Chapter 4
Two days had passed since the earthquake and Don had drifted in and out of consciousness. Judy quietly approached Don's bed, gently took his hand and brought it up to her lips. She knew that his condition was serious and that he might never fully recover. Caressing his face she whispered softly to him. "I love you. Whatever happens, I love you and will be with you."
They were standing on the edge of the cliff, his arms pulling her close against his body. It was a brilliant day and warmth radiated down on them as a soft breeze caressed their faces. He nuzzled her neck and she leaned her head back in pleasure. He wanted nothing more than to melt with her so they could fully express the love that had been building over the years. She turned to face him, passion lighting her eyes. He could feel his body responding to her closeness. They whispered together, "I love you," and shared a kiss that reached the depths of their souls. The skies unexpectedly turned black and a loud rumble assaulted their ears. The cliff collapsed and they were plunging down, the rock base of the valley fast approaching them. Helpless. He was helpless to save his love or himself.
A gasp escaped his lips and he couldn't catch his breath. He tried to sit up, but a gentle hand pushed him back into the pillow. "It's okay, Don. You're on the Jupiter."
He closed his eyes in relief. She brushed her lips against his cheek, which sent shivers down his spine.
Somehow he found his voice and asked, "Penny?"
"Penny is fine. What else do you remember?"
"Pushing you. Falling."
"The cave collapsed on you. You were conscious when we pulled you out. Do you remember any of that?"
He lay there in thought a moment. "Hurt like hell." He searched her eyes and saw a glimmer of sadness. "Anyone else hurt?"
Tears brimmed Judy's eyes, but she fought them back. "Just you, Major. You were in pretty bad shape."
"And now?" He gave her a weak, boyish smile.
"You do look better. Let me check you out myself." She kissed him softly on the lips and he responded in kind. "I'd say you're lips are well on their way to recovery. That's enough for now, we'll just take one step at a time."
Content that she was with him, he dozed off again, holding her fingers tightly in his hand.
Several hours later, he awoke and was fully conscious with enough energy to sustain a conversation.
"So, Judy, what's the deal here?"
"The deal?"
"Yeah, what's the extent of my injuries?"
"I can't say. Dad and Dr. Smith have to examine you again."
"Oh, no, not Smith! He's not touching me."
"Don, he is a doctor."
"He's only a psychologist."
"But he knows the diagnostic machine better than anyone else."
Don shifted on the bed. Something didn't feel right. He tried moving his legs, but they felt like lead and wouldn't budge. The thought of spinal cord damage entered his mind, but he dismissed it, not willing to believe it could have happened. A piece of metal lined his back, but before he could ask about it, Dr. Smith burst through the door with John behind him.
"Well, my good Major, how are you feeling now? Any pain?" Dr. Smith inquired.
He hated the thought of putting his well being into Smith's hands, but Don bit back a nasty comment. "Actually, I don't feel much of anything. My legs are like lead."
Dr. Smith walked around to the foot of the bed and raised the sheet. Don had no idea what he was doing there. Dr. Smith walked along the bed with John holding the sheet up so Don was shielded from the procedure. Suddenly he felt a few sharp pricks on his stomach, and then nothing.
"Major West, I would like you to wiggle the toes on your right foot."
Nothing…
"Let's try your left foot."
Nothing again…
Realization slowly dawned on him, but he tried to deny it, thinking that his feet were just numb from being in the same position for too long. He could, however, read John's face like a book. He saw deep sorrow there, and serious concern on Dr. Smith's face. His eyes turned to Judy, and he saw that she no longer held back her tears.
"No, I'm okay," he stubbornly stated.
"Major, I am afraid that I must give you the conclusions of our examination."
"I don't care what you have to say, I'm fine!" Fear gnawed at him and he was determined to stave it off.
Dr. Smith continued. "Major West, the MRI and x-ray showed that you have spinal cord damage. You are completely paralyzed below the waist."
'Paralyzed, paralyzed, paralyzed…' The words reverberated in his mind like an echo. He heard them discussing his condition, but their voices seemed far away and incoherent. 'No movement, no walking, no loving…'
Judy squeezed his hand, but he didn't respond. "Did you hear that, Don? It might not be permanent."
He barely acknowledged her statement. As much as he loved her, he couldn't stand being near her right now. He had to get away from them, and silently cursed that he couldn't just get up and walk away. He escaped the only way he could, by closing his eyes and shutting them out.
Judy brushed his forehead with her finger. "Don? Are you okay?"
Keeping his eyes closed he whispered, "I'm tired. I need to sleep."
"Alright, I'll get them out of here so we can have some peace."
Keeping his eyes closed, he stated, "You too, Judy."
His words froze her in place. He didn't see the hurt in her eyes as she gave his hand one more squeeze, then turned to go. Hearing the door close behind them, he was finally alone with his thoughts.
Leaning against the door, Judy folded her arms across her chest and sighed as John placed his arm around his daughter.
"I should be with him, Dad."
"I know. Give him some time."
She nodded and made her way to the galley. Maureen was preparing a tray to bring to Don and smiled as Judy entered.
"Don't bother, Mom."
"Judy, what's wrong?"
John came up behind them and announced that they needed a family meeting. They gathered around the dinner table and John stood with a grim look on his face.
"Don is paralyzed."
The silence was deafening until Penny let out a sob and Judy put her arm around her, tears pooling in her own eyes. Maureen stared at her husband.
"Does he know?"
John nodded.
"Is it permanent?"
"We won't know until the swelling is down. That could take six months to a year."
"What can we do to help him?"
"We still have to research the therapy."
Will shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Dad? Will he need a wheelchair?"
"I guess so, Will."
"I can build one for him."
Penny added, "And I can help Judy with his therapy."
John beamed at his family. This was what he loved about them. They tried to find solutions and always pulled together to help each other.
Judy, however, was not comforted. She stood. "I'm not sure he… he wants my help."
She quickly left the table and ran to her room. Her father turned to go after her, but his wife placed a hand on his arm.
"John, they both need time alone to think about this. Do you know he asked her to marry him today?"
John nodded and sighed. "This is going to be hard for them, Maureen. Don's not one to ask for help and Judy lives to give it. What are we going to do?"
"Not 'we', John. You mean 'What are they going to do?'"
