**Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for the lack of updates in the last few
months, but I am determined to add at least a chapter every week.**
Chapter 21
Bella's POV
"I'll be fine guys. Look I am getting around this place really well. Just go to work and if I have a problem I'll call ok. Me and Aria will just hang out and watch cartoons all day." Vince, Leon and Dom have been taking turns being home with me for a week driving me crazy. Jess has hung out at the garage. Sometimes I think that he just can't handle me like this. I wonder if he even still loves me. I wouldn't blame him if he left my messed up ass.
"Bell, come on girl let one of us stay and help with Aria. A toddler can be a handful." Vince pleads.
With all my strength I shove him out the door, "I am quite aware how much of a handful my daughter is, but I think I can handle it. Now go and work on something grease monkey." Leon pulls Vince towards his car and waves goodbye.
Dom looks down at me with concern showing on his face, "This ain't a good idea. I feel it Isabella. It's too soon."
Rolling my eyes I let out frustrated breath, "Go run your damn shop now. I need a break."
"You call if you need anything." Dom says and then heads out the door.
Finally I have some peace and quiet. The couch looks inviting. I slowly move onto the middle cushion and swing my legs up. Once I make myself comfortable I call for Aria to come sit on my stomach and watch cartoons with me. She seems happy to have all of my attention for a change.
The hours pass quickly and before I know it's 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Time to prepare food for lunch. Quickly I jump from the couch and at once regret my hurried movement. Sharp pain attacks my lower back and I crash to the floor. The pain is worse than anything I can describe. My legs, I can't move my legs. Oh God what have I done. Aria is screaming in the kitchen. My forehead is bleeding and the room is becoming fuzzy. I need to focus, can't leave my baby alone. "Aria, baby come to Mommy. Come here now." She comes running and sits down beside me.
"Mommy have oowwee." She touches my face lightly.
"Yes baby, but Mommy will be ok." The room is getting darker. I can't focus anymore.
************************************************************************
Dom's POV
Something in my gut tells me to check on Bella even though she will probably scream at me for being overprotective. The house is still standing as I pull into the driveway. I jump out of the car and instantly pick up on Aria's screams. My heart is jumping out of my chest. Inside I find Aria huddled next to an unconscious Bella. I cradle Aria in my arms and run to the phone to call for an ambulance.
~Hospital~
"Mr. Toretto, it is what we had feared. A piece of the vertebrae has broken loose and is putting pressure on her spine. Without immediate surgery she will never walk again, but it's not without it risks. Even with the surgery, your sister may never walk again. You will need to make this decision and sign the release papers. Miss Toretto is still unconscious."
Without hesitation, I sign the form and return to the team.
Hours later the doctor finally emerges from the O.R., "Your sister is showing some improvement, but it will be sometime before we know if the surgery was a true success."
"Thank you doctor. I appreciate everything you've done for her."
~Two Weeks Later~
Bella's POV
I hear the bedroom door open and try to focus my eyes on the figure entering the room. I know it's not Jess since he left for work hours ago. I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and blink repeatedly to clear my sight. Standing just inside the door stands Dom with his head bowed. "I am not in the mood for another one of your speeches right now Dom."
"That's good cause I done talking. You ass has been in this bed for a week. You need to go to therapy and you're going now."
"What so they can teach me how to live in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I would rather lay in this bed and rot away."
Angrily he jerks back the covers, "You have a daughter to live for." He puts one arm under my knees and the other around my back. "Time to get moving stinky."
I protest but with no luck. He carries me into the bathroom and places me in a bathtub full of water, fully clothed. "You asshole."
Dom snickers and turns to leave, "Wash up we have an appointment."
Chapter 21
Bella's POV
"I'll be fine guys. Look I am getting around this place really well. Just go to work and if I have a problem I'll call ok. Me and Aria will just hang out and watch cartoons all day." Vince, Leon and Dom have been taking turns being home with me for a week driving me crazy. Jess has hung out at the garage. Sometimes I think that he just can't handle me like this. I wonder if he even still loves me. I wouldn't blame him if he left my messed up ass.
"Bell, come on girl let one of us stay and help with Aria. A toddler can be a handful." Vince pleads.
With all my strength I shove him out the door, "I am quite aware how much of a handful my daughter is, but I think I can handle it. Now go and work on something grease monkey." Leon pulls Vince towards his car and waves goodbye.
Dom looks down at me with concern showing on his face, "This ain't a good idea. I feel it Isabella. It's too soon."
Rolling my eyes I let out frustrated breath, "Go run your damn shop now. I need a break."
"You call if you need anything." Dom says and then heads out the door.
Finally I have some peace and quiet. The couch looks inviting. I slowly move onto the middle cushion and swing my legs up. Once I make myself comfortable I call for Aria to come sit on my stomach and watch cartoons with me. She seems happy to have all of my attention for a change.
The hours pass quickly and before I know it's 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Time to prepare food for lunch. Quickly I jump from the couch and at once regret my hurried movement. Sharp pain attacks my lower back and I crash to the floor. The pain is worse than anything I can describe. My legs, I can't move my legs. Oh God what have I done. Aria is screaming in the kitchen. My forehead is bleeding and the room is becoming fuzzy. I need to focus, can't leave my baby alone. "Aria, baby come to Mommy. Come here now." She comes running and sits down beside me.
"Mommy have oowwee." She touches my face lightly.
"Yes baby, but Mommy will be ok." The room is getting darker. I can't focus anymore.
************************************************************************
Dom's POV
Something in my gut tells me to check on Bella even though she will probably scream at me for being overprotective. The house is still standing as I pull into the driveway. I jump out of the car and instantly pick up on Aria's screams. My heart is jumping out of my chest. Inside I find Aria huddled next to an unconscious Bella. I cradle Aria in my arms and run to the phone to call for an ambulance.
~Hospital~
"Mr. Toretto, it is what we had feared. A piece of the vertebrae has broken loose and is putting pressure on her spine. Without immediate surgery she will never walk again, but it's not without it risks. Even with the surgery, your sister may never walk again. You will need to make this decision and sign the release papers. Miss Toretto is still unconscious."
Without hesitation, I sign the form and return to the team.
Hours later the doctor finally emerges from the O.R., "Your sister is showing some improvement, but it will be sometime before we know if the surgery was a true success."
"Thank you doctor. I appreciate everything you've done for her."
~Two Weeks Later~
Bella's POV
I hear the bedroom door open and try to focus my eyes on the figure entering the room. I know it's not Jess since he left for work hours ago. I wipe the sleep out of my eyes and blink repeatedly to clear my sight. Standing just inside the door stands Dom with his head bowed. "I am not in the mood for another one of your speeches right now Dom."
"That's good cause I done talking. You ass has been in this bed for a week. You need to go to therapy and you're going now."
"What so they can teach me how to live in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I would rather lay in this bed and rot away."
Angrily he jerks back the covers, "You have a daughter to live for." He puts one arm under my knees and the other around my back. "Time to get moving stinky."
I protest but with no luck. He carries me into the bathroom and places me in a bathtub full of water, fully clothed. "You asshole."
Dom snickers and turns to leave, "Wash up we have an appointment."