A Family Crisis

[justagirl4fun]

"Okay, fine. Let's go." Sean paid the bill, got Ava buckled in, and drove to the toy store. "Remember, not

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava scanned the store and found a large stuffed turtle, about the size of her sister, deciding to grab it rather than the one that was her size. "This one daddy!" She announced.

[justagirl4fun]

Sean laughed. "Okay, if that's what you really want." He took the turtle and led her to the back where the books were. "Pick out 4 or five. She won't be able to do much else while she's in the hospital. And one for yourself for being such a good girl."

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava carefully selected five different books for her sister and then one for herself, carrying them proudly to the checkout. "She gonna feel better soon daddy?"

[justagirl4fun]

"Well, it's going to take a while. She can't move very well, or eat anything. She has to learn how to do everything all over again."

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava frowned. She didn't really understand how that could happen, but she nodded. She felt like she had to go to the bathroom now, but was too excited to see her sister. She let her father buckle her in and put Scarlett's books into a nice pile.

[justagirl4fun]

Sean got Ava settled, then called Lillian to get Scarlett's room number and make sure it was a good time for them to visit before heading over. The hospital was only a short drive and they soon arrived.

[Shy-Diapers]

As soon as they arrived in the hospital room, Ava ran to her little sister, wanting to jump into her bed.

[justagirl4fun]

Scarlett gave Ava a lopsided grin and reached for the turtle with her left arm, even squealing a bit as she hugged it.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava pushed the turtle into her sister's arm and smiled. She gave her a big hug and laid down beside her. "I miss you sissy."

"Yeah. She got a little overwhelmed with all the nurses and therapists buf she's better now."

[justagirl4fun]

"Well, it's been a long day, with the ambulance ride and all. She's probably just tired. You know how two-year-olds can be. You want to go home for a bit? Get a shower, take a nap? Ava and I can stay for a while."

Scarlett wiggled around, trying to turn on her side so she could see Ava better. After struggling a bit she let out a frustrated growl and shoved the turtle away angrily.

[Shy-Diapers]

"If you're sure." Lillian said trying to soothe her daughter. "Baby it's ok. Mommy is gonna go and get cleaned up but daddy and sissy will be here still."

Ava frowned when Scarlett growled and shoved the turtle. "Be nice to the turtle sissy."

[justagirl4fun]

"It's fine. We brought some new books to read, and after that maybe we can watch a movie," Sean insisted. He watched Scarlett struggle and when he finally realized what she wanted he rolled her on her side so she was facing Ava. He was instantly rewarded with a big, crooked grin. Scarlett reached out with her left hand, patted Ava's cheek, and squealed. "Ay!"

[Shy-Diapers]

Lillian nodded and kissed her family before heading home.

[justagirl4fun]

"Buh? Wee?" Scarlett asked hopefully.

Sean lifted Ava off the bed. "Go get the books," he said as he carefully climbed up in the bed and got Scarlett settled on one side of him.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava grabbed all the books, including hers and then climbed back up with her sister. "You get better soon?" She asked, hoping her sister would have a better answer than her father.

[justagirl4fun]

"Honey, it's gonna be a while," Sean said in a serious tone. "She can't even roll over or sit up on her own. She might never be the way she was before," he cautioned as he got Ava settled on his other side and let Scarlett pick the first book.

[Shy-Diapers]

AVa frowned. Being only four years old she was having trouble understanding how her sister could be so sick that she might not get better. She sighed and stayed quiet as he read.

[justagirl4fun]

Sean kissed the top of Ava's head and started reading. Scarlett lasted halfway through the second book before falling asleep.

(you want me to skip ahead to Scarlett coming home?)

[Shy-Diapers]

(Sure, unless you had something planned.)

Ava kissed her sister's head like her father did to her when Scarlett fell asleep. "Get betta soon." She said softly.

[justagirl4fun]

(not really, just a slow recovery and lots of therapy)

The day before Christmas Eve Scarlett was finally being discharged. Sean looked around the living room as he waited for Lilian and Scarlett to arrive. There were almost no decorations up aside from the tree, and there was a standing frame for Scarlett set up in one corner looking terribly out of place. A stack of Christmas cards with the girls' picture that never got sent sat on the coffee table. This certainly wasn't how Sean had imagined the holiday, the first where Scarlett would really understand what was going on. But at least Scarlett was still with them, so he was thankful for that even though she was a far cry from the wild, independent little person she had been just a few short weeks ago. Her speech was almost where it had been before and she was starting to eat pureed foods and drink thickened liquids, but she was barely crawling; walking independently probably wasn't going to happen for a while yet. She could get herself into a sitting position, but with her poor balance and core strength she tended to topple over after a couple minutes without support. Her right hand was virtually useless and she wore braces on both legs. The right one only supported her foot and ankle, but the left one went to just below the knee. Worst of all, her mind was fully intact and, coupled with her two-year-old temperament, the frustration of not being able to do the things she knew she should be able to do led to epic meltdowns multiple times a day.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava was on the couch waiting with her father. With everything going on with Scarlett, it didn't feel much like Christmas. She wondered what they'd still be able to do because her father warned her that Scarlett couldn't do what she used to. She just wanted things to go back to normal, but at least her sister was coming home.

[justagirl4fun]

Sean hugged Lillian and grinned. "Finally. This house has been way too quiet without the two of you here," he said before leaning in for a kiss.

[Shy-Diapers]

Lillian returned the kiss and sighed. "I bet. It's been hectic but I'm glad she's finally healthy enough to come back home."

Ava hugged her sister and reached for Lillian to pick her up.

[justagirl4fun]

"Well, of course we can! We need something to leave for Santa, don't we?" Sean said as he scooped Ava up.

Scarlett perked up as soon as she heard 'cookies.' "Cookie! Cookie!" she squealed excitedly.