Chapter 557 Ending the Life of Conflict
Early the next day, Fiona and the family were all at the hospital with Stuart. They accompanied him as he underwent a thorough medical examination. Other than the injury to his head, most of his other wounds had healed.
However, the resources on the boat had been limited, and despite the captain and first mate's extensive experience, this rigorous exam revealed something troubling.
"The arm must have been broken before and went unnoticed. It looks like it wasn't treated and just healed on its own, which is why he's having trouble gripping with his left hand," the doctor pointed out, gesturing to a barely perceptible area on the x-ray.
Janna clutched her mouth, her eyes brimming with concern. Just hearing the doctor speak made her feel the pain.
"Don’t worry, Ma’am. Luckily, we've found it in time. A minor surgery should take care of it," the doctor reassured her. "What’s more troubling now is the damage to his vision."
The doctor brought out Stuart's medical check-up results from after the New Year. Stuart used to be a sharpshooter, so he always took meticulous care of his eyesight.
"Can't this be fixed?" Fiona asked.
The doctor shook his head. "The infection was caused by prolonged soaking in seawater, followed by ineffective treatment. I can assure you that his condition won't continue to deteriorate, but recovery... well, medicine can only do so much."
Stuart touched his own eyes. "It's not nearsightedness..." he muttered to himself.
He had noticed that his vision would sometimes blur when he lived with the crew. Theodore thought he was nearsighted and even took him to get glasses.
"You don't need to worry too much as this won't affect your daily life," the doctor comforted him.
Fiona and Janna exchanged glances. They couldn't help but be worried because this meant Stuart could no longer engage in the extreme sports he loved.
Later on.
After the neurologist reviewed his scans, they offered some recovery options. But memory was a peculiar thing. No one could guarantee that Stuart would definitely remember his past.
Everyone spent the entire day at the hospital and only brought Stuart back home in the evening.
Late at night.
Fiona found Janna secretly crying in the garden. "Why haven't you slept yet?"
Janna turned her face away and wiped the corners of her eyes.
Fiona sat next to her and handed her a tissue.
Janna glanced at her, took it and said, "Grandma is fine, just... feeling guilty, I guess."
"How old is Stuart again?" Fiona asked.
Janna hesitated for a moment before answering, "He'll be 35 this winter."
Fiona nodded. "You said earlier that he's been with you since he was a teenager. So, has it been almost 20 years?"
"Yeah. The first time I saw him, he was skinny like as a rail, all bones. Who would've thought he'd grow up to be a six-foot-three big lug and protect me for twenty years..."
As Janna spoke, the tears rolled down again.
Fiona gently patted her hand. "Twenty years is a long time. Maybe it's a sign that even the man upstairs thinks Stuart deserves a break."
Janna looked puzzled for a moment.
"To stop the fighting, to live a quiet and simple life," Fiona said softly.
A look of realization dawned on Janna, and she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, that must be it. Our Stuart doesn't have to risk his life for anyone anymore!"
"Right, because Stuart lived a life full of dangers, he was hesitant to find a partner. Now that he's not living on the edge, who knows? Maybe he'll meet the right person, get married, and have kids."
"If that's the case, then I can die in peace!" Janna said, turning from tears to laughter. "Fiona, it's you who is my blessing in disguise."
Fiona gently stroked her grandmother's back and said, "Alright, Granny shouldn't be staying up so late all the time. Haven't you noticed how much hair you've lost these past couple of years? It's time for you to get some sleep."
"Nonsense, my hair is fine!" Janna retorted as she touched her silvery locks.
Fiona and Janna locked eyes and burst into laughter, unable to contain themselves.
Later, Janna clasped Fiona's hand tightly. "Over the years, we've faced one storm after another, but thankfully, our family has made it through. From now on, we'll have good days ahead of us!"
"Absolutely!" Fiona agreed, and the two chatted away.
Janna experienced a sense of relief as a burden lifted from her shoulders, and soon drowsiness overtook her. Fiona assisted her back to her room, where she stretched out on the living room sofa. As her gaze fell upon the family portrait, her mood shifted completely. She lifted the frame, running her fingers over each smiling face depicted within. She marveled at the bond they shared, realizing that despite being unrelated by blood, they cherished each other more deeply than many biological families did.
Outside, Fiona heard the sound of a car engine. Checking the time, she guessed it was probably Darwin returning home. Glancing at the framed photo in her hands again, she wondered if it was time to take a new one.
The front door opened. Darwin walked in and smiled tenderly at Fiona, who looked his way. Without a word, he gathered her into his arms.
"Everything taken care of?" Fiona asked.
Darwin shook his head. "Not yet, I'll continue tomorrow."
"I told you, if it gets too late, don't bother coming back. It's an hour's drive each way," Fiona said, feeling resigned.
"I can't," Darwin murmured against her neck. "I can't sleep without you by my side. How would I deal with things tomorrow if I don't sleep well?"
"Stop it, you've been without me plenty of times before." Fiona lightly hit him. "You're holding me too tight; loosen up a bit."
"That was the past, and it was out of necessity. It won't happen anymore," Darwin insisted. "Besides, Fiona, you say not to come back, but you're still up this late. Weren't you waiting for me?"
Fiona was speechless. Truth be told, Darwin had been clinging to her like a persistent hound these past few months, and she was actually getting used to it.
"Look how smug you are," Fiona said, giving him another playful slap. "It's already past one. Go take a shower and try to get some more sleep."
"Alright, together!" he said.
"What?" Fiona was taken aback.
Before she could react, Darwin scooped her up and strode upstairs.
"Darwin, put me down!" Fiona protested.
With so many people in the house, including Burl, who always stayed up till the wee hours of the night, this was too much. If someone witnessed this humiliating scene, she would have been so embarrassed that she would have hidden away where no one could find her.
Of course, Darwin didn't let her down. They happily showered.
It was already 2:30 am.
Darwin, full of energy, even helped his wife blow-dry her hair.
"You better be careful where you do things outside the bedroom," Fiona said after a moment, offering a stern warning.
Darwin just hummed in response. Life had been easier back in their old apartment when it was just him and Fiona. They could do whatever they wanted, wherever they wanted.
But Darwin dared not voice this thought. It might remind Fiona of the past and reignite her irritation with him. Then he would be lonely once again.
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