Allison sat beside Asher's bed emailing her professors.
Dear professor,
I will not be in class or labs this week. Yesterday my fiance was in an industrial accident and required emergency surgery. He is expected to be in the hospital for 4 to 5 days then will need a few days of support at home. We have a two year old daughter with cerebral palsy who needs a lot of physical support. With his injuries Asher is currently unable to lift our daughter. I would appreciate it if you could excuse me from class this week. I understand that means missing important discussions and labs and will affect my grade. That being said, is there a possibility of make-up assignments I can do at home to demonstrate my understanding. I plan to be back in class towards the middle of the following week.
Thank you for your understanding,
Allison Altman - Hunt
Allison sent her emails and then sat watching Asher sleep.
Asher woke up in the unfamiliar hospital room.
"Allie," Asher croaked.
"You're awake," Allison smiled.
"How bad is it," Asher asked.
"Bad," Allison said.
"Work," Asher asked.
"6-8 weeks off," Allison said, "at least."
"Money," Asher asked.
"I can drop a couple classes and work," Allison replied.
"No you'll lose your tuition for the semester," Asher said.
"I've emailed my profs about this week," Allison said.
"I can't lift," Asher said.
"I know we'll keep her babysitting schedule when I'm at work and school," Allison said.
"But Thursday night," Asher said.
"Mom and dad will help," Allison assured.
"Everly," Asher asked.
"Mom is going to bring her for physio," Allison said, "are you okay if I go with her then she comes up?"
"Will I scare her," Asher asked.
"No," Allison said.
"Have you been here all night," Asher asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "dad brought a bag for us. I don't know what mom packed."
"How bad is it," Asher asked.
"Kepner fixed it," Allison said, "spleen and kidney need about 6 weeks."
Allison's phone rang.
"Hi Stewart," Allison answered.
"How's Asher," Stewart asked.
"Awake and talking," Allison said," I'm putting you on speaker."
"I talked to the owners," Stewart said, "this will be a workers comp claim and the union is involved."
"What do we need to do," Allison asked.
"Call when he gets home," Stewart replied, "in the meantime he will be paid for the recovery time."
"They'll do that," Asher asked.
"Brandon and John said they'll pay half and the union covers half," Stewart said, "how long?"
"6 weeks then physio," Allison said, "he was doing his course in January."
"Do it," Stewart said, "you have the hours Asher."
"I'm registered for the Jan 5 start," Asher replied.
"It's your last course," Stewart said, "then your final 2000 hours."
"Yes," Asher said.
"How are you feeling," Stewart asked.
"Not great," Asher replied, "better than yesterday."
"Do you need anything," Stewart asked, "Allie? Food? Babysitting? Diapers? Coffee? The guys are chipping in for gift cards. Is there somewhere you go for groceries? Favorite restaurants?"
"Nowhere in particular," Asher said, "you guys shouldn't. We'll be okay."
"When Eric broke his ankle on the job you went over and did all his yard work," Stewart said, "do you need help with that?"
"We're in my parents basement," Allison said, "my dad and I will finish winterizing the yard."
"The garden is Allie's anyway," Asher said, "she likes her garden."
"Can we do anything," Stewart asked.
"Can someone bring my truck home," Asher asked.
"Where are the keys," Stewart asked.
"Top pocket of my tool bag in the little zippered inner pocket," Asher replied.
"Where your wallet and phone were," Stewart asked.
"Yes," Asher replied.
"I'll get someone to bring your truck home," Stewart agreed.
"My tools," Asher asked.
"We think we have everything," Stewart said, "if your initials are on it it's in your bag. What was in your hand?"
"Nothing, it was all in my tool belt," Asher replied.
"Dad took that home," Allison replied.
They finished the call and Asher's mom appeared at the door.
"Michelle," Allison said, "he needs to rest."
"We didn't handle last night well," Michelle said.
"No you didn't," Allison agreed.
