The nurse came into the room and saw Callen standing in the room, hanging on the bed side table. He was in pain, the nurse could see that.
"Are you okay sir?"
"Yeah."
The nurse helped Callen back into the bed. "What happened sir?"
"My back was really hurting so I figured I would just sit or stand for a little while hoping it would pass. I lost my balance and crashed into the bed site table."
"How is you back now sir?"
"It's okay. Doesn't hurt more than it did before."
"Okay. Just next time press the call button, that's what we're here for."
The nurse gave Callen some extra pain medication so he could at least get some sleep. The nurse cleaned up the things Callen had knocked on the ground and left the room.
Callen hated this. He couldn't even stand on his own. The medication did it's work and Callen soon fell asleep.
During the morning visiting hours the next day Emily dropped by with the kids.
"Daddy!" Myra and Julie squealed as they ran into the room.
"Hey sweeties."
Emily walked in behind them pushing the stroller. Emily lifted Myra and Julie up so they could give Callen a kiss.
"How are you doing?" Emily asked.
"Could be better but the doctor and therapist say I'm doing good so."
When the boys heard Callen's voice they started fussing. Emily lifted Finn out of the stroller and handed him to Callen.
"Hey buddy, it's okay, daddy's here."
Callen was sitting a bit upright in the bed so he could hold Finn. Finn calmed down once he was in Callen's arms. Charlie was still fussing in his stroller so Emily lifted him out. Callen could only hold one baby right now so Emily just held Charlie. It was good for Callen to see his kids again. He missed them very much. The girls had been by a couple of times when Callen was in the ICU but the boys hadn't.
"Is everything under control at home?" Callen asked Emily.
"Yeah it's going fine. Don't worry. We're helping Lori at home."
"That's good. I can't wait to get out of here."
"Yeah I bet but Lori told me it's gonna be a long road."
"Yeah it probably will be. It just sucks."
"That it does."
After a while Callen changed babies with Emily and held Charlie.
"Hey little buddy, daddy misses you all very much."
Charlie lay peacefully in Callen's arms and snuggled against him. Emily stayed until visiting hours were over. Callen gave the kids a kiss before they all went home.
…
It had been a month since Callen's shooting. Callen was doing better but it still went too slow for his liking. Callen was still in the hospital but he was probably going to be released at the end of the week. Callen couldn't wait to go home but he knew he had to stay at home for a few more months and take it easy. Lori had been by a lot. She worked two mornings in the week and two full days. On the days she only worked the morning she came by during the afternoon visiting hours, on the other days someone else came by, Emily, Sylvie, Michelle or Lori's parents. Emily usually came in the mornings and she would bring all the kids with her if Myra and Julie didn't have pre-school.
Callen had improved a bit. He still had physical therapy but it was going better each day. Callen could walk a bit further now but still not without some support. The doctors said he was really doing well but it would still take a few more months before he could walk on his own again. Callen hated this. He hated being so depended on other people. He just wished he could do more things on his own.
It had been such a hard month for him and Lori. With Callen being stuck in here and not being able to do a lot it was hard for them. Lori came by whenever she could but she missed Callen at home. Sometimes Callen pushed himself too hard and Callen could tell Lori was upset with him. He remember one time really well. It was about a week after he had been transferred to the regular wing and he pushed himself too hard.
..
Lori walked into the room at the start of the afternoon visiting hours. As she watched Callen lying on the bed she could tell that he was in a great deal of pain.
"Hey G."
"Hey Lori."
"Should I call the nurse for some extra medication?" Lori asked.
"No, it's okay. It'll pass."
"What happened? Your back didn't hurt this much this morning."
"I had physical therapy just now."
"You pushed yourself too hard?" Lori asked, already knowing the answer.
"I thought I could do it, I wanted to see if I could do it. I wanted to see if I could walk without the railing. The physical therapist was right there if I needed him. The first few steps went fine. With the next step, I don't know what happened but I lost control and I fell over. I used my hands on the railing to catch myself and the physical therapist did too but the sudden movement hurt my back."
"G," Lori spoke in an annoyed, angry tone.
"I thought I could do it, only a few steps."
"G, you have a serious injury to your back. You have to let it heal. It's gonna take time. I know you don't want to admit it but you need to let it heal. You know I love you but I hate it when you get so stubborn!" Lori sort of yelled at him.
"I know honey, I'm sorry."
"I know you hate this and you want to get back on your feet as soon as possible but you have got to take it easy. The damage could only get worse if you don't."
"I'll try to take it easier. I just want to be back on my feet again so I can be there for you and the kids."
"Don't worry about us honey, we can handle ourselves and I have help at home so don't worry about that. Just focus on getting better. No more pushing yourself too hard okay."
"I'll try. Come here honey."
Callen extended his arm. Lori took it and sat down on the bed, facing him.
"I know it's hard honey but I promise you I'll be fine."
"It's just…." Lori started and she couldn't help but cry a bit.
