An authors note...Thanks a bunch to all those who reviewed the last chapter. Sorry it took so long getting this one up. I wrote it and rewrote it so many times I lost count. I knew what I wanted in my head, but could never get it right on paper, then my muse started playing tricks on me and changed the mood/feel of it entirely.

Disclaimer-Glee is the property of FOX, the creators and the writers.

Let It Be

With a renewed sense of motivation, Artie pressed on as hard as he could. It wasn't easy work, but both he and Alicia knew that with every complaint, with every aching muscle and tear shed, they were getting him one step closer to where he needed to be.

Home.

Though it was now a home that was no longer accessible to him.

The phone call came on a Tuesday afternoon about seven weeks after the accident. Art wasn't expecting it, nor was he prepared when the business associate on the other line started out the conversation with a heartfelt, "Sorry to hear about your son."

"Don said his company would take care of all of the work, including materials. We would only be responsible for the labor, and he'd even give us a break on that," Art continued the discussion they'd started in the car on the way home from picking her up at the rehab center. "He also mentioned that if we were interested in installing a chair lift for the stairs, it would have to be handled by an specialized contractor, but he does have some connections in that..."

"Alicia?"

Startled from her state of distraction, Alicia looked over at her husband. "Don wants to meet with us tomorrow afternoon to discuss the renovations."

She paused for a moment and set down the towels she was methodically folding seconds ago. "Tomorrow? I can't. Now that his cast is finally off, Mark wants to take Artie down to the pool after his afternoon session."

"I guess we could probably reschedule," he returned easily. "What day would work better for you."

"I don't know." Another slight hesitation followed by a drawn out sigh. "You know what...why don't you just go ahead and handle it yourself."

"Like I have been doing with everything else around here," he countered, muttering under his breath.

"That's not fair Art."

He knew it wasn't and he never intended for her to even hear that, he just got so aggravated sometimes..."I'm sorry Babe, I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed. Between work, taking care of the bills, shuffling Andy around..."

"At least you have the luxury of being able to go to work and for a little while at least, forget any of this ever happened...Artie and I don't have that."

Even with her back turned to him, Art could tell she was about to cry. "Leesh, do you really think I can just forget what's happened?," he asked pointedly, but his voice was even and comforting as he wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders. "I'm constantly thinking about that, and the two of you. But I'm also looking ahead...to the future," he gave her an encouraging squeeze for emphasis. "Which is why we need to get this stuff done, like talk to Don about renovations, call up a few dealerships to see what type of accessible vehicles are available, meet with the lawyers..."

"Fine, I'll manage the bills from my laptop and take Andy to the center with me from now on," Alicia cut in to offer.

Art could feel the frustration bubbling up inside of him again. "That's not what I'm asking for Alicia and you know it," he countered, pulling away. "I need you to be there to make these important decisions with me. I can't do this on my own."

"And I can?"

It felt like a punch in the gut, one Art immediately started to feel he somehow deserved. "Don't you think I need you to be there too? Like when I have to meet with the social worker and therapists to discuss Artie's progress. Ad you still haven't come in for training on how to take care of him. I can't be the only one who knows how to change his catheter, and bathe him, and help with his nightly bowel routine..." The tears were flowing now, but not from anger or resentment, but utter desperation. "And I really think I need you there on Friday when we meet with the occupational therapist to order his wheelchair, because I don't know if I can handle..."

Alicia's face crumpled as she sank down onto the corner of the bed. Her soft, pained plea hitting Art harder than the last one. She'd always been the strong one, but it was becoming obvious how heavy this burden was weighing on her. It was unfair for him to assume she'd be able to handle all of this on her own. "Okay," he whispered soothingly into her hair, which caused her to look up at him in surprise. "I'll be there."

"It's at one-thirty."

Ignoring the little voice in the back of his head, reminding him of the lunch he had scheduled with important clients at that time, Art managed an encouraging smile. Family always came first, especially now. "I'll be there," he reiterated, without any hint of reservation.

Alicia nodded appreciatively as she snuggled up against him, reveling in the warmth of his embrace. After a few minutes of quiet comfort, she asked, "Do you think that maybe Don could meet with us at the center tomorrow? That way we could include Artie and his therapists in some of the planning."

"I think that's a great idea, I'll call him first thing in the morning," Art supplied, his grin widening genuinely. Tightening his hold, he pressed his lips to her head and made one more promise...that they'd get through this and come out stronger in the end.

And they'd do it, together.

...

ANx2...I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, but that's probably because I edited it so many times. My intention was to show the two sides of the spectrum...how Art and Alicia are dealing with this life changing event and also humanize them a little bit more...they're not perfect, they make mistakes, they argue, etc. Please let me know it this is something you'd like to see more of, or if you'd rather I return the focus back to Artie, and how he's dealing with things.

P.S...to those it may concern(and you know who you are), I promise I have not abandoned my Quartie duties, I was gone a few days, but I'm back and will resume my forum posting, updating, reviewing, etc., as soon as I catch up on some much needed sleep.