"Three years and I've seen every one of you in a hospital bed," Michelle pointed out, "can we stop?"
"No," Allison said, "Everly has a scheduled surgery in April."
"Why," Michelle asked.
"Releasing a couple tendons slightly in her hips," Asher replied, "and trying to realign the femur heads in the hip joint."
"Poor baby," Michelle said.
"It'll be tough," Allison said, "it's scheduled for after finals so I can be home with her for the first couple weeks."
"It needs to be done," Allison said, "the hope is that her balance and mobility will improve and we could try crutches instead of a walker."
"Allison you do not get to go to the hospital for a while," Michelle replied, "no more hospital visits. I have reached out to a few families and meals are being delivered? Do you need anything else? Babysitting? Diapers?"
"I think we're okay," Allison replied, "my family is helping with Ev."
"Mom can you just go," Asher asked, "I can't do this today."
"Asher," Michelle asked.
"We appreciate you coming," Allison said, "I'll let you know when it's a better time."
"Allison," Michelle said.
"I said it last night until you are here to be supportive you can't be here," Allison said, "thank you for coming by. I'll call you."
Michelle left the room looking angry.
"What happened last night," Asher asked.
"They said I had no right to decide anything or have a voice when you were in surgery," Allison said.
"You're my fiance," Asher replied.
"We're legally common law," Allison said.
"Hey are you up for a visitor," Teddy asked, standing in the door with Everly in her arms.
"Hi princess," Asher smiled.
Allison stood and took her daughter.
"Daddy," Everly smiled seeing Asher.
"Come here," Asher smiled, holding his good arm out.
"Be careful with daddy, we have to be gentle," Allison said sitting on the edge of the bed with Everly in her arms.
Everly hugged Asher and gave him a sloppy baby kiss.
"I missed you princess," Asher smiled.
"Book peas," Everly asked.
"There's a book in her bag," Teddy offered.
"Thanks," Allison smiled, taking the back pack from Teddy.
Everly sat with Asher as he tried to read to the squirming child.
Allison stepped into the hall with Teddy.
"Mom we really need your help," Allison said, "I can't do this. I can't see him like this."
"Breathe," Teddy soothed, "I'm here. Dad and I have Everly."
"No," Allison whined, tears running down her cheeks, "mom no. Mom I can't. I need you. I need you with me. No hospital emergencies, no calls."
"I took a week," Teddy replied.
"You said that when Ev was born that you took two then you got called in to an Altman," Allison whined.
"I know," Teddy said, "that night was hard. You and Asher weren't ready for that. You had been doing so well I thought you would be okay and it was only to be a couple hours before dad got home. They won't call me in now. I've been clear with Megan. You have me however you need."
"He's hurt," Allison said, "did you give Ev her antibiotics?"
"I did," Teddy replied, "she doesn't like them."
"It's her third ear infection since we got back from Europe," Allison said, "I can't do Asher hurt and her sick."
"She's only got 3 more doses of the antibiotic she's over the worst of it," Teddy assured, "they look happy together."
Everly was playing with Asher's hair, Allison thought he needed a haircut badly, his hair almost fit in a ponytail. His hair had always been the longer "hockey boy hair" but this was getting excessive.
"She likes playing with our hair," Allison said, "mom I can't do this. Mom, it's too much."
"You are not alone," Teddy assured, "Dad and I are here."
"I sent Michelle away," Allison said.
"I know they need to give you space," Teddy agreed.
"I can't," Allison began to sob, "mom I can't. I can't have everyone around me hurt. It hurts me."
"I know baby," Teddy said, "do you want a hug?"
Allison nodded with tears streaming down her face.
"Shh," Teddy soothed, "I'm here baby girl. I've got you. Deep breaths in and out that's it. Match my breathing."
"I can't do this," Allison whined.
"You can," Teddy assured, "I'll do it with you."
"I can't," Allison said, "mom they're both hurt. I can't breathe. I can't breathe."
