Faith Hope Love Repeat pt.22
At the hospital, Hannah was watching Adam sleep. Adam stirred and opened his eyes.
"Hi." Hannah whispered.
"Hi. How, long have I been out?" Adam wondered.
"Since this morning. How do you feel?"
"Ready to go home."
"I'm ready for you to come home, but we have to wait till you're stronger."
"I know. I wish I wasn't so tired all the time."
"Me too."
The two kissed and food was brought in for them.
"I wish it was your cooking." Adam sighed.
"SO do I." Hannah answered. "Try some of the soup."
"I did yesterday and you know how that went."
"I told Dr. Wolf about it. I don't understand why they brought it in here knowing that it upset your system so bad."
"They think it's because I haven't been eating right."
"True."
"I really don't feel like eating."
"Adam, you're underweight and you're getting weaker because you won't eat. Just try a little bit."
"Ok."
Adam had some soup but wasn't very hungry. He ate what he could, but that was very little.
"Try a little more." Hannah suggested.
"I can't. I'm not hungry." Adam sighed. Hannah squeezed Adam's hands and pressed her forehead against his. "I want to go home."
"I know. Just a few more weeks."
"That's all I've heard for the past month. Doc says that my legs are healing better than he thought."
"He's not worried about your legs. He's worried about your hands and your back and your chest. Adam, why didn't you tell me that your chest had been bothering you."
"It just wasn't important."
"Adam, you're important to me. Everything that happens to you is important. I can't bear to lose you, Adam."
"I'm sorry."
"How long have you had these pains?"
"Since I was a kid. It got worse when mom and dad died. It's nothing."
"It doesn't sound like nothing. Who have you told about this?"
"No one except you."
"Oh, Adam."
Hannah sighed and Adam kissed her cheek.
"It's probably nothing," Adam said.
"Will you let the doctors decide that?" Hannah questioned.
"I guess."
"Right now."
Adam sighed and nodded.
"I guess." Adam sighed.
"Thank you." Hannah thanked. They kissed and Hannah went to get Dr. Wolf. Dr. Wolf examined Adam and sighed.
"Whatever this is,it would explain why you constantly get lung infections." Dr. Wolf said. "I'll have to have a specialist come and examine you. I just wish you had said something about this much sooner."
"Yes, sir." Adam mumbled.
The next day, a specialist came and examined Adam and ran several tests.
"Any allergies?" He asked.
"A few. I have hay fever. I'm allergic to some medications and to... a couple of other things." Adam answered.
"Almonds and peanuts." Hannah finished.
"Yeah."
The doctor nodded and after running several tests, he sighed.
"Ever heard of asthma?" The doctor asked.
"Yeah. I was suspected of having it as a kid. It was never confirmed." Adam answered.
"Consider it confirmed. You're very lucky that you haven't had too many serious attacks. I'm going to prescribe an inhaler and an antihistamine. I expect you to do as you are told."
"Yes, sir. How bad is it?"
"You're lucky. It's not too bad. You haven't had an asthma attack, but you've come close."
The specialist left and Adam and Hannah sighed. Hannah moved to sit next to Adam and he rested his head on her shoulder. There was a knock at the door and Jane walked in with the girls and a package.
"What's this?" Adam wondered.
"It's a surprise." Riley whispered as she walked over and hugged Adam. "But you have to close your eyes. Both of you."
Hannah and Adam smiled and closed their eyes. Holly and Riley opened the package and pulled out the finished blanket. Then they placed it on their parents and covered them with it.
"You can open your eyes." Holly said. Adam and Hannah opened their eyes and smiled down at the blanket that covered them.
"It's beautiful." Adam said.
"I made one side and Riley made the other. That way it's thicker and warmer."
"It's big. It must have taken you, girls, a long while."
"It did, but we like it."
"Thank you."
"We're so proud of you girls." Hannah said. Adam and Hannah hugged the girls and they talked for a while.
"So, do we still have a house or have the kitties and puppies taken over?" Adam asked as he poked Holly. Holly giggled and Adam smiled.
"We still have a house. The puppies and kitties are outside now." Holly answered.
"Evan's taken the cats to his house and Brian's been taking care of the puppies and Belle." Hannah replied.
