Chapter 16
The Recovery - part 1
Jack and Elizabeth are dressed and waiting on his discharge papers. Charlotte brought his bag of clothes the day before. He agreed to stay with Elizabeth because the doctor says he will have to take it easy for the next 6 weeks. He doesn't have any limitations but just taking it easy. The doctor says he can't be left alone just in case he needs help. The nurse brings in his discharge papers and 2 prescriptions. 1 for sleeping because he might have nightmares and 1 for pain as needed. William had dropped off Elizabeth's SUV and Tom took him back to Elizabeth's. The nurse gave Jack his copy and the prescriptions. She also brought a wheelchair. Jack didn't want to ride down in it but it was the rules. Elizabeth follows with the cart with all his belongings. The got down to the lobby. Jack and the nurse waited while Elizabeth went to get her SUV to bring it to the front doors. She put everything in the back and drove to the front doors. As she pulled up the nurse was wheeling Jack out. The nurse helped Jack into the front seat. He grabbed his seatbelt and latched it. Elizabeth reaches over and gently kisses him. She pulls off and asks him if he is up to stopping at the drugstore or did he just want to go home? He says, we can stop off at the drugstore. She reaches down and intertwined her fingers with his.
They pull out on to Main Street towards the drugstore. It's not long they are pulling up to the drugstore. She asks, do you want to come in or sit here in the vehicle? He says, I'll just sit here. She leans over and kisses him and says I won't be long. She gets out and goes into the drugstore. She heads straight back to the pharmacy. The cashier asks if she can help her. Elizabeth nods and hands her the 2 prescriptions and asks, how long will it take to fill them? The cashier says about 10-15 minutes. Elizabeth says thank you and turns to go sit in the vehicle with Jack. She gets in and asks him, how are you feeling? Jack replied, good for now. I'm just glad to be out of the hospital and breathing fresh air. Elizabeth says, I'm so excited to have you back and going home too! Jack looks over at her and gently turns her chin to face him and says, I want to thank you for standing by me! She shakes her head yes and asks, where else would I be? Her question didn't need to be answered. She says, I'll be right back. She goes in and picks up his meds, pays for them and gets back in the vehicle. She asks, do you want to go anywhere else? He replies, no I think I'm ready to go to your place. Elizabeth catches what he said but didn't say anything. They pull up in her driveway and puts it in park. She says, Jack it's only for 6 weeks. He shakes his head yes. He asks, when does Jarrick get to come? She says, the day after tomorrow. You need to rest for a few days before he comes.
She asks him, are you ready to go in? She gets out and goes around and opens his door. She tells him to just take it easy. Just stand up and get your barings before you start to walk. I'm not going to help unless you want me to, ok? I'm not going to baby to much. I know you said you weren't an invalid. He smiles up at her before he stands up and says thank you for trying not to baby me to much. He reaches for her hand to pull him up to stand. Boy that feels good to stand! They both giggle. She tells him to take it easy and start walking when he's ready. I'm here if you want to lean on me. She asks, are you dizzy? He shakes his head no. She says, that's great! He reaches for her arm to help him to take a step. She tells him that he's doing good keep it up but stop if you need to rest. He makes it all the way to the steps. He has a worried look on his face. Elizabeth tells him that he can do it. It's only 2 steps. I'll help you. I've got you, I promise I won't let you fall. He picks up one foot and puts it on the first step. She grabs his waist and gently lifts him up as he put pressure and steps up. He sighs, when did you get so strong? I have to be strong enough to ski! The chuckle just a bit. She tells him ready when you are. There's only 1 more step. He picks up his foot and puts it on the next step. She lifts him 1 more time to the step. He exhales and laughs. Elizabeth unlocks the door and she helps him walk in.
