Chapter Forty-Two

The next morning, Jamie went to work, and Eddie took Mary to PT. "I don't want to..." Mary had made little progress and was discouraged.

"I know but it will help you get stronger honey it takes time," Eddie assured

"I'm tired of it..." Mary whined. "I don't want to do it, I'm not moving..." She crossed her arms and stuck out her bottom lip.

"Why not honey? What's wrong? Ttell Mommy so I can help you," Eddie said.

"Only hurts me and doesn't do any good."

"I know honey, but it's making you stronger you're getting a lot better."

Mary only cried, she was exhausted from all of this hard work.

Eddie pulled her in for a tight hug and rocked her. "I know honey I know."

"Mary, come on in," the therapist called. "Oh, are you okay?"

"She's feeling a little overwhelmed," Eddie jumped in for her daughter

"Well, what if we just go in and play a little bit and if you don't want to work out your legs, you don't have to."

"Really, I can do that," Mary sniffled looking up with red blotchy eyes.

"Yeah," she replied. "Come on honey, let's go and play with the toys." Eddie smiled, she knew most of the toys were foot or leg powered. Mary nodded slowly letting Eddie pushed her down the hall to a room full of toys.

Eddie sat back and let the therapist work. Mary was enticed by the toys, "This one you play with your foot. You want to try it, you move your little foot on the piano and it will play."

"Really? That's cool," Mary sat down in front of it pressing on the pedal smiling when the piano started

"The hardest you are able to press," the therapist told her. "The more songs you can play."

"Ooooh," Mary looked at the piano trying to press harder making a face.

"A little too hard? Let's stretch your leg out a little...show me how well you stretch out your leg." Mary moved a little stretching out the way she showed her during their earlier sessions.

"That's a good girl, let's go a little farther." Eddie watched, when Mary caught on that she was tricked she'd be angry, but Eddie was happy to see her trying and how well she was doing.

"It hurts but not as much," Mary said looking back at the piano wanting to try again.

"Okay, let's give it another shot. It's four steps, you think you can do that on the crutches?" This little girl was tired and frustrated, she had to see some progress.

"I don't know my foot hurts and I'm tired," Mary sighed looking at the piano.

"Let's give it a try, then you're done..." she encouraged. "I'll hold you up." Mary took a deep breath in slowly getting up letting the therapist hold her. She was unsteady taking a step

Eddie felt a warm hand on her shoulder as she held her breath. "Hey, I was in the area and thought you would want to get some lunch..." Eddie held her hands up, "Look..." She held onto Jamie tight as Mary was about to go for it. "She's going to do it, I know it." Jamie squeezed Eddie's shoulder watching Mary slowly take a second step forward

The little girl had her face curled up, in total concentration as she took that step. She wobbled and looked like she was going to fall, Eddie wanted to rush and catch her, but Jamie held her back gently. Mary caught herself regaining her balance before taking the last two steps to the piano, her face beaming.

Eddie and Jamie both had tears in their eyes when they saw her. Eddie turned just as Jamie caught her, they didn't care who saw them, they began to kiss deeply, relishing in this celebration together.

Eddie called Faith and Jamie called Frank to share the good news. "She was walking, Mary was walking!" Eddie told her friend.

"That's great news, Eddie. How wonderful, I'm so happy to hear," Faith said.

"She was so sad today...and then this..."

"I'm sure it brightened her spirits and she is welcome to see our horses and cows anytime."

"She went to see Rachel's cows and horses yesterday; do you think she can come milk the cow this afternoon?"

"That is perfect," Eddie replied. "We will come right over after we get home." She thanked God again for Faith and their Amish neighbors. They were all such a blessing.

Jamie went back to work, promising to be home for dinner. Eddie took Mary to milk Faith's cow then she played with her girls while the mothers talked. "How are things going, Eddie?" Faith asked offering Eddie some tea.

"So much better," she smiled taking the cup. "Jamie actually suggested renewing our wedding vows here with all our new friends."