"Hey honey, it's okay." Lori was sitting close enough so Callen could place his hand on her cheek. "It's all gonna be okay honey."
"I came so close to losing you. It was so hard seeing you lie there unconscious, not knowing what was going on. When the doctor told me that you might be paralyzed I couldn't believe it. I just wanted my husband to be okay. Seeing you here now and seeing that you pushed yourself. It's just…. I just want you to get better, not worse."
"I'm sorry honey, I really am. I was stupid of me to try. I knew I wasn't ready. I'm sorry. I just want to be back as soon as possible so I can take care of you and the kids."
"Don't worry about us G. We're doing okay. I've got it handled at home. I do want my husband back and the kids their dad but it's okay. We can handle ourselves without you for just a little while longer. Just no more pushing yourself okay."
"I promise Lori. I promise."
"Good."
Lori moved a little closer so she could kiss Callen.
"I love you Lori."
"I love you too G and I'm sorry about yelling at you."
"It's okay, I deserved that."
"This whole situation is just hard."
"That it is, but it's gonna be okay honey. I'm still here and I'll be back. It's just gonna take some time, more time then I want. But I promise you that I'm gonna take it easy, no more pushing myself too hard. I will push myself but I won't do it too hard."
"Okay."
Lori gave Callen another kiss and went to sit next to him. Callen put his arm around Lori and Lori rested her head on Callen's shoulder.
..
At the end of the week Callen was cleared to go home. But he still had to lay as much as possible and not do too much himself. Lori had taken the day off today so she could pick Callen up.
"Hey G," Lori spoke as she walked into the room. "You ready to go home?"
"More than ready."
"Alright sir," the doctor spoke. "Here's a prescription for pain medication should you need it. I will see you for a checkup in two weeks. Just take it easy and try to rest as much as possible. Is everything situated at home?"
"Yes it is. The bed is downstairs and we've made some changes to the home so he can get around," Lori answered.
"Okay that's good. Is there someone home with him to take care of him?"
"We have a sitter who's there but we've also arranged for some home care."
"Okay that's good. I will see you in two weeks then."
"Yes see you then."
The doctor left the room. Lori went to help Callen with getting dressed. Lori pulled his pants up to his upper legs and helped Callen stand up so she could lift the pants over his hips.
"I hate this, that I can't even dress myself," Callen stated.
"I know you do G. But I don't mind. I have plenty of experience undressing you," Lori spoke with a smirk. "So dressing you won't be a problem I think."
Callen smirked back at her and gave her a kiss when her face was level with his again. Lori put his shirt on and helped him with his socks and shoes.
"So, all done."
"Thanks."
The nurse came by with the wheelchair. Lori helped Callen into the wheelchair. She grabbed his things and followed the nurse and Callen outside. The nurse took Callen to the car and Lori helped Callen into the car.
"Thank you," Lori told the nurse.
Lori got in herself and drove home. She had already picked up a wheelchair for Callen. It was in the back of the car. Lori parked the car in the driveway. She got the wheelchair out and then helped Callen out of the car and into the wheelchair. She pushed Callen up on the ramp that was now in front of their house. Lori opened the door and pushed Callen inside. Emily was at the house looking after the kids.
"Welcome home daddy!" Myra and Julie yelled as Callen and Lori walked in.
"Hey sweeties."
Lori pushed Callen inside. Ella was immediately at the wheelchair, sniffing the strange object.
"Hey Ella," Callen greeted her. He moved his hand down and gave her some love.
Lori pushed Callen towards the couch and helped him onto the couch. She lifted his legs up and placed them on an ottoman. Once he was situated Myra and Julie climbed onto the couch and went to give Callen a hug.
"Hey girls, daddy missed you."
"Missed daddy too," Myra and Julie replied.
"Have you been good girls to mommy?"
"Yes daddy."
"Good."
"Daddy better again?" Julie asked.
"No, not yet sweetie. But daddy doesn't have to stay in the hospital anymore."
"But we do have to be careful with daddy," Lori told them. "Daddy is still hurting."
"Okay mommy."
The boys were lying in their playpens and noticed Callen was home. They started crying so Lori went to pick them up.
"Hey boys, did you noticed daddy was home huh? Shall we go see daddy?"
Ella wanted some attention too so Myra and Julie went to play with her. Lori sat down on the couch next to Callen and handed Charlie to Callen.
"Hey buddy." Callen brought Charlie closer to him and gave him a soft kiss. "Daddy is happy to be home again."
Finn was still fussing in Lori's arms. "Hey buddy, daddy is right here."
Lori lifted Finn up a bit so Callen could give him a kiss as well. Callen was happy to be home again. He had missed his family very much while he was in the hospital. He still wasn't as mobile as he would have liked but at least he was at home. He was around his family again.
Today Lori was at home but starting Monday their home care nurse Abby Harris would start so that someone was at home during the day to take care of Callen. Emily had her hands full with the kids so they had arranged for a home care nurse, well actually Hetty did.
