Bells and Lace
Two more months went by and Kara was now able to move her legs, she was able to stand, but not alone yet. Today was the first day of her trying to walk with the help of her physiotherapist and the metal bars. Lena would be there too, for moral support.
Kara didn't know if she was ready for this, she was so afraid she wouldn't be able to do it. It was already so hard to stand up, her legs felt like mush under her, they didn't feel like the steel legs they were supposed to be. Her right leg was little wobblier than the left, she was struggling a bit with that one. Her movements were slower on that side, and her foot didn't really answer entirely to her. She had a hard time lifting it up, it was hard, so very hard and sometimes she just wanted to cry, Lena was always there though, she encouraged her, she even massaged her legs when she spent the whole day trying.
They came up with two plastic braces to put on her legs, so they would be firmer when she stood up and wouldn't be too hard for her to move forward with them, to stabilize her.
She didn't like the braces, they made her feel more handicapped than she was. It was just the look of them, but she persevered, she knew it would only help her. Lena would help her stand up every night before bed, it was a way to help the circulation on her legs and to stimulate them. She had bought Kara a device that held her upright, the difficulty was just going from the sitting position to the standing one.
That's when Lena would help, She would embrace Kara while standing up slowly trying to make Kara's legs work for it a bit. She would just hold Kara's weight if she would lose her balance. A few times the couple toppled to ground, Kara was very heavy and Lena wasn't strong enough to hold them up.
After she was standing, the device had a few seatbelts and a bar for Kara to hold that would keep her there. Kara loved the sensation of viewing things through her height again, because having the eye level of everyone waists wasn't a fun thing. She would have to constantly look up to everyone, and reaching things was just a nightmare.
She knew she loved Lena, but she hadn't said it yet, she knew Lena loved her too, it was just a question of when know. She was working up her courage to tell Lena, maybe if today went well she would say it.
For this kind of physiotherapy Kara had to go to a recovery clinic that had the devices needed. Lena took her on her car.
As they arrived, Lena helped Kara with the braces, she would need to do it without shoes, to make it easier for her. Lena would be standing in front of her while her doctor would be behind her to catch if she feel.
They settled her chair in front of the device that looked like a walking mat, but it was still.
The doctor helped her stand as she grabbed the bars that were on the edge to give her support.
Lena just looked at her and whispered "you can do it love" and that made her feel so much stronger.
She was ready, she could do it, and she tried, she really did, but the only thing she accomplished was to move her left leg an inch, she thought it was an inch, it could be less. Her right leg didn't even twitch. It was rough, she feel the weight on her right leg was heavier, it was like it didn't belong to her, it was different than the rest of her body, but it wasn't going to make her quit.
The next try her left leg moved more, but her right leg didn't and so she lost her balance and fell to the front, where Lena caught her, her doctor was fast to help Lena and put Kara on the chair, giving her a few minutes to try again. And she did, about 20 more times, but nothing really changed, she fell a few times, and her right leg nothing, she could move her toes, but pulling it up and moving forward was like almost impossible to her.
Even when she was inside the pool her right leg wasn't as easy to move, she had asked her doctor and he said that everyone had a more difficult part to work on, and that eventually it would get better…she just had to keep going.
The session ended, and Kara hadn't been able to move from her spot, having only accomplished to fall on her back and on her face a few of times, even bringing Lena down with her for two of them.
To say she was distraught was saying little, she was in the brink of crying, but Lena was there on her side, saying encouraging things to her, like how much she had done already, that in a few months her powers were coming back and she would definitely be able to walk then, she shouldn't hurry, it would happen and eventually Kara agreed, but she was still sad when they left, so Lena stopped at the ice-cream shop to lift Kara's spirit.
The next day they were there again, and then the next and for a couple of weeks still until it happened, Kara took her first step, her right leg moved, not much, it was more kind of dragged, but it happened and Lena was so happy and Kara could only be happy too. She would do it, she knew it.
