A/N – I sincerely hope you're all well and taking good care of yourself and staying away from others. Social distancing and quarantine is the only way to beat this thing. Trying to do something useful I've started sewing face masks.
Anyway, unlike how I would normally write a chapter like this which is start on Saturday night, go back in time and bring to story back to Saturday night in one chapter. Writing has been hard and I've been distracted so I'm going to change things up for now and write shorter chapters that'll get published more often so instead of one huge chapter, they'll get broken up but eventually I'll get back to Saturday night in a few shorter chapters and then move on.
I love you guys ! I love your reviews and PM's
To the reviewer who answered Jolene's question, thank you so much.
Jolene – If you didn't see the answer in the reviews, Number 4 refers to the fourth mother to tell him and that he needs to be with Amy. Cheryl (from the casino), Betty, Lisa and now Lily. Took me a second also :-).
Chapter 96
Amy smiled at him. He was leaning on his elbow perched over her. That small lick of hair hanging down between them, the shade of his beard against his beautiful smile, his dreamy eyes. She closed her eyes as she once again pulled his head down so that their lips joined. The movie was long forgotten, they lay on the couch in the small seating area in the townhouse bedroom and necked like teenagers. Several times Amy had giggled like she had so many years before in the loft and pushed his hand away from here or there when their petting pushed the limit.
"Ty stop", she whispered with a chuckle, pushing him back gently and trying to straighten her blouse "we can't, the girls will be home soon."
"Ok we'll stop."
"So extreme, maybe just slow down ?" Amy asked meekly pulling him down again.
They had come back from the hospital after dinner with Lou, Erma, Meg and Sally who had all wandered off to bed. At Trish's insistence Katie, Cars and April were staying for the night with Jackson. The twins, Brin and Bobby were at a pre 18 non alcoholic charity dance at the Museum of TV Broadcasting. Brin had found it through some Juilliard musician friends of hers who were performing and the twins asked Amy who called Charlie who got the details and a roll of tickets for each on Thursday night, picked up by Pat and delivered to the hospital Friday morning.
"I'll keep these until tomorrow night girls."
"K mom" the girls answered in unison.
Ty looked at the rolls of gold colored tickets Amy dropped in her pack "What are the tickets for ?"
"Some for getting in and some for treats, band requests or whatever they have set up."
"I don't get it."
"You pre-buy the tickets Poppa and you use them like at a carnival but the money goes to the charity."
"Oh, I see, thanks Mad."
Maddie smiled and nodded.
"Pat will take you to and from and everywhere in between."
"We know mom, we'll be fine." Charlie said.
Ok, you two get back to class and your Poppa and I need to get a move on, thank Mrs. Weingarten for the break to cheer your brother on."
"He did great."
"He did Mad, really great, soon it'll all be a dream."
Friday morning Pat drove the family leaving back to Canada to the airport early and returned to pick up Ty, Amy and Betty and bring them to the hospital. There was a Merry Maids truck waiting outside that would clean the house and freshen all the beds and baths before the food service crew came in to fill and refill the kitchen.
"Well that's new" Pat said turning into the private drive at the hospital and seeing two other limos and three NYC Police cars parked alongside the building. There were also several TV news trucks parked in the rear of the lot. It was odd as this was a VIP and doctor's lot and not open to the general public. While the limos could be expected, certainly in Manhattan, the police cruisers and TV trucks were not.
"What do you think's going on ?"
"No idea Gran, must be a VIP." Amy said going through the door Ty now held open for her.
"Thank you my love." She said smiling as she went by followed by Betty. Amy noticed the NYC police officer and dipped her hat "good morning officer."
"Ma'am"
"Oh Amy, I was just coming up." Molly said walking over and getting a hug.
"Good morning Molly, something up ?"
"Not anymore, coffee with Trish, patients resting peacefully. Good morning Dr. Borden, Betty."
"Good morning Colonel, Ty is fine."
"If you'll call me Molly."
"Molly it is."
