The Unexpected Journey Part Two

Chapter 24

As Isaac thought back to Monday, back to the moment it all became public knowledge, he felt the same overwhelming drives he had felt that day--love and respect and a greater urge to step in front of any sort of negativity that might be coming her way.

And, he was thankful to report, he hadn't had to step in front of anything yet. Because, so far, it had been nothing but warm wishes of health and recovery.

He could still remember it, the way the news of Maddie's diagnosis lit up the media. It was like a strike of lightning to a dry land. It landed with a bang and it spread far and fast, before he could hope to get a handle on it. He remembered the moment he gave the green light to release the statement. He remembered standing back and waiting; counting off the seconds in his head before it blew up.

Seventeen. It took seventeen seconds before it exploded. The dust still hadn't settled from the fallout and if Isaac were being honest, he wasn't sure that it would anytime soon.

"People love you Ma'am," he was frank as he spoke to her. "They simply love you. Even those where were just warm on you before have come over to the other side."

"The other side?" Maddie lifted her eyebrows, her cheeks flushing a bit from the mild embarrassment she felt, the embarrassment that was only going to increase as Isaac continued.

"We've received messages of good health, of love and luck, messages of sympathy from nearly every foreign head of state; The German Chancellor, the French Prime Minister, the President of the United States..."

"What?" Maddie couldn't mask the shock in her eyes.

"We've received actual Get Well cards by the dozens," he smiled as he thought of Libby and Anya and the sorting and filing system they had created. "People all over the country, all over the Kingdom..." He shook his head. "Normal, everyday citizens, celebrities."

"What?" Maddie's mind was having a hard time wrapping around it all.

"The Beckhams, Elton John and David Furnish," Isaac went through a mental list in his head. "Daniel Craig..."

"James Bond sent me a card?" Maddie didn't even try to hide her grin from her husband's narrowed gaze.

"He did," Isaac was more than mildly amused at the look on Harry's face. "It's been...wonderful really, just how much love and support people are sending to you. If you've ever had any doubts about the people adopting you as one of their own..." He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Let your mind be at ease. You are...a part of a great many families."

"I don't know what to say," Maddie shook her head, taking it all in as she sat back in her chair. "I don't know what to do about all of it."

"Nothing," Isaac shook his head. "We can release a blanketed thank you for all of the well wishes, you can even tweet it out if you want," he smiled at her. "But our office is handling responses to the cards and letters."

"Thank you," Maddie's smile was small and humble as she reached for her tea. "Can I see some of them?"

"Of course," Isaac nodded, making a note in his notebook. "I can have Libby send over a sampling."

"And the one from James Bond?" Maddie couldn't help but ask, even as she winked at Harry.

"Yes," Isaac laughed. "Especially the one from James Bond."

"You know I think I might have to fire you," Harry's voice was flat, his lips twitching to move into a smirk.

"Yes Sir."

"Okay," Maddie laughed at the two of them, settling back into the flow of things.

"One last thing on the announcement front," Isaac held up his finger as the laughter died down. "Before treatment began, we kind of discussed the idea of doing a more in-depth story on what this experience has been like for you." His smile softened as he looked to her. "I'm not pushing here, I'm asking. Where does your interest level lie with that at this point?"