Faith Family Football

Chapter Ten

JJ's POV

"This injury is going to require surgery. The sooner we can begin the better. The healing process will take anywhere from six to eight weeks..."

Dr. Langdon's voiced faded out and suddenly the only sound I could hear was the buzzing of the fluorescent lights which seemed to be deafening only to me. They flickered every now and then reminding those in their presence it was time to be replaced.

Replaced.

That was exactly what I would be if I didn't get back to being healthy as soon as possible. In this league, you're never invincible. It doesn't matter how good you are, injuries are injuries and they can cut you as quick as they sign you. I'm not ready to be done, I'm just getting started. This injury was not going to keep me down any longer than it had to.

"Mr. Watt?" I could hear the doctors voice but it was faint as if he were standing miles away from me but I knew he was a mere four feet from where I sat.

The warmth of Emma's touch spread up my arm as her small fingers cuffed themselves around my large hand and I slowly pulled myself from my trance. Sometimes I wondered if she fully understood the comfort that she brought me and I gave her the best reassuring smile I could muster up. She was my rock. Come hell or high water, she was always the one thing I knew I could rely on.

"JJ?" Her voice sounded concerned and her green eyes filled with worry as the small doctor looked on, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I nodded, my jaw tensing as I clenched my teeth together. I wasn't really but I needed to be, "I'll be back at it in no time."

"These six to eight weeks are going to be critical for the healing process Justin. You will begin physical therapy shortly there after." Dr. Langdon was insistent with his time tables and it was beginning to frustrate me but I let it go as he went on.

"I got it, six to eight weeks." I knew that I snapped at him but I wasn't in the mood for being lectured, "Level with me here, is this going to affect my career?"

"Justin." Emma looked at me and her face said it all, she was not amused and I couldn't say I blamed her. I hated to hear her say my full name, mostly because when she does it's because she's upset and it always comes out like fire off her tongue.

"I need to know Emma." My eyes pierced through hers and I immediately knew I was taking this all out on the wrong people. This wasn't the doctors fault and it sure as hell wasn't Emma's, "Please doc, I just need an honest answer."

"Everyone is affected differently. It depends on how well your body will heal and how you are able handle the recovery and the physical therapy process." Dr. Langdon didn't have the confidence I hoped for, "Let's try to stay focused on the surgery first and take this one step at a time."

Piper began to whimper as she stirred in her car seat reminding all of all that she was here. She kicked her small legs in protest sending her pink ruffled blanket to the floor of the doctors office and Emma reached over to pick her up, speaking softly to the crying infant as she adjusted the large bow headband that adorned Piper's small head. I softly chuckled to myself wondering how I had grown to become a father of three, let alone the father of two very girly little girls; granted at seven months Piper doesn't get much say in the matter. Noah and I had been over taken by all things pink and frilly, thank God we had each other.

"Dr. Humadi is the best in the country. He's worked with many prominent athletes on sports related injuries. I know you'll be in good hands." Dr. Langdon smiled, his confidence in the surgeon was reassuring, "However, he is located in Philadelphia. The soonest you can get out there the better. He's expecting you by next Monday."