Gabby grabbed her purse and got out of the truck, a bunch of half empty water bottles rolling out of the truck, dotted with M. Casey construction stickers on the side. As Eva was using her car to get to college and home, she was driving his truck now.
Cursing under her breath, she threw them back in the truck, smiling for a second though.
One of first fights they had had, when he was staying over at her place, was him leaving his stuff all over the place. Even now, the truck and the house were littered with his stuff. But it didn't even faze her anymore. On the scale of problems they had, not only in their relationship as well, but Matt's injuries and recovery as well, it didn't matter anymore.
Walking Into their condo, she switched on the light, letting out a loud sigh as she dropped her bag on the floor and hung up her coat. She was so tired after the long day at the hospital. It had been a good day, Matt finally having the catheter taken out and the last IV, as he could finally take all the medication orally.
It marked a big step in his recovery and she knew it meant he might be able to go home in just a few days.
Walking to the kitchen table, she found a large bunch of flowers on the table. Curious she walked towards it, a small card attached. Smiling as she read the kind words Matt had written on it, she couldn't wait to see him again tomorrow.
The following day, he wasn't in his room. She walked towards the physical therapy room, knew that she might find him here. Looking as he was standing between the bars, she hated seeing the pain on his face as he tried to make a simple step, only to crumble, the physical therapist quickly grabbing him before he could fall.
Sitting down in the wheelchair again, she bit her lip as she knew he wanted to get better as soon as he could, but it would be a long road.
''That was disappointing,'' he said bitter and she knew it was partly the pain talking.
''Rome wasn't build in a day,'' she said as she kissed the top of his head, going back to his room. Matt knew it was going to be a hard recovery, relearning how to walk and it would be months before he was in any shape like he was before. But not being able to take a simple step really disappointed him.
''I know, but I had hoped for more,'' he admitted.
''I know.'' Gabby said understanding as they entered his room. She laid her hand on his shoulder. She could imagine that he wanted more. But with all the damage done to his body, she was just glad he was recovering at all.
''Thank you so much for those beautiful flowers,'' she smiled, hoping to distract him a bit from his disappointment. He smiled now, so happy he could finally do something for her.
''How did you get those inside?''
''A little henchman called Kelly,'' Matt admitted, Gabby smiling as she sat down across from him. It was such a kind gesture and it meant a lot for her. He didn't need to do anything to thank her for all she was doing to him. She was just so happy for him to be alive.
No matter what had happened between them over the last few months, she had married him and she did love him. No matter all the conflict between them, all that matter for his to be okay, cause eventually it meant that they would be okay.
''How are you feeling?''
''Fine, really,'' he told her as he took her hand, ''What about you?''
''Fine as well, still not over those flowers,''
''It's just a small gesture – you do so much for me,'' he said as had his hands wrapped around hers.
''It means a lot.''
Matt smiled, glad that she had appreciated his gesture. He still felt so lucky to have her. He couldn't expect her to look after him, yet she did.
Twenty seven days after the floor collapsed from under him, Matt finally got to go home. Gabby knew it was still going to be a long road with multiple appointments every week. But for now she was just grateful to take him home.
Kelly had helped putting a plank by the backdoor since there were steps at the front and she had been able to borrow Sylvie's car to pick him up, as the truck would only make it harder. Tonight Eva would finally return her car. As much as she was excited to finally have him home, it overwhelmed her a bit, as there had been so much to arrange.
But she knew it would all be worth it as soon as he was home.
He was already dressed and on his phone as he walked in, clearly equally as excited to go home.
Sharing a kiss, she couldn't believe how it was finally time to go home after 27 days. 27 days after she rushed here from Puerto Rico, fearing for his life.
''You okay to go?''
''Been ready for days,'' Matt smiled, also a little nervous to go home. He was worried since he needed a lot of care, it would put a strain on their relationship. Kissing him on top of his head, she threw the duffel bag over her back and started to push the wheelchair towards the exit. Picking up the discharge papers and saying goodbye to the staff after almost a month of being here, Matt couldn't wait to go home.
Driving the car out in front, she struggled getting him into the car. Although he could stand on his left leg for a few seconds, it still really hurt his pelvis. His right leg was not cooperating at all yet, with his femur and hip hurting greatly.
She got more worried if it was really the right choice to take him home. But the last thing she wanted was to have him away from home even longer. She was sure it would help him recover a lot sooner.
Driving home, she drove carefully, Matt not wanting to complain about the pain in his pelvis, but he couldn't hide it. At home, it was equally hard getting of the car and he started to doubt more and more if he had made the right choice already coming home.
Going inside through the back gate and patio, Matt was excited to be back in his own house. Even more so with Gabby by his side.
She put all of the stuff on the bed as he looked around, more and more happy to be home. It put all the hassle in perspective and he knew he was lucky to be alive and back home.
''You rearranged the whole living room?''