"I'll page dad to sit with Asher and Ev," Teddy said, "you and I are going to go somewhere quiet."
"No I can't leave them," Allison sobbed.
"Dad will come," Teddy said.
"I have to do it," Allison cried, "I always have to. Everything always comes before me. Leo, Annie, patients, the hospital. You're not there."
"I hear you," Teddy said, "I'm here right now."
Megan walked by, "is everything okay?"
"Can you keep an eye on Ev," Teddy asked, "we need time."
"I have Everly," Megan said.
"She has snacks and diapers in the backpack in there," Teddy said.
"Allie," Megan asked.
Allison shook her head, continuing to cry.
"I know this is hard," Megan said, "seeing someone you love hurt. Allie you've done too much. You've had to do too much too young. I'll take Everly tonight so you have your mom and can be with Asher."
"No," Allison whined.
"Asher needs you my love," Megan said, "I have your daughter."
"No," Allison said, "she needs physio and has swimming."
"I'll go swimming and I can do physio," Megan promised, "Allie we are all here. We will all be here for you. I have Ev tonight. I'll stay at your place."
"Cat," Allison said.
"Is with Nathan," Megan assured.
"Thanks Meg," Teddy forced a smile, "Allie come with me. A few minutes, you can catch your breath, eat and drink something."
"No," Allison whined.
"Not a choice baby girl," Teddy replied, "we're going. You're going to calm down. Right now this is only hurting all three of you. You and I are going to my office to relax a bit, we're going to have some water and eat."
Annie walked over, "can I?"
"No," Teddy replied, "Annie go."
"Mama," Annie asked.
"The only way you can help is to get Allison something to eat," Teddy replied sharply, "do that or leave us."
"I'm on it," Annie replied a bit shocked Teddy was rarely that sharp with her, "your office?"
"Yes," Teddy replied, "drop and go."
"What do you want," Annie asked Allison.
"Figure it out," Teddy snapped.
Annie walked away looking angry.
"Come on baby girl," Teddy said putting an arm around Allison's shoulder and guiding her to her office.
In Teddy's office they sat on the couch and Allison began to sob, her whole body shaking.
"He's the only one that Ev and I ever come first," Allison sobbed, "and now he's hurt. Mom if he dies."
"He's not going to die," Teddy promised, "his arm is minor. Yes the internal injuries were scary but I read the chart and talked to April. He will be okay! April got them all. He only needed 2 units of blood. When Annie."
"I don't want to hear about Annie," Allison yelled.
"I was just saying when she had her majour surgery at 19 she had 6 units and packed cells," Teddy replied, "this was 2 units and no packed cells. This is good. He's alert and talking."
"6 how many are in your body," Allison asked.
"10," Teddy replied, "with the packed cells they replaced her entire volume. I know how scary this is to watch someone you love the love of your life in that bed. He's going to be okay. He's in a normal room and he's alert and talking."
"But he could have died," Allison sobbed, "he could have fallen and died."
"Yes," Teddy said, "and that thought is terrifying. But he didn't."
"If he had what would have happened to me and Ev," Allison asked.
"Dad and I would be there," Teddy said, "you would still go to school and work. Dad and I would help and we would tell her how much her daddy loved her every day. Everyone would be there."
"Have you ever had to," Allison asked.
"Henry," Teddy replied, "he had a lot of surgeries and I would sit in that room and hold his hand."
"But he died," Allison said.
"He did," Teddy answered, "he was too young. "
"And you were alone," Allison said.
"I was a widow," Teddy agreed, "I had Annie. I wasn't alone, I had my daughter, dad, nana, friends."
"Everly wouldn't know him," Allison said.
"We would all make sure she knew how much he loves her," Teddy assured, "Allison he's going to be okay."
"I have to drop classes and work," Allison panicked.
"No," Teddy replied, "talk to his union and Stewart. This is a work place injury it should be fully covered and compensation."
"But when," Allison asked, "and paying for surgery?"