"Betty, how are the wedding plans coming ?"
"Fine as far as I know Molly, we get a report from Erma later."
"Very competent woman, you're in good hands Amy." She said as the doors on the elevator opened.
"Not anymore Molly ?"
"A crowd formed last night during the surgeries, Babs and Robin took care of it."
"The young boy and the fireman ? What kind of crowd, the families ?"
"The hangers on, politicians, firemen, family, news media. For one, they didn't shut down the floor at 8:00."
"How bad was this ?"
"Well, Madelyn came out and flicked the lights while Charlotte started unplugging, well, everything tethered to the walls and asked them all politely to leave."
Amy stared at her as the doors opened to the public lounge which was dark except for a table lamp between two officers one of which was now standing.
They all turned to the officer who saw their access badges, nodded and returned to her seat.
"These two officers have been assigned to the floor for now." Molly told her.
Amy walked over "good morning, I'm Amy Fleming, you two both good, can we get you anything ? Coffee ? Breakfast ?"
"Don't worry ma'am, we're good, thanks."
Amy nodded "I'll have them set up the coffee station anyway, maybe a few muffins and some water, just in case."
"Thank you ma'am, fresh coffee would be nice."
"Fleming, you would be Madelyn and Charlotte's family ?"
Amy nodded.
"They're at the gym, spunky bunch you've got there ma'am."
"I'm just hearing about it." Amy said "well, if you'll excuse us."
Their first stop was Jackson's room where they found him sitting in his chair with an empty bowl next to him. He was reading his book and smiled when they came in.
"Good morning sweetheart."
"Morning mom, hey dad."
Amy leaned over for a hug and kiss "You Ok Jackson, I heard there was a bit of a thing last night."
"It was loud, we couldn't sleep, Mad and Charlie asked them to leave and then the moms, it was cool."
"And you ?"
"Jackson would like to shower." Trish said coming in and over to Amy and Ty.
"I guess that's me." Ty said with a smile "ready buddy ?"
"Need my warm-ups though for after."
"Done with PJ's ?"
"Yeah, not like I'm sick and they have a zipper on the leg."
"No it's not like you're sick." Ty said walking to the dresser and grabbing underwear, a pair of warm up pants and a T-shirt. "Socks ?"
"Nah, too slippery, barefoot or slippers is better."
Ty nodded as JT grabbed the walker and the seat began returning to it's normal position.
"Trish, Molly came up with us, she's probably looking for you."
"Come across the hall, the surgeries both went well, the families are here."
Betty and Molly had already gone to see about getting some breakfast to the two officers on the floor and the one at the entrance downstairs.
"Oh, Amy, it's good to see you."
"Good morning Babs, seems I missed out on all the fun."
"It was nothing, we simply explained that the excess crowd had to leave so that the children could rest."
"I'm sure it was a bit more than that."
"Maybe a bit, but the girls didn't hit anyone so all's well."
"They're something else your two Amy." Robin said laughing "come meet the new families."
Robin and Babs led Amy over to a small group she assumed by their clothes were the firefighters family.
"Colleen Hernandez, this is Amy Fleming, Jackson's and the twins mom."
She had bright red hair and smiled up at her, then tried to stand.
"Please stay down you must be exhausted. It's a pleasure to meet you though I'm sorry about the circumstances. I hear the surgery went well ?"
"It did, I guess we were fortunate that Dr. Bar Lev was in town. Oh, this is my brother Patrick O'Brien and this is Robert's engineer John Connor."
"Pleased to meet you both, engineer would make you the driver if my memory serves ?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Please it's Amy, do you have everything you need ?"
"Your daughters fed us breakfast and told us to help ourselves, they're wonderful by the way, and the doctors tell me Robert will walk, I have everything I could ever hope for."
"I know how that feels too, but you have to eat and sleep and I can help with that, please if there's anything missing let one of us know. Do you live close by "
"Staten Island, I don't know what I'm going to do until he can be transferred."
