OOOO
Ch 7
Cathy went through physiotherapy three times a week after she
had returned home. Being the fiercely independent person that
she was, she insisted on going into the physio room by herself,
telling Harm and Mac that she could do it on her own. Mac knew that
the physiotherapy had to be very painful for Cathy and most days, the girl's
eyes were red and teary from crying as she emerged from the exercise
room. The doctors had all explained that the road to recovery would
be an immensely painful one, as Catriona had
sustained very substantial trauma to her lower body and since
the muscles in her legs had been restrained and had wasted away, Cathy
would have to go through a process to stretch them out and build them
up once more. Cathy herself didn't talk much about
what she did in physio, but her nurse, Betsy would often speak to
Harm and Mac about the progress that Cathy was making. Harm never
missed a single physio appointment and afterwards, he
would sit in the backseat of the car with Cathy, while Mac drove
them home. Most of the time, Cathy would fall asleep
against him and he would gently cuddle her, stroking her hair
back from her face, exposing a side of himself, a nurturing side that
he seldom let show. Mac never missed an opportunity to
watch him through the rearview mirror, marveling at how gentle and
loving he was, a side of him which ignited the carefully
restrained fire that still burned within her heart. It made her think
back to the baby plan that she and Harm had made several
years earlier, which she still wanted as much now as she had
back then. However, she kept her emotions in check, reminding
herself that she was with Mic now, that Harm didn't want her in that
way, a fact that was more than adequately demonstrated by
the whole ferry scene in Australia. With this, Mac would sigh
quietly with regrets about what would never be.
OOOO
A couple of months later, while Cathy was in with Betsy, Harm
and Mac sat outside. Dr Mark had gone in a couple of minutes
before and now he stuck his head out of the door, beckoning Harm and
Mac to come in.
"Colonel, Commander, I think you should come in and see this,"
he told them, ushering them into the large, carpeted room.
Catriona was at the front of the room and Betsy was kneeling on the
floor, holding Cathy steady by her hips, as Cathy swayed a
little bit, unsteady on her feet. At first, Cathy did not see
them, but soon looked up and grinned at them, swaying and
nearly losing her balance. Harm and Mac stood anxiously, fighting the
urge to rush forward, as Betsy helped Cathy steady herself.
Then, Cathy took a small, tentative step forwards and continued
towards Harm and Mac, Betsy by her side helping her. When she
was a few meters away, Betsy took her hands slowly away from
Cathy, allowing her the chance to walk on her own. Tears of joy were,
by this time, coursing down both Harm and Mac's face and both had
proud smiles plastered across their faces. As Cathy
struggled with the last remaining steps, she stumbled into
their waiting arms and was swept up into a crushing embrace.
OOOO
As they left to go home that day, Harm pushing Cathy in her
wheelchair and Mac walking alongside, holding Cathy's hand, all
three chattered amicably. At the nurses station, Nurse Betsy
and Dr. Mark watched the happy scene.
"You know, they really do make a wonderful family."
"Yes, they do," Dr Mark agreed.
OOOO Continued in SP: 4: Getting It Right OOOO
AN: Posting on the next part will begin later tonight, so please check back...