Chapter 34
David was sitting next to Tracey’s bed when he heard a familiar voice call out hello; a small relieved smile crept across his face as he walked into the lounge room.
“Hayden, when did you get here?”
“Just in time for dinner.” He handed David the tray he had brought with him. “Compliments of the chef.”
David put the tray in the kitchen; he would warm it up later when Tracey was ready to eat. “Your mum’s still asleep. Would you like to sit with her a while?”
Hayden nodded and they walked back to the bedroom. “How are you holding up D?”
“Ok, but I don’t think Tracey should have made the trip to the US. She’s so tired and weak.”
Hayden put his hand on David’s shoulder. “You and I both know that when she had made up her mind to go she was going. Nobody was going to stop her.”
David sat on one side of the bed and Hayden pulled up a chair and sat at the other.
Tracey stirred a little, opened her eyes and smiled. “My two favourite men. What more could a girl ask for.”
Hayden bent over and kissed his mother. “Hiya mum.”
“Let me guess, got here Just in time for dinner.”
Both men smiled. “You know me. I can smell one of Sue’s lamb roasts from three continents away. I brought a doggy bag. You up for eating yet?”
Tracey pulled herself up the bed with help from David. “Not just yet but I would kill for a cup of tea.”
Hayden squeezed her hand. “One hot brew coming up.”
As he left her eyes fell on David. “Promise me you two will look after each other?”
David had no words; he was too afraid to speak in case he broke down and cried. He only nodded.
Out in the kitchen as he waited for the kettle to boil, Hayden felt the tears run down his face. He had not planned on coming home for a few more weeks but the whole time his mother was in the States, he was restless and knew the only thing to stop it was to book the flight and get to Tasmania. Seeing his mother he understood why. She was so much worse than he had expected.
David was right, she was so very tired. No more supercharge and wanting to get on with life after an attack. Hayden could see it in her eyes. That shine, that spark that he was so used to seeing was fading. He was going to loose his mother and like David was so angry that he could do nothing about it.

This small portion of the extended family sat together and talked about many things. Tracey wanted an update on Hayden’s life, how things were going for him at Coleman’s. She so loved to hear about David and he working together, they had the same kind of passion and if she could get them started talking about a new project they were involved in this passion would take over. They obtained energy from each other; it was a good partnership in more ways than one.
David made sure that Tracey ate but Hayden noticed that David had not touched any of his food. As they left Tracey to sleep for the night he mentioned this to him.
David smiled. “I’m not hungry mate.”
“I know that D but unless you want the rest of the female clan down here spoon feeding you I suggest you at least try. If I don’t go back with empty plates they will know something is up. You, not hungry. They will not believe me.”
By the time Hayden left David had consumed about half of the meal Sue had sent for him and he had to admit he felt better for it.
Once he had let a hot shower wash away some of his torment he joined Tracey in bed, holding her all through the night.

David woke to a slight breeze whispering through the open window and Baby Girl sitting on the end of the bed. At some point during the night she had made the trip from the guest house. He would find out later that the cat did not venture that far from the big house theses days. He smiled at her. “Come to check on your mother have you?”
Baby Girl stretched and walked David his full length, starting at his feet she walked up his legs until she was close enough to his face to touch nose to nose, which she did and then meowed. David in return scratched her behind the ears and got another nudge from her as a thank you. Then she settled between Tracey and David and went to sleep for a little while. David spent the time watching his wife. As Tracey stirred so did the cat and out of habit Tracey put her hand down and scratched Baby Girl. David lent over and kissed Tracey on the shoulder. “Morning.”
“Three in this bed is one to many my furry friend.”
As if it knew what she was saying the cat jumped down and headed out the door. Tracey turned, smiling at David. “Morning Merlin. What adventure do you have in store for me today?”
David brushed some wayward hair from her face. “Oh I thought maybe a little bit of yowie hunting, followed by some bungee jumping and then just to relax maybe some white water rafting.”
“Guess I better get ready then.” She kissed David and swung her legs over the side of the bed holding her breathe as the pain danced in her chest. Tracey knew her legs were weak but until she tried to stand did not know just how weak. She did manage to stand for few second but then her legs gave way and she fell to the floor. David flew out of the bed and to her side, picking her up and putting her back on the bed. “Ace. You ok?”
She had tears in her eyes. “They have no strength.” She rubbed her legs. “I can’t stand up anymore Davey.”
David’s heart ached so he almost forgot to breath. Before Tracey had always gotten her strength back. This time it was different and they both knew it.
He smiled at her. “I would carry you to the moon and back if I had to.”

As it was that morning David carried her to the shower, holding her while they washed and then to the sofa in the lounge. He made breakfast at the cottage instead of going to the guest house.
“I should head up to the house and let the others know you are still resting.”
“Merlin, Will you send Urs down for me I want to talk to him.”
“Sure.”
David thought about her request and it took all his strength not to let his tears flow again. She was saying good bye.