Come As You Are (An Anne With An E/Sebastian 'Bash' Lacroix Fanfic)

34. Foot Injury

I woke up with Bash. We were in the beginning stages of building the new cabin on our property. I was doing what I could to help but there were a few things I could do. Maxine and Eleanora were helping a lot too. Eleanora couldn't do much as she was only six years old but Maxine could. Maxine had been with us a year and she was a wonderful child and a joy to be around. She was perfect and so helpful.

When everyone was dressed and had eaten, we headed out to the cabin. The frame had been built but there were still a lot of things to be done. I still couldn't do much but I still helped out as best as I could. Maxine did well though. She worked all day with little breaks. Eleanora was a bit slower with helping but she still did well.

"Aria, I need you to carry this to Bash!" Gilbert said, appearing at my side.

I held out my arms. "What is it?"

Something rough and heavy was set in my arms. "It's a few pieces of wood. Bash is working on the exterior so he needs them."

I nodded and stepped outside to find Bash. He was on the side of the house, hammering in boards. I set what I was carrying down on the ground beside him.

"How's it going?" I asked.

"I'm getting it done so it's going good," Bash replied. "How's it going inside?"

"Good," I replied. "Eleanora and Maxine are helping out a lot but I wish there was more I could help with."

Bash took my hand. "You're doing just fine, Aria. You don't need to worry."

"But I feel useless."

Bash stood up and grabbed my face, surprising. "My dear wife, whom I love so much, you are not useless. There are still things you can do to help."

I smiled a little. "Thanks."

"I'm not letting go until you smile wider," Bash said. "You're adorable and the best person I know. You can make a demon a better person."

I laughed, a larger smile growing on my face. "Stop."

Bash finally let go of my face. "There we go. Thanks for the boards."

"You're welcome," I replied. "I'll be inside."

I turned to walk away but stepped on the side of one of the boards. My foot went to the side as I put my entire weight on it. I fell to the side, crying out in pain. Bash rushed to my side as I heard other footsteps and voices rushing outside. I sat on the ground, holding my ankle with tears threatening to fall.

"What happened?" Anne asked.

"She twisted her ankle and fell," Bash replied. "It could be bad. I'm going to take her back to the house." Bash helped me to my feet with much protest from me. He swept me from my feet, adjusting his grip on me. "You guys can stay here and finish the house. I'll be back."

Bash carried me back to the house. Since his hands were full, I helped open the door. I was set on the couch and Bash got a pillow for my ankle. He carefully slipped off my shoe which caused me to whine in complaint.

"I know, sweetheart," Bash said. "It looks alright for now but you'll have to keep off of it for the rest of the afternoon. Stay here until we get back, okay?"

"Okay," I replied, shifting my position. "Can you get me the book that's on the nightstand, please?"

Bash kissed my forehead. "Yes, I can. I'll be back in a second."

I heard Bash walking around upstairs and coming downstairs. I held out my hand when Bash walked into the room and a book was placed in my hand.

"Thank you, love," I replied.

"You're welcome, dear." Bash kissed me quickly. "I'll see you when we return."

I heard him leave, gently running my fingers along the binding of the book. I sighed, opening the book. I read the book for the rest of the afternoon, only stopping when everyone else returned to the house. I tried to stand up but the pain in my foot flared up. Bash must have walked in when I stood up because he rushed over to me, speaking quickly.

"You shouldn't stand up with that injury," Bash reprimanded. "It's not good for the healing process."

I grabbed his arms as he sat me down. "I just wanted to greet you guys."

"You're going to make your foot worse, sis," Gilbert said from a few feet away. "You don't need to worry about us. Or dinner. We'll make that as you rest."

"Are you sure you don't need help?" I asked.

"Yes," Bash assured. "Now rest. Anne can sit with you if you want company."

I nodded. "Sure. That would be nice."

Anne came into the room and sat beside me. We talked until dinner was ready. Gilbert and Bash helped me into the kitchen. Eleanora and Maxine sat on either side of me. Dinner was delicious, as always. Bash definitely knew how to flavor things.

When dinner was finished, I tried to help clean up. Gilbert and Bash refused to let me and took me to the porch instead. Gilbert wrapped my foot, making sure to keep the bandage tight.

"Does this feel alright?" Gilbert asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's fine. Thanks. I guess having a doctor as a brother is pretty great, isn't it?"

Gilbert chuckled, the chair dipping as he sat beside me. "It is. Are you okay?"

"Of course," I replied. "It's just my ankle."

"Is there anything else on your mind?" Gilbert asked. "It's just the two of us."

"Bash left?"

"Yeah."

I sighed. "I just feel like I can't help as much. Like I'm useless. I can't see so I can't place boards or anything. Eleanora and Maxine have been great helping but I can't. All I do is carry boards from one place to another and you see where that got me? I have a bad ankle now."

Gilbert wrapped an arm around me. "Hey, you're doing just fine. If you want to help more, Bash and I can think of something. Hammering, holding a board so that someone could hammer it in. Anything."

I leaned into his touch. "Thanks. You're a good brother, you know."

"You bet I do."

"Do you want to go on a walk?" I asked.

"Yeah, of course," Gilbert agreed, getting up. "Come along, dear sister. We shouldn't do too much because of your foot but we'll do a little bit."

I stood up, Gilbert taking my arm to tuck it in his. "Yes, I am. Let's go, my dear brother."