A few weeks later:
Justin woke up, and involuntarily flexed his legs, checking…
No pain!
He got out of bed, wondering if he was just having a day similar to what he'd experienced after our wedding—when weakness had suddenly hit.
Looking back at his walker, he wanted to be sure where it was, just in case…
Making his way to the bathroom, like last time, he realized he wasn't in any pain! But—what about his spell of light-headedness?
By that time, I'd gotten out of bed myself, and was at the ready, wanting to help if need be. I took my position next to his walker, ready to grab it if he needed it.
What I saw next brought tears to my eyes. Justin turned around, looked straight at me, and flashed his Sunshine best. "Yes!" he said, lifting his arms in the air.
I ran to him, and threw my arms around him, hugging him so hard that I lifted him off the ground. Of course, a few more days of practice wouldn't hurt, just to be on the safe side…
"So," Justin said, "how do you want to celebrate?"
I just grinned and whispered in his ear.
Justin gasped. "Brian! You rascal!" Then he just giggled. "Meet you there!"
Later that night:
"Keep going, Sunshine, you're doing great!"
I grinned as I saw my prince's lean body skim the pool—but it wasn't his bubble butt I was watching—it was his legs. They were getting so strong!
When we had both tired out, I got out first, so I could help Justin if need be—but at the rate he was coming to the ladder, I just stepped back—and smiled.
I thought I saw him falter, and I reached out my hands, remembering his ill-fated effort to make it all the way down the aisle at our wedding—but he just smiled up at me, and literally hopped off that last step, into my arms!
"Can we say it's over?" Justin smiled at me, and gave me a big hug.
"Well, I wouldn't say that just yet," I reminded him, "but I'd say we're nearly there!" Taking him in my arms, I whispered, "Maybe I didn't say it at the time, but when you stumbled trying to reach me at our wedding, I was going to say how proud of you I was—and still am—for having made it as far as you did."
"Whoever set that up must've done it on purpose," Justin laughed, rolling his eyes.
"Maybe," I drawled, laughing myself.
Later that night, as I entered him, I whispered, "Justin Taylor-Kinney—how did I ever live my life without you—at least before I realized how much I really could—and do—love you."