'Why don't you tell them the news?' Donatello urged his wife when they had finished dessert.
The dirty crockery was piled up with glasses and mugs now almost empty too. The picnic had been a wonderful success.
Secretly Joe couldn't help but think that if this was a picnic then he'd failed miserably all the times he'd laid out a blanket for Jill and him outdoors in the garden or on the beach and produced the items he'd carefully packed. Instead of sandwiches and sausage rolls and fruit the Chef had packed a cornucopia of amazing treats and dishes and they'd finished every single one of them.
When Jill had first mentioned it he'd wondered how an outdoor gathering would be for Isabella. Then he wondered what this heated garden room would be like. Would it be too cold, or drafty or uncomfortable? But he needn't have worried at all, the room was perfect, the day had been mild and sunny and Isabella had been totally relaxed.
The four of them had immediately fallen into a comfortable rhythm as they gathered around the table. It reminded him forcefully of the first meal they'd shared together in Rome, when they had told Isabella not to worry about what she wore or how she looked, that they simply wanted her to feel comfortable. At their words she had taken off her wig and let the breeze blow through the tufts on her scalp and in that moment they had crafted a bond of understanding and friendship and yes, of love.
Now, at Walter Reed the two couples sat side by side opposite one another, Joe and Jill as close as it was humanly possible to be. Isabella and Donatello were a little further apart, separated by an array of medical equipment and a collection of rugs and blankets and cushions set out to keep Isabella warm and comfortable. Joe knew that everything probably hurt at this point in her treatment and he had been careful to barely hold her arm when she'd reached in to kiss his cheek earlier, knowing that even the most innocuous grip would likely damage her delicate skin and bruise her arm.
In spite of it all though Jill was correct, Isabella did look well and now he smiled as he watched her eyes light up at Donatello's words. She struggled a little to sit up, her hand slipping against the fabric of the throw she was sitting on. Immediately Joe leaned closer, holding out his hand for her to catch onto. He let her grip his arm and pull herself up, giving her the strength she needed at that moment.
'Thanks Joe', she said with a smile. He winked at her in reply as she settled again in her seat, the other three waiting patiently for her to speak.
Isabella looked towards Joe and then Jill. She smiled. 'Dr. Kahan said that if I keep responding as I have been then he may be able to let me leave the hospital and just come back in for treatment every week', she said. 'I'd still be on medication every day obviously but I could administer that myself mostly. I'd need Don to do some of the injections but, well, we'd be able to manage it and the nurse can come visit if we need help', she explained.
Jill found herself fighting back tears. She reached out and laid her hand on Joe's. For his part he was working his jaw hard. This was a happy moment and he was damned if he'd cry but the atmosphere was so charged. Isabella had been so unwell and now, to be at this point was just a marvel.
'I can't tell you guys how happy we are for you', Joe exclaimed, knowing Jill needed another moment to compose herself, the strength of her grip on his hand was communicating plenty to him.
Isabella looked at Don and turned her gaze back on the first couple. 'I simply wouldn't still be alive but for you two', she said, her voice stronger, clearer than they had heard it in a long while. 'I bless the day you appeared in our lives', she continued. 'Your kindness and tenacity and generosity towards us is the only reason I'm still here and we won't ever forget that, whatever happens from here on out', she said emphatically.
