Ch. 7
While Anna worked, John made a visit to Dr. Clarkson about options for his knee to give him more work opportunities.
"The best that I can do is take out the shrapnel that got left in your knee, which will hopefully help it. You will need to stay off the knee for a few weeks while you recover, then once you're strong enough physical therapy," Dr. Clarkson advised.
John offered a thoughtful nod as he said, "And how soon are you able to perform the surgery, Doctor?"
"I can fit you into my schedule soon, but you will need to stay off the knee while it heals afterwards, first at hospital, and then at home. If you need to make arrangements you can phone me later with a day that works," Dr. Clarkson nodded.
"Yes, thank you, I will call later today once I have made the arrangements," John shifted the cane to support his weight when he stood.
The doctor had given him a lot to think about, but being laid up for weeks to recover didn't suit him at all. He couldn't burden Anna with caring for him, not in her condition or when she already had enough on her plate.
He thoughtfully walked through town only slightly aware of the peering eyes and whispers that followed him.
John stopped in front of a store that held a large sign advertising a limp corrector that caught his eye. Leaning on the cane, John slowly walked towards the store entrance to find a table right in front. "Hello, I saw your sign advertising a limp corrector in the window and wanted to inquire if I could see it."
"Wait here," the owner disappeared through an open doorway, only coming back with a large piece of metal.
After several thorough looks John brought his eyes back up to the man, "How much do you want for it?"
John paid the money and allowed the salesman to help put it on at the right adjustment before he left the store. With Anna busy he wandered the town so he could test out contraption before lunch, then retreated to the inn.
It didn't take long for the throbs of pain to shoot down his leg, even after he had put it up on the bed.
On her next day off, Anna went to the inn for a visit soon as she finished all of the morning chores. When John opened the door, he bore a tight faced smile as he let her in then quickly closed the door.
With only a step forward John froze then quickly grimaced before he quickly changed his countenance when Anna looked towards him, "How are you feeling, Anna?"
"I feel fine, but what's wrong that has you looking as if you are in such pain?" Anna cupped his back to gently support him as they moved towards the bed. She helped him to sit down on the bed and searched of his face.
"Nothing, I promise that I'm fine, just my knee playing up today and I walked around town a few days ago, which might have aggravated it," John forced a smile.
Anna shook her head, "You are not fine, did you go talk to Dr. Clarkson about options for your knee? "
"Yes, I did, he can take the shrapnel that is left in my knee out, which will hopefully fix the problem. He said that it would take time to recover, and I shouldn't be on my knee for the first few weeks," John mumbled.
"If it will help then you should do it, and I can come help so you keep off your knee until he says it's safe." Anna gently took his hand, so they cupped on his lap.
With Anna's free hand, she caressed his cheek, "I hate to see you in such pain, and getting it corrected will make walking easier. "
John flinched when Anna's eyes moved towards the cane he still held in one hand, "Yeah, I just need to think about it. Having surgery is a big decision, and I couldn't ask that of you, because you are already working and pregnant."
"I would rather see that you are taken care of but let me talk to Lady Mary first so we can work it out. For now, you should put your leg up, so it doesn't swell too badly. Come on and lay down," Anna guided him down onto the pillow.
Anna needed John's help to lift his large leg, but with John's help, she managed to slide two pillows underneath so his leg was elevated.
As Anna began to pull her hand away, she felt something metal around his knee, "What is that. John?'
Before even a sound came out, she lifted his pants' leg carefully until it was past the knee, so it exposed the metal contraption underneath. The guilt in John's eyes showed as he spoke quietly, "I don't want to burden you with having to care for me. Especially in your condition, I bought this from a store in town at my appointment last week."
Anna looked over John's leg that already showed sores and bruises from the metal digging into his skin, "Oh John, I will never think of you as a burden. Don't you see that I love you and want to care for you. I know that we just met, but from the minute I laid eyes on you I knew that I loved you."
"I love you, too Anna, from the minute I walked in at Downton, you saw past my affliction and saw me as a person. When you smiled at me, I felt something deeper between us," John whispered.
"Then get rid of this thing and when I go back, I will speak with Lady Mary to work out a schedule so you can have the surgery. You will call Dr. Clarkson and let him know that you will have it though, " Anna began to fiddle with the metal levers until they loosened.
