Epilogue

I

took a deep breath and walked onto the deck. It was a cold, dark November day and the sun was trying its best to peek through the clouds. Maggie was standing with her arms folded across her chest, shivering.

"You'd stand out here and freeze, wouldn't you?" I declared as I held her jacket for her.

"Well, so would you." She slid into it and avoided looking at me. Then she turned and faced me, I took an instinctive step back. "I was with Allison last night, but only to take her home and explain how I felt," she started. I opened my mouth to say something, but she said, "Will you please keep quiet and let me finish?"

I closed my mouth and leaned against the railing.

"She didn't need much of an explanation. She knew there wasn't much left between us. She is however, someone I will always care about," she finished and looked out at the woods. "For the first time since my mother died, I really feel happy and content. I know she was here this weekend and I know she helped. I feel so at peace now and I know she is, too. I have you to thank for that, Kate. You came into my life and I don't think I'll ever be the same," she said with tears in her eyes.

I pulled out a hanky and handed it to her.

She laughed quietly and took it from me. "You and your hankies."

I held her hand and studied it for a moment. Such small hands, I thought stupidly.

"Maggie, you've been through so much. I'm glad I was able to help and I think I can speak for Mac and Teri, that they feel the same way." I smiled and held her at arm's length. "This is a great time for you, Maggie. You can concentrate on finishing your internship, become a good doctor and be happy. That will be a wonderful testament to your mother." I took the hanky out of her hand and gently wiped her cheeks. "So enough tears. Honestly, I've never seen a woman cry as much as you."

She took my hand away and held it. "Thank you, Kate Ryan. I don't know what I would have done without you. Once I finish my internship, I have a feeling you'll be a steady patient of mine," she said and I couldn't help but notice her blue eyes dancing wickedly.

"Possibly, but you won't charge me," I said and felt myself grinning wildly. How long has that been?

"We'll just have to see. I think there should be some type of payment plan," she countered with a wicked grin.

Then something caught my eye behind her in the garden next to the deck. I strained to see what it was.

Maggie followed my curious look and turned around to the garden. I stood behind her, with my hands on her shoulders. She reached back and put her hand on mine.

"Oh, Mom," she sighed and took a deep quivering breath.

We looked in quiet amazement at the end of the deck at the small garden...the garden that she and Miranda planted so many years ago.

Amid the scattered, lifeless autumn leaves, there was a sign of life, of hope.

A small purple hyacinth stood blooming alone. Although it was a cold dreary November day, a warm summer-like breeze softly blew and the hyacinth danced and joyfully gave up its heavenly fragrance.

I felt Maggie lean into me as she let out a contented, quivering sigh. I couldn't help but think about Miranda.

She waits all these years. Waits and protects her daughter as best she can. And now she waits no longer.

As I held tightly onto Maggie's hand, I could almost hear Miranda's lilting laughter fading with the warm, gentle breeze.

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