"Daddy, when will you be home?" Riley wondered.
"I don't know, honey. Not for a while." Adam answered. Riley's face fell and Adam smiled sadly. "I know, honey. I want to come home too, but I still have to heal. Ok?"
"Ok."
Adam kissed Riley's nose and sighed.
"I love you." Adam whispered.
"I love you too." Riley answered.
A few weeks later, Adam was much better, and he was well enough to move around. Dr. Wolf walked in and saw Adam carefully walking around the room with Hannah's help.
"I got it." Adam said. "I can do it."
Hannah let go and Adam walked around the room with his crutches.
"I think it's about time you went home." Dr. Wolf stated. "You've met all of my requirements. In the morning, you can go home to your family."
"Thank you." Adam answered. "It's about time."
"Yes, it is."
At the ranch, Brian was playing with Luke and Briana when the phone rang. Brian answered the phone.
"Yeah, Hannah lives here, but she's gone right now." Brian said. "Yeah, I can give her a message. Let me write it down." Brian grabbed notepad and pen and started writing. "Got it. I'll let her now."
Brian hung up and looked at Molly.
"Can you watch the kids? I'm gonna go to the hospital and relieve Hannah." Brian said.
"Sure. Who was that?" Molly asked.
"Uh, a friend of Hannah's."
The phone rang again and Brian answered it.
"Hello." Brian sighed.
"Brian, bring some clean clothes for Adam. He's coming home tomorrow." Hannah said.
"What? He is?"
"Yeah. Dr. Wolf says he's met the requirements and it's time for him to come home."
"Thank God. I'll be there in a while."
Brian hung up and smiled.
"What's going on?" Crane asked when he heard Brian.
"Adam's coming home tomorrow." Brian answered.
"That's the best news we've had in a while."
Brain went upstairs and packed a bag for Adam and then rushed to the hospital. He walked in and saw Adam resting.
"I brought his clothes and here's a note for you." Brian said as he handed Hannah the note.
"Can you watch him? I'll be right back." Hannah asked.
"Yeah, sure."
Hannah left the room and Brian watched Adam. Hannah walked over to a phone and called the number.
"Hello?" The woman wondered.
"Lisa, it's me." Hannah greeted.
"Hannah, thanks for getting back to me. Chase and I were wondering if we could come out and visit you in California." Lisa answered. "We just want to know when it would be a good time."
"Uh, next week. How long will you be staying?"
"For about a week."
The two girls talked for a while and then hung up. Hannah walked back to the room and saw Brian and Adam talking.
"Who was it?" Brian wondered.
"An old friend in Denver. Lisa Warner. She's coming to visit with her husband. They're staying for a week and they'll be here on Monday." Hannah answered.
"Where are they staying?"
"At the hotel. They don't want to put us out."
"It'll be nice meeting some of your friends." Adam said. "You've met most of mine's."
"Yeah. She's in for a treat though. I've told her that I live in the middle of nowhere, but she thinks that all of California is Hollywood." Hannah answered.
"She'll be in for a huge surprise."
"Yeah."
"Molly and Crane know but I didn't have time to tell the girls about tomorrow." Brian said. "I figured you'd want to surprise them anyways."
"Thanks. Make sure they don't tell the kids." Adam stated.
"Will do."
Brian went home and the next day, Adam woke up early and got ready to go home. Brian arrived and saw Hannah helping Adam put his shirt on.
"My shoulders are still sore." Adam groaned.
"Well, they won't be for long." Hannah answered.
"I know."
When Adam was ready, they went home. they arrived home and saw that it was still quiet on the ranch.
"I'll get the bags." Brian said. Hannah helped Adam out of the car and into the house. They carefully and quietly walked upstairs and into the nursery where the kids were all sleeping. Adam sat down in the rocking chair and Hannah handed Luke to him. Luke opened his eyes and smiled.
"Hi, buddy. You're getting so big." Adam whispered. Luke cooed and started making sounds. "Yeah. I'm home."
They heard Briana wiggle and coo and then Luke and Briana started talking to each other. Holly and Riley stirred and groaned.
"Lukie, stop it." Holly said. Luke stopped talking and looked at Holly.
