Badges and Bikes

Chapter 11

Ashton's pov***

I wake up and see everyone sitting around talking quietly. I try to look for David, I guess that it was just a dream that he was with me. But I would have sworn that he was here holding my hand and rubbing my head. It seemed so real. I try to speak his name and nothing happened. Not a sound. But dad saw my eyes open and smiled.

"There's my little girl. How are you feeling, sweetheart?" I tried to speak again. Same result, no sound.

"Here, Ash, drink this slowly. We don't want you to choke." Mom held a straw to my lips and I sip the cold water. 

I pull my lips back after a few sips. "Thanks, mom! Much better. When can I get out of here? I want to go home." My voice is scratchy.

Everyone started laughing. "It will be a few days.... at least. The bullet pinched a nerve. You will have some pain for a while. Some loss of function of your left leg. When the swelling goes down we will know more about the damage." Dad said as held my hand.

I look at my dad. "Do you guys honestly expect me to stay in this bed for days?"

"Yes, babygirl. You will stay in this bed as long as the doctor tells you to. You can cause more damage to yourself if you don't. Including losing the ability to walk again." He was dead serious. Mom tried to hide her tears when he said that. But I saw them. This is very serious!

"Ok daddy. I'll stay as long as they tell me to. Don't worry, mom. I will be running laps in the gym in no time at all." I tell my family but direct it to mom.

"Of course you will, sweetheart! You are a very strong woman. We all know that. You just can't force your body to do things that it isn't ready to do. Promise me that you'll do as the doctor tells you."

"I've already said that I will stay here until the doctor releases me. Don't you trust me?"

"I do trust you, honey. That's why I asked for a promise. Because you won't break it. I asked for a promise to do as the doctor tells you. Not for you to stay here until you're released."

Damn! She saw right through that! "But the doctors don't know what God has planned. They don't know my body or health like I do." 

"Ashton Thomas! Your promise, young lady!" Mom put her fists on her hips and gave me 'the look'.

"Yes ma'am, I promise to do as the doctor tells me." I am deflated now. I promised and will have to do as the doctor tells me. There is no other way now. At least for a while. Maybe I will have a different doctor when I get out of this hell hole.

 I developed a strong hatred for hospitals when David was sick the first time. We had spent way too much time in these white walls. I want out! Now! Talk turned to the events of the day and what damage I did to the truck and my body. 

"Has anyone from the department come by yet?" I ask dad.

"Nobody from your department. Just about everyone from county and a few of your friends have either dropped by or called to check on you. Thane and Justice have sent flowers. Kyle was here with Thane. Drake has called and text checking on you. Anna has been here with Ashland. Ashland got upset that you were sleeping and not waking for her, so they left." Dad replied.

The door opens and Jax comes into the room with flowers. We hug and he holds on a little longer than usual. I whisper in his ear so that nobody can hear me. "I'm ok, little brother. I promise." He nods and releases me. Jax hands me the flowers. "These are so beautiful, Jax! Thank you so much!"

"You are so welcome, little sister. Dad said that you rolled your duty vehicle. Is that your way to get a new ride?" He asked me with a grin. Typical Jax! He knows how to make me feel better no matter the situation.