The terrible pressure disappeared from his knee at once when she took the contraption completely off. With a smile Anna put it aside to lay against his chest, "There now, doesn't that feel better already?"
John slid his arms tighter around her small frame with a smile, "Yes, it certainly makes it better. "
The room fell quiet as they gazed silently into each other's eyes then slowly slid their heads closer until their lips met. John played with her hair while his other hand cupped over her waist to hold her close.
Once they made all the arrangements, the pair went to the hospital slightly early for the appointment. A nurse called them into a room where the doctor waited with a smile, "This procedure will take time just so you are aware."
"That's okay, I have already cleared it with Lady Mary so I can be here when he gets out," Anna helped John onto the table. She took his hand and pressed it against her belly before she gave him a kiss, "We will be waiting for you when you wake up."
John watched Anna leave until he was guided to lie back on the bed by the nurse so they could begin the procedure. His eyes went up to the ceiling just before they shut closed, silently praying it worked.
Outside in the waiting room, Anna passed the time surveying the mostly empty room, except for the occasional nurse. She sat in the first chair across from the door ready to go in when the procedure finished. Every so often, she glanced towards the nurse's station hoping that one of them would tell her the procedure finished so she could see John. Anna cupped both hands over her slightly swollen middle with a smile.
The concern he felt for her reputation when she told him that she's pregnant spread warmth through her. Yes, they had made love in sin while he still is still considered married, but she did not regret being with him for a single second.
Anna looked around the small room again, in an attempt to keep her mind busy during the unforgivingly long wait.
A nurse came out at half past one for her to follow her through the hallway and into a large room sectioned off by curtains. They walked to the far side where Dr. Clarkson waited, "He is resting now, but I was able to take the last shrapnel from his knee. He will stay with us for the first few weeks to monitor him for infections. The hospital will be cleaner than the inn, and he can't risk contracting any infection. We will check on him in a little while, but you can stay by his bedside and call if you need anything," Dr. Clarkson spoke softly.
Anna nodded gratefully as she sat down on the bed for an immediate cup of their hands, "Thank you very much, Dr. Clarkson. We are both very appreciative that you could schedule him in to get the procedure done."
"Of course, and please let us know if you require anything," Dr. Clarkson walked off to start his usual rounds.
Once the nurse left, Anna settled on the bed holding John's hand while she watched him sleep with such a peaceful look on his face. It seemed quite funny how all of this happened in a span of just four months. How a single smile the day they met could lead to them getting together with a baby on the way. Though his hand felt heavy, she managed to bring it against her lips for a light kiss to the top before she set it down on her lap.
John's eyes slowly fluttered open and searched the room until he found Anna. He licked his dry lips and took short, labored breaths once his eyes found hers. He croaked, "Anna."
"I'm here, Dr. Clarkson said that you did very well, so now you are going to rest here for some time," Anna soothed.
"Anna," he tried again and licked his lip once more before he suddenly jolted forward and vomitted all over his bed.
Anna shifted their hands as she called for the nurse, "It's okay, a nurse is going to come clean you up. Do you feel like you have to get sick again, or would you like some water when she comes?"
A nurse appeared from around the curtain, "Oh, not to worry, this is quite a normal reaction after such a procedure. I can have him all cleaned up in no time, and here is a pail in case he gets sick again."
With the very gentlest touch, the nurse washed John up as Anna held the bucket up close for him to get sick. "Thank you, and can he have some water too, when you have a chance, please," Anna watched with a sad look on her face as John continued to get sick.
Soon as the nurse brought a cup, Anna took it to it to John, "After this you can try and rest again."
She took a napkin from the tray and slowly wiped the water that dripped down his chin, "Do you want more, or are you ready to rest?"
When John turned his head in refusal, Anna set the cup down to tuck the covers around him tightly, adding a kiss against his forehead. "I have to get something for Lady Mary from town, but I will be back as soon as I dress her for dinner. "
"He will most likely sleep anyway, and we will be here should he need anything," the nurse smiled reassuringly.
Anna had no doubt about that, but she still felt bad having to leave John while he was laid up in the hospital recovering from a surgery she insisted he had. On her next day off, she would spend all day by his side but today she still had plenty to do.
So, John's had surgery on his knee. Where will this decision take our favorite couple. Stay tuned to find out. About 200-word pages left and another 200 in the ongoing sequel. Yes, my bff is officially more prolific with Downton fic than I am.