"Holly, Riley, someone's here to see you." Hannah whispered. The girls sat up and then saw Adam. They gasped and got up and ran over to Adam and hugged him.
Adam spent all days with Hannah and the kids.
The next day, Holly was helping Luke walked around the living room when Riley walked in.
"What are you doing?" Riley wondered.
"Daddy said that if I was careful, I could help Luke learn how to walk." Holly answered.
"Oh." Then Riley sniffed the air and scrunched her nose. "What's that smell?"
Holly sniffed and then sniffed near Luke's butt.
"Ah, Lukie." Holly groaned. Luke giggled and Holly carried Luke to the kitchen. "Mommy, Lukie has a stinky diaper. Again!"
"I'll take care of him." Hannah answered. Hannah took Luke and changed his diaper. The girls walked to the living room and saw Adam sitting in his chair panting.
"Are you ok, daddy?" Holly wondered.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just need to rest." Adam panted. Riley and Holly carefully climbed onto Adam's lap and Adam hugged them close. Hannah walked down and handed Luke to Adam and then stood behind Adam and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Are you ok?" Hannah wondered.
"I am now."
"Don't push yourself."
"I know."
That evening, Adam was tickling and playing with the kids who laughed and giggled.
"Daddy, tickle me, tickle me." Riley exclaimed. Adam picked Riley up and tickled her again. Riley giggled and started laughing.
"It's good to have him home." Jane said.
"Yeah, it is. I'm so happy." Hannah answered.
"We all are. This is where he belongs. He will get better."
"I know."
Over the next few days, they prepared for Lisa and Chase's visit. Monday came and they heard a car pull up.
"That's them." Hannah said as she walked over to the window. She saw Lisa and Chase get out and look around in confusion. She walked outside and smiled. "Hi."
"Hannah, it's good to see you." Lisa greeted. They hugged and then Lisa looked around. "Where is everyone? From the way you talked, it sounded like you lived in a zoo."
"I do. Some are in town or at their jobs. Come inside."
They went inside and saw Adam walking down the stairs. Adam walked over and shook Chase's hand.
"I'm Adam." Adam greeted. Hannah wrapped her arms around Adam and smiled.
"This is my husband. The kids are around, but I don't know where." Hannah said.
"You were right when you said you lived in the middle of nowhere," Chase answered.
"Yep, but we like it here."
Riley walked in crying and Adam picked her up and sat down on the steps.
"What happened?" Adam asked. Riley held up her shirt and pointed to her side.
"Goat hurt me." Riley cried.
"Did a goat hit you with its horns?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"Maggie. She got out again and I didn't see her... till she... she hit me."
"Well, we should keep an eye on it. Come here, honey."
Riley continued to cry and Adam held her close.
"This is Riley. She's our second oldest." Hannah said. "Holly is most likely outside and our sister-in-law has Briana."
"Luke is in his playpen." Adam finished. "You'll meet everyone tonight."
"Oh." Lisa answered. "That's what Hannah said."
"Where's the nearest town?" Chase asked.
"Murphys. You passed through there coming up here." Adam answered.
"That was it? That small little town that looks halfdead?" Lisa exclaimed.
"Yep and actually, we're thriving. It's just that with this dry heat, everything's dusty and messy looking."
Hannah showed Lisa and Chase around.
"What's wrong with your husband?" Lisa asked.
"He was attacked and he broke his legs." Hannah answered. "He's still healing."
"Oh. How did it happen?"
"It's not something we talk about."
"Oh. Why?"
"Lisa, don't be rude. They have their reasons." Chase warned.
That evening, they all sat around the dining room in Evan and Sally's house. Lisa and Chase were introduced to everyone and then they sat down and ate supper.
"Daddy, I don't feel good." Riley mumbled as she climbed onto Adam's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Are you in any pain?" Adam wondered.
"A little."
"OK."
Lisa looked at Dakota and Daniel who were talking to each other.
"Where are you from?" Lisa asked.
"North Dakota." Dakota answered.
"Did they name you Dakota after the state?"
"No. My first name is Zaltana. My middle name is Dakota."
"What kind of name is Zaltana? Are you Indian or something?"
"I am. I'm from the Dakota tribe."
"What brought you here?" Chase wondered. "If you don't mind me asking?"
