you hear that little one? Your cousin has been born."
"Maggie, we are so happy for both of you. How's Jordan?" Gina asked.
"She's great. They're closing the incision now. She should be moved to her room in about an hour. Wait until you see our little man. He's beautiful. He looks just like Jordan."
"My turn," Chuck said as he patiently waited his turn for hugs. "Congratulations, Maggie. A boy, huh? Wow! I finally have a nephew. How cool is that?"
Jessie pulled on her father's coattails. "Me next," she said, urging Chuck to step aside.
Maggie knelt in front of Jessie and accepted a big hug from her. "I can't wait to hold him," Jessie said excitedly. If Daddy is his uncle, does that make him my cousin?"
"I believe it does," Maggie said.
"Cool. I can't wait to babysit."
"Be careful what you wish for. We might just take you up on that."
Julie finally regained her composure and stood to hug Maggie warmly. "I'm so happy for you and Jordan. So, if Chuck gets to be his uncle, that means I get to be his aunt."
Maggie furrowed her brow and looked back and forth between Chuck and Julie. "Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?" she asked.
Julie slipped her left hand into Maggie's. "You think right."
Maggie looked at Julie's ring finger, then at Chuck. "You sly dog. Come here, you." She hugged him fiercely. "Congratulations. You'll make a wonderful couple."
"Whoa, wait a minute here," Jess said. "You two are getting married?"
Chuck and Julie both nodded.
"Well hot damn. I get a new nephew and a new mom all in the same day," she exclaimed.
"Hey, watch your language. Where did you learn that?"
"Oops!" Jessie said as she looked at Maggie.
Chuck glared at her.
"Hey, how about those Red Sox?" Maggie said. "Wait, I think I hear Jordan calling. We'll be in room two-eleven if you want to stop by," she said as she beat a hasty retreat.
Julie walked into the circle of Chuck's arms. "Kale Charles? What a wonderful gift, from such a wonderful man."
CHAPTER 44
Two months later…
Jessie sat on the edge of the hospital bed with her feet dangling down. Chuck and Julie stood in front of her. Jordan was nearby in her wheelchair with Maggie and Kale by her side.
"I don't want to do this, Daddy."
"Look, Jessie, the sooner you do this, the sooner your physical therapy sessions will be over. You haven't been very cooperative with them so far."
Jessie crossed her arms and pouted, a scowl on her face.
"Now, put your hands in mine, and slowly slide forward," Chuck said.
The look of fear on Jessie's face was palpable. "I can't, Daddy. I'll fall."
"You won't fall, Jess. I would never let you fall."
Jess looked at Jordan.
"It's okay to be scared, Jess. I was scared too. Trust your father," Jordan urged.
"You can do it, Jess," Maggie added.
Jess closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, then slid forward until her feet touched the floor and she stopped sliding.
"We have touchdown," Julie said. "All right sweetie, Dad and I will each hold an arm. I want you to lean forward and imagine yourself pushing your feet into the floor while you straighten at the waist. Just like that," Julie said as Jessie stood up.
Her eyes were as big as saucers, then rapidly filled with tears as the emotion of the moment overwhelmed her.
"I'm standing. Daddy, I'm standing!"
"Yes you are, baby," he said, unable to hold back his joyful tears as they rolled down his cheeks.
"Mom, look at me. I'm almost as tall as you are," she said to Julie.
"In a few years, you'll be taller than me," Julie replied, tears glistening in her own eyes. She looked at Chuck from behind Jessie's back and mouthed the words she called me mom!
"Okay, Jess. I need you to take a few steps for me," Chuck said. "Your physical therapist said you need to push yourself or it will never happen."
"I… I can't. I'm scared."
Maggie handed Kale to Jordan. "Sweetie, take our son for a moment. I want to try something."
Maggie stood in front of Jessie. "How badly do you want to be an instructor at the riding school?" she asked.
"I really, really want that, Maggie. You know I do."
"Well, just like we've told our students, you have to earn the right to move up to the next level."
Maggie backed up three steps. "If you want to be promoted from helper to full blown instructor, then start earning your stripes right now. Three steps. That's all you need to do to get the ball rolling. Just three steps."
