Chapter 202 – Accessing Jack's Continued Pain

Wynn was torn about what to do, he wanted to get back to work and get through things but his wife had asked him to spend time with family and friends over the weekend because he needed a break. So after David headed out, Wynn invited Andrew over to his table. Andrew came over and the first thing he did was pull a small sketchbook out of his pocket and hand it to Wynn.

"Thought you might enjoy this." Andrew said.

"What is it?" Wynn asked.

"Have a look." Andrew said.

Wynn opened the book and gasped. Inside were exquisitely drawn pictures of his grandson.

"Who made them?" Wynn asked.

"It turns out that the new nanny that Sophie hired is an excellent artist." Andrew said.

"I would say so." Wynn said. "If she ever wants a job using this skill, I could make some inquiries. I bet I could convince the Commissioner to hire her to do our drawings."

"If you are serious." Andrew said. "I will tell her, she really likes being a nanny, but would love to use her artistic skills as well."

As Wynn flipped through the pages he was overwhelmed.

"These are almost like photographs; they are so good." Wynn said.

"It helps me miss the little guy a little bit less when I am gone." Andrew said.

"I know it is hard to be away." Wynn said. "But thank you for coming all this way to help out. I might have been upset at first, but now I see that it was probably best that you come. We can get a lot more done with you here. I also know that there is something that Beth wants to talk to you about, but she hasn't said anything more than it involves the Russell girls. I told you about that, right?"

"You are more than welcome." Andrew said. "I have heard so much about this place, I had to see it for myself, besides that I get to bring the paperwork for Mrs Stanton and also Beth. JT is so small, he won't even know I am gone. Leaving for long periods may change as he gets older but for now, Sophie has enough help to deal with things. Yes, I know about Andrew Russell asking Jack and Beth to take the girls. I wondered what they would do, especially now with them expecting themselves. I honestly hope that they will take them. I know that is what Mr Russell wants and if they don't, he knows that there are few other options left to him."

"Speaking of help." Wynn said. "I think that you might be able to help Beth with something else. Remind me to mention it when we go out there. It isn't public knowledge yet, but Jack and Beth are taking the girls. It is just going to be a matter of working out logistics. Jack wants to make sure they have the house built first as they need the extra room to do it."

"When do you want to head out there?" Andrew asked.

"I think the ladies are going out mid-morning." Wynn said. "Let's see what happens. We can always head out there and then come back in. I am not sure if we are having lunch or supper all together."

"Sounds good." Andrew said.

After finishing his breakfast, Jacobs thanked the ladies and then headed out to Jack and Elizabeth's house to check on Jack and do his morning treatment. There was a part of him that was still worried about Jack if he tried to push things that he would have another set back. Jacobs wasn't sure that either could handle it if that happened. He knew that they needed to slowly get Jack back to physical activity and doing things, but he knew that he was walking a fine line in that respect.

Jacobs arrived at the field by the row houses to see a flurry of activity. All the men that had come in were there trying to get things done. Those that weren't working construction, were covering piles of timber with large tarps. There were also several men covering part of one roof with a large tarp. Jacobs also saw a few of the cadets and several of the men that he knew worked at the mill. As he thought about it, it only made sense. They didn't want their progress hampered by the rain. They were covering what they could to protect things.

After a few minutes of watching the flurry of activity across the field, Jacobs turned, saluted the cadet in the front and went up the steps. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Jacobs was not surprised when Dee opened the door.

"Come in." Dee said. "We thought you would be here soon."

Jacobs stepped into the house to see Jack and Elizabeth sitting at the table. Both were enjoying a cup of tea. Jacobs walked over to the table and Jack motioned for him to take a seat. Dee was quickly behind him and took his seat again.

"How are you this morning?" Jacobs asked.

"Better." Jack said. "A little more congested than I have been. But then again, I did sleep differently last night."

Jacobs looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I slid down and laid a little more flat." Jack said. "I wanted my arms around my wife."

Elizabeth blushed as Jack spoke. Jacobs just took a moment.

"Just know your limits." Jacobs said. "If you have to be more upright later in the night, please make sure you do that. You are still at a critical stage of healing and I don't want you to have any more setbacks. We also need to talk about increasing your physical activity."

Both Jack and Elizabeth blushed and ducked their heads. Jacobs realized what he said what they thought he meant. He closed his eyes and prayed for a way to get out of the situation without further embarrassing everyone.

"If you are up to it." Jacobs said. "I would like for you to start taking a short walk. Even if it is just down a house or two and then back. You need to move and walking is a good way to get a little exercise without stressing the body as much. The better you feel, the more you can do. I am hoping that by the end of this coming week, that you can walk the entire length of the row houses and back, if not more."

"I can try that." Jack said. "I assume I will have a Cadet walking with me."

"Yes." Jacobs said. "Although I would like to be the one walking with you the first couple of times. Or Dee can do it. I only say that because we have heard your breathing at the worst and know the signs to look out for."

"Okay." Jack said. "Maybe we can start that later this morning."

"Sounds good." Jacobs said.

"I will be back here later." Dee said. "I have a few things to check in town. I know that Mom is coming out soon."

"We will figure it out." Jacobs said. "Let's get started, so you can enjoy the rest of your day."

Dee got up and got the water for Jack. Elizabeth grabbed the towel off the rack and they got Jack started on his steam treatment. Once Jack was going, Jacobs looked at Dee and Elizabeth.

"Dee." Jacobs said. "As long as Elizabeth is comfortable, she can help me if you want to run into town now. Then you don't have to worry about things later."

"Beth?" Dee asked.

"I can do it." Elizabeth said.

"Then I will run in." Dee said. "I have to send a few wires and check a few things. I won't be long."

"We will be here." Elizabeth said. "I am expecting Charlotte, Patty and your Mom any time."

