JOHN
In the three weeks I have been awake, this week is definitely the hardest. I would rather go back to the awkward sponge baths and mushy food that smelled like canned tuna than begin physical therapy. Sherlock started last week, and he has come back from every session exhausted and a bit shaky. With my muscle growth declining by the day, and the growing baby inside of me, this week is going to be up there with military training.
I began walking with my cane again five days ago, having refused to use a walker. Sherlock using his I.V stand, we would go up and down the hallway outside of our room to stretch our legs a few times each day. At the beginning I would have to continuously sit, because of the weight of the baby and my shaky leg muscles. The support from Sherlock, however, got me on my feet in no time.
I am wheeled down to my physical therapy session, dressed in baggy sweats and a sweater that hung off of my frame.
The nurse offered me my cane and I took it, wrapping my long thin fingers around the handle until my knuckles turned white. Slowly standing, I entered the physical therapy room for my first appointment.
MYCROFT
As three weeks pass since William's visit to the hospital, the youngster has cheered a bit, using puzzles and complicated math formulas to keep him occupied. He used his cast as a note pad, scribbling numbers on the bumpy surface until it was covered.
We have not been back to see John and Sherlock. Hearing that John was awake, however, was definitely a relief. We plan to visit them at William's next appointment for his arm in two days. For now, however, Will has made himself content with figuring out the best way to memorize Pi.
Today, however, Molly had a better idea.
"Will!" she said, going over to where the little boy had laid out papers with numbers of all different colors. Will looked up at her, a blue crayon clenched between his teeth as he wrote with a green one. She plucked the crayon from his mouth and squatted down so she could be eye level to William," Why don't we go outside, hmm? It's good to get yourself out every once and a while. We can take you to the park a few blocks away and bring the ball, yeah?" she asked enthusiastically. Will nodded and set down the crayon clenched in his fingers and stood, going to get the playground balls from is room. "Should I pack some water in a bag?" I asked. Molly turned to me," Yeah, and ask if Lestrade wants to get up and come. He is sleeping at the table again." she chuckled, picking the papers up off of the floor. I walked into the kitchen and filled some cups with water, and shook Lestrade," Hey, Greg, we are going to the park. Would you care to join us?" I asked. He slowly blinked his eyes from sleep and stretched," I'll get my coat." he said, hoisting himself from his seat.
We were out of the door in eight minutes, Will carrying a purple playground ball under his good arm. He held Lestrade's hand as we walked to the park, William surrounded by three people who were going to love, protect, and watch over him until his parents can come back. I study him from the back, his long neck and scruffy brown hair atop small, square shoulders... he could be mistaken for Moriarty, even now. If he didn't have John's bright blue eyes and freckles covering his face, he would be a look-alike. Will was wearing small jeans and a navy fleece pullover to protect him from the chilly London breeze that wafted through these streets.
There was only one other family at the park that evening, and they were stationed at a picnic table. William had practically the whole area to roam. Molly took Will over to a four square to play. They decided, because of William's arm, that they would use their feet today. Make it kind of soccer-square. "Uncle My!" William called," Play!" he waved his arm to beckon me over. I managed an awkward chuckle, hesitant to join in. "Oh come on." Lestrade said, standing and walking over to the table," The game needs four, Mycroft!" Lestrade called.
I sighed, stripping my sports jacket, placing it next to the water bag, and walked over to join the game.
JOHN
"Come on, Mr. Holmes, you are almost there!" my physical therapist said encouragingly. I nave never in my life wanted to punch someone in the face more than I did this kid. He was twenty-something, but he looked like he was fourteen. In the time I have spent in this room, I have done twenty curls with five pound weights, seven different stretches, each one taking up fifteen minutes, climbed two flights of stairs, and sixteen sit ups with three more to go.
I struggled to complete the seventeenth sit up, my core muscles straining with the effort of trying to get my shoulders and the seven month baby belly off of the ground. However, the task was not impossible. I touched my toes and went back. Two more. "You are doing fantastic, Mr. Holmes!" the therapist encouraged. How many times are you going to say that? Shut UP already I thought to myself as I completed the next sit up. "Last one for the day, Mr. Holmes!"
I gathered up all of my energy and shot up, poking the tip of my toes, and lying back on the ground in a huff. The therapist was thrilled. "You did such a great job today, Mr. Holmes!" he said, offering me a hand. I turned over, pretending not to see the hand, and stood on my own, breathing heavily. I just wanted to go back to the room and have a shower and sleep until it's time for the baby is born. The nurse with the wheelchair came over and helped me sit, pushing me to the elevator. "See you tomorrow, Mr. Holmes!" the therapist called. "I swear if he calls me Mr. Holmes one more time I'm going to punch him." I mumbled. The nurse laughed," Yeah, the newbie is getting on everyone's nerves here. I will get you situated with another therapist to help you focus on your weak points next week. Does that sound okay?" I sighed," That would be amazing. Thank you."
We re-entered the room, and Sherlock was leaning against the bedrest flipping through channels on telly. He shot up when I was rolled in, but then went right back down. "Sherlock?!" I gasped, the fear in my chest rising as he started to thrash. I quickly wheeled over to the bed and pushed the call button as the nurse called for help. She then came over and wheeled me away from the bed so the doctors could tend to him. They inserted something into his I.V that put him out, and ceased the thrashing. They checked his vitals again and left, all but one. He came over and explained to me what had just happened. " I don't know if Mr. Holmes has told you this, but the damage that was done to his back has impaired his spine, so that when he jerks too quickly the muscles around the injured area tense up and cause immense pain and spasms. We can give him medication for the pain, but not the fits." "Thank you." I said, wheeling over to him. "Come on, John. We should get you out of those sweaty things. He is going to sleep for a while." the nurse said, wheeling me into the bathroom for a shower.
After I was once again dressed in my hospital gown, the nurse gave me my cane so I could walk myself back to my bed. I got under the covers and turned so I was facing Sherlock. "I will be here when you wake up." I said, closing my eyes.
MYCROFT
We ended up playing four square for three hours. I finally noticed it was getting dark, and gathered the group back together and headed home with four empty water bottles and a muddy purple playground ball. Entering the flat felt amazing. Will was the first one to the shower, Molly second, Lestrade third, and I fourth. We sat on the couch and waited as each member of our small group took their shower.
After my shower, I stepped out into the living room where the rest were gathered. Molly had curled herself in the corner of the couch, Will snuggled in her arms, while Lestrade sat close to them, his hand gently playing with Will's hair as he talked to Molly. I took the third seat on the couch and draped the blanket over me, switching on a show. It was a comedy, so we all had a good time out of that. But it didn't take very long for all of us to drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Author's Notes:
Good chapter, huh? I lost a bit of it, which made me really mad, but I think I like this turn out better anyways. I am so sorry about the late upload, by the way. I just switched bedrooms and I had to tear up carpet, and blah blah blah... bust stuff.
I am thinking about writing about William's visit to the hospital in the next chapter. Let's see how that goes!
Questions or concerns? Be sure to leave a comment!
-PerfectMoments