Jeff is right, rehab is the hardest thing Gordon has ever had to do.
The residential section of the hospital, he is moved to on Monday morning, is a lot nicer than his old room, even though the lilac coloured walls aren't the colour Jeff would have chosen.
Jeff made sure to get him a private room, so he has some personal space when he needs it. And the window is overlooking the hospital grounds, and has its own entrance so he can go outside when he wants too.
"This is nice" Gordon tells him appreciatively as is wheeled into the room to get settled in. "What's in the mini fridge?" He adds eyeing up the small white fridge plugged into the corner.
"Wine for your grandma!" His dad tells him grinning.
"Yuck wines disgusting" Gordon replies grimacing.
"How do you know?" His dad asks.
"Scott let me try some when he was babysitting a few months ago and I wouldn't go to bed" he replies.
Making a mental note to add that to the list of things he needs to discuss with the boys his dad just laughs.
"Is there anything else in there?" He asks his dad hopefully.
"I don't know, I think I remembered to order milkshakes. Want me to check it out for you?" His dad asks grinning. Before putting him out of his misery and opening the door.
The fridge is filled with food which makes his mouth water.
"Well?" His dad asks, eyeing him up for an opinion.
"I think I'm going to like it here!" He tells him laughing.
"It won't be for long, just a week or so, then you can come home and complete your physio at home."
"Actual home?! Not another hospital?" Gordon can barely contain his excitement.
"Actual home!" His dad reassures him.
It is going home that gets him through his first day.
It is every bit as torturous as Jeff knew it would be.
He can do nothing but watch as his Squid is subjected to a barrage of tests. Reflex tests, movement tests. He is even given a blood test which Jeff can't see the point in.
They work on his upper body first, as he lifts weights, even the three pound one is too heavy for him, and he can't manage more than ten reps of any exercise, before his muscles scream enough.
His resolve to not cry in front dad breaks as he sobs on his shoulder. Peter takes pity on him and halts proceedings for the day.
"You did well Gordon, you don't know it but all that time lying in bed has caused your muscles to weaken far more than you would expect. It will get easier, I promise you. But I think for now that's more than enough. You can't over do it at any point or you'll end up back in hospital. You take it slowly and it will work far more."
Gordon lifts his head from his dads shoulder.
"You're not angry because I can't do any more?" He asks.
"No I'm not. You actually did a lot more than I thought you would. Now how about ice cream?" Peter adds, heading over to the freezer where he keeps his own private stash.
And they all head out into the grounds to enjoy the sunshine, before exhausted Gordon agrees to take a nap.
*TB*
"How was it Jeff? Grandma asks him.
Once again they're sitting at the kitchen table, hours after everyone is in bed.
"Awful. He's lost so much muscle mass his arms are like tooth picks but in order to use the crutches he needs to get enough strength back in his arms and shoulders. He cried Mom, and I couldn't do a thing to stop the pain."
Jeff places his hands on his head, his elbows resting on the table.
"I just want to bring him home" he tells her.
"We will. When he's ready. And how about looking at installing that pool he's always you begging for? I think he will like this one, and the swimming will help build his strength back up. And his brothers would love it too"
Jeff looks at the pool she has found. It has been built into the ground and is lined with blue ceramic tiles. It can be heated and comes with a free hot tub!
"I will contact the engineers first thing in the morning" he tells her. "You are right, his own pool would help enormously".
*TB*
It does get easier for Gordon. Every day he finds himself able to push a little bit harder. Three days and he is allowed to try his crutches. Only for trips up and down the gym but it's a start.
By Friday he wants to try walking unaided. Dragging himself upright onto the bars with his dad and Peter either side of him he inches himself along slowly. Taking his first steps in 10 weeks. His jaws clamped shut with determination his eyes focused on one goal, getting to the other end.
His arms are wobbling under his weight, and his dad can only just catch him before he collapses.
His heart is racing.
"I can try again daddy, let me try my again. Please" Gordon begs.
His father refuses to release him from their spot on the floor and it is Peter who answers him.