"We were attacked by people outside our reservation. I was kidnapped and after a few years, I was brought here. I suffered the whole time. It wasn't until I met Daniel that I started feeling peace and love again." Dakota explained.
"Why don't you just go back?" Lisa rudely asked.
"My parents are dead and my home is with Daniel. Where ever he is."
Daniel kissed Dakota and squeezed her hand. The phone rang and Ford stood up.
"I'll get it." Ford said. Ford answered the phone and heard Cleo crying. "Cleo, what is it?"
"Ford, daddy's in the hospital. He collapsed. The doctor said he only has a few hours." Cleo sobbed.
"I'm on my way."
Ford hung up and walked over to the table.
"Brian, can I have the keys to the jeep?" Ford asked.
"Yeah, what happened?" Brain answered.
"Wheeler's in the hospital. He doesn't have long."
"I'm coming with you."
"SO will we." Crane replied as he and Molly stood up.
The four walked outside and the others were no longer hungry. Adam lifted up Riley's shirt and saw a bruise from where the goat hit her.
"Does that hurt?" Adam wondered. Riley nodded and Chase walked over.
"I'm a doctor. Let me see." Chase said. Adam moved his plate and put Riley on the table. Hannah, Jane, and Sally started cleaning up while Adam and Chase examined Riley. "Feels like a broken rib, but I do not like it's location."
"Why?"
Then Adam looked again and let out a deep breath.
"My God. Her spleen." Adam realized.
"Yes." Chase answered. "We should take care of this tonight before it gets worse."
"What happens if it did hit her spleen?" Sally wondered.
"She'll probably have to have emergency surgery to have it removed." Adam replied.
"Could she live with that?"
"I haven't had my spleen since I was 14. She'll be ok."
Hannah walked over and picked Riley up. Riley cried out in pain and Hannah rocked her.
"Grandma?" Hannah started.
"I'll take care of the kids." Jane answered. Holly followed Adam, Hannah, and Chase to the door.
"Daddy, I want come." Holly said.
"I know, but you'd only be in the way. We'll call you when we get there and we'll tell you everything. Ok?" Adam answered.
"Ok."
Chase, Hannah, Adam, and Riley went to the hospital.
Daniel walked into the living room and saw Holly watching the phone carefully.
"It won't ring if you keep staring at it." Daniel said.
"Will she be ok?" Holly wondered.
"Yeah. Besides, it just might be broken ribs and her spleen might be just fine. Who knows."
"I hope so."
At the hospital, Ford, Brian, Crane, and Molly had arrived as saw Cleo sobbing. Cleo saw Ford and ran to him sobbing.
"He's gone. Daddy's gone, Ford." Cleo sobbed.
"I'm so sorry." Ford whispered as he hugged Cleo.
Adam, Hannah, and Chase arrived and Riley was examined.
"She has two broken ribs and a ruptured spleen." Chase sighed as he walked back in. "They're gonna rush her into surgery as soon as everything is ready. I'll stay here if you want."
"No. We're fine. Go to your wife. She might not be too happy with you working on your vacation." Adam answered.
"She can get over it. Let us know."
"Tell Holly. She needs to know."
"I will."
Chase went to the ranch and saw Holly on the couch.
"Your sister is in surgery. She had a ruptured spleen." Chase said.
"What does that mean?" Holly wondered.
"Well, a spleen is an organ. Its job is to filter blood and get rid of all the bad blood. A rupture is where an organ has a hole and is bleeding a lot. Luckily, you can live without your spleen and in a week or two, your sister will be home recovering."
"Ok."
Chase walked into the kitchen and saw that everyone had heard. Lisa glared at Chase and Daniel patted Chase's shoulder.
"Sorry, honey." Chase said. "I just had to help."
"It's a good thing you did. Who knows what could have happened." James stated.
"What are her chances?" Evan asked.
"Good. Very good. She's healthy and strong. It'll help a lot." Chase answered.
At the hospital, Brian, Crane, and Molly were walking around when they saw Adam and Hannah.
"What happened?" Brian asked.
"Riley's spleen was ruptured when the goat hit her. She's in surgery now." Adam explained. Brian hugged Adam and comforted him.
"She'll be ok."
"Yeah, I know."
TBC