*The next day and Lucas sleeps long after the others have gone to school but it's his first night in his own bed in so long they can't blame him. He wakes around noon and Ste fixes him some food whilst Brendan gets him dressed.*
"Can I go to school soon?" Lucas asks
"Not yet son, maybe stay off a few more days and start back Monday if you're ready"
"Will I be able to run around?"
"Not until you get your leg strong so make sure you keep doing those exercises the hospital gave you ok?"
Lucas sags a little "Ok Daddy" he pauses "I will get fully better won't I?"
"Of course you will champ it'll just take a bit of time that's all. Now how about we have some food then take a gentle walk to the sweet shop?"
"Can I have any sweet I want?"
"Within reason"
"YAY!"
The three of them sit around the table eating up before grabbing their coats. Lucas isn't strong enough for crutches yet so Ste pushes him in his wheelchair.
"It feels so nice being outside daddy" Lucas says as Brendan crouches down in front of him to do his jacket up.
"Well how about we get some bread and feed the ducks before the others come back from school?"
"Really daddy that's ok?"
"Course it is" Daddy Brendan says chiming in
They arrive at the shop but it's not wheelchair accessible.
"This is disgusting" Brendan says with anger. "There's loads of people in wheelchairs now so what's the excuse for not making it accessible? The poor lad can't even go in… unless"
"Unless what?" Ste says
"Piggy back?"
"Yay I can sit on Daddy's shoulders!"
"I'll stay with the wheelchair whilst you go and get the sweets but make sure you get me some ok?" he says as he helps hoist Lucas onto Brendan's shoulders. It's a bit more awkward now he a cast on but he holds onto Lucas' hands and they duck into the shop. They pick their sweets and a little magazine for each of the kids too and they go to pay.
"You need a word with your manager" Brendan says to the short, dark haired lady behind the till "He needs to put a ramp in and make the doors wider. This is the only way my son could get in here" He says gesturing carefully. "He might not be in a wheelchair for very long but there are other people that aren't as lucky and places like this make every day life more awkward or borderline impossible for them"
"I'll leave a note with the manager" the woman says.
Outside and they hand a half frozen Ste his sweets and head back home. Lucas doesn't want to sit in his wheelchair though so he sits slurping on caramel on Brendan's shoulders often dribbling some into Brendan's hair but he doesn't mind he's just glad to have the wee lad home. They get home and just start to settle and the others come home from school. Leah rushes over and hugs Lucas "you're up!"
"Lazybones was in bed nearly all day weren't ya?" Brendan says ruffling his hair
Lucas' mouth is so filled with sweets he just nods enthusiastically. They spend the afternoon colouring before tea and then they watch Lucas' favourite film after tea. Leah and Lucas are fast asleep before the films over even though it's not actually that late. It's just been such an emotional day.
Ste and Brendan carry the kids into bed and they stay watching TV with Declan and Paddy for a little bit before they all retire for an early night.
