Chapter 114: Patience is a Virtue
He'd opened the door. Looking into the room, he saw something he never thought he'd ever see again.
Lesley, and her bright green eyes, open.
"Hey, Wardell."
He fell to his knees. "L-Lesley? Is that really… you…?"
She smiled. Her bright white teeth revealing itself once more. "Yes it is."
"Hic—!" Wardell choked up. He couldn't contain himself anymore. To now see a shining angel right before him, in place of the bruised, bloodied, and locked-in sister he'd seen before, warmed his heart all too much. Tears became rivers, and like stars that scattered the night skies, his face was scattered with numerous glistening spots that marked his sorrowed joy.
He picked himself up off the floor, wiping his sleeve across his face. Looking forward, the sun shone brilliantly behind his sister who sat in her bed, bringing the image of an angel forward all the more.
"Oh Lesley…" Wardell stepped forward. He reached out for what was once impossible, yet now possible in his arms, being embraced—his very dear sister.
"I… I missed you so much. You don't understand how long I've been waiting. I thought I would have to wait forever. I thought you were as good as gone…"
Lesley's face fell with sensitive emotion. "You know… All those days you sat by my side when I was still locked-in… I could hear every single word you said. 'It'll be alright,' 'I'm right by your side,' 'Your big brother's right here,' 'You'll be out of there soon,' I heard everything. For once, in my state of not being able to move, speak, see, or eat, I actually wanted to live. Those words you gave me were rocks of hope that I held onto for dear life, and now look where I am. If it wasn't for you Wardell, I'd have wanted to die a long, long time ago. Thank you, for saving me."
Wardell sniffled. "But it wasn't me who saved you. Jasper over here—"
"No," Jasper cut him off. "Wardell has put in more effort than anyone I'd ever met in my entire life. It was his doing that brings you to where you are today."
"Virtue of Forgiveness, was it?"
"Yes. Nice to meet you Lesley."
"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for taking care of Wardell during all that danger."
"Of course. But he can take care of himself. He's a protector, and that's why you're awake today. This was Wardell's doing, Wardell's efforts, Wardell's strive to meet his goal. This was all you Wardell."
He wrapped his arms tightly around his sister. "Thank you everyone."
"No, thank you," Lesley told him. "I'm so, so happy to have my eyes open for this very moment right here. I haven't felt this much joy in a very long time."
Wardell's face scrunched with hurt. "I don't mean to burst your bubble, but have you heard about momma already…?"
Lesley nodded. "It was one of the first things I'd heard laying in this bed, still locked-in. It hurt so much to hear, but what hurt more was that in my paralyzed state, I couldn't even bring myself to cry. Although I'd love to mourn momma and cry about it now, with all the time I've been alone, I've already gotten over the news." She then sniffled, and tears began pouring. She'd completely gone back on her word.
"It's okay…" Wardell caressed her head. "It's okay… At least we still have each other. At least neither of us are alone. We are still a family, even if it's just the two of us."
Lesley poured her eyes out into Wardell's chest, as the two hugged it out in an emotional reunion.
Leaving them the space, Jasper exited the room and went back out to the waiting room, anticipating the arrival of his parents.
With a half hour passed by, Jasper saw his family enter through the doors.
"Mom! Dad!"
"Oh Jasper!" His mother ran right into his arms, followed by his father who patted his back heavily. "I'm so proud of you son. I've already been proud of you my entire life, but more than ever, I am the proudest father in the world right now. I wish I could tell the same to Axel too."
Jasper nodded. "I'll pass on your words. I'm sure he'll be happy to hear them."
Sobbing could be heard on his shoulder. It was his mother bawling her eyes out. "I was so scared when I heard about the Rumble in Pactolus! Are you okay?" She held his face, scanning for any cuts or injuries. "Have you been hurt? Are you tired? Is everything alright?"
Jasper calmed his mother down. "Yes, yes, I'm okay, don't worry. I have an amazing group of teammates who've had my back covered since day one. You guys don't need to worry."
"How about Axel? Is he alright? Is he okay?"
Jasper sighed. "I'll be honest, he did sustain an injury during the Rumble in Pactolus, but he's been treated with advanced medical technology since. He's been more than fine."
"Oh…" His mother clutched her chest. "I can barely handle hearing such violent things about you two. Virtue of Forgiveness… Virtue of Diligence… This isn't good for my health…"
Jasper brought her closer. "Mom, please don't worry about us. Like we've told you time and time again, believe in us. Believe."
His father joined in. "He's right. With the success they've had up until now, all we can do is believe in them. It wouldn't help either of us to stay worried sick while Jasper and Axel are doing such great things for so many people. Right?"
His mother nodded. "I guess…"
Jasper brought the two of them into a wide hug, showing the love he'd held in for a while now.
Two emotional reunions took place in two different places of the hospital. Yet, each was just as meaningful as the other.
It was a great day for the Virtue of Forgiveness and the Virtue of Temperance.
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