Core Beliefs - Chapter 46 - We Are One

Core Beliefs – Chapter 46 - We are one.

Matt and Ling set a May 1, 2009, wedding date.

Ling turned in her resignation to both Wheatley and Baylor. She was surprised at how fiercely they fought to keep her on staff. There were moments when Ling found herself torn, an ache in her heart at not being able to help heal people in need, yet she knew she could no longer live without Matt, who had made her life whole and healed.

When the institutions learned the reason, they grudgingly accepted, but both wanted to retain her as a consultant.

Christmas was over, and New Year’s had come. Matt and Ling had made the rounds of company parties and had enjoyed the season, but it was time to get to work.

Matt, Ling, and Marcus finished the marketing details for the neuroimager and software. M&E Enterprises would license the software to Myoplex. The Myoplex facility had the best setup to manufacture the Imager.

Ling would establish testing standards and documentation and be responsible for developing a training program. Matt suggested the first recipients be Baylor Medical Center and Wheatley University. The prospect thrilled Ling. She called both institutions to offer an overview of the systems.

She also solicited dozens of Myoplex employees to run in-house tests on the neuroimager and the corresponding software.

After two months and over 300 tests, they had found only a few hardware modifications needed and a dozen software glitches, which Doug fixed quickly.

By April 1, they were ready and scheduled a trip to Houston. The institutions received the presentations with enthusiasm and exclamatory accolades. Ling advised that the first units would be shipped in late May, and she would begin training in late June. It seemed she was going to be busy all of May, something about a honeymoon.

***

The time rolled by quickly. Matt found himself alone on several occasions as Ling and Charlotte went shopping. He smiled in anticipation and knew there would be no cold feet at this wedding.

Marcus called him one afternoon. “Matt, don’t worry about the honeymoon; the arrangements have been made. You should just enjoy it.

“Marcus? Matt questioned.

“Trust me,” Marcus said.

Matt started to rebut, but inside, he had a sense that letting go and letting others have control was a good thing.

“Okay,” Matt said. “Marcus, I do trust you.”

“I am honored. We are thrilled to be here for you.” Marcus said.

***

The wedding was to be at Armonia House, and the week prior was a bustle of activity as they completed arrangements for up to five hundred guests.

“I had no idea it was going to be this big!” Matt stared at Charlotte, amazed that so many people planned to help celebrate their nuptials.

“You’ve got Joe, Chris, and Marcus as your groomsmen. Ling’s bridesmaids are me, Mary Poplar, and Bernadette,” Charlotte grinned. “Matt, it’s going to be great! Trust me, I’ll cram happiness down your throat if you even once think about not being all in. You proposed to that woman, you’ve already committed, and obviously you are already enjoying her company, in the biblical sense.”

Charlotte’s wicked smile had Matt blushing, dropping his eyes, and, subtlety, involuntarily nodding.

“Matt, you love her as few women have ever been loved. You two have a connection that is beyond explanation. Seize that joy! Because few are as blessed as the two of you.”

“How’d you get so smart?” Matt grumbled. Charlotte was right, and she’d nailed it perfectly.

“Get outta here, I have things to do.” Charlotte grinned and punched Matt in the shoulder.

“Ouch!” Matt snapped wide-eyed, staring at Charlotte, and then swallowing. Her expression was all smiles, like that of a predator about to snap the neck of its prey.

“I’m out of here,” Matt said, turned, and hurried out of the house and to his car. “I got things to do as well,” he mumbled. Starting his vehicle, he put it in gear and headed for the silo. There were discoveries to be reviewed.

***

Matt and Ling arrived two days before the wedding. He couldn’t figure out if it was another conspiracy, but it seemed that almost every minute of those two days had him separated from Ling.

He missed her so much, and when she slept somewhere else the night before the wedding, he found himself feeling abandoned. It hurt. He knew he was being irrational, but the truth was, he had never needed someone like he needed Ling. He’d never wanted anything badly—her love. Every time he slipped into sleep, his eyes would snap wide, worry and fear tromped through his thoughts. Was she okay? Why were these people keeping them apart? “What have I done wrong?”

***

The wedding day dawned bright and clear. Matt wanted to see Ling but found himself continually thwarted. She had been taken into town to the beauty salon. He called her phone and had to leave a message.

Chris started coaxing him to get dressed and get ready. Matt went and showered and shaved again, then began getting dressed.

“Is Ling back?” he asked for the hundredth time.

“No!” Joe said for the hundredth time.

About an hour before the ceremony, Ling’s mother, Susan, arrived with several people whom Matt did not know. They were quickly introduced as cousins, school friends, and others with whom Ling had worked. Ten minutes before the service, Ling was still not to be found.

Matt dissolved into a nervous wreck, pacing about, mumbling about calling the whole thing off. Chris, Marcus, and Joe cornered him.

“Ling will be here,” Joe said. “You’d better get a grip, or you’ll look like a fool!”

The words sobered Matt, and after a few deep breaths, he finally managed to subdue his emotions.

