Thorne: Restoration of the Heart

By Atonia Walpole

(The direct continuation of Thorne: Far Horizons)

Part 1:

John left for the airport on Sunday morning and Max closed the door of Terry’s flat behind him.

“And then there were two,” Max sighed, sitting down across from Toni, who was eating toast with her tea.

“That was a very sweet thing you and John and Dino did yesterday with Henry. I think Dino made it plausible for him. I’m kind of glad his infamous philandering grandfather is no longer alive.”

Max smiled, “Yes, could be a bit of a sticky wicket if he were. Henry is a nice kid. Make sure Terry calls him from the House.”

“I will. I just want to get there. This is going to be a long week, Max.”

“I’m sure it will be for you.” He pushed John’s empty coffee cup around. “I was wondering if you’d do me a favor.”

“Sure, what do you need?”

“I’d like for you to go to France with me, just an overnighter to see if it’s there, if anything there is real.”

“Oh, Max…an overnighter? I don’t like to be gone from here.”

“They won’t let you see him.”

“I know, but still…”

“I found the letter about Uncle Henry’s death in my things at the flat. I know Terry had papers in his office that led him to his son. I don’t have anything left here in the city, Toni.”

“I’ll go with you but just for a night.”

Max smiled, “I thought you might. I’d rather not go there alone and find nothing.” He picked up the dirty dishes from the table, taking them to the sink. “Dino called earlier while you were in the shower. He’s coming by a little later. Says he has some news.”

“Good. I hope they’ve found the other man. I’ve been really worried about you, afraid that…afraid.”

“Why would anybody be interested in me?”

“You’re his brother.”

Max rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. “Yes, but I don’t have anything to do with SI. Terry is SI.”

Dino arrived a little after 10:00. “Hey, Toni.” He gave her a kiss. “Find a seat. I’ve got the story. Okay, I told you the guy on the boat was Lester. He was the insurance guru at SI. It seems he had a nice little skimming operation going under the former owner and was on his way to being a very wealthy man, but he was still greedy. When he found out Terry was going to be a hands-on guy and his little operation would no longer be profitable, he decided to make the grand slam grab and disappear.

“A year ago he hired a wonder boy from a competitor and took him under his wing.”

“He had a partner in his operation?”

“Yes, Max, a young man on his way up and didn’t care how he got there. Wyatt’s been in with auditors over the past few days and found a good deal of money supposedly paid out never actually made it. They’ve only gone back a little over a year so there’s no telling how long this has been going on.”

“Where is the wonder boy?” Toni asked.

“He was arrested late yesterday.  Brian called a meeting this morning and everybody who works London was there. He let fly, as Jack says. So I don’t think there will be any more problems. I will say this Lester, though an unlikable guy, was good at his job aside from his night job. He had everybody there fooled.”

“Dino, who is actually in charge there now? I mean Terry hasn’t worked since he left for Quito looking for you.”

“Brian Hogeland, with Wyatt as his right arm. It’s gonna be okay, Toni. Terry can take as long as he wants...and speaking of Tio, are we still on for Friday? Good! I’ll get the plane here and have it gassed up and ready to roll.”

“Is it possible to arrange a private boarding? There is no way for us to know what kind of condition he’ll be in. He can evidently walk and talk but I’d hate to see him having to go through all that airport shit to get on a plane.”

“I’ll see what I can do, Max. All you have to do is convince him to be you until we can get him out of that bedlam. Have you done anything about the meds yet?”

“Yes, we’ll have a prescription later today.”

“I’ll just meet you guys over at the hospital then. I’m staying with Wyatt and it’s closer. Sounds like we got a plan. I’m liking it.”

“That makes me feel good. As long as Terry doesn’t throw a spanner in it we’re good to go. Thanks, Dino, for coming and telling us all this. I feel better knowing wonder boy is locked up.” Max stood up.

“Dino, I’m going to France with Max for a couple of days. I’ll be back on Wednesday, just so you know.”