"You'll stay with us, we have plenty of room and it's just a few blocks."
"I couldn't impose."
"Nonsense, this is a long drawn out process did they say there will be more surgeries ?"
"One more in a few months to change something, I'm sorry I don't remember."
"Probably to go from the rigid supports to the flexible ones, that's what Tommy and Jackson are here for."
"That sounds right. I just want to see him."
"Where are they ?"
"Getting him ready."
"Well you go see him and then we'll send you home for stuff or arrange to have it brought and get you settled for some rest. He'll be out most of the day."
"I don't know how to thank you Amy."
"Your husband runs into collapsing buildings to rescue little boys I don't deserve your thanks Colleen." Amy stood up from where she had leaned over. "Please excuse me."
Robin and Babs who stood behind her were smiling and Robin stayed behind to talk with Colleen while Babs walked Amy over to the Lowther Family.
The couple Babs led her to looked up from several papers they were reading when the two came over. "Ann and Craig Lowther this is Amy Fleming, Jackson and the twins mother. Amy, their son Gordon is 5."
Amy leaned over and shook both of their hands and then pulled over a chair.
"It's good to meet you both, how are you doing ? Do you need anything ?"
"How am I doing, I don't know how to answer that really, his leg looked very bad but the doctors are very hopeful." The mother answered.
"These doctors perform miracles as I'm sure Babs and Robin have told you. I know it's scary but you need to have faith for Gordon's sake."
"And money, we have these papers, and some insurance papers, a woman is coming here to talk to us." Craig said again shuffling the papers. "We have insurance but for this ?"
"Let me see what you have there."
"It's nothing, payment options and plans." Craig told her showing her the papers.
"Then that's only important if you get a bill."
"heh, life doesn't work that way for us Amy."
"It does today Craig." Amy said softly reaching out to take both their hands. "This place is special that way so don't worry, you just need to keep a positive attitude and stay healthy so you can keep up with him."
"They say we may be able to sue the landlord but who knows."
"We'll get you a lawyer, free of charge and he or she will know."
Trish walked over a minute later "there's a 5 year old anxious to see his mom and dad."
"Is he Ok ?" Ann asked her face a wreck.
"The first step is over, his circulation is good, his toes nice and warm and his leg is set from top to bottom."
"You'd better go" Amy told them, "he'll be groggy and back to sleep soon, we'll talk later."
"Trish" Amy said as her friend turned to leave "let Asher know that when he has a moment I'd like to speak with him please."
Trish nodded as Betty came over to sit bringing her a cup of coffee.
"5 year old boy, Gordon Lowther, I guess if Asher agrees he's one of ours, we'll take care of this either way, they're terrified."
"I'll text Trev and have them take a peek and contact charitable giving."
"I wish they'd change that name, I'll be here with them this week so hopefully get to know them, oh and the Firefighter is Robert Hernandez, they live in Staten Island, I invited his wife to stay with us until he's transferred next week. I think we'll need a place for the Lowthers, Gordon will probably be here at least 10 days and we're leaving before that.
"Room ?"
"Put Lou next door to me, Katie and Colleen in the other two downstairs, everyone else is going to Charlie's. Trish will move back on Sunday, I think Charlie's heading back to Ithaca Monday. By then Lou and Katie will be gone."
Jackson breezed through the door before Ty.
"Hey mom, all clean."
"That feel good JT ?" She said as he wheeled over and she leaned in for a big hug.
"Great, how's the new kid ? "
"His name is Gordon and he was just waking after surgery. Trish says he's doing fine. He's 5, like Marie."
"Gordon right, knew that, Trish said the fireman too."
"Yup, word is he'll be fine, you hungry ?"
"Nah, the cereal was good."
"Where's your dad ?"
"Talking to Trish, she's straightening up, he was and you know how the nurses are." He said lifting the front of his chair and swinging back and forth.
"I do so your dad is keeping her company. Anxious Jackson ?"
"Waiting for Tommy and Marie."