"Oh My God, I knew it, you did it love, you did it!" Lena just embraced her, so happy she could hardly contain it, Kara just cried, she had been doing it a lot lately.
"I did…I did it!" Kara was exhausted and she couldn't keep herself standing anymore, so she collapsed on top of Lena, who held her tight and put her on the chair.
After a few minutes of rest Kara tried again, and again until she could do it again. It happened on her seventh time, so they called it a day and went home happy with the outcome of the day.
That day at night, when Kara was already in bed and Lena laid down next to her, Kara embraced her and said. "I love you Lee, so much. Thank you for being always on my side."
Lena couldn't contain her happiness, she smiled her brightest one to Kara. "I love you too, my darling. I love you to the moon and back, a thousand times over…"and they kissed, and made love…their happiness was showing and everyone around them noticed.
At home Lena would help Kara exercise her right Lena, it was day after day of exercises to stimulate it. Little by little Kara's right leg started to respond more. With the sessions on the device and at home, after a month of training and trying to walk Kara had began walking on the device, at first it was only a couple of steps, and then she could keep it up until five. Her worst enemy was her right leg, but she was making way… and at the end of the month her doctor told her she could start using crutches if she felt secure enough in her legs.
Kara couldn't even believe it, she could ditch the wheelchair… she was so happy.
"Lee, did you hear that? I don't need to use this anymore…" Kara was radiant and Lena, Lena just wanted Kara like this always.
"Off course, darling. I knew you could do it…see I told you." Lena said as she kissed her girlfriend.
So the first thing they did after leaving the clinic was buying a set of crutches for Kara.
And when they arrived home the first thing Kara did was to try them. But Lena insisted that she do it at the training room, where it was matted, and if she fell she wouldn't be hurt.
So after putting her braces, yes she would need them to stabilize her legs, she stood from her chair with Lena's help, she would still need to work on that. Lena passed her the crutches, and voila… first step in and Kara fell face down…Lena laughed a little… just a little, it was Kara's face… she didn't account for the drag of the mat.
"Sorry, love. I'm sorry. I'll help you." Lena apologized as Kara grimaced at her, which was quickly replaced by laughter… the blonde couldn't contain herself, it was indeed funny.
"Okay, let's try again? And remember, you can still wait to work on it with Doctor Flores." Lena said as she helped Kara up.
"No, I want to try it." And Kara did, she tried it again.
Her next attempt was successful, she was just a bit slow, a lot slow, but who could fault her. She had been on wheelchair for more than a year.
Kara's legs were wobbly, her right leg dragged a little still, her left one carrying most of the weight, the braces helped, but they couldn't make her walk.
Kara wasn't still sure she could do it all the time, so they agreed she would only try it if someone was with her, until she got used to it.
It took her two weeks to feel confident enough on her own. Lena tried to give her space so she would be able to walk through the apartment.
Lena had made a special brace for Kara's right leg, one that would secure it better, this way Kara was less likely to fall.
"This is great Lena, thank you so much, you really didn't need to make it. But thank you, this will help me so much." Lena could see Kara's watery eyes.
"I just wanted to see you safer darling." Lena kissed Kara's lips and the blonde put on the brace. It just fit perfectly on her leg, giving it so much more stability than the other brace.
Kara went right out to try it. She grabbed her crutches and as soon as she gave her first step she knew this brace was the perfect thing for her. It even made her able to lift her right leg a little more, not dragging it through the floor, like she had been doing.
"It works so well Lee... I just... this means so much to me." Kara went straight to Lena, and embraced her with her crutches and all, it was a little bit awkward but perfect.
"Go out with me today? I want to take you on a date." Lena said in a husky voice. She had been waiting for this moment, maybe it was too early, but she didn't feel like it was.
"Sure, where are going?" Kara asked a little surprised by Lena's question, it was a work day, and Lena rarely could go out when she had work to do.
"It's a surprise… just be ready at 6:00 pm okay? I need to go to work now, I'll be back at 6:00 to get you." Kara just nodded as Lena kissed her cheek and left, she was already late, Kara knew that she had a meeting in twenty minutes.