Do you want to go lay down first or sit on the couch? He says, I think I'll just go lay down for a bit if it's ok with you. Elizabeth replies, what ever you think you need to do is fine with me. She helps him down the hallway. He stops in front of the first bedroom. She shakes her head no keep going. When he gets to her doorway, he says, Beth I can't do that. She whispers in his ear, I don't think we have anything to worry about with you in my bed. I can't take care of you in the first bedroom besides that is Jarrick's room when he comes. Jack asks, are you sure with your parents here? They already know. He nods and says, it's only for 6 weeks. I can do this. She helps him over to her bed and pulls the covers back. She asks him, what do you sleep in? He looks at her and says, just what I have on will be fine. She opens the door to the bathroom so he would know where it is. There's a nightlight in there so you can see it at night. He says, ok thanks. She sits down on the side of the bed and gently picks up his hand and says, it's going to be alright. We will get through this. Just think of it as your home for 6 weeks. It's not that long. If you need help for the first couple of days getting to the bathroom or any other room just call me. She went and picked up a monitor for you so you won't have to yell. I will have the other one with me so don't hesitate. Ok? He kisses her cheek and says ok. She gets up and let's him to swing his feet up on the bed. Elizabeth takes his shoes off but leaves his socks on. She pulls the covers up over him. She bends down and gently kisses him on his lips. He scoots down in the bed. She tell him she'll be right back. I have to go get your bag and prescriptions out of the vehicle.
She leaves the room and starts out to her SUV but everything is sitting right outside her bedroom door. She tells her dad thanks. She picks them up and brings them into her room. She goes to the kitchen to get Jack a glass of water. She sets it next to the bed in the night stand along with his meds. She asks him if he needs any of his meds yet? He replied, no not yet. She says, ok there there if you need them and don't be afraid to take them, ok? He nods yes ma'am and chuckles. She starts putting his clothes away in her dresser. He tells her that she didn't have to do that. He didn't mind them being in his bag. She asked him, are your clothes in your bag at home? He laughs and say no their in a chest of drawers. She laughs and says, well then they will be in the dresser here ok? He says yes ma'am. She comes back over and sits down on the bed next to him and just stares at him while running her fingers through his cowlick. She says, I just love your cowlick. It has a mind if it's own and smiles. He reaches up and pulls her to him. She rest her head on his chest. She hears his heart slow and steady. He whispers, I love you Beth! She says, I love you to love! He asks her to lay with him until he falls asleep. She goes around to her side of the bed, takes her shoes off and lays on top of the covers next to him. He asks her if she would sing to him again? She just started singing "Breathe" by Faith Hill
I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face
And I've never been this swept away
All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart
William and Grace hears her singing and goes to check it out. When the get to her bedroom they see her singing to Jack. Grace just smiles up at William. They back away and let her finish.
Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
And suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
Slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's suppose to be
I can feel you breathe, just breathe
Jack reaches over and pulls her to him so he can wrap his arm around her.
In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
Closer than I've ever felt before
And I know, and you know
There's no need for words right now
Jack is rubbing soothing circles with his thumb on her arm.
I can feel you breathe
Washing over me
And suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
Slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's suppose to be
I can feel you breathe, just breathe
Caught up in the touch
Slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's suppose to be
I can feel you breathe, just breathe
I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
Jack tells her that she has a beautiful voice. I could listen to you all the time! What was the other song you sang to me? She says, how do I live by LeAnn Rimes. But I really wasn't singing it to you. I was singing in the shower.
You know Jack I was wondering something. Did you ever sleep while you was in the coma? Sometimes I did, he said. But it seems like when ever there was noise in the room I heard it. Could you feel me crawl into your bed, she asked? I think I did. There was this one time when I felt weight on my chest. She tells him that she only slept with him twice and the first time she laid on his pillow but the last time she laid her head on his chest just to hear his heartbeat. They both laid there in silence but pretty quick they fell asleep.