"You have a plan ?"
"Shira has a break and she was going down to the garden and said we could come and get some sun."
"It's a little chilly out but I'm glad you'll be getting some fresh air and seeing the sun."
"I know mom, hoodie and blanket."
As if on cue Ty walked through the door with a hoodie and socks "come on Jackson, let's get you suited up."
"I don't need socks."
"You definitely need socks." Ty said walking over and sitting "present good foot Jackson" he continued getting the sock ready.
"Ok, Ok" he said lifting his good foot first.
Ty leaned down and did his other foot and then helped Jackson with his hoodie. "Zip up buddy, no chances. They're in the hall waiting, go ahead and no arguments."
"Me argue ?" He said barreling his wheelchair back and towards the door.
"Jackson ?" Ty said calling to him.
"I promise." He called back and was gone.
Ty ran his hand through his hair and sighed. Amy smiled and giggled "not all it's cracked up to be ?"
"You find yourself repeating the same shit all the time ?"
"Every day." She answered laughing "it's all worth it Ty."
"He's great Ames, they all are but …"
"You know that a good part of this is them having fun right ?"
"Giving me the gears ?"
"Pretty much."
The two firefighters were back first, having left Colleen back in the room so the couple could have some time alone.
"How's he doing ?" Amy asked.
They stopped and walked over "He's doing good, I mean his leg's messed up but they say the surgery was very good and Colleen couldn't be happier."
"Good to hear, so if my memory serves you're Patrick O'Brien, Colleen's brother and this is John Conner a fellow firefighter. My fiancé Ty Borden."
They shook hands exchanging pleasantries until Ty's phone rang and he excused himself to the hallway.
"Uhm, you're sure Colleen staying with you folks won't be an imposition ?"
"Don't worry Pat, we have an 8 bedroom townhouse, there's plenty of room."
"Ok good, she feels much better about that, I live with my wife in Staten Island also so no help and John is in Queens much easier but single in a one bedroom, it wouldn't look good y'know ?"
"Really not a problem, either of you. I actually don't even know where the Lowther's live." Amy said "they got called away before I could ask."
"Our firehouse is in Brooklyn, Sunset Park area." John said.
"Straight subway trip up, probably faster than by car." Pat added.
"Still, late nights they should get a ride." Amy murmured.
"Don't worry Amy." Betty said patting her hand. "If we're taking them on that's what we're doing, all the way."
"You folks arrange for all this ?"
"A lot of people arrange for this Pat." Amy said with a smile.
He nodded and together with John walked off to the counter for coffee.
Amy watched Renee, Pat and two nurses from the Bar Lev team walk by chatting. Each carried at least two bags and Pat wheeled a cart. Their destination was the large dining room and kitchen area next door and Amy followed them.
"Why so early ?" She asked coming in and leaning over to quickly hug Renee.
"We have to start the challah and the Babka rising and get them baked before we're ready to make Shabbat dinner."
"I'm sorry I can't be here to help and I'm sure Meg wanted to."
"She got called back, I understand, the staff will help."
"I'll ask the girls to stop in after school and see if there's anything they can do."
"That would be fine, I'd love to spend some time with them."
She saw the Lowther's returning to the family room somewhat relieved but still upset. Amy understood completely.
"Coffee, Tea, maybe some chocolate to nibble on ?" Amy asked walking in.
"I couldn't, my stomach is like a roller coaster." Craig said.
"Mint or ginger might settle that."
"Ginger would be nice, thank you" Ann answered looking at her husband's phone when it buzzed, "One for Craig too please."
Amy left a pot steeping under a timer and returned to the couple.
"How was he ?"
Ann looked at her and smiled "He smiled, I don't know if he knows yet exactly what happened but he knows he's in a hospital."
"A doctor spoke to him ?"
"Yes, Dr. Bar Lev was there and spoke with him."
"So, you live in Brooklyn, do you have a car ?"
