As The World Turns

Chapter 45

Marshall kept silent, allowing Jodie to just play with his fingers. Agatha had leftover half an hour ago, wanting to let the couple have some time to themselves alone. So far that time had been spent in silence. Jodie was still in shock and pain, Marshall could see it written all over her face. The news about her recovery had hit her hard, especially since it meant she couldn't do what she liked.

''We'll get through this, you'll get through this, I know you can,'' he whispered finally having enough of the eerie silence that had enveloped the room.

''How?'' Jodie croaked out; her mouth was still dry, but no amount of water appeared to soothe it, leaving her in even more pain.

''Well you've got a physical therapist and ya got me. I bet Taylor'll help ya out too,'' Marshall pointed out, placing his free hand on top of hers, which held his other one, ''that's how you're going to get through this ok.''

''But...''

''No, I'm not having your say but this and but that Jo. I love you and I know you and so you will be able to walk again and then ice skate eventually too cause I know you won't ever give up,'' Jodie's mouth clamped shut, a small smile beginning to form in the corners of her mouth.

''I suppose you could be right,'' she responded looking down at their intertwined hands.

''I'm sorry what was that? Did you just say I was right,'' he started to tease removing his hands from Jodies in an attempt to try and tickle her, but just as he was about to the door swung open and small figure bounced into the room.

''Joey,'' Maddie's distinctive high pitched squeal of delight filled the room as she ran up to where Marshall was sitting. Unsure as to what to do he took a chance and reached down placing his arms around the child's waist and lifting her onto his lap.

''Jodie's still feeling a little tired, so I wouldn't jump on the bed Mads,'' Maddie looked around at Marshall, her bright blue eyes filled with curiosity.

''Ok,'' she nodded and settled down on his knee so that she was close enough to be able to still touch Jodie.

''So what have you been up to today?'' Jodie asked her voice was getting a lot better and she was no longer stumbling over her words. When she first spoke, she appeared to have a slight stutter, but Marshall noticed that it had almost completely disappeared now.

Marshall watched with his own smile as Jodie and Maddie intracted. It turns out that she'd painted several pictures, took a spelling test, wrote a short story and solved a really hard maths problem. After hearing about her day, Marshall stared to figure out how an eight-year-old could have such a busy day.

''Mads, wheres mum and dad?'' Jodie asked after hearing about Maddie's day. She'd expected at least one of them to have burst through the door after Maddie, but her sister had been talking for a good five minutes and they still hadn't arrived.

''Oh they left something in the car,'' Maddie shrugged. She had started to get comfortable on Marshall and lent back into his chest. Jodie gave him a look that said 'I'm sorry,' but he made sure to mouth to her saying that he really didn't mind and that it was more than fine. If Maddie appeared to be happy and content he wasn't worried.

''Looks like Marshalls found a new friend,'' Bradly came through the door first a bunch of flowers wrapped in paper in gripped tightly in his hand. Marshall just laughed as Maddie looked between the two quizzically. Unable to work out what was happening she just shrugged and went back to resting her head on Marshalls' chest, causing a laugh to erupt from Brad.

''Sup sis how ya feeling?'' Bradly asked changing the subject as he placed the flowers on a tray that was attached to the end of the bed.

''Like someone's been poking at my brain for hours,'' she joked causing him to laugh again. Bradly had opened his mouth to reply but was cut off as their parents entered the room, carrying a couple of plastic bags between them.

''Hiya sweetheart, we brought food because we figured you'd both be hungry and hospital food isn't very nice,'' Grace spoke in a cheery voice before telling Bard to move the flowers off the tray so she could put the food down. It was only Mcdonalds, but neither Marshall no Jodie cared as they both realised at that moment how starving they were.

''I don't want to kill the mood or anything, but what's the worst?'' Jodie's father spoke after Grace had left to go to the toilet with Maddie.

''I've got to learn to walk again, which means no ice skating or working at the diner or bar. Dad, I'm gonna lose my job,'' a couple of tears started to work there way down and out of Jodie's eyes. She tried to wipe them away with nobody noticing, but Marshall at least spotted them right away, giving her a tissue from the box sat on a side table behind him. She whispered a thank you as she began to dry her eyes.

''How about we start thinking about a compromise between us and the club,'' her father suggested, ''perhaps a co-ownership you know since you won't take it on completely.''

''I guess we could think about it,'' Jodie replied wiping the last of her tears.

''I'll take that. Can you believe that's the furthest we've ever gotten in the conversation about owning the club,'' her father laughed; both Bradley and Marshall joined in leaving Jodie to shake her head, ''she's a stubborn one Marshall I must warn you of that.''

''Dad,'' Jodie complained her cheeks sporting a bright shade of red, causing all three of the males left in the room to laugh loudly again. They were still laughing when Maddie and Jodie's mum came back and their confused expressions just made the laughing much worse.

''I'm not even going to ask,'' Grace smiled shaking her head, while Maddie ran back over to Marshall. It appeared Bradley was right Marshall had made a new friend.