"So you're having muscle spasms in your legs! That's great news, right, Jack? It means that maybe your nerves and muscles are still functional. I can't wait to tell your new physical therapist about this. All of your hard work is really paying off, isn't it? I'm so excited…It was great that Daisy was able to figure that out about your spasms, wasn't it? And just by reading some article on the internet!" Angela chattered excitedly as she bustled around her office, getting ready to go home for the evening. "I'm so happy! It looks like you're making a huge amount of progress." She turned to smile at her husband, but her smile faded when she saw Hodgins' solemn expression. "Honey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, really...I'm fine, Angie. I'm just tired, I guess." Hodgins turned his wheelchair slightly toward the door. "Let's go home."
"Nope...you're not getting off that easy." Angela crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot as she narrowed her eyes at her husband. "Remember, we've decided to share everything we're thinking and feeling. No more bottling up our emotions. There aren't going to be any secrets between us, right? So do we need to talk?"
Hodgins sighed as he studied his shoes, avoiding eye contact with Angela. "Okay. You're right. Maybe we do need to talk a little bit. First, I'm excited about the muscles spasms in my legs, even though I can't feel them myself, but I know we still have so far to go before I can actually walk again. I just don't want us to get too excited about this little bit of news, okay? I don't want to set you up for a big disappointment on down the line." He looked at her with a sad smile. "I think we just need to take it one day at a time, and be thankful for the small steps I've made instead of thinking about any long term success."
"Alright. I'll contain my enthusiasm. No cartwheels for now." Angela shut down her computer and picked up her bag, she walked toward the door where Hodgins was waiting. "Wait...you said 'first'." She arched her eyebrow at him. "What else is bothering you?"
Hodgins grimaced slightly as he brushed away a tear. "Before we knew my muscles were twitching, Daisy...Daisy was telling me about poltergeists, and I told her I didn't believe in that crap. Anyway, I guess maybe she really does believe in ghosts, because she told me that she saw Sweets one night, and she was absolutely serious. She said he came to her and told her that he wanted her to move on with her life. And then it hit me all over again, you know? Sweets is really gone. I mean, he never even got to meet his son. He had his whole life ahead of him, and he was gone, just like that. His life was cut short without any warning. It made me realize how lucky I really am. I mean, I know I can't walk, but I'm still here, you know? I'm still alive, and I have so much to be thankful for. I have a great job with people who care about me and want me to succeed. I'll be able to see my son grow up. I get to spend my life with the most beautiful woman in the world. I have all of those things, and I was such an ungrateful bastard. I treated you so badly when all of this started, Angie, and you stuck it out with me anyway. You stayed with me, no matter what, and I didn't deserve it. I almost gave up on the wonderful life I have just because I was paralyzed." Hodgins exhaled heavily as his emotions overwhelmed him. "I'm so sorry, Angela, for being such an ass. I'm so sorry I took your love for granted...that I didn't realize how fortunate I am, no matter what shape my body's in. Can you ever forgive me?" Hodgins sniffled as tears rolled down his cheek. "I'm so sorry..."
"Jack…" Angela reached down to embrace her husband. "Of course I forgive you. I knew you were just going through a hard time, that's all, and I knew you'd come around eventually. We're going to be fine, no matter what happens, as long as we're together, right? I love you so much." Smiling, Angela wiped away her tears. "Come on. Let's go home, Hodgins."
"Thanks, Angela. I love you, too." He took her hand in his and smiled up at her. "Yeah, let's go home."