Chapter Seven
The next morning, after she'd had a little time to rest and regain some strength, Jaime had a very emotional, hour-long phone reunion with her children. The three youngest were told that their parents were helping a friend and it was taking longer than expected. Only Lauren and James knew they'd been working and that Jaime had been hurt. Lauren had politely asked her Grandma if she'd take the younger ones outside for a few minutes and Helen immediately understood and agreed.
"Mom! You aren't dead!" she said, on the verge of tears.
"Well, of course not. Did you think I was?"
"Daddy said you'd be ok, but I wasn't sure."
"Lauren," Jaime said with a smile in her voice, "didn't we tell you we'd never lie to you?"
"Uh-huh. I'm sorry I didn't believe him."
"Honey, I'm just sorry you were so worried. I'll be home in another week, and I'll see you then, ok?"
Once she'd hung up the phone, Jaime thought about how hard she'd have to work to be out of there in a week, but her family was more than worth it.
That afternoon, Jaime received her new arm and within 24 hours she was sneaking out of bed when the nurses weren't looking. It took less than a day for the nurses to give up and allow her to take short walks with Steve. She'd never worked this hard before, pushing herself through pain and extreme weakness, but through sheer determination she managed to persuade Rudy to release her in only six days. Her progress had been nothing short of miraculous.
"Young Lady," Rudy said with mock gruffness, "I expect you to stay off your feet and get as much rest as possible for the next week or two. You're not 100 percent yet, but you'll get there soon enough if you follow doctor's orders - for once."
"I'll keep an eye on her," Steve volunteered, "and I know Lauren will be mothering her mom like crazy. Hannah and James can help, too. She'll rest, whether she likes it or not."
Jaime grinned. "And does she have anything to say about that?"
Both men turned to her and, in perfect unison, proclaimed "No!"
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Five very excited children and their equally thrilled grandparents stood on the front porch to greet Jaime and Steve. Jaime hugged each of them long and hard, a little more with Lauren who had burst into tears of happiness and relief. Steve hugged them, too, and once everyone had been duly greeted and hugged, he announced that it was time to line up and assume Austin Parade positions. Jaime took the lead, with the children behind her from youngest to oldest and Steve in the back. With much fanfare, they marched joyfully into the house. Their exuberance was contagious, and even Uncle Oscar who had pulled in while they were marching, couldn't stop himself from breaking out a most un-Oscar-like ear-to-ear grin.
END
