While Liv napped, Elliot went to pick Noah up from school. He and Olivia were both worried about Noah's reaction to Olivia getting injured again, so Elliot was picking him up to talk to him about it. Elliot had suggested Lucy stay at their apartment until Noah got home and help with laundry, one of the many invaluable things she normally did. He wanted someone there in case Liv woke up but did not want her to feel like she had a baby-sitter. Liv knew the real reason Elliot wanted Lucy to stay but also knew he'd worry less with Lucy there so didn't protest.
"Hi, Elliot!" Noah said happily. "How come you're here today instead of Lucy?"
"Your mom hurt her ankle again," Elliot said. "She fell and broke her other ankle. It's not as bad this time, so she'll get better much faster."
Noah immediately started to cry and Elliot wrapped him in a hug. "But she just got better," he sniffed. "She worked so hard at her exercises."
"I know," Elliot said. "It's not fair that she got hurt again right after she recovered."
Noah nodded into his chest. "I don't like seeing her hurt," he cried.
"I don't like seeing her hurt either, No," Elliot said, soothing him.
Once he'd calmed down, Noah looked at Elliot and said, "I want to help her feel better."
"I was thinking maybe we could make her a special dinner," Elliot said. "What do you think?"
Noah immediately perked up.
"She may not be too hungry because of her pain medicine, so we can make something simple, like soup."
"What about pancakes?" Noah suggested. "She always likes when we make pancakes on the weekends."
"Pancakes are a great idea," Elliot said. "We can make plain omelettes too in case she feels up to it. Today will be a two breakfast day."
"But our first breakfast was happy," Noah said tearfully. Elliot hugged him again.
They stopped quickly at a grocery store on the way home. "Do you want to pick out flowers for your mom?" Elliot asked. Noah happily picked out bright red and yellow tulips.
Olivia was still napping when they got home, and Noah was clinging to Elliot so Elliot sent Lucy home, thanking her for staying to make sure Liv was okay.
Once they'd finished cooking, Elliot suggested they check on Liv.
She had just woken up and smiled when she saw Noah. Noah's face fell when he saw the crutches and boot. "I didn't want you to get hurt again," he said tearfully.
"I know, sweetie. None of us wanted me to get hurt again. But it was just an accident, and the doctor said I'll get better much faster this time. Come here," she said and Noah immediately snuggled into her right side.
"We made you a special dinner," Noah said, "to help you feel better. Pancakes."
"Thank you, Noah," she said. "It smells delicious. You help take such good care of me when I get hurt."
"Why don't we bring your mom a tray in bed?" Elliot suggested, noticing she seemed like she was in more pain again. "We can eat in here with her." Noah ran to the kitchen, and Elliot brought Liv the bottle of painkillers and water.
By the time they'd prepared a tray for Liv and put the flowers in a vase, Elliot was relieved to notice that Liv seemed to be in less pain.
"Thank you, sweet boy," Liv said, as Noah carefully carried her tray to the bed. He ran back to the kitchen for the flowers, which he carried even more carefully to her nightstand. "These are beautiful," Liv said. "Now I can see them whenever I wake up."
After she ate, Liv was sleepy again from the pain medicine. "Should we snuggle with you, Mommy?" Noah suggested. "Would that help you feel better?"
"That would help me feel so much better," Liv responded. So Noah nestled into her right side again and Elliot lay down carefully on her left side, making sure he was far enough away from her injured ankle. Liv was still upset and in pain, but lying between Elliot and Noah, she fell asleep surrounded by love.