When Elizabeth woke up she rolled out of his arm and looked at the clock. It was 5:00 pm. She eased up out of the bed so not to wake him. She went to the bathroom. When she came out she picked up the monitor and headed for the kitchen to fix some dinner. She looked in the freezer for the chicken noodle soup. She put it in a pot to heat up. She made a salad to go with it. Elizabeth reaches under the bar for a dinner tray just in case Jack wanted to eat in bed. She heard him rolling over in the bed. She went to check on him. As she got next to her bed, he reaches up and takes her hand and rubs it. She gently sits down next to him on the bed. How did you sleep, she asked? Wonderful until you got up. She laughs and says, I had to go to the bathroom. Now I'm heating up some chicken noodle soup with a salad. Are you getting hungry? He says a little. She asked, do you want to try and come to the table or do you want to eat in here? He says, I think I'm going to just eat here if that's alright with you? It's fine. I think my parents went out to eat because they aren't here. So we can lay in bed and veg out. Do you want to watch TV or not? He says not. Can you pull the curtains open so I can see the mountains and snow? Elizabeth gets up and opens the curtains.
She takes in the view. I think this has got to be my favorite place to live. I've been to a lot of places but I think this is by far the best. I have to agree, he says. Let me go check on dinner. She comes back with 2 bowls of soup and 2 salads. She goes back to grab 2 bottles of water.
As she walks back in she noticed something different with him. She throws the water on the bed. She sits down on the side of the bed and asks, Jack are you alright? He doesn't answer her. She grabs his shoulders and rubs them. He snaps out of it. She asked, what were you feeling? He tells her that he didn't have any feelings at all. Ok has this happened before? He shakes his head no. Are you in pain, she asked? He shakes his head no. Do you think you can eat? He shakes his head yes. She hands him his spoon. He tries to lift his spoon but with no luck. Elizabeth says, your probably just to weak from being up to long. After all you walked a pretty good distance. Here let me help you. You eat good. It's just your muscles. We'll start on them tomorrow. Can you say something? Jack? If you don't say something I'm calling 911. He swallowed his soup and says, please...don't...call...911. Jack you scared me. He has tears in his eyes. As they roll down his cheeks Elizabeth wipes them dry.
She managed to get his bowl of soup down him. He pushed the salad away. She took his tray away and opened his water and held it to his lips to drink. She decided to pour it in his glass. It was easier to drink from the glass. He drank all his water. She says, I'll be right back. He grabs her arm. She tells him that it will be ok. I'm just taking the dishes to the kitchen, I'll be right back I promise. She gathered all the dishes up and put them in the tray. She took everything to the kitchen. She put them down and goes straight back to Jack.
His arms were laying in his lap. She raises her arms and asks him to do the same. He repeated everything she did. She sits down on the side of the bed and wrapped her arms around him. He holds her back. She just rocks him back and forth. She pulls back just enough to kisses him with a little passion. She wraps her arms back around him and says, we will get through this. Please don't ever leave me. She starts singing "how do I live " by LeAnn Rimes
How do I get through one night without you?
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be?
Oh, I, I need you in my arms, need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soul and if you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything good in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you? I want to know
How do I breathe without you if you ever go?
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, how do I live?
Without you there'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There's be no world left for me
And I, baby, I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you, if you ever leave
Baby, you would take away everything real in my life
And tell me now
How do I live without you? I want to know
How do I breathe without you if you ever go?
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, how do I live?
Please, tell me baby
How do I go in if you ever leave?
Baby, don't you know that you're everything good in my life?
And tell me now
How do I live without you? I want to know
How do I breathe without you if you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh, how do I live?
How do I live without you?
How do I live without you, baby?
How do I live?
This song just took on a whole new meaning for her. She loved this man in front of her with all her heart and soul. She couldn't lose him now, she thought.
Jack leans back and says as he pulls her chin to his, I'm not going anywhere. I here. I don't understand what is going on but I'm not leaving you. You are the one ,the only one. Beth I love you with my heart and soul. You are everything to me. With tears flowing down her face she kisses him with everything in her. He reciprocated! She asks, how are you feeling? He says, fine now!
