Daughter of the Deadman III
Chapter 12: A Step Forward
The next day, everyone arrived at the hospital early. Today was the day that Angel was moving from West Houston Medical Centre to the Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital. Everyone was excited for her. She had spent almost eight months in a medical facility and this was a big step forward for her. Taker, Wyatt, Kane and Lea arrived in the room to find Angel wide awake and carrying on a conversation with Kristy, something that hadn't happened in months, although Angel was struggling for words because she was trying to talk quickly without thinking about what she was saying.
"Baby girl, you need to take your time and think before you talk. Your words are coming out kind of jumbled, sweetheart." Taker said.
"Trying to talk to Kristy." Angel said quietly hanging her head.
"He's not giving you trouble, Ang. He's trying to help you out." Kristy said.
"Really, Daddy?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, I'm not yelling at you, baby girl. I'm just trying to help. Try and slow down and think before you talk." Taker said.
"OK, Daddy." Angel said.
"Aunt Angel, we brought some clothes for you. It's just some pyjamas, but you'll be comfy when you go to the new place today." Wyatt said.
"Thank you, Wyatt." Angel said slowly, giving him a smile.
"Adam's Mom made them for you. Judy is handy with a sewing machine. She thought you'd might like some fun pyjamas to hang out in." Kristy said.
"Say thank you." Angel said.
"I will, Ang. I'll tell her next time we talk." Kristy said,
"Thanks." Angel said.
"You're welcome, Aunt Angel." Wyatt said.
"Kristy, do you think you could give Angel a hand?" Taker asked.
"Sure. No problem. Which color would you like Ang?" Kristy asked.
"What color?" Angel asked.
"You can't see color?" Wyatt asked.
"No." Angel said.
"That's strange." Lea said.
"Well, one is red and black. One is purple and black. One is black and has all of our logos on it." Kristy said.
"Logo, please?" Angel asked.
"Sure, Ang." Kristy said.
"Um….can I….have shower?" Angel asked quietly.
"Sure. We can use that cherry blooms body wash that David loves so much. Did I tell you he's wearing the perfume?" Kristy said with a giggle.
"But….he guy. Guys don't wear that stuff." Angel said, looking slightly weirded out.
"You're telling me. I started to worry until he said that he wore it because of the smell. Something about missing having girls around. My brother is a dummy. I swear, Uncle Jim corrupted that one." Kristy said.
"While Owen corrupted you, Little Kirsty?" Taker asked.
"No. Semi Corrupted me. If Uncle Pillman was still alive then I'd be corrupted." Kristy said with a sad smile.
"Who's Uncle Pillman?" Wyatt asked.
"And why haven't we met him?" Lea asked.
"Uncle Pillman died before you two were born. He was a family friend. He was in the group with Bret, Owen, Dad and Jim. Sometimes I forget to talk about him because he's been gone for so long." Kristy said.
"Brian was a good man. Crazy as everything, but a good man nonetheless. Wasn't he the one who used to call you KK?" Taker asked.
"Yeah, he was. He was also the only person who could get in the ring and up stage Uncle Owen. Course he could also act crazy and get away with it." Kristy said.
"So…he's with Mom?" Lea asked.
"Yes, LeLe. He's with Aunt Beth. I wish he was still around. I miss him." Kristy said.
"How did he end up there?" Wyatt asked.
"He had problems with his heart that he didn't know about." Taker said.
"Had he known, something could have been done. But then he would have had to quit wrestling and he wouldn't have done that." Kristy said.
"Stop." Angel said.
"What's wrong, Ang?" Kristy asked.
"You upset. So stop." Angel said.
"OK. OK. Let's get you up and let you have a shower." Kristy said.
"Good. I feel all yucky." Angel said.
Taker nodded. Kristy helped her get out of bed and she and Taker supported her on both sides and walked her to the bathroom. Taker warned Kristy to not get soap in Angel's eyes and Kristy nodded. Taker left the two girls in the washroom and closed the door. It didn't take too long before Angel came out in her new pyjamas. She was smiling like they hadn't seen in months. Kristy helped Angel to get back into bed so she would be comfortable while they waited for Doctor Kellon. Angel noticed that Wyatt was looking at her strangely.
"Wyatt, don't stare. It's rude." Lea said before she could say anything.
"Sorry. It's just….I never noticed Aunt Angel's hair before. It's so short and it looks funny." Wyatt said.
"Oh…well, it is different…" Lea said.
"It's because you're used to seeing her with long hair." Taker said.
"I look like boy." Angel said.
"You look fine, Ang." Kristy said.
"It'll grow back, baby girl." Taker said.
