One year later…
Justin couldn't ignore it—the nagging cramp he felt in his legs. His walker—the walker he thought he'd be able to give up after our wedding—was to one side, just waiting for another use.
"Sunshine?" I turned to him, seeing the pained expression on his face. "Are—are you all right?"
"I—I'm okay," he whispered, turning to me as I kissed him gently. "I—I just have cramps in my legs, that's all."
Coming around to his side of the bed, I opened the walker and helped him get up. "It's—it's okay, Sunshine," I reassured him. Even as he looked up at me, his expression broke my heart. I failed, it seemed to say, I failed to get better.
"So what if there are flare-ups?" I just smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. "Could—could that ever make me stop loving you?"
Justin looked up at me, and I saw his expression change from pain to love. "Of course not," he whispered, as he came in for a tender kiss. "Thank you—thank you for coming."
"Come on," I said, as I led him to the bathroom. "I bet I know what would make you—and your legs—feel better."
We stepped in the shower, and I reached for the showerhead, which had five water control settings—including a massage setting! As I aimed for my Sunshine's legs, he cried out.
"Is—is it too rough?" I asked, knowing I could turn it down if needed.
"No—no," Justin gasped, "it's just right." Between the showerhead and a little handwork on my part, I saw him—and his leg muscles—begin to relax, until finally, he just collapsed on my shoulder. "Thank you," he whispered, coming in for a soft kiss.
We returned to the bed, and I had Justin lie down. He looked so hot—literally and figuratively—that I couldn't resist—I entered him, grinning as I heard him cry out.
"Justin Kinney," I whispered, "you don't know what you do to me."
He looked at me, and I knew he had questions in his eyes.
"A penny for my prince's thoughts," I whispered, smiling.
"Do—" He faltered, then started again, "—do you ever wish Mom had come first—"
"—to the hospital?" I smiled, remembering. "Yes, Sunshine, sometimes I do—she really sounded worried when she confirmed what had happened."
"I'm just glad you came," he whispered, reaching up to stroke my face. "If you hadn't, I really would've given up all reason for living."
"I know I would've," I said, kissing him gently, "if you'd died—either time." I glanced at the walker we'd had to drag out of retirement. "We're still working on it, aren't we, Sunshine?"
"Yes," Justin admitted, "but I think we're definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."