In the weeks following our arrival at the Luciano home, my nightmares havealmost completely stopped, and I feel more alive than ever. Haylie and I have joint rooms on the second floor of her parents house including our own bathroom. We make 4 trips a week to the hospital where her father works, for my out patient care. Having Haylie at my side every night that it was so natural to me now to tense up whenever she slid out from under my arms to tip toe back to her room, just before her father checked on us. The fact that I was in a wheel chair and unable to move the lower part of my body still didn't change how her father felt about us sharing a bed, so this ritual was done every morning. Though I'd been told right after I was shot that I would never walk again, Haylie's father seems to have come to a different conclusion, he seems to think that with the right amount of physical therapy I will be able to move again. Recently I've been proving him to be right, I've started to gain feeling in the lower half of my body. I'm sure this has something to do with his protest to Haylie and I sharing a bed.
I heard the engine of the car come to life in the driveway and smiled to myself. Haylie would be back in my arms in less than a minute. Nothing compared to the feeling that I felt when she was safely and securely in my arms. "Good morning," she smiled at me as she crawled back under the covers and nestled into my chest.
"Good morning. This is much better." I sighed tightening my arms around her small frame.
She patted her small warm hand on my thigh just above my knee, "How are your legs feeling?"
"Fantastic, considering I never thought I'd feel anything in them ever again." I smiled and winked at her.
She giggled, "Behave, Toby. At least for now." She murmured removing her hand from my leg and running it through my hair.
I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers, she wrapped her arms around my neck tightly pressing herself against me. My fingers tangled in her hair, she broke the kiss with a giggle. "I thought I told you to behave." She sighed playfully hitting my arm.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself." I murmured. "I suppose it may have something to do with me regaining feeling…" I trailed off with a smirk.
"I suppose so." She laughed. "However, we need to get you to the doctor for you therapy session. We've got plenty of time for that later." She winked.
I let my hands fall gently to her waist and I leaned my head against the wall. "I know you don't want to go, but it'll help. It's good for you to have someone to talk to."
"I can talk to you, and I'm much better now that we're free from that damn place."
"Maybe I can get my father to change your schedule, so you only need to see Dr. Fallon once a week? And take you down to two days of physical therapy with Dr. Sands? You've been doing so well with your physical therapy also." She flashed me her beautiful smile. She slid from under my arm once again, and kissed me before she stole away to her room.
I sat there for a moment looking after her, and then I reached to my left bedside table for my clothing that she had laid out for me the previous night. I was now able to fully dress myself. Haylie returned to me fifteen minutes later, changed into her clothing for the day and with a smile set upon her face. "Guess what?" she asked excitedly.
"Urm. You got your father to change my appointments?" I guessed, by the look on her face. She nodded her head and came to sit on my lap.
As our schedule became less daunting in the next following weeks, we had more free time on our hands, more time to work on our personal relationship. I was now able to walk short distances with assistance and I had full feeling back in the lower part of my body. At times it was painful, but the doctors assured me that the pain would seize in time to come. Haylie gave me hot oil body massages daily to ease the pain, each one became more enjoyable than the previous. The doctors were right, the pain almost completely stopped after just a few more weeks. I had been planning a big surprise for Haylie in those few grueling weeks also. One evening a week ago I sat down with her father in his office on the third floor of the house. I took in my surroundings, possibly looking for the closest exit just in case this didn't go as planned. Naturally the only exit was behind me, on either side of heavy wooden door were book cases stretching from floor to ceiling, the wall to my left was filled with large and small photos, and a grand fireplace with two over stuffed chairs set in front of it. On my right was a large sofa with a small table on either side and a coffee table set a foot in front of it. Directly in front of me sat a long mahogany desk, windows stretched across the wall behind it. Mr. Luciano sat in front of me behind his desk, waiting for me to start speaking. "You look nervous Toby, that's not like you. Is something wrong?" He finally asked breaking the silence.
"No sir, nothing is wrong, but yes, I am nervous."
"And why is that?"
"Well you see sir, I'm here to ask your permission…to ask Haylie to marry me. Surely sir, I would have done it sooner, but once I knew I was getting better, I wanted a full recovery first, I'm sure you understand…" I said nervously as he eyed me from behind his desk.
Suddenly a smile spread across his pale face. "Of course Toby! This is spectacular news. When do you plan on asking her?" I was shocked by the excitement in his voice.
"Tonight." I said simply. "We are going for a walk in the park later tonight, I plan on asking her then. And providing she agrees then we will announce it next week." I explained breathlessly.
"Fantastic." He said clapping his hands together once and then standing. He hugged me like a father would hug a son, I felt welcomed and loved, by more than just Haylie.
For the longest time the only living relative I had was Julia. Haylie's family had become my own in a sense, in another sense it was almost as those we were already married. After dinner Haylie and I went off on our daily walk through the park, just across the way from the house. I still wasn't as fast as I was when walking, so we walked slowly along the path hand in hand. The sun had already set and the only light was coming from the dim lamps that lined the path. I had my left hand in my pocket grasping the ring, that once belonged to my mother. As we walked the path in the warm spring air brushing against our skin, I could see our destination just ahead. The fountain in the center of the park. "Come sit by the fountain with me. I need to rest for a moment, I'm a bit tired." I said slyly trying to sound convincing.
"Sure." She said sitting as we reached the edge and patting the empty spot next to her.
Instead of sitting next to her, I got down on one knee in front of her, smiling up at her flawless face illuminated by the light of the lamps around the fountain. I heard her draw in a breathe. "Haylie," I began softly taking her left hand in mine. "I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I owe my entire recovery to you, if it weren't for you I would most likely be dead. This is not the reason only reason I love you. I loved you from the first time you stepped into my room and Sister Grant introduced us. Haylie I want you to be wife, to be mine, forever. I promise now, to take care of you and to love you and provide for you forever. Will you marry me?" I managed to choke out, pulling the ring out of my pocket.
I could see the tears welling behind her big brown eyes, and a smile spread across her face as she nodded, speechless. "Yes, I will" she said her voice breaking as she threw her arms around me, and kissed me passionately.
(Next chapter coming soon. You guys are gonna love it I'm sure. Gotta keep the anticipation going ;-) Hehehe...Sorry this one is so short. The next will be longer I promise!!)