"I know." Angel said.
"Wyatt! Look what you did! You made her feel all…..bad…" Lea said.
"I didn't mean to!" Wyatt said.
"Stop it, you two." Kristy said.
"Daddy….Ozzie going with me to new place?" Angel asked.
"Well, baby girl, I'm going to work with him and get him housebroken. And certified as a therapy dog. But I think he knows he's supposed to be with you." Taker said.
"He does?" Angel asked.
"Yeah. I told him we were coming here and he got all excited and kept running from the door to me and back. It was like he was telling me he wanted to come too." Lea said.
"Mommy, can I have a dog?" Wyatt asked.
"Wyatt, we have three. Why do you want another one?" Kristy said.
"Those are Daddy's dogs. I want my own dog." Wyatt said.
"How come?" Kristy asked.
"Aunt Angel has a dog!" Wyatt said.
"But he's a special dog, Wyatt." Lea said.
"I know, but I want my own dog." Wyatt said.
"Not right now, Wyatt. There's way too much going on. The only reason Aunt Angel has Ozzie is because Papa Taker thought that a therapy dog would be a good idea for her. And he's probably right on that." Kristy said.
"OK, Mommy." Wyatt said.
"Why do you think Daddy was right, Kristy?" Lea asked.
"Daddy know what I need. And sometimes he know how I feel and say it when I can't." Angel explained.
"That's right, Lea." Kristy said.
Before Lea could respond, Doctor Kellon walked into the room. He was holding Angel's discharge papers. He sat down on the bed and went over them with Angel. Then he went over the transfer papers to make sure Angel understood. She nodded when he finished and Taker signed them on her behalf. Then he left the room.
"Angel, do you want to walk or do you want a wheelchair?" Taker asked.
"Um….wheelchair. Too far to walk." Angel said.
Taker nodded. He went and got a wheelchair and when he came back, Kristy helped her sit down and Lea and Wyatt both climbed up her lap, making Angel laugh. Rather than fight over who would ride with Angel, they both decided to. Taker wheeled her from the room while Kristy walked beside them. Then they walked down the hall. A few of the nurses and doctors stopped them along the way to say goodbye to them as they left. When they got outside, Taker went and brought the car around. Angel was smiling.
"Nice." Angel said.
"It's sunny out." Lea explained.
"Nice fresh air." Angel said.
"Oh, yeah, you haven't been outside in a long time. Right, Aunt Angel?" Wyatt said.
"Not since accident." Angel said.
"Mommy, can we still go swimming with Aunt Angel sometime?" Wyatt said.
"That probably won't happen for awhile, Wyatt." Kristy said.
"But we still can?" Wyatt asked.
"Eventually." Kristy said.
"OK. I miss swimming with her." Wyatt said.
Kristy nodded. He had missed doing things with Angel almost more than Lea had. Before Kristy could say anything more to him, Taker pulled up with the car. He got out and lifted Angel from the wheelchair. He placed her in the passenger seat and did up her seatbelt. Then Lea, Wyatt and Kristy got into the back and Taker got into the driver's seat. He could see that Angel looked nervous.
"You're OK, baby girl. Nothing is going to happen this time." He said.
"OK, Daddy. I'm just nervous." Angel said.
"I know, baby girl." Taker said.
He pulled away from the hospital and drove down the road. They weren't on the road for more than a few seconds when Wyatt spoke up. He seemed worried about something.
"Papa Taker, am I going to be able to do the stuff I used to do with Aunt Angel?" Wyatt asked.
"Sure, Wyatt. Why wouldn't you be able to?" Taker asked.
"Cause of the accident." Wyatt said.
"No. It's because I…different…" Angel said.
"No." Wyatt said.
"Wyatt, really?" Lea asked.
"It's not that! Well, it sort of is. I mean….she can't really see…and…" Wyatt tried to explain.
"Wyatt, are you scared that Angel won't be able to do the same things that she used to because she can't really see?" Kristy asked.
"Yes." Wyatt said, looking ashamed of himself.
"Wyatt, it's alright." Kristy said.
"Yeah, it's OK, Wyatt. But Angel can do a lot of the things with you that she did before, but she will just do it differently is all. Don't worry." Taker said.
"Hate being different." Angel said.
"You're not that different Ang." Kristy said.
"Yes, I am!" Angel said.
"Great, Wyatt. Look what you did! You made her feel bad." Lea said.
"Lea, he didn't mean to." Taker said.
"He's just worried about Angel." Kristy said.
"Yeah. I'm sorry, Aunt Angel." Wyatt said.