“Okay." He gave Max a look and stood up.

“She’s going to go with me to hold me up if what I think is in France is not there. That’s what it’s all about.”

“He’s out like the rest of you now. He needs a little help.” Toni told Dino.

Dino spread his hands. “No problem here. I’ll be talking to you later.”

“He didn’t like that, me going to France with you.”

“No, I rather think he thought I was taking you away for immoral purposes.”

“But you aren’t. There will be no immoral purpose, Max.”

Max patted her head and passed by to the lounge. “Absolutely not.” He picked up his cell phone and made plane reservations for them to fly out in the morning.

Max allowed his memory to guide him to the chateau and his heart gave a leap when he saw the gateposts. “Oh, Toni,” he turned and looked at her, “I think it’s here!” He turned in the drive and it brought them up to the house.

“Max Skinner…it’s real! I’m so happy for you!”

He felt around, found the key in a flowerpot and opened the door. He turned and grabbed Toni’s hand. “Come with me.”

Toni went with him through the house and out of the back door. “It’s just like it was in the movie, Max, and it’s yours.” Toni thought it the most warm and beautiful place and that it suited him so much more than the flat in London.

Max swallowed, “My memories are real here. I did have an Uncle Henry. I can’t tell you what this means to me!” He began walking through the garden and Toni followed him, amazed at the beauty around her. She pulled out her phone and took some pictures so she would remember it.

“Max, is it like it was at the beginning when you first came here or at the end?”

He walked over to the pool. “At the beginning which, of course, means there’s a lot of work to do.” He turned around and looked at her.

Toni couldn’t help but smile. He was so happy. “You’ve got something to do now, Max.”

“I wonder…if Duflot…?” He was off, running down toward the vineyard below and Toni walked around, touching things and peeking here and there. He was back in a bit, looking a little sad.

“At least the house is real.”

“No Duflot?”

He shook his head. "No, I’ll have to find someone else.”

“If I find a bottle of wine, will you share it with me?”

“Yes, if it’s the good stuff.” Toni wandered over to the table and he went inside. She patted her tummy. Little Terry was going to be a wino. And then she thought Terry would love to come here and maybe they would one day when he was well again. They had so much life to live.

“Does this look familiar?” he asked, holding up a bottle and smiling.

“That looks like it, Max.” She watched as he expertly opened the wine and poured out two glasses.

“Let’s drink to your new-found life, Max. You’re going to be okay.”

He hesitated a minute and then touched her glass.

Later they explored the house and then Max wanted to go into the village.

“You want to know if she’s there. What if there is no café, Max?”

“We have to eat somewhere, Toni. We’ll find something. You know I don’t expect everything to be here. I wanted you to come with me because I was a little afraid. If I didn’t find anything then I would be just…lost. No job…nothing.”

“You wanted me here to pat you on the back and say everything was going to be all right. You’re smart, you’ll find a job if you want to, but I’m glad this was here for you.”

“You make me sound like a ten year old.”

“Twelve.”

“I’ve aged.”

“You’re a man of many facets, Max, and I have loved them all. Let’s go find your village.”

There was a village but not the one in the movie. They did find a café for dinner. Afterwards they walked around the little village, holding hands, and stopped at a fountain without water, sitting on the edge of it.

“Do you speak French, Max?”

“Passably. I can when I have to.”

“Good. I think you might need it. I can see you here, Max.”

“I can see you here.”

“That’s because I am here for 24 hours or so. I have a home and a life and a husband. You are going to have to build one for yourself.”

Max moved a stone around with his shoe. “I don’t think I want to build a husband. Shall we go back to the house?”

He was being very good but, being Max, he tried and she said no, and they went off to separate bedrooms. By noon the next day they were on a flight back to London. She reached over and took his hand. “Thanks, Max, for asking me to go with you.”

“Thank you for going. I feel a lot better about my situation now than I did, more grounded. I can go from here.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “I’m not sorry about last night.”

