"I want to take my wife home," he said simply.

The doctor thought about it and then replied, “I know. But you don't have the necessary medical equipment at home."

“My brother's a surgeon. He's going to be living with me for some time after his wedding. Tell me what kind of equipment we need, and I'LL buy it. He knows med-techs, and they can set it up."

Niles and Irene were getting married. At Cecelia's request, he transferred to a hospital up in his hometown so he could be closer.

“Okay. Let's go over instructions for outpatient care and get her discharged."

“Thank you, doctor."

Because Blair was home now, Wesley came home every day as soon as he got off work. He also hired a family physician and an in-home care specialist.

Soon after New Year, Debbie gave birth to Terilynn. When the baby was a month old, Carlos held a party to celebrate. Wesley was there, too. He wouldn't miss it for the world.

Afterwards, the old gang-Debbie, Curtis, Colleen, Damon, and Adriana— and the new item-Dixon and Garnet-all flew to Wesley's hometown to visit Blair.

Joslyn and Hartwell had just visited her, so they didn't come along this time.

Days came and went. Soon, Gifford was a tender 18 months.

One day, Cecelia and the little guy came upstairs for Wesley. They opened the door to his bedroom and saw that he was cleaning Blair's face with a towel. She was still in a coma.

As usual, little Gifford ran to Blair's bed and called out, "Mama."

Wesley had told him to call Blair "Mama" every morning, every night before he went to bed, and whenever he saw her.

“Niles and Irene talking about putting off the wedding until Blair wakes up," Cecelia told Wesley.

That brought Wesley up short.

"Okay," he said. ‘She'll wake up soon.

She has to, ' he told himself.

Cecelia blamed herself every day ever since Blair got shot.

“This wouldn't have happened if I had been with her. It's my fault."

She had the same nightmare every night. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see Blair, covered in blood, a pool of red spreading underneath.

“Not your fault. I should have protected her.“ Wesley had lost count of how many times he said this. Guilt and shame ate at him. For more than ten years, he was known as a hero. Yet, in the end, he couldn't even protect his own woman. Instead, she had been wounded protecting him.

Tears streaked down Cecelia's cheeks. Wesley continued washing Blair's face. Keeping an eye on her grandson, Cecelia rose from her chair and complained, “I hate the McCarthys. They keep trying to fix you up with their daughter. It's nuts! I already have a daughter-in-law! Once Blair wakes up, I'll take her by the McCarthy's" house to shut them up!"

Wesley looked at Blair, who refused to open her eyes, and then out of the blue, he said, "Since they're so helpful, why blow them off?"

“Excuse me? You want to go out with that woman?" Cecelia thought there must be something wrong with her ears.