"Yes, not here of course, we came with the ambulance and the police but parking is hard and expensive around here, the train is fine."
"We can arrange for parking at a special entrance this way you can come and go whenever you'd like and we'll have a car take you home or one of you if one wants to stay."
"Is that allowed ?" Ann asked.
"It is here, one is usually easiest, the chairs in the rooms are very comfortable, the staff is very understanding and helpful. There are showers, a gym, this lounge and small kitchen and a much larger kitchen next door, a Chapel around the corner there" she continued "we can even get you a priest or minister."
Amy looked up when Asher, Colleen, Trish and Ty walked in. Asher and Trish went over to where the firefighter's family sat and Ty , who was on the phone, grabbed his iPad from his bag and sat down on a chair off to the side.
"Amy, excuse me but you keep saying we, who are you and who is we ?"
"I'm Amy Fleming and this is the Marion Bartlett Fleming Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Center. Our family trust plays a large part in it's operation. While it's used year round by the hospital as it's peds ortho center our team uses it for, call it, special cases."
"Special ?"
"This week, the three children who had surgery on this side as well as Gordon would each have certainly lost their limb and lived with a prosthetic."
"They told us that in emergency, it's all so much."
"Believe me I know how scared and confused you both are."
Ty waked over then and smiled at the couple. He lay his hand on Amy's shoulder.
"Ann and Craig Lowther, this is Ty Borden my fiancé. Everything good Ty ?"
"Surgery Tuesday and rescues, we'll talk, how are you both doing ?" And then seeing their faces "I'm sorry, I'm sure you've been asked that by everyone."
"No, it's fine" Craig said reaching out to shake Ty's hand "we're keeping it together. It's good to meet you Ty."
"I know it's hard but he's in the best of hands."
"I heard surgery are you a doctor Ty ?" Ann asked with a smile.
"I'm a vet, orthopedic surgery mostly."
"We own a horse facility." Amy added.
"Gordon adores horses, he saw some on vacation and took a ride."
They could hear the kids down the hall and Amy turned to the door.
"Ty would you fetch Jackson please." He nodded and saw her get up to walk to the counter for the tea she had brewed.
"Hey mom, what's up."
"Come meet the Lowther's, they're Gordon's parents."
"Ann, Craig have you met Jackson ?" She asked while handing each a mug of tea.
"Briefly yesterday, you seem to be getting around OK Jackson."
"Yes ma'am, my last surgery."
"How many have you had ?"
"This is eight."
"Eight." Ann repeated in a breath.
"Jackson wheel yourself over to me please." Amy said leaning forward, then she stuck out her hands "stand up sweetheart, I've got you."
Jackson locked his chair down then, reached out his hands to hers and slowly raised himself. Amy slid her seat back holding her arms out towards him. "Take a step my love."
Jackson smiled and swallowed and then took a step. "One more sweetheart."
Ty had moved the wheelchair behind him and as soon as he was in Amy's arms she hugged, kissed and whispered to him and he lowered himself into the chair.
"Thank you sweetheart."
"I can go ?"
"You may go."
"May right, can and may."
"Go Jackson." Ty said laughing as he turned and scooted away.
She then leaned towards Ann and took her hands in hers. "I haven't heard Gordon's prognosis yet Ann but when Jackson was two days old his leg was crushed in a car accident, it has never stood in his way through 8 surgeries and he's as active a child as you can ever hope to have to chase after."
"Two days, I can't imagine what you must have gone through, 2 days, the poor child."
"I'm sorry, I thought Babs or Robin would have mentioned it, I adopted Jackson and the girls several months later, their parents didn't survive the accident."
"My my and the girls ?"
"Not near as bad as him though they've had extensive work on their left legs."
Asher walked over and Trish left the room. "Amy, is that the last of the exhibitions ?"
"I'm sorry Asher but I think it was important. Ann, Craig, I need your permission for Asher to talk openly about Gordon, would you mind ?"
"No, I think we're fine with that." Craig said.
Asher looked at Ann who nodded as well.
