Chapter 2

Little Joe was the first one to come out of his stake of shock, he glares at the doctor overcome by a sudden feeling of anger, "What do you mean you don't know? You're a doctor for god sakes. How can you stand there and say that you don't know whether or not my sister is going to be able to walk again?" he lashes out furiously. Ben puts his hand out touching his son's chest. "Simmer down Joseph" Ben warned sternly, he then looks at the doctor apologetically.

Doctor Martin looks at them sympathetically replying, "I understand your anger and frustration. I wish I could offer you some sort of absolute guarantee she'll be able to walk again but I'm just a simple doctor not a miracle worker. Injuries like Amelia's takes time to heal, she may be able to walk again she may not. I don't know, I don't have all the answers I wish I did. All I can tell you is to give it time and maybe with a little help from God". "Is there anything we can do to help her?" Ben asked hopingly feeling he needed to do something for his daughter.

"There have been some instances in situations like this where patients had leg massages and done exercises to wake up the nerves in their legs" the good doctor replied. "Are they successful in regaining feeling in their legs?" Adam questioned, the prospect of trying it for Amelia was appealing enough to at least consider trying but Adam was skeptic. Paul nods his head, "Yes in some instances they had regain full use of their legs"

"Then its worth trying with Amelia" Hoss said hopingly. Paul agrees nodding his head, "Yes its worth a try." The Cartwrights are relieved hoping and praying that this would help their beloved little girl walk again. "I'll be back tomorrow for now the best thing for Amelia is rest" the doctor said preparing for his departure. "Thanks for coming Paul" Ben said appreciatively as he walks him to the door, closing it behind him. "What do we do now Pa?" Hoss asked putting his hands in his pockets.

Ben thinks for a few minutes then replies, "I don't know, Hoss. I don't think restricting Amelia in bed is going to help her recovery". Seeing that his father had an idea in mind Adam asks, "So what do you suppose we do?" Ben looks at his sons replying, "We could move her down here to the spare bedroom and there's that old wheelchair in the barn". The boy smile and set out to do just that.

While the boys get everything ready, Ben heads upstairs to check on his daughter. He walks upstairs to her room, poking his head into see the angelic little girl peacefully asleep. He walks further into the room taking a seat by her bedside. He silently prays for his daughter's recovery.

Amelia begins to stir, slowly opening her eyes from her slumber. She looks around the familiar room, she notices her father sitting beside her deep in thought. "Pa?" she said tiredly. Ben breaks out from his trance of thought hearing someone call for him he looks at his daughter, a soft smile of relief seeing his daughter was wake. "It's alright darling, everything is alright" he soothed standing over her, running his hand through her hair affectionately. "How're you feeling?"

Amelia blinks her eyes trying to get the tired feeling out of her eyes. "I'm a little sore" she tries to sit up but panics when she can't move her legs. "Pa I can't move my leg" she cries panicky. Ben places his hands on her shoulders holding her still, "It's alright sweetheart everything is going to be alright" he consoled her reassuringly. Amelia starts to cry feeling scare; Ben sits beside her taking her into his arms. He kisses her head reassuring her that everything would be alright.

There was a soft knock on the door, Hoss pokes his head in, Ben looks over to him nodding his head for him to come in. Hoss walks in standing by the foot of the bed he was glad to see his sister was awake. "Hey little sister you had us worried sick, how're you feeling?" he asked. Amelia gives him a small smile, "I'm ok, Hoss. How's Sapphire is he ok?".

The eleven-year-old was concern for her beloved horse. Hoss chuckles knowing how much the animal meant to his sister. "He's fine pumpkin" he assured her. Amelia lets out a breath of relief she turns to her father, "How long do I have to stay in bed, Pa?" she asked. "For awhile you had a nasty fall, you need to rest. Doctor's orders" replied Ben.

Amelia lets out an overdramatic exasperated moan, Ben and Hoss shared amused looks refraining from laughing. It was no secret to the family that Amelia hated being confide to her bed especially when she was sick or hurt.

"I hate being in bed, Pa. Can I please go downstairs?" she begged desperate to get out of bed. Ben looks at Hoss who discreetly gives him a wink. Ben smiles as he turns his head toward his daughter. "Well I suppose that'll be alright, but I want you to rest" Amelia's eyes lit up, "Thanks Pa".

Ben gets up and moves to let Hoss take his place as he gently leans over his sister, lifting her up in his arms and carefully carries her out of the room.

Downstairs, Adam and Little Joe had just brought the wheelchair in and were setting it up in the living room by the settee, when they heard movement coming form the stairs. They share a smile as they watch Ben and Hoss with Amelia in his arms. "Hi Adam, hi Joe" Amelia said smiling at her brothers.

Once they were down the stairs, Amelia sees a strange chair with wheels. "What's that chair for?" she asked curiously confused. "It's for you it'll help make it easier for you to move around" Adam explained. "Unless you rather stay in bed and have us all wait on you" Joe teased.

Amelia gives him an unamused look. "Why don't you try it" Ben suggested. Hoss gently sits his sister down on the chair. "What do you think little sister?" Hoss asked. Amelia smiles slowly moving the wheels back and forth, she looks up at her family smiling. "Thank you I love it".

The boys smile relieved. "Your brothers also fixed up the bedroom down here for you" Ben said. "Thank you" Amelia said appreciatively. "There's going to be some changes around here" Ben announced getting the attention of his children. Amelia looks at him confuse, "What kind of changes, Pa?" Ben takes a seat down on the blue chair, "Well for starters Doc Martin wants you to do some exercises"

"What kind of exercises?" she inquired confused. "Leg massages and stretches, he said that they would help wake up the nerves in your legs" Ben explained. "Am I going to be able to walk again Pa?" Amelia asked worriedly. The boys look sadly at each other. "I don't know for sure sweetheart but we're all here and we'll help you in anyway we can" he assured her. "What about school, Pa? I can't go to school in a wheelchair all the other kids would laugh at me" she said worriedly.

"Don't worry about that Amelia, I'll talk to Miss. Jones I'll tell her that while you are recuperating, I'll be home schooling you" Adam assured her.

Amelia looks at her brother she wasn't sure if she should be happy about it or not. She loved Adam; she love any chance she had to spend time with him even if it was doing schoolwork. She liked it when Adam helps her with her homework and how patient he is with her when she has trouble understanding the work.

"And don't you worry about Sapphire or your chores me and Joe will take care of them for you" Hoss assured her. Amelia felt overwhelm, touched by their support and eagerness to help her and take care of her, but she was worried by all the attention she was receiving not use to having anyone do things for her.

She prided herself for being fiercely independent, especially being the only girl in the house, she felt it was necessary to be independent not feeling the need to rely on others especially her family for help. She feared she would be a burden on her family the longer she is confine to her chair.

Ben could see something was troubling his daughter, "Something on your mind darling?". Amelia blushes as tears came to her eyes feeling slightly embarrassed, "I'm fine Pa just overwhelm is all. I really appreciate everything you all done for me".

She lets out a yawn. "Why don't you get some rest before supper?" Ben suggested. "I'll take you to your room" Hoss offered getting behind her chair. Adam and Joe each kiss her on the cheek as Hoss gently pushes her chair toward the spare bedroom. Once in the room, he pushes her by the bed and lifts her up putting her on the bed. "Can I get you anything pumpkin?" Hoss as he covers her up with a quilt that was on the bottom of the bed. "I'm ok thanks big brother" Amelia said. "Sleep tight baby I love you" Hoss kisses her forehead and walks out of the room as Amelia drifts off to sleep.