| Chapter 16 America Goes To War The day started as any other. It was sunny and warm just like any other early September day. No one had a clue that in just a few hours America would be changed forever. John and Branwen were preparing for the day when suddenly the music that had been playing on the radio was interrupted by an urgent news bulletin. “A plane has crashed into Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City,” the announcer said in a somewhat shaky voice. “There is abundant evidence of terrorism, all military personnel are being placed on Code Red.” When he heard those words John snapped to attention; he knew Code Red was the military’s highest state of alert short of war. “I need to touch base with Captain Johnson,” he said softly. Branwen nodded. John had no trouble getting through to his commanding officer. “Sir, I’ve seen what’s going on in the news; should we prepare to move out?” “Hang tight son, we can’t attack until we know our target; right now we have no idea as to who’s responsible for this. We have to wait for more information. As time passed the evidence pointed to Al-Qaida, a group of radical Islamic terrorists that felt it was their mission to stamp out all people that didn’t agree with the Islamic ideas, as the group responsible for the attacks that had killed and injured thousands and the rescue teams were still counting. The estimates ranged from two to three thousand. Two weeks later John received his orders. He was being shipped to Afganhastan the next day. He knew that this was going to be the most difficult thing he ever did, saying goodbye to his young beautiful bride and his three-year-old twins. He told them that night. “Le’andra, I got my orders today; I leave tomorrow.” He cleared the space between them and pulled her close. “I don’t want to leave you sweetheart.” The princess looked up at him there were tears in her eyes but she was smiling in spite of them. “I know but you must, it’s your duty to protect your country.” She smiled again. “I’m proud of you Lieutenant,” she said kissing him tenderly on the lips. He returned it. “Where are you going Daddy?” Leyanna asked. John picked up his daughter and held her close. “Daddy has to go catch some bad guys,” he explained. Brenden, who was into cops and robbers, was bouncing up and down. “Can I go with you to catch the bad guys Daddy?” he enthused. John smiled. “No son, you’re too young yet but someday you will go too.” Brenden was disappointed but his father’s promise satisfied him for the time being. The next day Branwen and the children went to the airport to see him off. When it was time to say goodbye at the security checkpoint John held his children close. “Now, you mind your Mommy and be good while I’m gone,” he told them. “We promise Daddy,” they said as one. John’s eyes filled with tears. “Remember Daddy loves you very much,” he said, with as much control as he could. He looked over the twin’s heads to their mother. He rose from his knees and reached out to her. She went to him and he pulled her close. “Take care, I promise I’ll write as often as I can.” He kissed her gently and stroked her hair. “I love you Le’andra,” he whispered. “I love you too,” she returned. John turned to Seth, who had flown in from Huston with Lisa to be with Alex and the children. “You have to watch out for them for me my friend.” Seth smiled and saluted. “With pleasure my friend, I promise.” John turned to his wife again. “I love you angel,” he said softly. He kissed her one last time then he was gone. John was as good as his word. Once a week Branwen received an envelope with seven letters in it, each with vivid descriptions of military life and of course romantic lines telling her how much he loved and missed her. She kept all the letters carefully in her cedar hope chest along with something special she planned to use when he returned. When he had been gone for three months the letters stopped; she found this strange, it was not like John to forget to write. One week later she received a phone call from Captain Johnson telling her that he had been wounded in combat, his plane had crashed during an attack mission. Even though he was able to take down several enemy fighters he had sustained serious injuries and was being airlifted by military helicopter to the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh where his injuries would be assessed. The princess was bewildered by their choice of hospitals but she didn’t argue. The next day a military escort flew her from the base in Alexandria Virginia to Pittsburgh. When she arrived at the hospital Dr. Leland Albright, the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, met her. He had been her supervisor during her Child Life internship at Children’s. He and his team were in charge of John’s case. “Hello Alex,” he said softly. She went to him and he gave her a gentle hug. “I don’t understand, why is he in a pediatric hospital?” Dr. Albright smiled. “I’m the attending on John’s case. UPMC recently raised the pediatric age limit to twenty-six and when I heard that he needed neurological surgery I took the case.” “How is he?” she asked. Dr. Albright put his hand on her shoulder. “He’s stable but unconscious; he sustained multiple fractures, minor neurological damage and a moderate concussion. We have him sedated that’s why he’s unconscious.” He saw the cloud of worry that came over her face. “Don’t worry sweet one; it will take time but we expect him to make a complete recovery,” he assured her. “Come, I’ll take you in now.” He led her down the corridor to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where John lay bandaged from head to toe. She went over to the bed, knelt down, took his hand gently in hers and kissed him on the lips. “Hello darling, it’s me Le’andra,” she said softly. Even in his comatose state John recognized her voice and squeezed her hand three times; their secret code for I love you. She returned it with four gentle squeezes, which meant I love you too. A