Disclaimer: I do not own any of the "In a Heartbeat" characters that are featured in this story.
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long. I'm concentrating on writing as Peachy Keen right now in the O-Town section, so if you're a fan of O-Town or maybe a fan of my writing, I'd appreciate it if you would check this out. Okay, "Witness" fans, I'm sorry, but I could make this go on forever, but I'm not going to because it's already incredibly long and in case you didn't notice from my lack of updating, I'm getting kind of tired of writing that story. Sorry guys! Anyway, I think I will continue with "Cries for Help" but it may take a while. Sorry. Anyway, on with the last chapter of "Witness." I warn you, it's a bad ending, but will definitely add some more closure to the story, okay? Oh, and please disregard the corny name of the chapter, I couldn't think of anything else.
CHAPTER 18: ARE THERE ALWAYS RAINBOWS AT THE END?
"I can't feel my legs! I can't feel my legs!" Valerie Lanier-Connell screamed over and over at the top of her lungs. "I can't feel my legs!"
"Sshh, honey, calm down," her husband, Tyler Connell said, trying to calm and comfort her, but inwards wanting to explode himself.
Val calmed down a little, yet tears began to fall silently down her cheeks. She whimpered. "I can't feel my legs," she managed to say somewhat hysterically between sobs that choked her throat. "I can't feel my legs."
A few feet away, Carrie Connell, Val and Tyler's three-year-old daughter, eyed them worriedly. She'd ever seen her Mommy like that before and it scared her.
Tyler looked over at Carrie, her eyes wide. He left his wife for a minute to go over to Carrie and pick her up in a huge hug. "It's gonna be okay, sweetie," her murmured while stroking her blonde hair. "It's gonna be okay." It sounded as though he were trying to comfort himself along with his frightened daughter.
"What's wrong wif Mommy?" she asked her dad uncertainly. "Why is she in tat white bed looking all sick?"
"Because, honey, Mommy was in a bad car accident. She can't feel her legs and she's hurting pretty bad." He paused, and looked over at Val and then back at Carrie. "Why don't you go give Mommy a hug while Daddy talks to the nice doctor, okay?" he said to her soothingly as he carefully laid Carrie on the bed next to her mother.
He turned around and was about to leave the room to go find a doctor when he turned around and saw Carrie say to Val, "Mommy, it's gonna be okay. Peas don't cry." She leaned in and gave her mother a worried yet loving hug. Tyler smiled at the sight and turned around. He walked out into the hallway no sooner than a man stepped up t him. "Are you Mr. Connell?" he asked professionally with a face of stone, showing absolutely no emotion.
"Yes. Yes I am." Tyler's anguished face looked into the unfeeling eyes before him.
"I'm Dr. Tim Chester." He extended his hand and Tyler wearily shook it.
"What's wrong with my wife?" he demanded quietly. No authority was apparent in his voice.
"I'm afraid the car accident she was in gave conveyed extremely serious damage to her lower body," he said slowly.
"And?" Tyler pushed him along.
"And I'm afraid that she will no longer have any use of her body from the lower back down."
Tyler looked at the man. "Paralyzed?"
"Correct. This can be made easier for her though."
"How?" Tyler whispered anxiously.
"Well, you can get a physical therapist that will help her muscles remain strong and to make sure she doesn't get any diseases in her legs, such as Gang Green from the circulation being cut off in her legs. That will ensure a most comfortable life, considering she won't be able to do certain things."
"Uh-huh," Tyler grunted in understanding.
The doctor went on, "I also suggest that she go back to a normal life. Go back to work, cook meals, and she can still have children if you care to have more. She will be able to continue being a loving mother. Mostly though, you just have to concentrate on getting her self-esteem and motivation back up where it should be and she'll be back to acting like herself in no time."
"Okay, when can she leave?"
"In a few days. We have to do a couple tests first."
"Okay."
He walked back into the room and a few hours later, he and Carrie trudged out into the night and back home.
ONE YEAR LATER
One year later, Val Lanier-Connell found herself pregnant, and once again bright and happy. Tyler had made that last year so wonderful for her considering she was stuck in a wheelchair. A couple times she'd fallen deathly ill, but she'd bounced back once again. She was still going to work and although she often got questioned as to how and why she was now in a wheelchair and hadn't been before was asked quite often. She didn't mind anymore. It was a lot easier to talk about now.
A couple months later, after a very long, and strenuous labor, Val gave birth to a healthy and rosy-cheeked baby boy, whom they named Ryan.
And although this is a very corny ending to this otherwise perfectly uncorny story, they lived happily ever after in their home in Kingsport.
~ I know it's bad. I know it's short. And I'm sorry, but I'm glad its over. Would still appreciate the reviews. Would like it also if someone would continue my story "Behind the Scenes". Anyone who liked it is more than welcome to finish it for me and take the credit because I am fresh out of ideas for that one, but people like it and want it to continue, so go right ahead! Anyway, please review. ~