An authors note...Lot's of love from those who reviewed and that warms my heart more than I can say. Thank you all so very much. I know we're still moving a bit slowly, but time will be stretching here soon. Good news is he's going home, bad news...still some angsty parts on the horizon.

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

Let It Be

Alicia felt conflicted. She wasn't sure what was the best way to go about this. On one hand, she wanted to stand on the rooftop and shout to all the world how happy she was. She wanted to celebrate and rejoice in the fact that her son was finally coming home after three months in the hospital. But on the other hand, she didn't want to overwhelm Artie. Didn't want to make him feel like a spectacle, or be thrust into a situation where all the focus was placed on him...something he still wasn't very comfortable with.

As it turned out, she didn't need to make that decision, Artie's doctors made it for her...releasing the boy the two days before he was scheduled. Artie himself had been dropping little hints that he would prefer his first day back at home to be small and simple.

Alicia was grateful for the change, especially considering his original release date was to fall on the three month anniversary of the accident. Three very long, bittersweet months.

Saying goodbye was joyous but hard yet again. These people, who had helped Artie and the family as a whole, in such immeasurable ways...caring for them, comforting them, teaching them. A few he'd see again as an outpatient, but the majority he'd most likely never run into again...but they all had such an intricate roll in his recovery, and his future. No words would ever come close to conveying their gratitude.

All too soon, the bittersweet goodbyes were replaced with anxiousness and apprehension...fear of the unknown, having to use what they learned and apply it to everyday life, without having that support group to pick up any pieces that may fall. Sure, they had their amazing extended families there to help if needed, but ultimately the everyday stuff was theirs to deal with alone. And that reality was more than just a little scary.

Alicia kept a careful watch on Artie the entire ride home. He seemed alright as he curiously glanced out the windows of the van, just a bit quieter than usual. Then Alicia noticed he was wringing his hands together in his lap, and her heart ached for him. He was nervous...about going home.

He flashed her an excited smile once they started passing landmarks and sights he recognized, and that smile turned into an ear to ear grin when reached the entrance to their subdivision. Alicia was able to relax a little when that happened.

As they neared the house, Art slowed the van to a crawl which allowed him to describe the minor changes they had made to the outside in detail; such as the sloping concrete ramp that replaced the steps leading up to the front porch, the new path that now wrapped around the house, to the backyard, as well as the two smaller ramps, one at the garage entrance and the other strategically place outside the french doors of the kitchen to allow Artie access to the back deck. Though once out there, he wouldn't be able to get to the backyard. Art told him they were planning on changing the layout of that whole area, but that project was going to have to wait until spring.

Artie watched with anticipation as the garage door lifted and waited excitedly for the ramp to be lowered so he could get out. With his mother entering his field of vision, and his father still talking about the renovations, a genuine smile tugged at his lips.

He was home.

"I really like the balloons...thanks," he graciously told them as they assisted in getting him out of the van.

"That's nothing," Art quipped teasingly, his gaze darting playfully between his wife and son, "wait 'til you see what your mother did to the inside...it looks like we're having a birthday party for quintuplets in there." Art caught the questioning look Artie was giving him and chuckled, "Quintuplets is five babies born at once."

"Oh no Honey, we're not having five babies," Alicia quickly supplied when she saw Artie's expression turn from inquisitive to panicked, and let her own small giggle escape as she patted her barely rounding belly. "As far as I know, it's just the one."

Artie visibly relaxed at his mothers reassurance, then tugged his chair forward and onto the cement floor of the garage. That's when he saw it...his precious blue bike, hanging on the rack on the side wall. Only it wasn't his bike anymore, and it would hang there, unused, until Andy was old enough to ride it. His gaze drifted down to his new set of wheels, but it didn't have to linger there very long; for as soon as his tummy felt twisty and his eyes began to get moist, his mother's voice rang out asking if he was ready to go inside.

It was a strange feeling, being back; it was both familiar, yet different. The kitchen looked brighter than usual and the house smelled like cinnamon apples, his mothers favorite fall scent...and his too.

"Mom made apple pie and chocolate cake," Art announced, stepping behind his son and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "And she said you can pick whatever you want for dinner tonight.

Artie beamed up at both of them.

They let Artie move at his own pace, giving him the time he needed to acclimate himself to the changes, but followed close behind in case he had any questions.

Passing through the kitchen into the dinning room, Artie bit back a giggle at the sight his father described. The kitchen decorations had been pretty extreme, but this room contained more balloons, streamers, and banners he had ever seen in his life. He also noticed that one chair had been removed from each of the tables and set off to the side

"I know it's a bit difficult on the carpet," Alicia commented as she watched him struggle a little to move effectively through the room. "Your therapists said that would get easier in time, but if it becomes a problem for you, we could always have it removed...upstairs too."

Artie nodded but he really didn't want that. He liked his house just the way it was, and mix of hardwood and plush carpeting.

"It's almost the same as the one you learned to use at the center," Art stated, describing the chair lift at the base of the stairs. At Artie's second nod and hard push forward, Art turned curious. "Did you maybe want to up now and see the bathroom? Or your bedroom? Maybe take a nap if your tired."

Artie shook his head this time causing Alicia and Art to exchange alarmed glances. He hadn't uttered a single word since they came into the house.

Moving toward the family room, the concerned parents followed closely. They watched as his eyes scanned the room, and he immediately broke out into a wide grin.

"What is it Honey?" Alicia asked, a warmth spreading over her just at the sight of him smiling.

"Nothing's different in here," he answered softly, but with much conviction.

I was a bit ironic that with all the changes the family had made to make Artie's new life just a little bit easier, he found the most comfort in what hadn't.

Glancing up at his mother, he smiled at her. "I really missed home, Mom."

Alicia pulled a teary smile as she leaned forward to tenderly press a kiss to the top of his head. "Home really missed you too, Artie."

ANx2...Apologizing again for the delay, delayed even more by last minute edits and an almost entire revamp of this chapter. Hope I didn't screw it up too badly.