"No. Not today. You can't push your body this hard for long or you will make yourself sick. You're doing brilliantly just take it slowly".
Peter nods to Jeff, who picks Gordon up and wheels him back to his room.
Gordon can feel the familiar fatigue seeping into his bones and he is asleep in minutes.
*TB*
Back home his brothers are working on his surprise, even Alan has been given a job to do. And is relishing bossing his big brothers around in his "supervisor" role. He is sat up in a tennis umpire chair, high above his brothers barking out orders.
"Scotty hammer the wooden thingy down there. Virgy mix up the whatdoyoucallit. Johnny make me a sandwich!" He gives his older brothers tasks to do.
"I think someone is ready for a nap!" Grandma tells the three year old laughing, lifting him down from the chair.
"No no no. I'm the boss!" He tells her determinedly.
"You need to be nice to your underlings. If you want them to do something you have to say please and thank you" She admonishes him.
"Please Johnny. I want a sandwich!" Alan pleads.
John, looking up from the instruction manual he is reading laughs.
"What about Scott and Virgil?" John asks him.
"Ugh no they would taste yucky. I want a sandwich!" He insists.
John, Virgil and Scott all howl with laughter.
"I meant what about saying please to them if you want them to do something for you!" He tells him.
"I don't remember what I wanted them to do. I just want a sandwich!" Alan replies.
"What kind of sandwich?" John asks.
"Peanut butter and jelly" Alan replies.
"Magic word Alan!" John insists.
"Please" Alan finally adds.
A large rectangular hole has been excavated from the ground, and now they are installing the pool. Jeff has hired professionals for the main jobs but he can't stop the boys from wanting to help. They work round the clock to try and get it ready for Gordon's home coming.
*TB*
"Daddy, I want to go home!" Gordon tells him every morning. Getting more insistent now he is up and out of bed.
Until finally his dad tells him yes, he can go home.
"Seriously?!" Gordon asks not daring to get his hopes up.
"Seriously. You will need to come back once a week to get your leg checked, but yes you are free!" His dad tells him happily.
"Now Scott is going to get you packed up and ready while I fill in the release forms then we can get out of here. And by the way there is a surprise waiting for you at home!"
It takes Scott a while to pack up the room, 10 weeks in the hospital, even though he has lived in 3 different rooms a lot of his possessions have migrated to the hospital with him.
Gordon gets himself off the bed and into the waiting wheel chair, he was perfectly content to use his crutches to get out to the car, but the hospital insisted he be wheeled out.
Scott lets him have the front seat, while he sits in the back.
The drive home surprises Gordon. He can't believe Scott is letting their dad drive he thought once he turned 16 he would be looking for an excuse to use the car.
He turns round in his seat to face his brother.
"Why aren't you driving Scotty?" He asks.
"I don't want to squid" Scott tells him shortly. Darting him a look that clearly says 'drop it'.
A look Gordon misses.
"But you can drive now! I thought you would be begging dad to let you drive" Gordon persists.
"I don't want to. Now leave it Gordo or I will take you back to the hospital!" Scott tells him aggressively.
"Scotty?!" He tries again. This isn't Scott.
"Leave it Gordon!" His dad insists.
He turns the car into the drive way. And Gordon gasps in shock at the sight that greets him.
His entire grade is there to meet him. There is a huge "welcome home Gordon" banner strung across the front of the porch.
"This is so cool!" He exclaims as his grandma opens the door and helps him out the car.
"GORDON!" He hears a shout from near the barbecue which principal Bell is turning burgers.
"Billy!" He replies hobbling over to him "how did you get out of school for this?"
"Your Dad organised it. I think he said you have studied enough to not have to repeat the second grade and he was really worried about you having to spend another year here! And Bellend was so grateful he agreed to let us all come here for the day to welcome you home."
"I can't wait to get back to school, I have the best welcome back prank planned!" He tells him. "It will be so epic. In fact it will probably get me suspended again!"
They don't know that Jeff can hear every word he is saying.
"Welcome back Squid!" Jeff just thinks.
