The cameras came back for another story in June, and this time, it didn't star Artie, though he was a proud to be key player. The local news was covering a human interest piece, and Artie couldn't have been happier to yield the spotlight to his friend and mentor, Isaac Morales.
"We're here with a story today of two friends, brought together by personal tragedy, now here to share in their triumph. Gentleman, please introduce yourselves."
"My name is Isaac Morales," said Ike.
"And I'm Artie Abrams," said Artie, who'd become accustomed to interviews by now, whereas Ike was new to this kind of attention.
"So, Artie, would you share your story?"
"Sure," said Artie. "So, I've been a paraplegic for... thirty-eight years now? But more like, thirty-eight minus one. A little over a year ago, I underwent an experimental treatment to implant magnetic fibers in my spinal cord. Coupled with this external brace that I wear..." He lifted his shirt. The new, improved one had come along just a month ago, and he was trying it first. "... also containing magnets, this now allows me to walk with just the aid of crutches and leg braces called AFO's. I've also regained all sense of feeling and movement, as well as other bodily functions." Artie paused, then decided to add the next part for clarity's sake. "Bowel and sexual."
Artie stopped to smile at his wife and their six children, the last one being the result of he and Tina celebrating the second of those bodily functions a little too much. Their one-month old, who'd been shockingly born in Lima, in the Rutherfords' van, was currently being worn in a wrap close to Tina's skin. With her stood their other five, including the son he'd named for the man sharing the interview with him today. And beside her were Jessa; Ike's daughter, Hallie, and her husband; Hallie's twin brother, Henry; Sam; Santana; and her brothers, all there today to support their husband, father, and stepbrother.
"A little more background about you two," said the reporter. "You met because of a school counselor who felt like Artie could use a mentor, after his accident left him wheelchair bound."
"Not bound, but I used one," Artie was fast on the uptake, and he caught that proud grin from Tina. He returned with a quick smile. How's that for self-advocacy, woman?
"Artie, you were eight when you were injured," the reported went on, though she did look a tad flustered. "And you're now forty-six. Isaac, you were sixteen when you had an accident that put you in a wheelchair, and you're now fifty-four. You've been injured one year longer than Dr. Abrams. What does that mean?"
"It means, after today, he'll hold the new record for oldest person and longest injured to undergo this treatment," Artie said, grinning at his very nervous friend. "And it's a record I'm happy to hand it over. This is probably the first time I can ever say I did something before Isaac did. He was the one who I looked up to, for most of my life..."
"And now I look up to him," Isaac joked. "But not for much longer. Artie is being modest and not even mentioning the fact that he's one of the biomedical engineers behind this revolutionary treatment. As for me, I'm just thankful to have this chance to experience this for myself. I'm glad to know him."
"So, this is happening tomorrow?" The reporter clarified, for the audience. Isaac nodded. "Well, good luck to you, Mr. Morales. I look forward to checking in with you again soon."
When the cameras were off, Isaac announced, "I'm starving," he said. "I want to eat well since I have to start fasting by midnight. Let's get going."
"Leave it to you to always be thinking of your stomach, Dad," said Isaac's daughter, Hallie, rolling her eyes.
The group was meeting at Artie and Tina's for a celebratory dinner, ahead of Ike's big day. It was the first of many events they'd be hosting. Artie planned to do a simple breakfast-for-dinner for everyone. Mercedes and Matt, who were three doors down from their Abrams' new house, were also in their way over. The house was so new that they were still awaiting funiture delivery for the livingroom. They'd set up folding tables, in lieu of couches, with Artie taking care to leave enough space for Isaac to maneuver in his chair.
"Order up," said Artie, who was in the kitchen, in the process of preparing stack after stack of pancakes for family and friends.
"I'll take those," Isaac said, wheeling into the kitchen. Artie had developed a technique of strategically leaning on the counter when he was preparing food in the kitchen, his crutches propped beside him. He noticed Isaac staring and knew what he was thinking.
"Practice," he said. "Took some practice but I've only lost my balance a few times. I didn't even bother to shorten the counter height when we had this place built, because I can cook most things standing. If something has to go in the oven, I get someone else to help with that."
"Neat," said Isaac, taking the plate and setting in his lap before pausing to consider something else. "But it's a pain in the ass when you have to move and hold stuff at the same time, isn't it?"
"You can always revisit your wheels anytime you need to do stuff the old way," Artie said, smiling a little as he wiped down the counter, for all these thoughts were familiar. He wasn't used to being the one to tell Isaac about stuff. "Having second thoughts?"
"Nothing like that," Isaac said, quickly. "Just having a lot of thoughts. I bet you didn't sleep the night before you had this done either."
"No, not really," Artie admitted, as he grabbed his crutches and followed Isaac into the open livingroom/make-shift dining space. He could hardly believe it had been a year already. So much had happened in just that one year. "But it works out, since you'll sleep away most of the next couple days."
The doorbell rang and it turned out to be Matt and Mercedes, without kids, since Sienna had been kind enough to take the three Abrams kids over to the Rutherfords' house for a play date and stayed to babysit.
"Okay, where's that baby?" Mercedes wanted to know. She spotted Isaac Morales, though, and seemed to remember the reason for the party. "Oh, hi, Ike. We just finished watching you and Artie on the news. We're so happy for you."
