Welcome to my life

Chapter 6:

Two months later, Amy was still hobbling around on the crutches and wearing a brace to keep her leg straight. It turned out that her knee was more damaged than the initial x-rays showed. She had to undergo another surgery to fix a couple of the ligaments and tendons. She had to take a leave of absence from work and from school. Her instructors were very understanding and agreed to allow her the leave of absence to make up work.

She had become a hermit in her own house, having her parents get her groceries for her since she couldn't drive. She stayed inside with her 2 cats and kept the curtains drawn and the doors locked. She wouldn't let anyone that came to visit in except her parents. She had her mother drop off work that she finished to the admissions office for her professors to pick up so she was able to keep caught up on the homework.

She wouldn't even let Spike in the house when he came to visit, which was every single day. It was getting to be a bit stifling in her opinion. They talked on the phone everyday and he left her little notes and gifts on the porch. One day it was a small stuffed animal, another it was a small box of candy. Sometimes it was just a little card to say that he loved her.

One day, Spike had had it. He had not seen Amy in a month, she hadn't answered his calls for three days, and he was fed up with it. He knew that it couldn't have anything to do with James because he was in prison. He had pleaded guilty to the crimes he was charged with and sentenced to a year in prison. Spike knew that he had no phone privileges so he couldn't get a hold of Amy. He had people on the inside keeping an eye on him.

He pulled in the driveway of Amy's home, laughing because he could have just as easily parked in his parents' driveway and got out, noticing that none of the lights were on at her place. He was a little concerned but forced himself to not panic. He had patrols running by every other hour checking on her. None of them had spotted her leaving. Her truck was still in the drive. He called her phone again and listened to it ring. Just when he was about to hang up, someone picked up.

"Hi Spike. I thought I told you I wasn't ready to see you or anyone else. Would you please respect that and don't roll your eyes at me." Spike rolled his eyes and smirked when she said that. He made his way to her porch and stepped up lightly as to not freak her out. He leaned against the railing and debated on whether to use the key she had given him. He decided against it for the moment.

"This is very true but you have not answered any of my calls in the past three days and as your best guy friend, and still hoping that I am your boyfriend, it's my job and duty to make sure you are ok. As well as an officer of the law. I know that you have been through a horrifying ordeal, I was there. So open your door up please, I am on your front porch and turn on some lights. Please Amy, Let me in. I miss you. Not to mention that I am slightly offended that you are ignoring me."

The door flew open. Amy was standing there in shorts and a T-Shirt, wobbling slightly on her crutches, but steady otherwise. Spike could tell that she was trying hard not to smile or laugh. She flicked on the porch light and turned away to allow Spike access into the house. Spike flipped on a couple lights and shut the door locking it behind him. Amy sat down on the couch gingerly and propped her leg up. She said nothing to him.

"Amy, I am sorry that I am barging in on you like this. You mean so much to me and for you to just, shut yourself off like this. It's not you. I love you too much to let you waste away. James is in jail. You are alive and doing better every day. I refuse to let you drown in your pity and your depression any longer. Can I take you out for dinner tonight? Besides I really kind of miss you. A lot."

Amy just stared at him. He loved her? She hadn't been out of the house in quite awhile. Preferring to have dinner with her parents at their place or hers. She hadn't showered in a week, and it was starting to show. Her hair was greasy and stringy, and she had very few clothes clean, her mother was coming over in the morning to help her wash clothes and clean since she really couldn't.

Spike leaned down and pecked her on the lips. He wasn't offended or even bothered by her appearance. He was surprised that no one from the hospital had made any follow up calls on her to make sure that she was adjusting. He planned on calling them up and chewing them out in the morning. He kissed her again. She smiled briefly before looking away. Spike saw hurt and sadness in her eyes.

"Spike, I'm all yucky and dirty. I barely have anything to wear. Mom's coming over tomorrow to help me pick up and clean. I'm just not in the mood to go out to eat. Please respect that." Spike nodded and flopped on the couch next to her. He had a plan and he was hoping that it wouldn't be a problem for her. He took her hands in his.