Kara was so happy with her new brace, she was trying it out inside the apartment so she would be better to go out with Lena.
XXX
Lena had been waiting for this day for quite some time now, the situation wasn't ideal really, and she knew that Kara's condition had been worse than her first assessment; she knew now that it would take more time for her powers to come back, she had yet to tell Kara, knowing it would put the blonde in a sour mood, so she opted to wait on that.
But she would need to tell her, a least one more year…but they would come back, and who knows maybe by then Kara would already be walking even without her powers.
She was making such a good way on her legs, she knew it was tough, and that right leg of hers, it was a difficult one, Lena even asked Alex so see the x-rays of Kara's back, maybe there was something there that could explain why this was happening, but apparently it was just how it went sometimes.
Even in bed Lena could notice this difference, Kara's left leg had almost full range of motion, maybe not the strength to lift it up for long or high enough, but it could move.
But Kara's right leg had to be moved by Kara's arms, she would often still need to position it with her hands. It would only move a little and lose strength just after it. Lena could hardly even understand how Kara was walking, sometimes she would stop to observe Kara so she could understand it better.
She had inkling that Kara used her hips to move her right leg forward and not really the leg itself, it was a great effort that took a lot out of her. She could just see that the leg was holding Kara back. So Lena made the brace, and it helped a lot. She made it so Kara's hips would be better connected to her leg, making it easier for Kara to move it.
Nothing really out of this world, simple enough, but made a world of difference for Kara.
Lena had gotten used to Kara using the crutches throughout the house now, she was so happy that her girlfriend could leave the wheelchair behind. Kara walked slowly, carefully, could hardly walk too long, but she persevered, and Lena was sure she would get better.
So even Lena knowing and preferring that the circumstances were more favorable, she couldn't wait for it, she had the box on her jacket and it was weighing heavy there.
She had thought of the perfect proposal, but it wouldn't be possible now, so she settled for the most romantic one, and after all was passed she would take Kara out for the other one.
That's what she was thinking as she made her way to her house to get Kara. She had changed her outfit at the office.
XXX
Kara was waiting for Lena to arrive for their date, she had put on black trousers and a blue silk sleeveless blouse. She was ready for Lena waiting at the kitchen table just going through the instagram feed as the door opened and reveled a gorgeous brunette wearing a three piece suit and a ponytail that just made Kara open her mouth only to close it again, flabbergasted with how beautiful Lena looked.
"Wow! I mean… you look beautiful Lee." Kara said as Lena got closer to her and then kissed her cheek, she whispered into Kara's ear, making the blonde shiver all over.
"You can take it all off later…" Kara growled a little and Lena just chuckled.
"You look handsome as well, my darling. Are you ready to go?" Kara flushed with Lena's compliment.
"Y-yeah!" Lena helped Kara get up and they got into the limo Lena had arranged for them to go to the restaurant.
They arrived at the restaurant Lena had reserved. Lena helped Kara out of the Kar, she handed her the crutches after and they walked inside together.
As they entered the restaurant Kara noticed that there was only one table inside, right in the middle, the rest of the restaurant was empty. Lena had closed the restaurant just for them.
"There's no one else here." Kara said out loud while she tried to pull her chair.
"Yes, I wanted to be just you and me." Lena pulled the chair for Kara and went around the table to sit.
Lena reached for Kara's hand across the table. "Tonight is a special night my love. I want you to order everything you want okay? I didn't want anyone seeing us tonight, that's why it's empty."
Kara gave Lena's hand a little squeeze. "I love it Lee, and I love you too." Kara then kissed Lena's hands.
The waiter gave them the menus and they ordered their drinks. A few minutes later they ordered their plates, Kara ordered five different ones, her appetite had returned in full it appeared. Lena ordered a chicken salad.
They chatted while they ate, Lena telling Kara everything that happened at work and Kara telling her how her physio had went. She was making progress, but at a slow pace, her right leg still a weight in her recovery.