"So, I just checked his vitals and our computer analysis, those are the wires from under the cast, we were able to restore all the circulatory paths, we reset the hip ball, stabilized his knee and sheathed his major and secondary bones. It was a very good surgery, the damage to the bones was extensive but not the worse we have seen. He'll be in that cast for about 2 months and exclusively in the wheelchair during that time. He'll need a visit by a nurse every 2 weeks and to come in for testing and modeling once a month. We'll go though it all during the week. When the cast comes off there will be a brace, a walker and then crutches."
"For how long ?" Ann asked.
"July for his second surgery but we're getting ahead of ourselves, to answer your question Amy, Shoshana and I are committed."
"There is a commitment we'd like both you and Gordon to agree to as well and I guess you'll need a place to stay, where do you plan to stay ?"
"Craig's sisters place, it'll be cramped but …"
"Well for now let's get you someplace closer to here, leave it to us, and you have no clothes, anything ?"
"No, I hadn't even thought about it."
"Let's find someone to take you shopping, don't worry about the costs, we'll cover it and one day if you get that lawsuit money we'll talk. We'll find out if anything's salvageable from your place, at least photographs and the like."
"Hey mom."
"Charlie, is it time ?" Amy said glancing at her phone "I guess it is." She said kissing and getting a hug from Charlie and then Maddie and both then switched to Ty."
"You girls are going to have to work this week, we're up to 9 rescues and a surgery, some combination of you two, and the host of regulars."
"We'll be fine Poppa." Charlie said.
"Ty ?"
"All handled Ames, you have this, we've got Pegasus."
Amy looked at him for a second and nodded.
The girls had gone to class at 8:00 and were given a break a little before 10 when the kids would be brought to the rehab gym for their first time this trip.
"Come watch you two, it'll raise your spirits a little." Amy said to Ann and Craig holding out her hands.
Betty walked over as well "Amy's right, it'll do your hearts good."
"Ann, Craig, this is Betty Grainger, the children's grandmother and my adopted mom."
"Good to meet you both."
Both smiled and shook her hand "I'm or we're supposed to meet with an accounting person soon."
"It's been cancelled, someone from the grant's office will be down to speak with you after lunch." Betty mentioned "so no excuses, come on."
"I hope you don't mind" Amy started standing and holding out her hand for Ann "but my Ty and I are getting married in two weeks and we have some details to sort out. Betty will make sure you get what you need and she'll start a search for a place close by for you to stay until we can move Gordon and you both to a suitable place."
Babs and Louis walked over then and Babs leaned forward "come watch the kids, they love being cheered on, don't worry, he'll sleep for hours."
"We're coming, seeing happy children will do us good."
They walked out as a group and found a group waiting. They were clustered around three wheelchairs and seeing Amy's group come to the hallway Phyllis spoke to the kids who turned and wheeled themselves to the other group and past.
Again, Ty was impressed by the rehab gym obviously designed with short people in mind but definitely useable by teens and older with a bit of adjustment.
"Everyone warms up for 15 minutes you've all been sedentary for the past week."
"What is send, sedin?"
"Sedentary means not active Marie, no exercise." Phyllis said leading her to her first machine. Marie would not be walking today or any day for at least 6 weeks but it was important she continue preparing her body in other ways, weight and stamina training to build up the muscles in her arms, stomach, back and her good leg so that she's ready for that next step.
"Let's see the bods boys !" Maddie called out and both Tommy and Jackson stripped off their shirts at the nautilus stations they were starting with.
Charlie catcalled and whooped garnering a secret smile from Tommy who at nine had started noticing girls. Ty watched as the three kids worked. Tommy and Jackson both sat at lateral press machines, each assigned three sets of ten, Jackson at 35 pounds and Tommy at 50. Marie whom Ty noted had stripped down to a pink exercise top with a crossed back. He also noted that although not to Jackson or Tommy's extreme, her neck, chest and arms were far more developed than he had ever seen on a 5 year old girl.
