Chapter 11

Ben found rehab very hard. It was uncomfortable and a bit embarrassing getting the moulds made for his legs. The nurse had to touch him rather intimately in order to get them right. According to Ben, Ray should be the only one to touch him like that. Ben knew that it had to be done but that didn't matter.

Sitting down doing his exercises Ben was sweating and in pain.

Emma smiled at Ben, "Ben do you want to take a break"?

Ben drank from his water bottle, "No, ah can we just keep going"?

Emma sighed, "Ben its ok to take breaks. You've been at this for over a week now. Plus you're starting on your legs tomorrow. You might want to rest up for that".

Ben wiped the sweat from his face, "Perhaps your right. It's just I want to tell Ray something positive tonight instead of negative".

Emma sat on the floor next to Ben, "Come on Ben, you just over did it the other day. That's the only reason you had that accident and had to break for a day".

Ben didn't smile thinking back two days ago. He had kept going and fell off the bench and cut and wrenched his legs.

Ben remembered the look on Ray's face when he walked in and saw him in bandages that had not been there before.

Ray's panicked voice rang through his ears, "Ben oh god Ben what happened. How did you get hurt? Whose head do I have to kick? Oh Ben are you alright"?

Ben remembered the look on Ray's face as he explained to him what had happened.

Ray's warm smile. Ray's hand as it brushed through his hair. Ray's soft voice, "Its ok Ben. You just wanted to get home to us faster".

Most of all Ben remembered as Ray held him as he cried himself to sleep that night.

Ray had visited every night bringing him food because lets face it hospital food sucks as Ray would say. Mrs Kowalski came giving him a jumper she made him saying, "This should keep you warm dear".

The sweater had a wolf on it and it was BIG.

Ben smiled and thanked her politely as Ray laughed behind his hand, "Thank you kindly Mrs Kowalski". Ben tried not to laugh.

Ben now lay in bed waiting for Ray to arrive. Ray always arrived bang on seven. So when seven came there was Ray with his beautiful smiling shinning brightly.

Ray's eyes narrowed a bit when he saw Ben lying on the bed, "Ben what happened"?

Ben waved a hand, "Don't worry Ray I ah just over did it a bit today. I'm not hurt just tired".

Ray took Ben's hand in his, "You sure"?

Ben kissed Ray's hand, "Yes Ray. I'm starting on my legs tomorrow. So I should be home once I can use them".

Ray raised his eyebrows, "Wow so soon, you nervous"?

Ben nodded, "I must admit I am a trifle nervous. All I want to is to get home to you and Dief of course".

Ray's bright smile returned, "Ya we want you home as well. House too big and to quite without you and the bed is cold".

Ray looked down and giggled then, "I see you're wearing the sweater mum made you".

Ben laughed, "Yes Ray, I must say that it is rather comfortable".

Ray didn't think that Ben knew that he had been watching him from behind the one way mirror as he took to putting on his legs.

Ben felt fear, panic and nervousness run through him as he put them on for the first time.

Emma held Ben's arm, "How do they feel Ben"?

Ben took a deep breath, "They feel strange".

Emma nodded, "They will for awhile. Ben on three stand up ok. One. Two. Three".

Ben stood and wobbled a bit but regained his stance quickly.

Ray fell into the chair that was behind him and tears fell.

Ray whispered into the air, "Love you Ben. I'm so proud of you".

Ben took his first steps which caused Ray to cry even harder.

Ben took to the legs like every else, Ben took to them with ease.

Emma let Ben work on them for an hour before taking a break.

Emma was proud, "Well Ben you did great. You'll be home in no time".

Ben drank his water, "I hope so Emma. It's hard been away from Ray".

Emma nodded, "How long have you been together"?

Ben smiled shyly, "We're together four years married for two".

Emma bumped Ben's shoulder, "How did you meet"?

Ben chuckled, "We were partners at work and our relationship built up. I never thought I'd lucky enough to meet someone like Ray".

Emma shook her head giggling, "Sap, come on lets get you to bed. Ben one more day and its home with you".

Ben and Ray's head snapped up at this.

Ben stuttered, "W-what, one more day and I can go home"?

Emma nodded, "Yes Ben did I forget to tell you that"?

Ben smiled big as he headed back to his room.

Ray was waiting for him when he arrived back.

Ben's face lit up on seeing Ray waiting for him, "Ray".

Ray leaned and kissed Ben soundly, "Hiya Ben".

Ben pulled Ray in for another kiss, "How did I do Ray"?

Ray looked shocked and flushed pink, "What-what do you mean Ben"?

Ben threw his eyes to heaven, "Ray you've been behind that mirror watching my seasons".

Ray's face flushed deeper, "How did you know"?

Ben chuckled, "Ray, Ray, Ray I know you and well I could sense you, I could feel you. It's what gave me the strength to go on to not give up. I can't wait to go home Ray".

Ben and Ray chatted until it was time for Ray to go home.

Ray kissed Ben, "See you tomorrow then hopefully come home after that".

Ben kissed Ray back, "Not hope Ray, I WILL be home after that".

The next day flew Ben got more practice on both sets of legs the running and walking ones. Ben did so well that he was indeed allowed to go home.

Ben finally sat in Ray's GTO with Ray. Ben had on his legs and tears glistened in his eyes.

Ray put his hand on Ben's thigh, "Its ok Ben let go".

Ben did they were a mixture of happy tears and tears of relief.

Pulling up to their house Ben saw the Veccico and Kowalski clan waiting for them with Diefenbaker.

Ray muttered, "Sorry Ben, I told them but they wanted to welcome you home".

Ben smiled at Ray, "Its fine Ray lets go inside our home".

Everyone shed a tear as they saw Ben walking up to the house, although limping slightly. Ben was walking it was something they thought they'd never see again.

Ray Veccico couldn't hold back and hugged Ben, "Welcome home Benny. Or should I say neighbour".

Ben smiled, "It's good to be home Ray".