Angel didn't say anything to that. She just nodded. Wyatt still looked upset. Taker reminded him that it was alright and that he was completely alright to worry about Angel. They drove the rest of the way in silence. When they got to the building, Taker pulled in and got out of the car along with Kristy, Wyatt and Lea. Taker walked around the car and opened the passenger side door. He helped Angel out of the car. Kristy went into the trunk and got Angel's bag. She looked like she was thinking about something
"What's wrong, Angel?" Lea asked.
"I…different." Angel said, tears rolling down her face now.
"Great. I made her upset." Wyatt said.
"No one is different, Ang." Kristy said.
"I different! My eyes not work! It make me different!" Angel said.
"Oh, dear." Taker said.
"Great…" Lea said.
"Lea, she would have figured it out eventually." Kristy said.
"She's really smart." Wyatt said.
"Angel, being blind doesn't make you different. You're still the same Angel and you're still my best friend." Kristy said.
"And everyone still loves you." Wyatt said.
"And you're still my big sister and I still love you a lot. You're basically my Mom." Lea said.
"Nothing has changed, Ang, and nothing will. This is just a small bump in the road that we have to get over." Kristy said.
"You sure?" Angel asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry, Ang. We'll all be here to help you through this. No matter what we have to do." Kristy said.
Angel beamed and nodded. Taker asked her if she wanted to walk into the hospital, but Angel shook her head and told him that she was just fine where she was. Taker nodded. He knew she was about to get somewhat clingy given that she was walking into a place full of strangers.
"You OK, Ang?" Kristy asked.
"Not want to go in here." Angel said.
"But they're going to help you." Lea said.
"Yeah, they're going to help you get better again, Aunt Angel." Wyatt said.
"Scared." Angel said.
"There's no reason to be scared, baby girl." Taker said.
"Angel doesn't do well with meeting new people or being around strangers." Kristy said.
"I know, Kristy." Taker said.
"But why not? They're not going to hurt her or anything. They're going to make her better again." Wyatt said.
"Aunt Angel doesn't like new people, baby boy." Kristy said.
"Well, it's not that she doesn't like new people, it's just meeting new people always makes her very nervous. Usually she tries to….avoid meeting new people if she can." Taker said.
"She was even nervous around me at first. She went so far as to tell me that being her friend would bring nothing but trouble." Kristy said.
"She did?" Wyatt said.
"Yes, she did." Kristy said.
"I don't think that had anything to do with her nerves. I think that was more her situation at the time. But the point is Aunt Angel doesn't want to go in there because meeting new people is hard for her, even if they are there to help her get better." Taker said.
"Oh, kinda like Mommy when she's in a room full of strangers." Wyatt said.
"But….the people they wrestle in front of are strangers. And they're in huge buildings. How does that not bother her? Or Kristy?" Lea said.
"Because….I can wrestle. I'm good at it. Or at least….I used to be." Angel said slowly.
"Angel! You just said a complete sentence!" Kristy said.
"If I talk slow….then I can. It's when I try talking really fast that I mess up." Angel said, still speaking slowly.
"Or if you get upset or angry." Lea said.
"Yeah." Angel said.
"You don't need to worry, baby girl. No one here is going to hurt you. Besides, you won't be alone. I'm not about to leave you here. And I don't think Lea is going to want to leave you." Taker said.
"Nope." Lea answered.
"And I'm not going anywhere." Kristy said.
"And if Mommy's staying with you than I am too." Wyatt said.
"Wyatt, honey. You have to go to school." Kristy said.
"But I don't want to leave Aunt Angel! I don't want to go to school! I don't wanna go back to Tampa with Daddy." Wyatt said.
"You were going to send Wyatt back to Tampa with Adam?" Taker asked.
"Only because of school. Besides, Adam could really use quality time with him."
"Kristy, normally I would stay out of this, but is something going on with Adam and Wyatt?" Taker asked.
"No. Daddy just thinks I'm with Mommy too much lately. Ever since Aunt Angel got hurt." Wyatt said quietly.
"I see. He feels like your Mom is keeping you from him?" Taker said.
"I heard them arguing. Mom was trying to explain that she wasn't keeping me from him and that I was deciding to be with Mom because she was with Aunt Angel at the hospital and I wanted to be there…but…he wouldn't listen." Wyatt said.
"Adam thinks I'm doing it on purpose." Kristy said.
"Kristy, go with Adam." Angel said.
"Ang?" Kristy asked.
"Go back home with Adam. He misses you." Angel said, slowly.
"Ang…I…I can't just go." Kristy said.
"Kristy, I…have Daddy and Lea…and Uncle too." Angel said.
