Chapter 80 Repairing the Damage
Nathan and Faith took Derrick back to the infirmary where she immediately started treatment the best she could. His breathing was shallow. She immediately placed him on oxygen to help with the breathing, while she tended to all the wounds on his face. He had been beaten almost unrecognizable. Luckily oxygen was a fairly new treatment and had only been used for medical purposes as of 1885. It might be his only chance of survival.
"Nathan I sure hope this man makes it." Faith said all emotional.
"You can't blame Lucas, Faith. He was saving his family. Speaking as someone who has been in dangerous situations a lot, sometimes you don't have time to think all you can do is react." Nathan explained trying to calm her down.
"Yes, but Nathan this was excessive force." Faith said.
"Was it really? Would it have been excessive had this man killed Elizabeth or one of their children?" Nathan asked now waiting on a response.
"I suppose you are right." Faith replied.
"Of course I am, this is not Lucas's fault." Nathan assured her.
Bill held Elizabeth as they stood there staring at all the blood and Lucas huddled up against the wall.
"What am I going to do Bill?" Elizabeth asked crying into his shoulder.
"First off, are you hurt Elizabeth?" Bill asked concerned for her.
"Physically I am fine, but look at him Bill. My heart is breaking for him right now. I want him back Bill." Elizabeth said emotional as she stared at her husband fighting to escape from the emotional stress he was holding inside. "You should have seen him Bill. It was crazy. I almost couldn't get him to stop. It was as if he was possessed by rage."
"Elizabeth that man would die for you and his children and this right here would send any man into a fit of rage. He absolutely will come out of this. I have seen many men in my time suffer this same stress. It will heal. You guys will be fine. It just takes time." Bill said trying to reassure her.
Just then Gladys came in. "I am going to look at Lucas's shoulder and patch him up and then I recommend Elizabeth that you get him cleaned up. You can throw those clothes away."
Gladys knelt down in front of him. "Lucas! I am going to have a look at that shoulder and those hands okay."
There was no response. He just stared off into space. His shoulder was clotted from the blood but was big enough to warrant a couple of stitches. His knuckles were all split open and covered in blood from the relentless punches he had thrown.
"Elizabeth, do you need me to help with anything? Bill asked.
"No Bill. I will get it taken care of. Thank you for being here." Elizabeth hugged him and he was on his way to check in at the infirmary.
Elizabeth went to get Jonathan to help get Lucas into the bedroom.
"I am going to run him a bath. Maybe the warm water will help soothe him and bring him back to me." Elizabeth said emotionally as she choked back her tears.
Her and Jonathan got him undressed and down in the water. "I will leave you to it Elizabeth. I feel like an intruder. I'll wait outside and start cleaning up the nursery. Call me when you are ready for me. Elizabeth he will be fine." Jonathan said as he left the room and shut the door.
Elizabeth took the sponge and began getting Lucas washed up, scrubbing off all the blood and splashing the water up over him.
"Lucas, darling I know you are in there. I love you come back to me." She said now crying hysterically and shaking him to wake up. "Wake up!"
"Elizabeth!" He said tears now falling down his face.
She hugged him with everything she had never wanting to let him go. "What happened to you?"
"I am so sorry Elizabeth. This was all my fault. I should have never invited him here. I am responsible for almost getting you killed." Lucas said as the tears were now pouring out of his eyes.
"Don't you dare do that Lucas Bouchard. This is not your fault. I love you. Do you hear me?" Elizabeth reassured him now holding on to him for dear life. "Bad things sometimes happen to good people Lucas. Talk to me. Tell me what was running through your mind. Don't hold it in. Share it with me and let me help you escape it."
"I feel ashamed. I feel like I have failed my family." Lucas told her as she wiped the tears from his face.
"Oh dear heavens. How on earth can you say that? Lucas you saved us. You have always been my knight in shining armor. I am the luckiest woman in the world." Elizabeth reassured him now placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Elizabeth you wouldn't even be in these messes if it weren't for the fact you're married to me." Lucas said now feeling a total lack of self confidence and a huge emotional burden resting heavily on his shoulders.