Matt stood and, eyeing his groomsmen, said, “Gentlemen, shall we proceed?”

They walked out, following the directions of a little old lady, who evidently was the wedding coordinator.

The garden was beautiful beyond anything Matt could remember. Deep red and white roses bordered the arbor where they would stand. There were two satin stools to kneel on, and the minister stood waiting.

Spreading out were row upon row of seats, filled with so many people that Matt got dizzy trying to pick out familiar faces.

Joe nudged him and whispered, “Stay focused, Bro.”

The music started. It was a lovely tune that Matt had heard but couldn’t remember the name. He had trouble remembering his own name. Then, he looked down the long aisle and saw Bernadette walking towards him. Her dress was long and formal in a slightly off-white color. Matt glued his attention to the aisle. His gaze would not drift. He wanted to see Ling. He needed to see Ling. But it wasn’t Ling; it was Mary. She was dressed in the same style of dress as Bernadette.

Matt whispered to himself, “Can’t they speed the music up?”

Charlotte came after Mary, radiant, but Matt did not want to see Charlotte! He wanted.

There she was, beautiful beyond his imagination, walking slowly, gracefully towards him. His heart stopped for a second. He held his breath and realized it was going to be all right.

Matt smiled, captured his emotions, and swore that he would make Ling proud today.

The minister conducted the service as weddings typically do, except there was an additional exchange of vows in which Matt and Ling added their own words.

“You are the reason I exist,” Matt added.

“You are why I live,” Ling said.

The minister pronounced the benediction: “You may now kiss the bride.”

Matt had waited for these words and took Ling in his arms, kissed her lips with all his love, and spoke to her heart: “You have made me whole.”

They broke apart to thunderous applause and shouts and stepped quickly down the aisle to be directed by the little old lady into the back of the house.

Once inside, Matt dragged Ling into an empty room and closed the door. “I felt so alone these last two days. I missed you so much. To know that you were close, but that I couldn’t hold you or touch you? It drove me crazy!”

“Me too,” Ling almost in tears. “I wanted to come to you so badly. My heart ached. I’ve been miserable, and my first real joy was when I could walk to you those few minutes ago.” She gazed into his eyes. “I realize more now than ever that we are one.”

They embraced, kissed, held each other, and rocked gently until the emotions had ebbed.

A knock on the door interrupted. It was a little old lady smiling brightly. “It’s time to get some wedding photos and get ready for the reception.”

The rest of the afternoon went quickly, and Matt finally asked Ling, “What do we do now?”

Ling wrinkled her nose. “All I know is Charlotte says it’s all arranged.”

Almost on cue, Charlotte eased through the crowd. “Tonight, you stay here in your favorite suite. Tomorrow morning, Joe and Marcus will drive you to the airport. They will tell you all you need to know at that time. So right now, enjoy to the fullest, and they did.

***

The drive was to the Kansas City Airport, and the tickets, passports, and all accommodations were for a month in the South Pacific. Matt and Ling were off.

The trip to Papeete, French Polynesia, took seventeen hours, with a stop in LA. Then, there was the flying boat to the island. It was a private resort with villas built on stilts right out over the water. Once checked in, they retired to their room, and the do-not-disturb sign was prominently displayed for most of the first three days. Finally, they emerged and started exploring the island. They hiked, snorkeled, and scuba dived.

They took sailing lessons and, with two crewmates from the staff, took a 30-foot sailboat to some of the most beautiful islands they could imagine. They filled the time with new experiences and lots of time alone.

During the last week of the honeymoon, the two lovers spent more time talking about what they wanted to do and accomplish. Matt realized that Ling needed to be practicing medicine. Ling realized that Matt was struggling with how to use the newfound technology.

***

The last night before leaving, they had just finished making love and lay together on the bed, sweaty, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Ling had a troubled look on her face, and Matt realized that she wanted to say something but was reluctant.

“You can tell me anything,” he whispered, “don’t be afraid.”

Ling took a deep breath. “I want to give you a child.”

“Ling, I’m fifty-three going on fifty-four.”

“I’m forty-seven.”

Matt looked at her and wrestled with the thought.

Ling put her fingers to his lips. “Matthew, I have watched you with children. Tell me you don’t love every second you spend with them?”

Matt raced through his memories and could not find a time when holding, talking to, and being with children did not give him a special joy.

“I can’t,” he said. “I do cherish every minute in their presence. It is like a fountain of life, new and fresh. I feel their hearts so full and their minds so curious. It invigorates me to the core of my being.”

“Matthew, for however long you might have, you could show that special love to your own child. Just think about it and know that I am willing if you find this a desire of your heart.”

They hugged and slept wrapped in each other’s arms.

***

The trip back was pleasant. Ling and Matt spent their waking hours talking about the upcoming weeks and their respective schedules.

When they arrived back in St. Louis, they took a cab to Matt’s house. He unlocked and opened the door, turning. He easily scooped Ling into his arms and carried her across the threshold.

“Everything is yours. I want you to make this your home.”

Ling hugged him tightly and promised herself she would do anything to make him happy.