One Month Later

Though chilly Walker was very grateful to be sitting on the porch of his ranch, looking out at the frost covered fields. He was released from the hospital just yesterday, with strict instructions of what to do and what not to do. On top of that he was forced to take reading classes which was highly embarrassing, especially since his young daughter corrected his mistakes. Hopefully things will click inside his brain and he would be able to read normally once again.

Scooter let out a loud yawn from where he sat by Walker's feet then shifted his weight till he rested his head onto Walker's boots. The young lab mix hadn't really left his side since he came home early yesterday afternoon and it was rather comforting to have the dog by his side. He pulled the fleece blanket tighter to his body, as a slight wind began to pick up. With the breeze came the smells he thought he would never get to smell again. Scents of grass, hay, and the brisk, sweet aroma of winter.

"Hey honey, you should be getting inside." Alex came walking out with a smile. "I'm glad you're home in time for Christmas." She rubbed his shoulders then kissed him on the head. "How's the jaw feeling today?"

Walker gently touched his cheek, frustrated to feel the wires still inside his mouth. "Doing better, just can't wait till I can get the wires off."

He took the large water thermos from his wife grateful that she brought it out with her. Nice cool water helped soothe the deep, throbbing pain in his mouth. He took a few sips then glanced at the pasture, quite accustomed to having blurred vision out of his right eye. Apparently during the attack a nerve was severely damaged in his eye and he may never recover proper vision. With his eyesight the way it was and the possibility that he may have reoccurring seizures left him thinking about early retirement.

Alex patted his arm. "Come on, let's get inside. The wind is picking up."

Walker handed her the thermos then ever so slowly stood to his feet, his legs straining from the effort. He took hold of her extended hand then began to shuffle towards the front door. He learned quickly on into his recovery that he had to swallow his pride and ask for help when he needed it even though it embarrassed him to no end to show so much weakness.

As he finally got into the house his daughter ran up to him with a big smile. "Daddy!"

"Hey, Angela!" He rubbed her curly hair then wearily sat down on the sofa. "Come here and sit by daddy."

"Hang on!" Angela went running into the kitchen with Alex following her. Walker slowly closed his eyes then opened them back up when he felt his daughter sitting on his lap. "Here, daddy! I have your dinner!"

He gave her a slight smile as he took the can of Ensure from her. "Thanks sweetie."

Alex patted her husband's shoulder as she took the can from his hands. She popped the top, put in a straw then handed it back to him. Since he came home he mostly just had Ensure along with baby food, yogurt without fruit and puréed foods. It will be his diet for a few more weeks till his jaw healed enough for the wires to come out. Because of that he wasn't gaining any weight and in fact lost five more pounds in the last month. He had to actually go shopping last night for new clothes just so he had something to wear once he left the hospital.

"Hey daddy, you want to read a book together?" Angela jumped down and grabbed one of her books from a basket by the couch. "It's Veggie Tales!"

As Angela jumped onto Walker's lap, Alex sat down next to her husband as he flipped open the book. It pained her to see him not able to read a simple children's book and she prayed every night that it will get better. Doctor Miller told her it was because of his brain damage and it may get better in time. His brain after all was still in healing mode.

She turned to Walker to see the confused look on his face. "What do you need help with?"

Walker blushed as he pointed to the page in front of him. "The words are all jumbled together. Though I can read a few, which is improvement." His voice was slightly mumbled from the wires, which made understanding him a little difficult. Alex leaned in close so she can see the page that he was having problems with. "This is so embarrassing."

"Honey, you suffered a head injury that would have killed most people." She kissed his shaved head. "It'll come back to you, you'll see."

He slowly nodded. "I know." He began to drink the Ensure through the straw, longing for the day when he could eat like a normal human being once again. He got a glance at the time and patted his daughter on her back. "Why don't you have mommy give you a bath? You got an early morning tomorrow."

Angela beamed. "Christmas!" She gave Walker a big hug. "Will John and Mike come and visit?"

Walker shook his head. "No, unfortunately not." He rubbed his daughter's hair. "They'll visit in a few months though, on their next leave." He smiled as best he could at her. "But they did send you a few presents." This got his daughter to beam which made him laugh.

"Come on, daddy needs to rest." Alex picked up their daughter then smiled down at him. "Don't forget to take your medication."

He smiled back at her. "I won't."