Three Days Later

Alex sat at Walker's bedside, Doctor Miller's words still echoing in her ears after the surprising news. The blood results came back and the twins were indeed Walker's children. But why did he hide it from her, especially after having a daughter themselves? Did he even know about these twins and does he remember the women that he fell in love with? She knew that it took a lot for him to show the strong emotion known as love. What made the twins' mother so special?

She took hold of his hand and gently squeezed it. "Honey, are you awake?"

Walker slowly opened his eyes and mouthed, "Yeah." He took a deep breath through the trachea tube. "Feel better."

"I bet you do. You haven't had a seizure in almost five days." She rubbed his shaved head, smiling as she did. "It's going to take awhile for the hair to grow back out."

Slowly Walker reached his hand up and rubbed his head slightly. Just the gesture alone almost made Alex tear up, it has been awhile since Walker moved like this on his own. She patted his hand then smiled when he rubbed his head again.

Walker placed his hand down as his face turned into something Alex could only know, it was dinner time. Because of the tube he smelled nothing which made food taste rather bland. He couldn't really eat or swallow a lot since he may choke. So, Doctor Miller decided to try to give Walker soup. It was touch and go, but thanks to the smaller tube Walker was able to swallow, though it proved to be rather tough to do.

She turned around as Robert came walking in with a bowl of soup. "You really hate this don't you Walker?" Walker slightly nodded. "Well, if you want the tube out you will learn how to eat again." Robert sat the bowl down onto the bed tray then sat down himself. "All right we're going to go slow this time."

Alex watched helplessly as Walker slowly sipped the soup grimacing when the hot liquid touched the inside of his mouth and the stitches inside. This one tough man now can barely take down soup without the slightest hint of pain. Walker reached up towards the spoon then pushed Robert's hand away.

Robert shook his head. "You need to try Walker."

Walker took a look at Alex then back at the spoon. He mouthed, "I…try."

Shocked Robert put the spoon back in the bowl then slowly got up. "All right let me get something that will help you out just a little."

When Robert was gone Alex turned to Walker a little worried. "Are you sure it's not too soon? I mean you're just now moving your arms more."

"Yeah." Walker glanced up as Robert came walking into the room. "What…"

"Put it bluntly it's a spoon holder." Robert put the odd looking Velcro device on Walker's hand then he put the spoon through the plastic hole. "Alright, this should be able to keep the utensil steady while you eat."

Nodding Walker ever so slowly began to eat on his own which made Alex cry with pride. He was finally getting back to doing things on his own. Hopefully he will soon start talking more or better yet start walking. It's been close to two months since Walker has actually moved his legs freely. She began to worry thinking that he might be paralyzed. Why didn't she think of it before? Why hasn't Robert encouraged Walker to move his legs or even walk?

"Alex, you okay?" Came Robert's assuring voice.

She realized she was still crying and wiped her face. "Yeah, just happy to see him eating on his own." She took a deep breath. "What about his legs?" She said, her voice nearly catching in her throat.

Robert took a deep breath. "We can try." He patted Walker's shoulder. "What do you think? You ready to do exercises on your legs?"

Walker nodded as he very slowly sipped on the soup. "Yeah." He grimaced and placed his hand down. "No…more."

"You did good." Robert undid the strap then patted Walker's hand. "Unfortunately you might have to stay here for just a little longer."

"Why?" Walker shook his head. "Go…home." He mouthed through pain. "Doctor..." He took a deep breath through the tube. "...go home."

Alex couldn't help to smile brilliantly. "He's back."

Two Weeks Later

Most of what had happened to Walker, went by in a big blur, the days running into one another in one jumbled mess. All he could think about was the pain that seemed to never go away. But the thought of him going home very soon made him that much stronger. He swallowed hard, his throat just a little sore. The tube was removed just a few days ago which made him rather happy. He could now smell again, which he hasn't been able to do for quite some time.

A gentle hand fell upon his which he knew right away was Alex's. He rolled his head to the right then gradually opened his eyes. "Alex." His voice was really raspy and low, but by the look in her eyes he could tell she heard. "Where's Angela?"

"She's with Erica." Alex patted his hand. "How you feeling today?"

Slowly and gently he placed his left hand on the hole in his neck which was hidden behind a thick piece of gauze and tape. He was told to do this by Doctor Miller to help get his voice louder.. "Better." Though raspy he was shocked at how weak his voice sounded. However when he glanced at Alex he could see tears. "Everything okay?"

"It's just been so long since I heard your voice." She gave him a kiss on the forehead as Robert came walking in with a smile on his face. In his hands a tray with a small bowl of soup and Jell-O. "Glad to hear Doctor Miller removed the feeding tube yesterday. Now we can start on solids or close to solids." He placed the tray onto the bed table then sat down across from Alex. "How are you breathing today?"

Walker nodded his head. "Doing good." He reached out to pick up the spoon, happy that he could at least do that simple task. Now, comes the challenge of actually eating the soup. Very slowly he lifted the spoon to his chapped lips and took a sip. The warm liquid scolded the inside of his mouth which made him grimace loudly. "Can't wait till…" He had to stop as pain enveloped his jaw. He lowered the spoon then rested his head on the pillow. "No more."

"You need to eat, Walker." Robert took the spoon from him and shook his head. "I know it's painful, it's going to be for the next month till they remove most of the wiring."

It frustrated Walker to no end on his weakness and how he couldn't do the simplest of things. He closed his eyes as Robert ever so slowly fed him the soup and though it stung the inside of his mouth, being able to smell the chicken broth did get his stomach to growl. It's been so long since he was able to smell anything and just the simple act of smelling did help him push the pain back. After he was finished with the soup he took a deep breath, savoring the fruity smell of Jell-O. He never would have thought the scent of Jell-O would make him so happy.

"Now, it's been awhile since you had anything else besides water and soup." Robert smiled as he fed Walker the Jell-O. The sweet, cool texture a very welcome relief to Walker's sore and swollen mouth. However when it touched a few cracked molars he had to wince at the slight pain it caused. "Some of your teeth will be super sensitive. Other then that, how does it feel?"

Walker would smile if he did. "Much better." Drowsiness began to play with his mind as the morphine drip kicked in. "Getting tired."

Robert patted Alex's hand as Walker fell into a deep sleep. "He's going to be just fine."

"When do you think I should tell him about John and Michael? He needs to know."

"He's very strong now, just in a lot of pain. Any day can work." Robert shrugged. "Should do it soon, the twins need to get back to full duty."