“I didn’t think you would be. You’re very tempting, Max, but I’ve got Terry’s love to keep warm for him.”

“I heard you say that to him in the hospital. What does that mean?”

“It simply means when we’re apart, I keep his love warm in my heart. The flame does not go out. He asked me one time at the House when he was leaving to keep his love warm.”

“You are a very good keeper of the flame.”

Part 2:

Friday at the designated time, Toni and Max arrived at the hospital, meeting Dino just inside the door.

Toni carried a large purse on her shoulder, walked up to the desk and signed in to visit her husband. She was a little alarmed to find he was in the common area and not in his room.  She found him staring out a window and walked up to him.

“Terry?” She slid her arm around his waist.

“Toni.” He put his arms around her and held on.

“Terry, is it possible to go to your room?”

“Yeah, it’s down this way.” He didn’t let her go during the walk down the corridor to his room.

Once inside with the door closed, she asked, “How are you today, darling?”

“Better, I think. I’m not right. I can’t concentrate for very long. I can’t think straight, Toni.”

“Listen, Terry, we’re getting you out of here today. There’s a car out front and a plane waiting to take us to the House.”

“No,” he started shaking his head, “I can’t go yet. They said another week.”

“Honey, I’m not going to leave you here for another week. Don’t you know once we get to the House you’ll be well, no more pills, no more hospital.”

“No more hospital? Well…let’s go, then.”

“It’s not that easy. You can’t just walk out of here with me because they don’t want you to go yet. You haven’t completed their treatment schedule or something…are you with me?”

“No…you’re going to take me out but you can’t.”

Toni began unloading her bag with Max’s clothes. “Will you put these clothes on, darling?”

“Why?”

“We have a plan, Terry. Dino and Max are out front. Well, what we’re trying to do is make you look like Max so you can walk out of here with Dino.”

Terry stared at her and she was afraid he wasn’t understanding her at all until he said, “It’s a K&R thing.”

She smiled, “Yes, it is. We’re going to rescue you, lover.”

She had him dressed and parted his hair down the middle and combed it the way Max did his, then stood back and looked at him. Except for being pale and a little vacant, he looked very much like his brother. “Now you stay here until Max and Dino come in, okay?”

“I want to go with you.”

“You have to wait for Max and Dino. I’ll be right outside waiting for you. Please do it, darling.”

“I’ll wait for Dino.”

She quickly went back down the hall and motioned for Dino and Max to sign in. neither of them signed their right names. Max was M. Thorne, brother, and Dino was D. Thorne, cousin. Once they went into the room she started chatting up the woman behind the desk and was still doing so when Dino came down the hall with Terry in Max’s clothes. He stopped when he saw Toni but Dino pulled him along to the door. Toni wouldn’t look at him, afraid he’d blow it. She glanced at her watch. “I’d better go get my brother-in-law. Thanks for the tip about the hair colorist.”

She walked quickly down the hall and opened the door to Terry’s room. Max rushed out. “Am I glad to see you! Is he out of here?”

“Yes, Dino took him through the doors. We have to hurry, Max.” She heard someone saying, “Excuse me, Mrs. Thorne?”  But she kept on walking until she and Max were outside and they ran to the car provided by SI with blacked out windows and were away.

“Good job, Toni!” Dino gave her a high five.

“Take these off,” Terry said, removing Max’s spare glasses. “I couldn’t see. Where are we going?”

“To the airport, darling.” She held onto his arm.

“I wonder if they’ve missed him yet?” Max said.

“Missed who?” Terry asked.

“You, ya dimwit! You ain’t there anymore.” Dino poked him in the arm.

“I’ll feel better when we’re in the air. What are you looking for, Terry?” He was opening his jacket and feeling in pockets.

“Passport. I have to have it for the airport.”

“I’ve got it along with your wallet. Do you remember the men taking it from you?” Toni asked.

“No, what men?”

“Don’t worry about that now, Terry.” Max patted him on the knee. “Toni, do something with his hair. It’s like looking in a mirror about six years ago.”

