As The World Turns

Chapter 48

''I'm really glad to hear that you have been doing the exercises I asked you to do,'' the Doctor wore a reassuring and sympathetic smile in Jodie's direction, ''I'm also happy that Marshall has been making sure you do them too.''

Jodie rolled her eyes as Marshall looked as if he'd won a second Oscar, his face lit up as he jabbed his elbow into Jodie's side. If he was this happy about making sure she stuck to her exercises she wondered what he was like when he actually achieved something worth being excited about.

''Now I urge you to continue with them, but perhaps try to take a couple of steps as well, which I would like us to have a go at today. Is that ok?'' The Doctor asked, placing the clipboard he had in his down on the table next to him. He then looked between Jodie and Marshall waiting for an answer.

''Yeah, I guess we could have a go,'' Jodie was a little weary at starting to walk again.

Every time she thought about it learning to walk again, she went back to the video Marshall took of her when ice-skating. It dawned on her that she might not even be able to do that again if she couldn't walk. Marshall would remind her that this was just the start, but to her, it felt as if she'd been stuck for a long time already.

''Ok great. We just need to go down the hall so if Marshall wouldn't mind wheeling you down behind me,'' Marshall nodded, grabbing onto the handles on the back of Jodie's chair. It wasn't long until they reached a room that the doctor had to unlock with his keycard, explaining that there was some expensive equipment inside that they could afford to lose or have damaged.

''So, if you could bring Jodie around here for me,'' the doctor pointed at the end of a contraption that Jodie recognised. It was something she'd either seen in movies or a documentary somewhere; never thinking that she'd have to use it to aid her own recovery. The contraption was a basic metal base, risen a little of the ground, with lengthways bars running parallel to each other along either side, that would act like railings for Jodie to hold onto.

''I.. I don't think I can do this,'' Jodie whispered to Marshall as the doctor, went over to log onto a computer in the corner of the room. Marshall sighed a little before bending down to her level, where he placed his hands on top of hers that had been resting in her lap.

''You won't know until you try Jo. I promise you're getting better more than you think, you just need to believe in yourself for me please,'' Jodie nearly melted under the look he was giving her. Those puppy-dog eyes would one day be the death of her and he knew it too.

''Fine, but if I can't do it don't force me ok.''

''I'd never force you to do something you aren't ready for,'' Marshall promised to lean over to give her a kiss to calm and reassure her a little more. It worked in a way because by the time the doctor came back towards them, she was ready to give it a go.

''Fantastic,'' he exclaimed before asking Jodie to stand up and grip hold of the railings, ''now this should help you get your balance back, I want you to stand on one leg first if you can,'' he had a clipboard back in his hand and was observing every movement Jodie made.

When she managed to bring one foot up to balance on one leg, he nodded and scribbled furiously, before asking her to switch feet. He made her do the same thing over and over again for around five minutes before asking if she could place one leg slightly in front of the other. That was the point in which Jodie began to panic, she kept thinking, what if she couldn't. The doubt subdued a little when Marshall placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

''You ok?'' He whispered, glancing over at the doctor who seemed to be waiting for painting for Jodie to compose herself.

''Yeah, just trying to believe in myself more,'' she whispered back a small smile falling across her face. Having Marshall with her made the experience a lot better for her, he was like a gentle hand guiding her in the right direction, making sure she was 100% before she tried anything. It was then as she took her first shuffled step that she realised she couldn't live without him.

+++

''So that went better than expected right?'' Marshall asked as he clipped his seatbelt in.

''Yeah I guess,'' Jodie replied. After she'd taken a couple of shuffle like steps the rest of the appointment went in a blur and before she knew it her wheelchair was gone and a pair of crutches were in her hands instead.

''Hey, I bet you the second you get back on the ice, you'll be just the same as you were before,'' Marshall knew that it was the fact she couldn't ice-skate that bothered her and he understood how she felt. After rehab, he had the same doubts about whether he could rap again and he got over it, although he kinda regretted his last album; but he then started to smile wondering what the reaction would be when he releases his next one.

''Marshall, are you ok?'' Jodie's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

''Fuck sorry, must have zoned out for a second, what were ya saying?'' He quested, bringing his hand to the back of his head, feeling bad that he hadn't been listening to her.

''I just asked if we could make a quick stop to pick up some food cause I'm starving,'' Jodie shrugged, ''but it's ok if you don't wanna,'' she added, looking over at him.

''Nah, of cause I want food, who do you think I am,'' She giggled as Marshall decided to reverse and speed out of the car park a  little faster than was probably legal.

Hi guys it's been awhile but as you know everything's been a little strange lately so I took a break to focus on other things. I'm fine though so please don't worry and so finally I have to say now is stay safe💕