"I recorded it to watch later," said Artie. "Tina's feeding the baby in our room. I bet she's almost done. I can go check."
"Don't rush her!" Mercedes said, quickly. "Make sure that baby is nice and full, but if he is, Auntie Cedes needs to snuggle him."
Artie headed into the master bedroom, which was down a short hall off of the living area. He loved the layout of their new home. All of the kids' bedrooms were on the main floor, and the second story just had a game room and a bathroom. One of the first things to be completely set up and ready was their room, since Tina needed to have her bed, the baby's crib, and her rocker ready right away. He found them where they usually were, cozied up in the chair, his son nursing peacefully.
"The Rutherfords are here," Artie announced.
But Tina just groaned. "I do not want to talk about how I had a baby in their van in front of everyone here," she said. "If that happens, can you please just do that thing where you change the subject so fast that nobody notices?"
They'd paid to have the interior of the van detailed for the Rutherfords, but Tina was typically a shy person. She was mortified, so much so that she had recently been avoiding social interaction with the four people who'd witnessed the birth. Luckily, mother and baby had been just fine, despite the unexpectedly fast birth, and Tina's recovery had gone smoothly.
Artie smiled. "Clearly you notice but okay. Actually, you want me to take him out to see everyone when he's done? I know you didn't really feel up to having company. Nobody would mind if the new mother needed a little sleep."
"Thanks, Artie," Tina punctuated that thought with a yawn. Their son had fallen asleep at the breast, finished eating for now, so Tina replaced her tank top and reached for the wrap that was slung over the ottoman. Artie seated himself on the edge of the bed as Tina made sure the baby was wrapped securely against Artie's chest. Artie could then grab his crutches and carry the baby, hands-free. He sort of felt like baby wearing was unnecessary for anyone who could use their arms and walk at the same time. But, for Artie, it was essential.
A choruses of awww started as soon as Artie walked out with the baby strapped to his chest. He stood for a few minutes while everyone circled around him to see the newest Abrams. Finally, Artie let Mercedes take the turn holding him that she'd been promised. She eagerly lifted the sleeping babe out of the wrap and settled down in a chair with him. Artie took the seat beside her and smiled over the sight of his sleeping son.
"Hi there, little Walker!" Mercedes exclaimed, staring down at the bundle in her arms. Most everyone there had heard the baby's name before today, but it got a couple of stunned expressions from a few people who had not, like Isaac's stepbrothers.
"You named him Walker?" Carlos was incredulous.
"Mm-hm." Artie had second guessed it at first. It had taken them three days to finalize their decision, but it was Tina who insisted on it, to commemorate what had happened during the year in which they'd expected this baby. "Walker Jude Abrams."
"Jude, like your physical therapist?" Sam asked, to which Artie nodded. He'd also liked it because of the Beatles song, too, of course. It was in the running for the first name, but ultimately, they'd liked it in the middle.
"We're not going to be having a baby to commemorate the occasion, sorry," Jessa told her husband, touching him on the shoulder.
"You are, however," Hallie began, moving to the other side of her father's chair and touching his other shoulder. "Going to have a grand-baby."
"What? Are you serious?" Isaac's face lit up as he turned to squarely face Hallie, then looked at his son-in-law over his shoulder. "That's amazing! I'm gonna be a grandpa!"
"Did I miss the announcement?" Tina asked, coming in. It turned out she couldn't stay hidden away, with everyone over. "Hallie called me the other day with some pregnancy questions. This wasn't an easy secret to keep!"
"We'll have to tell the news stations to use the headline, 'Grandpa walks again!'" Artie teased. "We can sell that. Congratulations, man."
Later, Artie and Tina sat on their bed together, Tina nursing baby Walker as usual, as they watched the interview on the news. She could hardly get any rest due to the growth spurt he was going through, and Artie and the oldest kids changed as many diapers as possible and did everything they could to help Tina rest between feedings and pumping.
"Trying to get him to eat a lot so he'll sleep tonight," said Tina. "You have to be at the hospital so early." Tina was going to be staying home with the baby, but Artie would be waiting throughout Isaac's procedure and then visiting him in the recovery room.
"I can't believe I'm on the other side of it now," Artie commented. He flexed his feet and toes, allowing himself to remember that it was still just as incredible as ever. "I just hope Ike's outcome is as good as mine."
He didn't even have reason to doubt. Isaac was great about finding ways to keep his whole body fit, legs included. He'd unknowingly prepared all of his life for this. Age was just a number, especially when it came to him.
"It will be," Tina said. "Hey, subject change, so you can stop worrying. So, I faced my fears of talking to Sam and Santana again tonight." She smiled down at Walker. "She said being there for Walker's birth was one of the most amazing experiences of her whole life." Tina laughed. "I think we bonded over it or something. We might actually be real friends now. I think maybe, just maybe, she's finally decided I'm good enough for you."
"And are you?" Artie teased, taking Walker as he finished his latest meal, passed out. Artie expertly grabbed a diaper off the pile and slipped Walker's footie pajamas off to change him before bed. He decided to lean back on the pillows and hold his son a little while longer after that.
"No," said Tina. "You're the most amazing guy I've ever know Artie Abrams. I was going to be happy with you for the rest of my life, even if you never walked. I'm glad you got what you wanted, though, even if it was a long time coming. And I'm glad I got to be here, every step of the way."
The End.