Toni found a comb, got rid of the center part and parted it on the side. He sat quietly while she messed with his hair. His eyes never left her.

“He’s too quiet,” Dino said. “I could probably get away with telling him what a worthless piece of shit I think he is, mama’s boy, sucking up.” He had his attention now and saw a flash come and go. He was in there somewhere.

“Fuck you, Dino.” Terry said.

“That’s my boy!” Dino grinned.

He was quiet and docile until they got him on the plane and buckled his seat belt. The belt triggered something and he didn’t want to be tied down.

“You’re not tied only buckled and when we’re in the air it can come off. It won’t stay, Terry, I promise you,” Toni explained.  She sat beside him, holding his hand. He needed to be touched, and he needed her.

They were finally in the air. Max had the information his doctor had given him about the medication and the schedule they had him on at the rehab center.  Terry would need a pill in two hours. He looked across the aisle at his brother, strong, independent, fearless brother, and it hurt him to see Terry like he was, docile and not quite there all the time, and Toni, she was his strength right now. He noticed the way she held onto him, her chin up. The same woman he held while she sobbed for him last week when she needed some strength. He knew she would never be his again and that somehow he was going to have to find his own life now. It was hard to let go. Like she’d told him, you don’t turn it off like a faucet.

Toni had been dozing but when Terry’s grip on her hand became increasingly tight she woke and felt the tremors through his fingers. He was trying awfully hard to control them and she watched the muscles in his forearms bunch. “Max, Max, wake up!”

“Mmm, Toni?”

“When is he supposed to take his medication?”

“Bollocks!” He stood up, pulled his little bag down and got the pill bottle out. “Thirty minutes ago, Toni, sorry. Could we get some water?” he asked the attendant.

“How often, Max?”

“Every six hours. These are not as strong as he was getting at the rehab, Toni.”

Terry quickly swallowed the pill. “I’m sorry.” He was shaking his head.

“Sorry for what, darling. You don’t need to be sorry for anything.”

“I don’t want to be like this.”

“I know and soon you won’t be. Try and sleep, honey.” She placed her hand on his cheek. ”I love you.”

“Love you.”

“I don’t know when I’ve ever been so glad to see land,” Toni sighed, peeping out of the window as they circled Boston.

“We’re home,” Terry said, trying to hold it together. He needed to walk off the plane and make it through the airport.

Toni thought about what he said about it being home. He was thinking of the House, of course, but that wasn’t really home, not anymore. Max and Dino paved the way as well as they could for Terry. He did walk and made it through customs. Their luggage consisted of small bags they had on the plane and Max and Dino carried them. Dino had arranged for a vehicle and by the time they got Terry in the back of it he wasn’t doing too well. Toni gave him another pill with a bottle of water and got him to lay down in the back seat with his head on her lap. It had only been eight days since he was rescued and she thought he was handling it pretty good.

It was nearly 8:00 by the time they got to the House. Toni insisted Terry be taken straight to his room and put to bed. She helped him undress and made him lie down. He wouldn’t let go of her so she lay down on top of him, fitting her little belly under his ribs and laced her hands in his.

“I’m right here, Terry. Don’t fight it, honey. Don’t fight it. Go to sleep.”

“I’m not, not going to fight it.” He locked his eyes onto hers and soon she felt his muscles relaxing. As she lay on top of him she could feel the energy hovering above her and she thought if she looked up she could see it but she didn’t take her eyes away from his. As he relaxed, his lashes fluttered and closed. His breathing became steady and she eased herself off him so that energy could settle and make him well again.

Toni was spent and longed to lay beside him, but she didn’t want to interfere with the magic at work and so she pulled her knit pants and pullover back on and left the room.

Downstairs the boys were feasting, not having had a decent meal since breakfast. Toni took a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. “He’s finally given it up. What an ordeal this has been.”

“You've handled very well, Toni. I’m proud of you,” Max said

“I couldn’t have made it without help. I would have been a heap in the bed.”