When the time for desert came, Lena asked for the special dessert the chef made, and Kara did the same, she wanted to know what it was. Lena counted on that, she knew Kara would like to try it.
When the waiter came back with two plates that had a black chocolate dome inside it, Kara squealed, she loved this kinds of deserts.
Lena was just gazing at Kara, with such love in her eyes that Kara felt herself blushing.
"I love you Kara Danvers, you make me so happy." Lena said as the waiter prepared to pour the hot chocolate over the domes, at the same time.
"I love you too Lee." Kara shot a glance at Lena and then watched as the hot chocolate poured over the dome in her plate. When she saw what was underneath it she gasped audibly, looking at Lena who now was kneeling just beside her. The waiter had left and she didn't even realize it, only having eyes for the brunette who was crying just beside her.
"Will you marry me, Kara Danvers? And make me the happiest woman in the world." Lena asked as she took the ring that was sitting inside a chocolate box under the dome in Kara's plate, and presented to her girlfriend.
Kara started crying, she couldn't contain herself. Lena wanted to marry her, marry Kara, who now could barely walk. Lena didn't care about that, Lena loved her, and she loved Lena.
"Yes!" Kara shouted, barely containing herself. She almost jumped to kiss Lena, but the raven-haired beauty stood up to put the ring on her finger before she could.
"We're going to get married?" Kara asked dumbfounded. Lena just smirked and kissed her now fiancée.
"That's what you agreed to do just now." Lena chuckled, she couldn't be happier, she would marry the love of her life.
"I love you so much Lena, I can't wait to marry you." Kara now kissed Lena trying to get up, so Lena held her tight so she wouldn't fall. They stayed there for quite a while before deciding to go home and celebrate it there… more intimately.
XXX
A year after Lena had proposed Kara was almost normally walking again. The only problem she faced was her right leg still. She utilized only one crutch now. She had just went through her last powers assessment and they concluded that the kryptonite was almost all gone from her system, but after a lot of tests they had discovered that her right leg had a nerve severed by the blows she received, and three years with a human body that couldn't regenerate hadn't helped her. So it might mean that her leg wouldn't heal even with her powers, and that was because the injury happened long ago and her powers coming back wouldn't recognize it, but it was all theoretical, she still had a hard time with it.
Lena had stood beside her all through it, and promised her she wouldn't stop until she helped Kara heal her leg, even if it might take her more time than they originally thought. She went through a rough few weeks after that diagnosis. She wanted to be fully healed in time for her wedding, but it just happened she wasn't.
Well, marrying Lena was more important, so she tried to keep this on the side burner for now. She'd been practicing walking with a cane for a few weeks on her sessions with her doctor. She hadn't told Lena yet, she wanted to surprise her on the day of the wedding. It was still very hard, her leg wouldn't respond to her, she couldn't walk smoothly yet, she had barely any improvement on that leg. She still needed the brace Lena had made her to walk, so it was a sore subject to her.
Alex had a theory that with her powers being back they would heal her, but a slower pace, and Kara prayed that was what'd happened.
Today was the day of her wedding, they were going to marry Midvale, for just a few guests, mostly family and friends, some from other universes and some from this one.
She was in her room getting ready with the help of her maid honor Alex, who was helping her with the hair and the makeup, Lena was on the other room with her maid of honor Sam, getting ready as well.
Kara was wearing a beautiful metallic blue suit, with a grey tie, and a black oxford. Alex was just finishing with her hair, which was in loose curls, just like Lena liked, and a light makeup.
"Hey can you get me the cane, it's in the closet?" Kara asked Alex, just as she finished with her hair.
"Of course Kar. Are you sure you are up for this? You know that no one here has a problem with you using crutches right? They don't think less of you for this Kara, least of all Lena." Alex gave her a look of sympathy, just what she wanted to avoid.
"Yes, I know Al, but I just wanted to walk down the aisle without needing something to lean on." Kara said as she looked to the ground. She just wanted to enter by herself, couldn't Alex understand this.