"I talked to Meg," Teddy replied, "the hospital will work it out with you guys beyond insurance."
"I can't," Allison said, "he's hurt and Ev is sick and I'm scared."
"I know you're scared," Teddy replied, "what can I do? How can I help? What do you need dad to do?"
"Be here," Allison said, "stay with me. Please mommy stay with me."
"I'll stay," Teddy promised, "I'm staying."
"No patients," Allison asked, "they won't call you."
"This time I'm sticking to it," Teddy promised, "I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise," Allison asked.
"I promise," Teddy assured, "what do you need dad and I to do?"
"I don't know," Allison whined, "I can't think."
"You're overwhelmed," Teddy replied, "when was the last time you showered?"
"The night before he got hurt," Allison said, "we had gone swimming so I washed my hair when we got home."
"Okay so it's been a couple days," Teddy replied, "go shower. Annie was getting you food and something to drink. You need water."
"No," Allison whined.
"When was the last time you slept," Teddy asked, "did you sleep last night? You didn't come home."
"Not really," Allison whined.
"Okay," Teddy replied, "lay down on the couch and sleep for an hour, then go take a shower and eat something. You'll feel much better."
"I can't leave them," Allison sobbed.
"Megan has Everly," Teddy replied, "I've texted dad he's going to go check on Asher."
"I don't want to leave them alone," Allison whined.
"Right now you're no good to them like this," Teddy replied, "you need to take some time. Lay down for a few minutes."
"Will you stay with me," Allison asked.
"Always," Teddy assured, "I'm here baby girl."
Teddy took her phone out of her pocket, "phone is on do not disturb mode, it will only let dad, Annie and Leo through."
"Can you turn it off," Allison asked.
"I will," Teddy agreed.
"Mom I just need you with me," Allison whined, "mommy I need you."
"I'm here," Teddy assured, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here baby girl."
"Can I have a hug," Allison whimpered.
Teddy wrapped her arms around Allison and pulled her close. Allison collapsed in Teddy's arms crying.
"I'm here baby girl," Teddy soothed, "I'm here. Mommy has you. Breathe"
Allison slowly began to calm as Teddy held her and stroked her hair, she shifted so her head was in her mom's lap.
"Head up baby," Teddy said.
"Mom," Allison asked.
"Let's get the pillow under your head it's softer than my legs," Teddy whispered, "you'll be more comfortable."
Teddy slipped the throw pillow under Allison's head and kept stroking her hair. Allison soon fell asleep.
"Sleep baby girl," Teddy soothed, "let mommy hold you and sleep."
Owen and Megan stood outside of Asher's room whispering.
"She's a mess Owen," Megan snapped, "your daughter is not as strong as you think."
"She's like her mom," Owen replied, "she holds it all in like Teddy does then reaches a point where she can't and breaks down."
"She's with Teddy in her office," Megan replied, "I'm taking Everly home and will get some of their house work done. Cat is at Nathan's this week so I'm going to stay with Everly. I just have to run home and grab clothes."
"I can," Owen said.
"No she needs you," Megan replied, "Allison needs her parents."
Annie knocked on Teddy's office door before opening it, "mama?"
"Allie is asleep," Teddy hissed, "put the food in the lounge and label it."
"She okay," Annie whispered.
"No," Teddy replied, "I know I said we would babysit this weekend can you ask Chris or your dad?"
"I might give Ellie a chance," Annie said, "she's good with neighborhood kids, Matt is 12. Her and Heather have been okay."
"Annie Allie needs to sleep," Teddy said, "thanks for getting her food. I'll text you later when things calm down."
"Of course," Annie replied, "do they need anything?"
"Space," Teddy answered, "let them do this their way."
"I'll put this in the fridge and see you later," Annie replied.
A while later Allison woke up.
"How long was I asleep," Allison asked.
"Almost two hours," Teddy replied, "you needed it."
"Are your legs asleep yet," Allison asked.
