A Splash in the Stream

"He's fully recovered, but he might have a slight limp forever." The doctor packed up his bag.

"But he still uses the cane." Annabel walked him to the door with James.

"Yes that's because he might be subconsciously stopping himself from putting his full weight on his leg in fear that it might hurt him. I can't help him there. That's something he has to get over alone."

"Alright. We thank you for your visit." James handed the doctor the money for his visit and closed the door after him.

"Well that's good to hear." Annabel said to James who nodded at her.

"Yes indeed. The children will be happy their father is okay now."

"What did the doctor say?" George walked up to them, book in hand, pencil resting on top of his ear.

"He's all healed up, but he'll have a limp." She said.

"That's wonderful news! We should celebrate. There's a social event we have to attend a week from now, I'll raise a toast for him then."

"Whatever this social event is, I'm not going. I don't like social events. Your siblings and I are going out for a picnic though, would you like to join us?" She picked up Margot that came running in, with Sam and Tam chasing after her.

"I would love to, but school starts soon and I'm trying to get ahead of my peers."

"I see, study hard then."

"Always." He kissed her and Margot's cheek before making his way over to his fathers office.

"I'm ready to go, are you?" Maggie came in with her dress and hat. A picnic box in hand.

"Yes, let's head out."

They set up their picnic a ways away from the house and near the stream.

"Help me keep an eye out on your younger siblings and make sure they don't go close to the stream and decide to jump in." Annabel said as she and Maggie set up the checkered cloth and food.

"Why? Can't you swim?" Maggie asked with amusement.

"No, I actually cannot."

"You could do so many things but cannot swim?"

"Can you swim?"

"Well no, but-"

"Exactly, not everyone ca-"

They were cut off by a high pitched scream.

Annabel's blood ran cold as she turned around to find Tam and Margot at the edge of the stream, looking petrified.

"Sam..." Annabel and Maggie jumped up and ran to the two girls.

Sam was flailing in the water as the stream carried him away.

"Saaaam!" Maggie screamed and was about to jump in after him, but was pulled back by Annabel.

"Let me go!"

"No! You cannot swim and I will not have you drown! Make sure the other two don't jump in." Whiteout a second thought, Annabel took her shoes and dress off. Leaving her in her chemise and drawers. She jumped into the water and went after Sam who was going under far longer than being up.

"No! Mama!" Maggie screamed for Annabel and terror corsed through her veins as she watched her try to make her way to Sam. She grabbed Tam and Margot and ran all the way back to the house to get help.

"Papa! Papa!" She screamed into the air as she neared the house.

Annabel kept her eyes on Sams bobbing head and trained her ears on his screams. She pushed forward and called out to him. She was in no way actually swimming, just trying her best.

Sam looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Mama! Help me Mama!" He reached a hand out to her and then he completely submerged.

Annabel pulled him up by the shirt and struggled to keep the both of them floating. Sam clung onto her neck and she kicked against the water current and dragged the two of them to safety.

Richard sat up straight when he thought he heard someone scream his name.

"Did you hear that?" He asked George.

"No. What did you-"

"Papa! Help Papa!" Maggie's scream was faint but still very clear.

Both men jumped up and ran out the door to see the three girls in hysterics.

Richard ran the rest of the way to them and held Maggie by her shoulders. He completely disregarded the cane and was able to over come his mental block of walking without it.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

Maggie was crying too hard to make a coherent sentence.

"Mama! It's mama and Sam!" Tam cried out.

"What's wrong with mama? Where is she?" Richard looked around but didn't find the two of them. "Dammit! Speak Maggie!"

"Sami fell into the stream and Mama jumped after him. But mama-mama, she can't swim. Papa they're both going to drown! Do something! Save them papa!"

"Take them inside." He said to George and immediately took off to the stream.

He took off his blazer and tossed it to the side as he ran. His waistcoat and button up soon following. He kicked his shoes off and stumbled but managed to get his socks off.

The stream was just ahead and he could see where they set up their picnic and he ran even faster.

"SAAM! ANNABEL!" He screamed when he reached the stream and ran along it to look for them.

"Mama!"

He heard Sam scream and pushed forward.

Sam stood at the edge of the stream screaming as he saw Annabel get swept away and lose her hold on the edge. She could barely keep her head up and soon went fully underneath.

Richard dived into the freezing water and swam underneath, keeping his eyes peeled open and on the drowning figure, yards in front of him.

He pushed himself hard and reached forward, straining to get a hold of her. His fingers brushed along the fabric of her clothes and he was able to wrap his fingers around the collar of her chemise.

He made a break for the surface and gasped for air.

"Come on. I got you Annabel." He pushed through the current with one hand while the other was holding on to her.

Sam ran up to them and tried his best to pull her up when his father was pushing her out of the water before him.

Richard pulled himself up and fell beside her, still breathing heavily from the swimming and running.

"Annabel? Annie?" He asked, turning his head to the side to look at her, but she wasn't responding.

He got up and laid her on her back properly.

"Wake up mama!" Sam cried and shook her shoulders, but she still didn't open her eyes.

Richard put his hands over her chest and began chest compressions.

"Fuck, you have to get up Annabel." He continued to try and revive her in a state of complete panic.

George, James, and a few horse handlers ran down the field and came to a stop when they saw Richard trying chest compressions on Annabel.

"Mama!" George ran forward and fell on his knees beside his father and Sam.

One of the handlers picked up Sam and wrapped him in a blanket.

After a few more tries Annabel coughed up water and began taking in big gulps of air.

"Of thank god." Richard pulled her close and sighed in relief. His shoulders dropped and he rested his chin on top of her head.

"Sam. Where's Sam?" She looked around trying to make sense of the situation while Sam wiggled out of the man's hold and launched himself into her lap.

"Oh thank god you're okay." She wrapped her arms around and a few tears ran down her face. "I was so scared I'd lose you." She kissed the top of his head and relaxed in the arms of Richard.

George wrapped his arms around all of them and she kissed the top of his head as well.

"Let's never do that again shall we?" Richard chuckled and she looked up at him and smiled.

"Sounds like a plan."