"I know. I am having Mexican delivered here to your door. I expected that you wouldn't want to go out, so Mexican was the backup plan. After we eat or maybe before, I am going to help you clean, I am going to wash your laundry and help you take a bath. I already called your mother and told her of my plan so she knows not to come over in the morning. I hope you don't mind."

"I should be angry with you. I should be REALLY angry with you. But I want company so badly right now that I am not going to turn down the offer. The Doctor said that I can start taking the brace off when I sleep. I can also take it off when I bathe. Would you help me into the tub in the bathroom before you order the food? I know you haven't ordered it yet." Spike nodded.

"Yeah I can do that. Come on. I will help you now and check on you frequently. I will order the food in about an hour. Sound fair? Oh I took the liberty of inviting Wordy, Shelly, his wife and their daughters over for dinner as well. Don't worry. I will take care of the house. Come on up to the bathroom with you." Spike walked behind her as she hobbled up the stairs.

"I really wish that you wouldn't have invited them, but like I said, I am starved for company. I love you too, ya know. Bout time you said it. You've been going crazy since day one. Admit it." Spike smiled and collected a towel, a pair of underwear, a bra, a pair of loose jeans and a comfy sweater for her to wear. He helped her ease into the tub and said he would be back in a half an hour to help her wash her hair and out of the tub.

When he left the bathroom, he quickly gathered all of the dirty clothes and towels from her room and the hall and took them to the Laundry room. There he separated them and threw the whites in to be washed, He stripped her bed and put fresh sheets on, re making the bed for her. He gathered all of the trash and garbage from the room and dumped it.

He went downstairs and started the dishes. There was so much to do, but he could handle it. He was thankful that there were not many dishes to wash. He set out fresh food and water for the cats; pet them for a couple minutes before getting the vacuum cleaner out and doing the carpets. When he was done, he changed the litter box, took all of the garbage out to the curb, and hurried upstairs to see Amy still soaking in the tub.

"Amy, Are you ready to wash your hair now honey?" Amy looked at him and nodded. Spike helped her stand and held her gently around the waist while she quickly shampooed and rinsed her hair. When she was done, Spike kissed her and helped her out of the tub. He wrapped a towel around her and carried her into her bedroom, setting her on the bed next to her clean clothes.

He left to switch clothes and she quickly dried off and got dressed, taking care to put the brace on under her jeans. When she was done, she found that Spike had put her slippers on the floor next to her bed and. She slipped them on and made her way down the hall. While she hobbled, she noted that the hall was free of dirty clothes and garbage. Spike had apparently been a very busy little boy.

When she finally made it downstairs, she found Spike folding her clothes and putting them in a basket. The kittens were pouncing on his feet, which were bare except for the socks. He had taken his boots off. He was wiggling his toes as he folded, enticing them and then yelping when one bit his toe. Amy giggled, causing Spike to turn around.

"You look a lot better. I was just finishing up folding some clothes. I uh, did a little cleaning while you were in the tub. I hope you don't mind. I wanted to help you out." He was cut off when Amy flopped into his lap and kissed him. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Amy leaned back and looked at him. She loved him. She couldn't deny it any longer.

"Thank you doesn't seem to be enough. It helps so much that you did this for me. Means so much to me. I just- Thank you." She laid her head down on his chest and started weeping. Spike hugged her close, protecting her. His heart broke for her. He knew that she still had a hard road ahead of her, but he would be there for as long as she would let him be.

"I know. I love you. I just ordered the food right before you came down. It should be here in about 20 minutes. Wordy and Shelly are on the way with the girls. They will be here in like 15. The girls like cats so, they will be ok. I know Shelly has been wanting to meet you for some time. She likes to meet everyone new that comes into our lives."

They sat on the couch for awhile, just snuggling together, taking comfort in each other's presence. After a few minutes, Socks and Sebastian, the cats leapt up and curled up in the middle. Spike got up to answer the door when the doorbell sounded, knowing that it had to be the Mexican food. He opened the door and paid for the food, before shutting it and putting the stuff on the table, getting the plates and silverware out.