Phyllis made the rounds checking weights for the boys who were notorious at raising the ante against their competitor and back to Marie to help her count through and maintain good posture and form. Posture and form Ty had learned was key in the exercise and swim training routine Phyllis had designed in conjunction with professional sports training staff and the doctors.
Jackson and Tommy were up on to pull ups and silently decided on a contest noticed by all and soon had parents and the twins egging each other on, the pride in their voices evident, their smiles and laughter at the boys efforts a nice relief.
"Sweet Jesus they expect Gordon to do that ?" Craig whispered under his breath.
"Of course and learn to swim, swimming is a key element, he'll have a trainer for this stuff and a second for swimming." Amy explained. "The kids didn't look like this when they started, they've worked for those muscles."
After their reps of pull ups the boys planked for 30 seconds, 4 times, and then worked the Ab machines. They each ended with leg lifts on their good legs before a 10 minute break. Marie was done and toweling off with Babs and Louis telling her how proud they were of her hard work.
Water and juices were passed around and offered to the crowd watching on. The boys each had a banana and sat off to the side laughing about something.
"What next ?" Ty asked after finishing his water.
"Next they walk Poppa." Maddie said finishing her water as well.
"Like walk walk ?"
"Not quite a stroll in the park" Charlie said laughing "and they'll use the parallel bars, but they'll walk."
Phyllis flipped a coin and Tommy won and rolled over to the end of the bars. Jackson, the Engels, Marie and the twins went down to the other side and Phyllis braced Tommy as he stood with his arms across the parallel bars on either side of him.
"Slow Tommy and stop when you need to, you can rest or quit, you're in control." Phyllis said as several of the Israeli team walked in and stood to the side. Asher stood with Shoshana, his arms crossed studying the scene.
Tommy smiled and put his good leg forward, he held on to the beams as his injured leg, wrapped in a flexible fiberglass cast swung forward to take it's weight. After a deep breath he lifted his arms off the rails, stood up straight and took another step. It was obvious that there was pain but the yells from those at the finish line were bright and inspirational.
Jackson had wheeled himself outside the rails and next to Tommy added his own encouragement. Tommy stopped after three more steps and held on taking a breath and then after smiling at Jackson walked 4 more slow steps into his dad's arms and then into his seat which they had brought over.
Asher walked up and the crowd parted for him. He looked down at Tommy who looked back with a smile while wiping a light coat of sweat off his body with a towel that appeared and grabbing for his T-shirt.
Asher said one word "good ?"
"Perfect doc."
Then with a slight grin Asher turned, brushed Tommy's head and then turned again. "Let's go Jackson, I have things to do."
"Yes sir !" Jackson snapped with a crude salute before turning his chair and wheeling down to Phyllis.
Tommy took up the same position as Jackson did and this time Marie joined as well as Maddie.
"Come on Jax" Charlotte called out as he pulled himself up to the bars which Phyllis had lowered with the little button on the wall.
Jackson popped his head back and forth like a boxer and smiled. Ty could swear he was smiling right at him as he lifted himself off the floor using his arms and then slowly raising his legs up into an L. Ty was shocked at the scene because everyone in the room began cat calling and whooping as Jackson's torso sprang muscles.
Maddie was at the end with the iPad recording it and whooped again as he slowly lowered himself back to standing.
"Are we done Jackson ?" Phyllis intoned behind him but when he turned his head she had a big smile as did Shoshana and Asher.
Then he was serious, looking down and swallowing before putting his good leg forward to take the weight as his injured leg stepped and dropped gently. Another swallow and a slight twitch as he took a step. The cheering was deafening as he completed the step and took another. He stopped twice to rest and regroup encouraged the whole time by Marie and Tommy. Ty and Amy stood at the end and he walked into both for a hug as Phyllis who came behind with the chair was waiting for him to be lowered.
Again the crowd parted for Asher and Shoshana. "well Jackson ?"
"Just perfect doc."