Alex kneeled in front of her and took her hands into hers. "Kar, I understand what you are saying, it sucks that this happened, but you are here and well, and that's what matters. But I got an idea, maybe it will work, come with me." Alex helped Kara get up, and gave her the cane. Kara looked puzzled as Alex guided her out of the room.
XXX
On the room down the hall, Lena was almost ready. Sam was putting the finishing touches on her hair.
"Sam, I can't even believe this day came. I'm so happy to marry Kara. I'm pretty sure this surpasses my wildest dreams." Lena said with such glee that Sam could only chuckle.
"You deserve it Lena, Kara will make you very happy, I'm sure of it." Sam said as she finished Lena's hair and turned the chair so she could look at her.
"Thank you for everything Sam, you're a great friend." Lena said as she stood up.
Lena was wearing a form fitting white silk sleeveless dress, which accentuated her breasts, just like Kara liked.
"Thank you Lena, now it's time to go." The two women left the room and prepared themselves to walk down the aisle.
XXX
Lena was the first to enter, after Sam, her maid of honor. Jon was marrying them, so he was up there too. In the first row was Eliza, Winn and all of their friends. Sam stood at her side while Ruby was seated at the second row with Kate, Sophie and Andrea.
Lena first saw Alex, she was beautiful, she made her way down the aisle, Lena knew was next, she was so nervous for her fiancée, she knew Kara was anxious about her walk. But for Lena she just wanted Kara, it didn't matter how.
The music started, everyone was quiet, when the door opened and reveled Kara, Lena gasped, she was so beautiful, her bride, her lover, her friend, she had the most genuine smile on her face, and just beside her was Clark. Kara was clutched to Clarks arms, Lena saw it, she wasn't using her crutches, she was walking without them, leaning on Clark, their arms intertwined, Clark clearly supporting her.
Lena knew this was important to her, and she did it, she wasn't using no walking aid, well there was Clark, but that wasn't important.
Kara felt so confident with Clark beside her, she knew he could take her weight, she would have to thank Alex for the idea, and Clark for agreeing. She knew walking her down the aisle was important for him too.
She saw Lena crying on the altar, she was watching Kara with such loving eyes that Kara couldn't contain it as well, she cried.
It was hard, walking with just Clark's arm for support, but she managed, she almost fell a couple of times but her cousin didn't let her fall, she would have to thank him later.
When she reached the end, Clark passed her arm to Lena who helped her to the altar.
"You look dashing my love." Lena whispered in her ear. Kara's whole body had goosebumps.
"You're so beautiful Lena." Kara whispered as Clark pulled a chair for her to seat. Lena just motioned for Sam to get her one too.
They both sat on chairs, Kara's heart warmed as Lena did it so she wouldn't have to be the only one sitting.
They exchanged vows. Lena made Kara cry and Kara could barely even say hers without crying.
Jon looked at them, and after they finished exchanging rings. "By the power invested I pronounce you married, you my kiss the bride.
Lena didn't even wait for him to finish jumping to her feet and pulling Kara to her, smashing their lips in a hungry kiss. Their family cheered and the festivities began.
The wedding was a success and the next day the couple went away on their honeymoon through the Greek islands, and a few stops on the way back too. Lena wanted to show Kara her birthplace, so they went to Ireland after, Kara was now walking with just a cane.
They were so happy together, they bought a house on the suburbs that had everything Kara loved and Lena just wanted to make her happy.
A month after their wedding Kara's powers came back, she was so happy to have them back, but she realized that her happiness wasn't with her powers but with Lena. Of course it was important for her to be Supergirl, but more important than that was to have a life with her wife.
Her leg began healing just like Alex had theorized, but it was a slow process. It took almost two years for it fully heal, almost five after the incident. Five years without Supergirl, the world hadn't ended so Kara figured she could take her time and came back when it needed her. They were happy, they had a family and both of them wanted children, so that's what they had, two of them, they had a happy life.