Jess grasped Chuck and Julie's hands tightly and locked gazes with Maggie. She moved one foot forward, followed by the other. With each step she took, Maggie backed up one more. Before Jessie knew it, she had walked all the way across the room. Finally, Maggie stopped and allowed her to take one final step, right into her arms.
* * *
Jordan sat in bed, reviewing lab notes taken during Jessie's meeting with the team earlier in the day.
Maggie came into the room and reclined on the bed beside Jordan. She rolled onto her side and propped her upper body on her elbow. "The little one is down for the night, or at least until his next feeding."
"I'm a little nervous that he's in his own room already. He's not quite three months old yet," Jordan said.
"He'll be fine. He's right next door and the baby monitor lets us know his every move. "Maggie looked at the papers in her hands. "What 'cha reading?" she asked.
"These are the notes we took while examining Jessie at the lab today. We are all astounded at the progress she's made in just the three short weeks since her device was implanted."
"I know what you mean. I spent some time with her today teaching her how to mount and dismount her horse from a standing position, and how to control it with her knees. She's having to re-learn horse riding techniques again, but she's doing remarkably well."
"She's a determined young lady."
"That, she is. She's almost walking normally after only three weeks."
"I agree. Muscle memory is returning pretty fast for her. It will only be a matter of time before her movements are completely normal. The question is, how long it will take for sensory feelings to return."
"So, is she far enough along in her healing to claim victory on the chip design and function?"
"I'd give it another few weeks, just to be sure nothing goes wrong."
"Another few weeks? Define few.'"
"I'd like at least a two-month trial before we do anything with the original device."
"So we're looking at another five weeks?"
"Pretty much."
"Are you nervous about getting the device back?" Maggie asked.
"A little. I'm more concerned about it working properly. With all the poking and prodding we've done on it, I really hope we haven't made it non-functional."
"I guess time will tell. If for some reason it doesn't work, you could always use one of the new devices."
"True. I'm just thankful that this latest injury wasn't a complete SCI. I still have most of the feeling below the injury site, I just can't move my legs. It makes waiting another five weeks in this wheelchair a little easier."
Maggie took the papers from Jordan's hands and placed them on the nightstand. She then ran the tip of her index finger from Jordan's ear to the tip of her chin. "How about we exercise those feelings below the injury site."
"Yours or mine?" Jordan smiled wickedly.
Maggie glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "Let's see, I just put Kale to bed. That means he'll be awake in three to four hours wanting to be fed again. Three or four hours is enough time to walk on the wild side in both our sugar bushes. Don't you think?"
Jordan rolled over so she was partially lying on top of Maggie. "I'm always up for a wild time as long as it's with you, my love."
Maggie cupped Jordan's face between her hands and stared directly into her eyes. Jordan could see the passion smoldering below the surface of Maggie's green pupils. "Love me like there's no tomorrow, Jordan."
* * *
One year later…
Jordan walked back and forth across the front of a room filled with high-ranking military officers.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she said. "What I am about to propose to you will revolutionize the treatment of our veterans, specifically those who return from war with spinal injuries."
Jordan advanced the slide. "What if I was to say to you that I can cure paralysis caused by complete or partial spinal cord injuries? What if I was able to develop advanced, permanent prostheses that work on nerve impulse alone? What if I said my team and I have developed a functional power pack that is powered by the body using simple kinetics, and could be used to power cell phones or electronic body armor in the field?"
Jordan looked at the shocked faces of the people in the room. "Think of the possibilities, ladies and gentlemen. What if in the future, we were able to use this device and this knowledge to grow bulletproof skin, or to re-grow limbs lost to land mines?"
"I'd say, hogwash," a voice said from the back of the room.
"Impossible," came another response.
Jordan listened to several more negative outbursts, all the while nodding her head. "I expected those exact sentiments," she said.
A man sitting near the front of the room rose to his feet. "This is nonsense, Dr. Lewis. You're wasting our time."
"With all due respect, General, I disagree with you. Everything I have said is not only possible, but many of these capabilities have already been developed by my team… or are in process of development."
"With all due respect to you, Dr. Lewis… prove it," the general said.
Jordan walked back and forth across the front of the room one more time before stopping at the head of the table. "Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you, a paraplegic."