"But Ang…." Kristy said.
"No. You need to go." Angel said.
"So you don't want us here?" Wyatt asked.
"It's not that, Wyatt. It's just Angel knows she'll be alright with Kane, Lea and I." Taker explained.
"Oh….OK." Wyatt said.
"Wyatt, I know you're worried about Angel and that's alright. And I know your Mom is worried too and doesn't want to go, and that's fine too. But I promise, Kane and I aren't going to let anything happen to Angel and Lea. You know that." Taker said.
"But…Papa Taker…I want to be here. Aunt Angel needs to know that we love her. And…this whole thing is really scary…" Wyatt whispered.
"Wyatt, baby, Aunt Angel will be fine without us for a little bit. It's alright." Kristy said.
"No! I'm staying here." Wyatt said.
"Wyatt, you can't. Daddy and Uncle can't look after you. They'll be busy with Angel and I. You have to go home." Lea said.
"NO!" Wyatt shouted.
"Wyatt Owen James Hart Copeland, you do not raise your voice like that. You're going home." Kristy said.
"We can settle this later. Right now, we need to get Angel in there and get her settled in." Taker said.
Kristy nodded. Lea and Wyatt walked on either side of Kristy and Taker walked in front. They went inside. When they got up to the reception desk, Taker introduced Angel and handed over the papers that Doctor Kellon had given them that morning. The nurse smiled and lead them down the hall. Wyatt was looking around curiously at everything and Kristy was telling him what each thing was and what each room was for.
When they got to Angel's room, Taker laid her in bed and Kristy put her bag in the closet. The receptionist told them that Angel would just rest for the day and that she would start meeting people and doing therapy tomorrow. Taker nodded. Angel nodded in agreement too. She felt tired for some reason. Lea climbed up on a chair and sat down. Wyatt looked worried as Angel dozed off.
"Wyatt, she'll be OK. Honestly. You need to go home. Otherwise your Dad is going to keep fighting with your Mom." Taker said.
"But it's not Mom's fault. I chose to be with Aunt Angel and Mom! Daddy is being stupid." Wyatt snapped.
"Wyatt, do not call your father stupid. Don't you ever." Kristy said.
"Well he is for not listening to you! You keep trying to tell him that it's my choice and it's not because you're purposely keeping him from me!" Wyatt said.
"Wyatt, honey…." Kristy started.
"Mom, I don't want to leave, OK? I want to stay here." Wyatt said.
"No, baby. I'm sorry, but we have to go home." Kristy said.
"But…." Wyatt said.
"No buts, Wyatt." Kristy said.
"Don't worry about Angel, Wyatt. She'll be fine." Taker said.
"Daddy is going to get kicked right in the family…" Wyatt started.
"Wyatt!" Kristy said.
"Sorry, Mom." Wyatt said.
"Kristy, you can't fool me. You're not happy about this either." Taker said.
"No. I'm not. But right now we need to think about what's best for Angel and not for our...oh dear God. I'm starting to sound like Grandpa Stu. There's a scary thought." Kristy said.
"Not really." Taker said.
"What's best for Aunt Angel is for us to stay right here and do whatever we can to help!" Wyatt said to his mother.
"Wyatt, do not start that again." Kristy said.
"What's best for Angel is to focus on getting better and she can't get better if she knows your Mom and Dad are fighting because she'll be worried about your Mom!" Lea said.
"Lea is right, Wyatt. The last thing Angel will want to know is that your Mom is fighting with your Dad." Taker said.
"OK, OK. We'll go home, but Papa Taker had better keep us updated." Wyatt said.
"Of course I will." Taker said.
"I'm still mad at Daddy." Wyatt said.
"Behave, Wyatt." Kristy said.
Wyatt nodded. Angel sighed in her sleep and stirred a little bit. She looked upset when she realized she was in a strange place, but she relaxed when she saw her Dad and Lea there with her. Then she looked at Kristy. Her friend looked worried.
"Kristy, go home." Angel said.
"I am, Ang. I'm going to take Wyatt and go home, so that you can concentrate on getting better and Adam and I can talk about this whole thing. I want to hear you making progress, alright?" Kristy said.
"I will." Angel said.
"Good." Kristy said,
"Aunt Angel. We love you, OK? Remember that?" Wyatt said.
"I know. Don't worry." Angel said.
Kristy gave Angel a hug and then lifted Wyatt up so that he could give her a hug too. Then the two of them hugged Lea and Taker and left. Taker sighed. He hoped that this wouldn't take too long and that he could have Angel back home where she belonged again. The thing was, it all depended on Angel and how determined she was.