Do need to go to the bathroom yet. I don't want you to go by yourself. I'm afraid you will fall. Ack please don't buck me on this. He smiles and says, I won't. Yes I might as well go now. She helps him to the bathroom. She tells him to grab the bar behind the toilet. She turns and leaves him to his business.she calls in after a few minutes, are you alright? He comes to the door and says, yes Beth I'm fine. She stood and walked over to him, their eyes met. His mouth covered her for their first real passionate loving kiss for they were so in love with each other it hurt. If you'll be so kind as to help me back to bed. They made their way back over to the bed. Elizabeth covered him back up with the covers. She kisses him and goes to the kitchen and cleans it up before joining Jack back in bed. She snuggles in for the night but before they go to sleep she suggested he takes his meds. He tells her that he is fine. He holds her as they fall asleep.
William and Grace come in from their dinner date at a nice Italian restaurant on the other end of town. They head to their bedroom but stop off and check on Jack and Lizzy. As they stick their head in they notice that they are cuddled up together with their clothes on. William notices the smile on both their faces.
William nudged Grace on down the hall to their room. William what are your thoughts of Luzzy and Jack, Grace asked? Well besides her reminding me of the way you looked when we were courting and still do, I've never seen her look so happy. I see joy every time I look her. A father's greatest joy is to see his children happy and full of joy and Lizzy has both!
Gracie, do you think that we'll be giving her away next year? It's hard to think about giving one our daughters away. She is so independent, loving, caring, pig headed, strong and giving. Do think he can be everything to her?
William, it doesn't matter what we think. All that matters is that she happy and loved.
I know we don't know Jack but have you ever seen her this happy? He has to be a strong loving man because of everything he's gone through. Losing your wife the very day your son is born. That has got to be the hardest thing anyone would have to go through. To open up his heart again had to have been hard for him. To let another woman love his son, that takes a special man.
William, I truly feel in my heart that this is the one for her, the only one. But Gracie, does he feel the same way she does? I'm sure he thought his first wife was his only one.
William, we don't know what life holds for us. We have to have faith in God to let Him lead us and guide us. Only He knows what is best for us. I pray that the Lord is behind this. I know Lizzy is a God fearing woman and she trusts Him. After listening to her talk about Jack and what God has brought him through, and with Lizzy. Lizzy truly believes that the Lord brought her here. If you think about it William, she found this house and her job with in a month. If that's not the Lord, I don't know what to tell you.
We have raised all 3 of our girls the same way. I put them in the Lord's hand a long time ago. I trust Him to watch over them and to take care of them. We still have 2 at home and when the time is right for them the Lord will find them someone special. We just have to be patient and trust that the Lord knows what He is doing. Go to sleep now. Good night William, I love you! I love you too Gracie! Good night!
The next coup of days went by smoothly. Jack didn't have anymore problems. He was getting his strength back a little at a time. The bandage was off his head and was healing nicely. Only a small scab was noticeable. He was able to walk around the house without much help. He was getting to know Beth's parents. They had grown fond of him. They could see the love he had for their Lizzy. They were so pleased and happy that she had found her special someone!
Jack and Elizabeth spent a lot of time in his exercises to help him get stronger. He knew she loved to sit out on her back porch so they would spend time out there curled up under a blanket on the floor swing that William and Grace had shipped in.
Elizabeth didn't let him out of her sight to much and when he was she had the monitor with her at all times. The would sit on the couch curled up in front of the fireplace. Jack would sit with her wrapped in his arms. He was loving this. Elizabeth kept thinking that she didn't ever want this to end.
William and Grace made their selves scarce during the day. William had put in a few phone calls and the rescue station got 3 brand new helicopters. The hospital got a brand new trauma wing. All from donations. There would be a new rescue station built up around where the crash site was with a helicopter landing pad and helicopter.
William didn't say anything about it to Elizabeth and Jack. They would find out about all of it in due time. William has away with investors. The ones he chose didn't do it to make money from it beings that all these were non profits. But if the truth was none he wanted to know that if Lizzy needed help it was there and not have to be flown out.
Everything wouldn't start until spring but it was going to happen. Even though Aspen was a resort town William thought it could use more. He even thought about putting up a resort. This was one place he never thought about but now he was. In the short time he was here he had grown to love it!
William and Grace ate at a different restaurant everyday since Elizabeth had introduced them to pizza the other day. They figured that all food should be tasted. Some they weren't fond of, some was just no good but they kept trying new food. Their favorite was still the Italian restaurant.
