You Stole My Heart

Part 16: There Is No Place Like Home

June 5, 1973.

         The big day...

Today was an exciting day. Today there would be an assessment whether we were allowed to go home or not.

Roger leaned back in the hospital chair, reading a newspaper. I was in bed with Benjamin in my arms. I rubbed his soft pink cheek. The nurse walked in with a form.  "Antonia are you, is that correct?" She asked. I looked at Roger with strained lips. He bit his nails.

"You can go home, Benjamin is healthy and nothing is wrong with him. We all decided that together. We now leave everything to the two of you." The nurse said as she stood behind the bed.  "But that's great! We've certainly been looking forward to this all day long." I said when tears welled. "I am happy for you, I hope the three of you will have a great future, I wish you all the best." Said the nurse. She gave me and Roger a firm hand.

The lovely nurse left the room. I immediately jumped into Roger's arms of happiness and joy. "Finally, after a few days!" I sobbed. Roger stroked my hair. "We deserved it dear, we can finally move on." Roger said, he was incredibly proud!

I cried.  Tears rolled down my cheeks. Not because I am happy, but because I can finally make my dream come true.

3 HOURS LATER

I was wearing all my normal clothes, Roger was packing the bag. "Are you okay, honey?" I asked. "Of course dear, only the bag won't close." Roger smiled.  I pulled the zipper. Finally it was closed. "Thank you dear girl!" Roger said as he hung over my shoulder.  "I have to help you too." I said. I kissed Roger on the cheek.

I put little Benjamin in the maxicosi, "Look, for the first time in the maxicosi." I whispered.  Benjamin opened his eyes and cried loudly.  "Ah quiet little angel, you'll be fine." I whispered again. Roger stood with his arms folded looking at me. "This is so sweet." He said in a high voice.

It was time, time to go.  The nurses who had helped me lined up to say goodbye.  "Goodbye, thanks for the great care!"  I said.  "We already do this with our hearts, I wish you and your husband and Benjamin a great future, because every person deserves that." Said the nurse as she shook my hand.

Roger was behind me with the maxicosi in his hand. I looked at Roger, Roger had tears in his eyes. I took Roger's hand. "This is just such an emotional moment." Roger sobbed. I gave him a hug, the nurse too.

Roger and I and Benjamin walked down the stairs, our first chapter begins. Roger and I realized that there were many things in store for us.

The fresh air outside. Finally!  I sighed, "Well, here we go." I said. Roger unexpectedly put an arm around me.  "Come on girl, let's go home."

Roger put the Benjamin in the maxicosi in the back seat of his car.  "Can you manage that?" I asked. Roger fastened the belt to the maxicosi. "It works!" He said proudly. I sat down next to little Benjamin. Roger flopped down in the front seat on the right.

I held Benjamin's hand. Benjamin was sleeping peacefully in his maxicosi.  "When we get home you take a warm bath Antonia." Roger said. I nodded, "That sounds like a great plan, look out for it now!" I sighed. Roger smiled and looked through the car mirror.

Finally our house! After being gone for 4-5 days I missed our house. I got out of the car to untie the maxicosi.  "Let me do that, honey." Roger said. He took the maxicosi out of the car. I smiled.  The sunshine shone straight into Roger's blue eyes. "Need sunglasses?"  I asked.  Roger narrowed his eyes. "If you have him with you?" He asked. I took the sunglasses out of the front car. "It was right in front of you, you silly." I laughed when I put the sunglasses on his eyes.