tall man with light brown hair and contacts approached the bedside. “Hello, Dr. Albright, who do you have with you?” he asked. “This is John’s wife Branwen but everyone calls her Alex. She was one of the best Child Life interns we ever had here at Children’s.” The young man smiled and extended his hand. “Hello Alex, I’m Michael, John’s attending nurse. I coordinate all of his nursing care, along with his medical specialty team.” “I’m pleased to meet you,” she said and shook hands with him. “He’s doing very well. We still have him sedated because of pain but I expect to be weaning him off that starting tomorrow,” he said brightly. He then went on to explain the treatment protocol, including medications and tests. Over the next few days she and Michael became close friends. He even taught her how to do checks of vital signs and other basic nursing care, under his careful supervision. John was in the hospital for several weeks because Dr. Albright and his team wanted him to be completely recovered before they sent him home. After spending two weeks in the PICU he was transferred to the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit, the step down unit from the PICU. After two weeks in the IICU he was transferred to the regular Neurosurgery unit. Branwen was at the hospital every day, the staffs of the PICU, IICU and Neurosurgery unit adored her and she knew most of them on a first name basis. A few days after John had been transferred to the Neurosurgery unit she came in with a surprise for him. When she arrived Kasandra the charge nurse was just finishing a routine screening of vital signs. When she saw the princess she smiled. “Someone’s here to see you Lieutenant,” she said. John smiled and Kasandra left the room. When she was gone Branwen pulled the bedside chair closer to the bed. “Are you hungry for some real food?” she quipped, opening her purse. “Yes, why?” John asked smiling. The princess smiled, pulled the tray table up and laid two foil wrapped packages on it. “Brought you this,” she said unwrapping the packages and removing their contents. John brightened; she had brought him his favorite food in the world. “A steak sandwich from Damon’s, thank you!” he exclaimed. The princess flushed with pleasure and cut the sandwich in half. After John had finished eating she put the trash back in the bag and hid the bag from sight. Kasandra returned to tell them that John could be discharged from the hospital the next day pending the results of an EMG, CAT scan, MRI and routine blood tests. All the tests came back normal and Dr. Albright gave the all clear for discharge. Seth went to the hospital the next day to pick John up. Branwen was at home with Lisa waiting for him. She had gone to her hope chest and pulled out a sleeveless forest green negligee. A wreath of English rosebuds crowned her chestnut locks that fell in a rich brown cascade down her back they were scented with Cenel Allure Tender Hair Mist. She was wearing his favorite perfume too, Revlon’s Fire and Ice. She was ready. When John and Seth arrived home Lisa met them at the door. “Welcome home John,” she said with a smile. “Daddy’s home!” Leyanna squealed and she and Brenden ran to meet him. John was prepared for the attack and greeted his children with hugs and kisses. “It’s so good to see you, were you good for Mommy, Uncle Seth and Aunt Lisa while I was gone?” The children both nodded vigorously. John looked at Lisa. “Speaking of their mother where is she?” he asked her. Lisa smiled again. “She’s upstairs, waiting for you.” John took the stairs two at a time. “Le’andra, where are you? I’m home,” he called. “Here dear,” a soft voice said from behind him. John turned around to see a forest fairy standing in front of him. She was beautiful and her scent filled the room with whispers of romance, love and passion. She floated towards him as if she were walking on air. When she reached him he pulled her close. She felt softer then ever in his arms and her gentle kisses mingled with the scents of Fire and Ice and Allure were driving him crazy. He wanted her no he needed her now! “Take me to your world my Fairy Queen,” he said breathlessly. She smiled and the kisses that had been gentle were passionate now. “I really missed you Le’andra,” he said as he started kissing her and in a few minutes she needed him as much as he needed her. “You’re trembling my love,” he said softly. She looked up at him and smiled. “It’s because I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered. “I’m here my sweet angel,” he said, his voice filled with tender passion. He kissed her gently. “I’m still in Afghanistan Le’andra, bring me completely back to you.” “Quiet my love, take my hand I’ll lead you home,” she said softly. “But you don’t know what I did out there I…” his words trailed away. “John,” the princess said softly and he was still. He gave himself to her completely and within moments all the horror that he had seen in the Middle East was forgotten in the arms of the woman he loved. When they were both worn out he smiled and kissed her gently on the lips. “Where did your energy come from?” she asked. “A promise my sweet angel. As my plane was going down I vowed to myself that if I came home alive the first thing I would do was make passionate love to you.” He smiled at her. “By the way things looked when I got up here and the way you were acting you had made the same promise to yourself regarding me. The princess nodded and smiled up at him. “I thought so and that was the best you’ve given me,” he said. John was awarded the Purple Heart and the Congressional Medal of Honor the highest honors for military personnel because he was able to take ten Al-Qaida fighters down with him during the crash that nearly took his life. He was also given a promotion to Captain. However, all the honors and even the promotion paled in comparison to the gift Branwen gave him several months later. It was longer in coming but when it arrived they both said it was worth the wait. |