Faith smiled, "that's great Eddie sounds like things are turning around for you and Jamie."

"Oh yes," she beamed. "We were able to forgive each other and that made all the difference

"I'm really happy for both of you. This is going to be the start of a new life for you," Faith said.

"It will be and all of you have helped us so much,"

"Oh, we're happy to help however we can," Faith smiled.

"Would you help me plan this vow renewal? Something out side?

"Most weddings here are after the harvest, but that is coming in a few weeks. We can do something small and quiet before wedding season."

"That would be nice," Eddie agreed. "Jamie is very Catholic we were hoping to do it in the church and a big party outside with games and everything."

"Yes, we can definitely arrange that because it is a joyous event," Faith agreed

When Jamie came home that night he pulled Eddie in for a long strong kiss. "Missed you pretty girl. Oh, you feel so right in my arms."

"Hmm it feels great being in your arms. How was work," Eddie leaned up to kiss him.

"Not bad," he replied. "I need an undersheriff in the worst way."

"How's the search going," Eddie asked snuggling him.

"I'm thinking pretty seriously about Harris" he replied. "Unless you want the job.

"Me?" Eddie looked up at him to see if he was serious

"I'd love it," he replied. "Partners in all things, but Bella."

"She's so little and needs me plus Mary's therapy," Eddie sighed

"Maybe when they grow?" he suggested

Eddie smiled, "yeah that sounds good working together again."

He rocked her back and forth, "Where's our speed racer?"

"Inside reading," Eddie nuzzled him feeling warm in his arms.

"Did you tell her I saw her?"

Jamie nodded, "I got her those new shoes she wanted, the pair with the lights on them."

"She'll be thrilled she really wanted them. You should go see her," Eddie said

Jamie gave her one more kiss then headed to Mary's room. "Hey Buttons."

Mary put the book she'd been reading down and turned smiling. "Hey Daddy," she sat up opening her arms.

Jamie cuddled her close to him. "How's my girl?"

"Good Daddy just reading," Mary smiled. "Guess what Daddy…today I walked in therapy!"

"I know you did!" Jamie smiled. "Daddy came by on lunch and saw you!"

"And you didn't say anything Daddy? I would have liked to see you."

"I had to leave before you were finished," Jamie replied. "But Mommy and I got you a surprise...bring it in Eddie."

Eddie walked in smiling joining them on the bed, handing Mary the gift.

Mary opened the pretty pink sneakers and smiled, "My sneakers! Thank you..." She smiled brightly then got quiet. "We need to wish and blow."

"You want to after dinner honey I think it would be nice," Eddie agreed.

"Yes, Mommy for Joe," Mary nodded thoughtfully looking back at her sneakers.

Jamie put the new shoes on her and Mary decided she wanted to try to walk to the table.

"Do you need me to hold you honey," Jamie asked helping her off the bed

"Go like the sticks," she told him, wanting him to serve as her crutch. She smiled. She was going to do it.

Jamie nodded getting her up watching hopefully

She managed four full steps and two with her leg dragging before she started to hurt and wanted to be carried

"I got you honey," Jamie scooped her up carrying her to the bed

He put her in the kitchen chair and Eddie strapped Bella in her infant seat. There were pork chops and green beans on the table.

"Pork chops yummy," Mary said

Eddie cut the meat for her then Jamie said the blessing. As they ate, he slid his foot out and over to Eddie's leg. She loved it when he would tease her like this.

Eddie glanced up at him sneaking a smile over their food

She slid her hand across the table toward him and they held hands as Mary chattered on about how she would take more steps the next day. They barely heard her, they were so locked in with each other.

"Right Mommy?" Mary looked up smiling seeing them.

"Yes, honey," Eddie replied. "That's right." She was embarrassed she had no idea what Mary said it had been a long time since she felt such a connection to her Jamie.

Mary only smiled going back to her meal Bella doing her own thing.