Jack was getting antsy. He asked, Beth do think it would be ok if we went and got Jarrick today? I haven't had anymore problems. I really miss him. She replied, yeah we can go after lunch. How does that sound? That sounds great to me, he said. What she hadn't told him was Tom and Charlotte was bringing Jarrick at noon.
Jack would you like for me to help you get a bath before I start lunch? He said, do you think I need help with that and laughs? She says, I'll go start your water. She leaves the room.
Jack gets up and go to the back window. He staring at the shed and missing the times he spent with his son playing with his train out there. He thinks back to his accident. How he could've died and left him fatherless. Tears began to fall. He thinks about Beth and what she means to him. She loves me unconditionally. She has been there for me when she didn't have to be. She loves my son as if he was her own. Lord, did you bring her here for me and Jarrick? Lord I do love her. That's something that I never thought was possible again. To love another woman as much as I loved Jenny. Lord she was the love of my life. The day you called her home Lord I was angry and hurt. I couldn't understand why you would take her and leave Jarrick and I alone like that. When I made the choice to make the move from Vail to here because my parents lived here. I never thought about another woman coming into our life. I didn't need another woman. I thought all I needed was Jarrick. But for some reason I think I needed one and I guess you brought Beth into my life on the very first day I met her. Lord I pray for you to lead me where I need to be. I pray you won't separate us like Jenny. Please let me know what I'm supposed to do here. I do know that you have opened my heart up for love again and for that I thank you!
Elizabeth comes from the bathroom into the living room. She sees him standing there just staring out the window. She walks up behind him, slowly wrapping her arms around his waist. She says, penny for your thoughts! He reaches down and places his arms around hers and says, just thinking about my life and how far I've come since Vail. In the last 2 months I went from not needing a woman in my life to can't seeing my life without you! She turns him around still wrapped up together, she looks into his eyes and says, I can't see my life without you in it. He places his lips to hers and passionately kisses her. He pulls back just enough and she places her ear in his chest and says, I know the Lord brought me here for a reason. I truly believe that reason was you. I've never thought I could love someone as much as I love you! I wasn't looking for love when I got here. She looks up into his eyes and says, from the very first day there was just something about you that kept pulling at my heart. He leaned over and gently kisses her again. They pull apart and walk to the bathroom.
Elizabeth has already got his clothes and towels ready for him. She even put his bubbles in the tub for him. He says, wow bubbles to? She steps back and says, relax and enjoy! As she steps out of the bathroom, Jack says, I love you with all of my being! She blows him a kiss and walks away.
She knows he'll be awhile so she goes back to the kitchen and texts Charlotte.
E. Jack is in the tub and will probably be awhile.
C. Good we'll be there in 10.
E. Great! Just make sure Jarrick doesn't make a lot of noise. I want this to be a surprise!
C. I will. See you soon!
Elizabeth puts her phone down and starts to prepare lunch but first she needs to close the bedroom door. She quietly steps over to the bathroom door to make sure he is alright. She step back and closes the bedroom door quietly. She smiles and thinks, Jack is going to be in cloud nine when he sees his son for the first time since the accident! She goes back to the kitchen and finished up lunch.
Just as she put the finishing touches on lunch there was a knock on the door. She opens the door and she is greeted by a handsome little boy. She motions for them to come in. She stoops down and gives Jarrick a big hug and tells him that she loves him and has missed him so much! They take there coats off and hangs them in the closet. She motions for them to take a seat and says, I'll be right back! She leaves to go to the bathroom. She knocks and opens the door. Jack? Are you about done? Lunch is ready. She bends over and kisses him. I love you Jack Thornton! He says, I love you to Beth! She hands him a towel and turns her head for him to get out. He stands and takes the towel. He wraps it around his waist. They kiss one more time and she leaves him to get dressed. She makes up the bed while he gets dressed. He comes out and watches her buzz around the room. She looks up to see him staring at her with the biggest dimple smile! She says, you ready for lunch?
