Million Dollar Miracle
By CuteCognizant

Chapter 17.

The five of us were sitting rigid in our seats when the surgeon emerged from the operating room.

I hope everything is alright, I thought to myself as I grabbed Mike's hand and squeezed it. If Chris did not survive it would not only destroy the Lowell family, but it would hurt Scott and me as well.

The doctor sat down in a chair across from us, heaved a deep sigh, and then smiled. "He's in recovery right now. When he wakes up he will be moved to the surgical intensive care unit and then two of you at a time can see him. He will stay in intensive care for about a week and then be moved to a regular room if all goes well."

Mrs. Lowell broke down in tears and I began searching in my bag for a tissue. When I found one she thanked me, rubbed her puffy eyes, and then blew her nose noisily.

Michael let out a deep breath I had not even realized he was holding and wrapped his arm across my waist. "He made it, Sam," he whispered into my ear, "Miracle saved him."

"No," I said, "you saved him."

He looked into my eyes, his own filled with happiness, and then bent his head down to kiss me.

Mrs. Lowell cleared her throat and he pulled away.

Stupid woman.

A month had passed since the surgery, and it was the day of Chris's release. Everyone was so excited that we broke down and crowded into the elevator. When we arrived on Chris's floor I noticed a man with a briefcase exiting his room as we entered.

Chris was sitting on the edge of his bed dressed in normal clothes and the resemblance between him and Mike was more apparent now than ever before.

His parents signed the release papers, a nurse helped him into a wheelchair, and the six of us made our way outside in the most cheerful mood we had ever been in.

Once inside his parents van he handed them a sheet of paper and told them to follow the directions. We drove for twenty minutes through winding, hilly roads until Mr. Lowell parked the car. He looked at his son, skeptically.

"Welcome home," Chris told them, pointing towards a sold sign in front of the house.

"Chris?" His mother had switched from excitement to shock. "What are you talking about?"

"I bought it for you and dad," he explained, "with the leftover money from the races. Let's get out and look at it."

Mike and Scott helped Chris out of the car and up the dirt driveway.

"It's gorgeous," I told him as I noticed just how large it was.

Chris smirked, "It's ten acres with a pond in the back. There is enough room for paddocks, a barn, and even a racetrack. If you don't like it," he looked at his parents, "I don't close on it for two more days so we can always back out."

"Oh no!" his mother hugged him, "I love it! It's perfect!"

Chris dug in his pocket and produced another sheet of paper, "Sorry it's not a car, but I hoped you would like this more."

Mike unfolded the paper and read it quickly. "Second Time Around?"

"He was foaled last year," Chris supplied, "by the same parents as Miracle. I figured, in a few years, when Miracle is too old to race, you may have him ready to take her place."

Mike hugged Chris so hard I was afraid he would break him.

Chris only smiled and laughed, glad that he was able to help those who helped him.

Chris grinned and then turned towards me in order to make an announcement, "To celebrate my homecoming, I am going to be taking everyone out for dinner - for big, greasy cheeseburgers."

I laughed. Somehow, I had known that was coming.

Mike pulled me towards him and began running his free hand through my hair. Standing in front of the farm, surrounded by healthy and happy family, trees, and the setting sun, he bent his head down to mine and kissed me.

The world was perfect.

Well it has been one wild ride. I hope everyone enjoyed reading Million Dollar Miracle as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Please remember to check out my other stories: World Domination and Surviving Paradise.

And above all else, thank you for reading!

xoxo
CuteCognizant