"I will be back soon." Dee said.

With that, Dee grabbed his papers and put them in his messenger bag. He pulled his boots on and left. After Dee had left, Jacobs turned to Elizabeth.

"I need to speak to Jack about something, privately for a moment." Jacobs said. "Can you give us a couple of minutes?"

"I will head upstairs and gather the laundry that needs to be done." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth headed upstairs. Jacobs waited a moment until he was sure that she was upstairs.

"Jack." Jacobs said. "I am not asking this to embarrass you, but to gauge your recovery. Have you and Elizabeth been intimate while you have been recovering? If so, have you experienced any problems? Breathing, pain or otherwise. I get it if you don't want to talk to me, but I am just trying to help you."

Jack was glad that his head was covered with a towel, but otherwise Jacobs would see how red his face was. Jack took a moment and then in a low voice spoke.

"Yes." Jack said softly. "Elizabeth and I have been intimate several times since Wednesday. The first time since I was injured was after our appointments with Faith on Wednesday. Since then we have been intimate most every afternoon and evening."

"Thank you for being honest with me." Jacobs said. "Any problems?"

"The first couple of times." Jack said. "I got lightheaded. But I think it was from kissing too long. I have learned to gauge that better. The only other problem I have noticed is a bit of pain in my hip, but I think it was where I landed when I was thrown. I haven't said anything to Elizabeth, but she has noticed that it takes a lot longer for my breathing to calm down afterwards."

"Okay." Jacobs said. "The breathing, I expected. As long as you are able to regain a more normal breathing within an accepted time frame and you don't pass out. The hip pain, can you tell me a little more about it. Is it because you are moving a certain way or putting pressure on it? Is it dull or sharp?"

"It is a dull ache." Jack said. "I think it is because Elizabeth's knee has dug into it a few times."

Jack let out a huge sigh. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing for a moment. Even though Jacobs couldn't see his face, Jack knew that it was red with embarrassment.

"I can't believe that I am saying this." Jack said.

"It is okay." Jacobs said. "I won't say anything and I honestly don't want to embarrass you. I may not be married, but I do know about things."

"Elizabeth was on top of me." Jack said. "She said it was more comfortable with her baby belly and she also didn't want me to exert myself too much"

"Got it." Jacobs said. "I would suggest that you say something if the pain continues. Maybe you can find another position that is more comfortable for both of you. Again, thank you for opening up and I honestly didn't mean to embarrass you."

"No problem." Jack said. "But can we talk about something else at this point."

"Yes." Jacobs said. "How have things been otherwise? Are you finding that you have more of an appetite? How about your energy level? Do you still want to sleep most of the time?"

"I am still tired most of the time." Jack said. "I am finding that I do want to eat, but nothing tastes very good. I have kind of been telling Elizabeth to keep it simple."

"I think that you will notice things change for the better soon." Jacobs said. "I want to continue with what we have been doing, but add the walking if you are up to it."

"I can do that." Jack said.

Jacobs sat back in the chair and let Jack finish his steam treatment.

"Is it okay to come downstairs?" Elizabeth called.

"Yes." Jacobs said.

Elizabeth came downstairs carrying a laundry basket. Jacobs immediately jumped up and grabbed it from her.

"Where would you like this?" Jacobs asked.

"Just over by the back door." Elizabeth said.

Jacobs put the basket down and then came back to the table.

"Sorry about that." Jacobs said. "I just know that sometimes men are more comfortable being honest about pain levels when their lady is not present."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But I hope that Jack can be honest with me if he is hurting."

"Bella." Jack said. "It is fine. I have told you when I needed a break. Please trust me and don't get mad at the Sergeant, he is just trying to help."

Elizabeth was upset that Jack didn't talk to her, but she also realized that there might be something he was embarrassed about. As Jacobs got going with the treatment on Jack, Elizabeth sat there and watched Jack struggle with the pain. She wondered if she had pushed him too much and them being intimate had been too much. As Jack coughed and sputtered, Elizabeth brushed his hair back.

"I am sorry." Elizabeth whispered. "I wish there was more that I could do to help you. Sorry that I pushed you."

Jack didn't respond and she didn't expect him to. Once he sat back and was trying to catch his breath, he took her hand and gave her a dimpled grin.

"I love you." Jack rasped.

"I love you more." Elizabeth said.

"Not possible." Jack rasped.

Jacobs gave them a minute, before he interrupted.

"Jack." Jacobs said. "I want to check some of the bruises. How are you doing?"

"Give me a moment." Jack rasped.

"We can do this mostly sitting." Jacobs said. "I just want to check around the edges. I am not going to unwrap you completely."

Jack nodded. Elizabeth helped Jack take his henley off. Then Jack sat up a bit in the chair.

"Let me know if anything hurts." Jacobs said.

Jacobs started by checking near the edge of the wrappings on Jack's shoulders. He saw some bruising, but it didn't look that bad. He listened to Jack's lungs while he had him seated. After he was satisfied, he looked at Jack again.

"Do you think that you can stand for a moment?" Jacobs asked.

Jack nodded and Jacobs helped him stand. Jacobs proceeded to check the bottom of the wrappings and saw more bruising. He wanted to see how sore Jack was, but wasn't sure how he would react.

"Jack." Jacobs said. "I am going to press on some of these bruises, let me know if it is too painful."

"Okay." Jack said.

Jacobs proceeded to push on the bruises that were showing at the bottom of the wrappings, moving lower toward Jack's hip.

"Not too bad." Jack said. "I mean it hurts a little, but nothing I can't handle."

Jacobs decided to go for broke and pressed right on the front of Jack's hip, which caused Jack to yelp in pain.

"Sorry." Jacobs said. "I am concerned about the pain. I would feel better if we had Faith come out and check this out."