"Yes," Teddy answered, "but you needed me."
"Asher," Allison asked.
Teddy checked her phone.
"Dad texted half an hour ago he was sleeping," Teddy replied, "I brought you clean clothes. You're going to a locker room and showering before you go back up there."
Allison nodded.
"Okay while you do that Annie ran and got you and Asher thai food, I'm going to warm it up and will meet you back in his room," Teddy replied.
Once Allison had showered and put clean clothes on she sat on the side of Asher's bed.
"Your back," he said.
"Sorry I took so long," Allison said, "I fell asleep in mom's office then showered."
"It's okay babe," Asher said, "you didn't sleep last night or shower."
"I should have been with you," Allison said.
"Honestly I was asleep until 10 minutes ago," Asher said.
"How's your arm," Allison asked.
"It hurts," Asher replied.
"Abdomen," Allison checked.
"Painful," Asher replied, "2 units of blood is that bad?"
"You have 10 and can live with 6," Allison replied, "it's not bad but it's not good."
"Megan took Everly," Asher said, "she's going to stay at our place tonight."
"I know," Allison replied, "Cat is at Uncle Nathan's."
"We can do this," Asher assured, "Allie we'll be okay."
"Will we," Allison asked.
"We will," Asher replied.
"Four or five days here to make sure the bleeding has stopped," Allison said, "then time on the couch. It's my turn to take care of you. You have for me when I was basically attached to the couch or our bed."
"Two and a half years ago," Asher said, "with a new born. I'm in better shape then you were."
"You almost died," Allison snapped, "you could have fallen into the water or onto concrete and died."
"That's why I wear a harness when I'm up like that," Asher answered, "it was terrifying thinking I could die. Hanging over the water wondering if I would see you again, hear your voice, see Ev grow up."
"I was scared I would bever see you again," Allison said, "then they took you into surgery."
"I'm here," Asher said taking her hand with his good one, "I'm not going anywhere."
"I almost lost you," Allison said.
"I know," Asher said, "come here."
Allison slipped her flats off and laid beside him on the bed.
"You're here," Allison said.
"We're here," Asher said.
"I'll stay tonight," Allison said, "Auntie Meg will be back with Ev later."
"You should eat," Teddy said bringing the food in, "both of you."
"I'm starving," Asher replied.
"You're always hungry," Allison argued.
"It's a good sign," Teddy replied, "Owen is coming up and we have a couple things to talk to you about without arguing with us."
Once the two young people were eating Owen came in.
"Okay you two," Owen said, "there's no arguing with us on this."
"Okay," Allison said.
"Until Asher is working full time again and at full strength you are not going to worry about rent," Owen said, "we're not going to accept it. You are not going to transfer the money for Allison's car insurance."
"Use the emergency card for whatever you need," Teddy replied, "we're going to cover your expenses."
"Mom, dad," Allison said.
"No," Teddy replied, "let us take care of you. I'm off for the next 10 days, so the rest of this week and all of next."
"I took the rest of this week, then will take the following week after Teddy goes back," Owen replied, "so we have the first 3 weeks of your recovery with one of us home because Teddy isn't doing Monday and Tuesday right now."
"Then if we still need help," Allison asked.
"I'll talk to Megan," Teddy replied, "I would need the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."
"We can ask Annie about Fridays," Allison said.
"You can," Teddy agreed.
Allison's phone buzzed with a text from Megan, "Asher's mom is here with a whole bunch of meals. Do you want me to freeze them?"
Allison, "eat them or freeze them. What is there?"
Megan, "pastas, a stew, burritos, a couple other things. It's from the church."
Allison, "if it's Michelle's stew freeze it Asher loves it."
Megan, "I don't think I can freeze the burritos the rest will freeze."
Allison, "okay, Ev likes them if you take them apart for her."
Megan, "I will. Can I bring Ev up after dinner?"
Allison, "sure before bed."
Megan, "see you around 6:30."
Allison, "see you then."