In the afternoon Lori went to put the boys to bed and Emily took Myra and Julie outside to the playground with Ella.
"You okay honey?" Lori asked as she sat next to Callen on the couch.
"Yeah, I'm good. Happy to be home again. I've missed you all."
"We've missed you too. I'm glad you're home again."
"Beats lying in the hospital bed all day. I really don't like hospitals."
"I know you don't G."
"It's good to be home again, have my own stuff, lay in my own bed and most importantly be around my family."
"The kids really missed you while you were in the hospital."
"I missed them too. I'm glad to be home with them again, gives me a little distraction."
"Yeah. When you were in the hospital they kept asking if they could come see you and when you would be coming home. They always wanted to do something for you, like make a drawing, make some art work, bake cookies, that sort of things."
"Yeah they are really sweet. I loved it when they would bring me something."
"Before I came to pick you up I talked to them and they said that they would help take care of daddy."
"That's good."
"And I'll be here to take care of you as well."
"Thank you honey. I just hate being so depended on others."
"I know you do G, but we're all here for you. You can't do too much yourself now."
"I know, it sucks."
"That it does. I'm just glad you're okay, I mean not critically injured. I can deal with a crippled husband and you're gonna get better. It just takes time."
"I know, I'm glad to have you here with me. I couldn't get through this without you."
"I'm here G and I'm not going anywhere. Even if you would have been permanently crippled, I wouldn't have left you. You're my husband and I love you. Doesn't matter what happens."
"I love you too Lori."
Lori turned over to Callen and gave him a kiss. Lori shifted a little closer and deepened the kiss. It felt so good to kiss Callen like this again. If Callen hadn't been injured he probably would have pinned her down on the couch. They kissed for a little while before Lori snuggled against him, careful she didn't hurt him and they watch some TV.
"Do you want the wheelchair or the walker?" Lori asked when dinner time came around.
"I can try the walker."
Lori went to get the walker and helped Callen up from the couch. She helped Callen to the walker and stayed by his side as Callen slowly walked over to the kitchen. It took him a while but he managed to get to the kitchen. Lori put an extra pillow on the chair for Callen's back.
"You good?" Lori asked once Callen was sitting.
"Yeah I'm good."
The entire family, including Emily, enjoyed the dinner. Finn and Charlie sat peacefully in their swing chairs next to the table. After dinner Lori cleaned up as Emily went to put the girls in bath. Before Lori went to clean up she helped Callen back over to the couch. Knowing that the boys would probably be hungry soon Lori went to warm a bottle up. Just as the bottle was finished Charlie started crying. Lori picked him up and took him over to Callen.
"Here G, you can feed him."
Lori handed Charlie and the bottle to Callen and Callen fed the little boy. Lori went into the kitchen to clean up. As she finished cleaning up Finn started crying. Lori picked him up and sat down on the couch so she could feed him. Callen had just finished feeding Charlie. Once both babies had been fed and burped Lori took them upstairs for bed. Callen gave them both a kiss before Lori went upstairs. Lori changed their diapers and dressed them for bed. She gave them both a soft kiss before she put them down in their cribs. The girls had finished their bath in the meantime and were sitting downstairs now, watching a bit of TV before they had to go to bed. Emily cleaned a bit of the kids' stuff off before she went home. Since the kids were watching TV now Lori went to walk Ella.
Once the short movie the girls were watching had ended it was time for bed.
"Can daddy get a kiss?" Callen asked before the girls walked upstairs.
Myra crawled on the couch and gave Callen and kiss and Julie did the same.
"Goodnight my sweet princesses."
"Niwt daddy."
Lori took Myra and Julie upstairs. She read them a story before she tucked him in.
Just after 8pm Callen was already really tired. Lori helped him over to the bed, which was standing downstairs in the living room. It was standing in the space right of the front door with the head end against the front side of the house. Lori had also brought the TV downstairs so Callen could watch TV in bed if he wanted.
Once Callen was on the bed Lori helped him undress and put some sweat pants and a shirt on.
"You good G?" Lori asked once Callen was situated in the bed.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Okay."
"Will you come lie next to me?"
"Of course."
Lori got them both something to drink and some snacks and joined Callen in the bed after changing into her pajamas. Together they watched a bit of TV. Lori noticed that just after 10pm Callen had fallen asleep. Lori carefully put the bed lower so Callen was lying flat.
Lori went to walk Ella. When she came back she locked Ella in her grate, which was now standing in the kitchen. Lori went upstairs to check on the kids before she went back downstairs and crawled back into bed after locking up and shutting the lights down. Lori checked to make sure the baby monitor was standing next to the bed before she went to sleep. Callen was still fast asleep next to her.
In the middle of the night Lori woke up when she thought she heard a noise. She looked next to her and saw that Callen was still asleep. There was the noise again.