Chapter 48 Allie Saga
Nathan settles in next to Allie, holding her hand softly. He sings to her songs he knows she likes and some from when she was young. In between he strokes her hair and talks to her about her Mom and stories of them growing up. His pain is so evident to Elizabeth as he continues to hold her hand for strength. Periodically Carson comes to check on her. Carson quietly says "There is a crowd outside waiting for news". Elizabeth says "I'll go and tell them to go home and pray for her. Nathan I'll have Clara send something over from the Café as well." Without looking up he just shrugs, then looks at her and says "Elizabeth what about Jack, go take care of him." She replies "I know, but I will be right back. Will you be OK?" "He looks at her and says "Yes I just need to be with Allie." Elizabeth goes over and hugs him and kisses his cheek and says "Pray Nathan". He says like "I never have before".
Elizabeth steps out and tells the crowd "Allie has not come around yet but please go home; it's too cold just pray for her". Lee is there and he say "Elizabeth anything, what can we do. Rosemary already has Little Jack". She says "Nathan will be here all night can Rosemary send some blankets and some tea for him." "I'll get right on it now go back and stay with that little girl" Lee orders.
Elizabeth goes back in and Nathan seems surprised to see her. She tells him Lee is taking care of everything and Rosemary already has Little Jack. He says, "I want you to go home to Little Jack he needs you too". She says with steel in her voice "I am staying for a while. I love Allie too, Nathan and we need to be here for her." With that Nathan almost cries, but kisses her in thanks. Carson is once again checking Allie and is looking in her eyes. "Her pupils look good Nathan, maybe there is no concussion and she will wake up soon" Carson suggests. . Nathan continues his vigil. He is so focused and quiet except for talking to Allie, but Elizabeth sees his devastation.
The clock ticks slowly by and then there is a stirring, Allie's eyelids flutter and Elizabeth cries "Nathan!" He just stares at Allie and two lone tears escape his eyes and slide down his cheeks. Carson, Elizabeth and Nathan are crowded around the bed and Allie opens her eyes. Nathan says "Allie, baby thank god, stay here with us." She looks at him and says in a cracked voice—"Dad, Daddy"? Nathan has never heard Daddy before and wants to cry, but holds himself back. Elizabeth puts her knuckles in her mouth to stay silent. Allie lifts her hand to the tear on Nathan's face and says "Daddy what's wrong?" two more tears follow; Nathan says "You had an accident and we are just waiting for you to wake up". She looks confused and then says "Mrs. Thorton?" and then sees Carson and asks "Dr. Shephard am I in the infirmary?" Carson takes over and says "Yes Allie you had a little mishap and now we have to check you for injuries OK. This might hurt a little and if it does squeeze your Dad's hand Ok?"
She still looks a little confused but says "OK" in that small voice. Nathan and Elizabeth are both holding their breath praying this is all good. Carson checks her eyes and her mouth. He asks if she can lift her arms and she does first one and then the other. As she does that she winces and squeezes Nathan hand. When that happens Nathan squeezes Elizabeth's hand painfully, but she doesn't even acknowledge it. Their Allie might be on the way back and that is all they want. Carson gently moves her neck and then sees if she can lift her legs. The left one she moves effortlessly. The right one, she gasps in pain. Carson asks her what hurts and she says "My ankle, my head and my arm and chest". "Well Allie, a tree fell on you so I know you will be sore for a few days. You have some cuts and scrapes that we have taken care of. Why don't you rest a little and then we will try and X-ray your ankle. I am very glad you woke up and came back to us. We were beginning to worry. Do you remember what happened?" Carson responds. Allie frowns and says "I was with my friends and we were waiting for them to put the tree up, but I don't remember anything else." Carson says "That's fine Allie just take a little rest and then we will see about the ankle." She turns to Nathan and says "Dad have you been here the whole time". Nathan responds "Yes baby I have and I am staying so just rest a little". She dozes off a little and Nathan looks alarmed at Carson, "It's perfectly normal Nathan the body need rest to heal". Nathan says "What do you think Carson?" He talks softly and says "I want to keep her overnight and we have to continue to check about a concussion and in a little while we will see about her ankle. If she continues to wake up easily and nothing else presents I think she will be fine". Nathan bows his head over Allie's hand and says a prayer of thanks and a few tears do escape. Elizabeth rubs his back and says "Nathan it's all good". With a big breath he sits up and says Carson, "Thank you so much." Carson says "Nathan most of the time this is harder on the parent than the child—if all goes well she will bounce back pretty fast". Nathan just nods.
Lee comes in with food and a basket from Rosemary. He quietly says "How is she?" Elizabeth responds "She did wake up and knew us all—so that's good, she can move her arms and legs so those are all good signs". Lee visibly exhales and says "Nathan I am so sorry one of my men slipped in the mud and lost his hold on the tree." Nathan stands up and says "Lee it's no one's fault. Tell him it's OK, I understand I know how accidents happen. Just continue to pray she will stay on this path of healing". Lee shakes his hand and says "Of course". Nathan sits back down and refuses to eat. Carson says "Let me eat and then we will try the X-ray. Elizabeth, Nathan it's not going to help her if you too get sick, now try and eat something." They both force a few bites down.
Allie wakes and Carson X-rays her ankle with the new X-ray machine Julia had donated. While they waited for the results Allie was allowed sips of water and Nathan tries to send Elizabeth home to Little Jack. Nathan will stay all night with Allie and wake her every two hours to make sure she doesn't have a concussion. Nathan says to Elizabeth "Go home and get some sleep, because maybe I will need some help tomorrow." She finally agrees she will go after she hears about Allie's ankle. Carson reads the X-ray and thankfully it only shows a bad sprain. He then bandages the ankle. Elizabeth agrees to go home and Nathan settles in to sit with Allie. Soon Allie drifts off to sleep and Nathan gives thanks for the outcome of this accident; he knows it could have been much worse and he just counts his blessings.