“I doubt that, Toni. You’re a pretty strong woman. You’d have to be to be married to Terry.”

“Oh, thanks, Dino. This kind of strength I don’t need. No more…no more of this.”

“I’d like to put a man on him, Toni. You met Mean Marine.”

“A bodyguard? He won’t go for that, Dino. You know that. You want to piss him off after all this?”

“I’d love to piss him off, get that temper he’s got red hot.”

“I’ve never seen his temper, Dino.”

“It ain’t pretty, Toni, but it don’t show up very often. He controls himself very well, cool and calm. That’s why he’s so good at what he does.”

“When was the last time you ate, Toni?” Max asked.

“I had a sandwich on the plane.” She watched Max fill a plate for her and find a knife and fork.

It wasn’t quite daylight when he woke and felt around for Toni. She wasn’t there but he knew where he was. He ran his hand over his face, felt the beard, went into his bathroom, shaved and took a shower. Wash it all away, he thought, standing under the water, letting it run over his body. It felt good to feel something again. He dried himself off and with a towel around his waist went next door to Toni’s room. He stood by the bed watching her sleep for a minute then eased himself down beside her, lightly touching her, teasing her lips with his tongue.

“Terry!”  Her arms went around his shoulders and pulled him down to her.

The sun was shining through the French doors in her room and Terry’s hand was on her belly, feeling his baby. “I want to go home, Toni, home to Virginia.”

“We will as soon as you’re ready.”

“I’m ready now, luv. We haven’t even had a chance to be pregnant. I want to be with you, every day, every minute.”

“We have a nursery to get ready and lots of shopping to do…and a lot of time to make up.”

“We can’t make it up but we can make it better. I want to make it good for you and for him. I love you, Toni.”

She received his kiss. “Terry Thorne, I love you, too, and I am not,” she touched her finger on his nose and then his lips, “going to let you out of my sight for a very, very long time.”

He looked toward the sunshine spilling into the room. “We need to get up and wake the house guests up and figure out where everybody else is going.”

“Dino’s not going with us?”

“Hell, no! It’s just going to be the two of us. Dino can figure out his own shit and Max can go home.”

“Terry, Max is out, out of his movie now just like you and Dino. So is John.”

“Really? Well, he’s not moving in with us.”

“He doesn’t have to. He has his flat in London and the chateau in France. He’ll be okay.”

“Good. I’m glad he wasn’t just dumped out on the street.  What about John?”

“He has his family and his town.”

“And Jack?”

“Jack lives in two worlds. He’ll never be truly out. He doesn’t want to be.”

“I owe him a lot.”

“He wouldn’t take payment of anything you could say.”

“As much as I appreciate all they have done for you and for me, if it’s all right with you, I’d like not to see them for awhile.”

“That suits me, but Jack in particular asked if he could come when little Terrence is born.”

“I guess I’ll need somebody to brag to and smoke a cigar with.  You don’t seem to be sickish this morning. Is that over with?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I feel awfully good this morning. I think all I needed was you.”

“You’ve got me, but can you take it?”

“To the edge and back again.”

“Drown me, Toni.”

And she did.

Epilogue:

Terrence John Maximillian Thorne was born on a cold blustery February morning. He weighed in at 7lbs 15 oz. He was a perfect baby, with his father’s eyes and his mother’s hair. Mother and baby are doing fine and should be home from the hospital tomorrow.

A rather dashing-looking blond man was spotted peering through the nursery glass at Terrence with a wide smile on his face. He was joined by a handsome, clean-shaven man with chestnut hair and his son’s eyes.

The mother was somewhere in a room nearly hidden by dozens of roses. White roses, pink roses, red roses and yellow roses with a fiery center.  It is rumored she is writing again.

ON TO SKINNER: COLD REALITY (MAX'S SEQUEL)

BACK TO FAR HORIZONS, CHAPTER TWO

BACK TO THORNE: FAR HORIZONS, CHAPTER ONE