''Just so it's a bit easier for you to move around.''
''I am not getting too comfortable in this wheelchair,'' Matt said a little upset.
''I know, I know,'' Gabby said, laying her hand on his shoulder for a second.
Making his way to the kitchen, he saw the flowers he had Kelly put here for Gabby five days ago.
''It really nice being home…especially with you,'' Matt said as he moved the wheelchair by the kitchen table, resting his arms on the table.
''It is,'' she said. It was so different from her life only a month ago, but she was still grateful being here with him and she realized that she didn't want to live a life without him anymore, after almost losing him.
''Almost worth having a building collapse onto me.''
''Matt-''
''I was just joking.''
Gabby knew he was making light of the situation and his pain, but couldn't laugh about it, knew how close of a call it had been.
''Are we going to be okay?'' Matt asked concerned, still worried he was loading a lot onto Gabby with his injuries and care. His fingers caressed her hand.
''Yeah, ofcourse.'' She smiled, kissing him as she sat on the chair, folding arms around his neck.
Pulling back, she saw the pain in his face.
''Sitting up hurting?''
''Yeah''
She sorted through his stuff as he laid on thee bed, taking a nap. The pain took it's toll and he still couldn't sit up for a long time. Looking over him as he laid asleep, her heart swelled as she looked at him.
She didn't know what she was going to do about Puerto Rico, but knowing how close she had been to losing him, just being together and being with her husband seemed a lot more important, no matter where.
A few hours later they laid on the couch together, just having had dinner.
''Anything you need?''
'Probably just a bath and going to bed, sorry-''
''It's fine Matt, I will get the bath running.'' She said as she got up, kissing him on top of his head.
Walking back she sat down next to him, as they watched a few more minutes of the TV show.
''Need a hand?'' She asked as she wanted to help him get to the bath.
''I got it,'' Matt assured her, moving to the edge of the couch as he grabbed the armrest of the wheelchair. Trying to get up, he tried to stand on his left leg. As soon as he did, the wheelchair slid back and he lost his balance.
Reaching out her hand to grab him before he could fall, he grabbed her hand, but there was nothing stopping him from falling to the floor. As she got pulled right after him as he was much heavier, she slid over the edge as well, falling down right on top of him.
''Oh, fuck!'' he groaned, laughing then softly. Gabby looked shocked and worried, but as soon as she saw him laughing she started to laugh as well.
''Don't you dare say i-''
''You have fallen for me once again,'' Matt couldn't help himself. Laughing, Gabby climbed up, sitting on the edge of the couch as she was laughing, still concerned about him.
''You really okay.''
''Hip hurts a bit, but will be fine as soon as I am off the floor,'' he assured her. Carefully she helped him sit up and back up on the couch. Helping him in the wheelchair, she pushed it to the bedroom, Matt hurting more than he let on. Gabby had been through enough and the last thing he wanted was to complain about it.
In the bathroom, she helped him undress.
''I can take my own shirt off-''
''I know, I just want to help,'' she said as she let it slide, knew to pick her battles.
''I am really sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I really appreciate you,'' he said, not wanting to take the pain he was experiencing out on her.
''I know, let's get you settled in bath.''
Gabby helped him in the tub. He could barely move without pain and
He groaned, the warm water immediately brought relief from the pain in his lower body.
Sitting down on the edge of the bath, she was glad to finally see him relax after the fall.
''You don't miss Puerto Rico?'' Matt asked concerned, clearly a bit more relaxed now.
''Puerto Rico is nice, and I miss it. But almost losing you….I realized that being with you is much more important, no matter where.''
''Gabby, can you promise me you let me know if it becomes too much?''
''Yeah, but you are not too much Matt, I am just happy to still have you.''
''When I was down there, I just kept on thinking about what you said about surrogacy – it gave me a lot of hope.''
Gabby felt tears well up in her eyes, After the nightmare he had not talked about being trapped down there, but she could only imagine how scared it had been.
''Doesn't have to be just hope Matt. I am going to be in Chicago for a while – and who knows about staying. Gives us a lot of opportunity to look into it.''
Sharing a kiss, he couldn't be happier that he had gone to Puerto Rico and rekindled their marriage.
Soon they laid in bed together for the first time since in a long time.
Although she had laid in the hospital bed with him, it was a lot more comfortable now and they laid close, facing each other.
''I love you,'' she smiled. 27 days ago she hadn't dared to think about him coming home as she had been so close to losing him.
''To the moon?''
''To Mars,'' she smiled, her hand against the side of his face.
''I love you to Pluto,'' he whispered.
''Pluto is not a planet.''
''Just means I love you to infinity then.''
Sharing a kiss, she couldn't be more grateful for him to be alive and he couldn't be more grateful to have her.
Thank you so much for still reading the story! I hope you are still interested! There might be another update this week instead of the weekend as I have some more spare time. Please let me know what you thought and I can't wait to hear what you think!