James doesn't know what it was that turned Carlos around, and even Carlos himself isn't sure. The only thing they both know is that the next day Carlos throws himself back into his physical therapy with a determination that makes James' heart ache. He doesn't give up, not even when he's sore and exhausted and he was just wants to go back to bed. He learns to be a little more independent, though really there's still so much he won't be able to do if he doesn't regain feeling below the waist. After a few weeks he can mostly dress himself, transport himself in and out of bed and he gets around so fast in a wheelchair that James jokes about having races at the park when he gets out of the hospital.
It makes James smile to see how happy Carlos looks, even given the circumstances. It isn't ideal and if he had the choice he certainly wouldn't be in a wheelchair, but Carlos has always been the kind of person to find the good in every situation and hold onto it. He'd spent that one day grieving for his old life and feeling sorry for himself, being angry at the world. He'd simply needed that small amount of time before he could snap back to reality and do what he needs to do if he wants to get better and come home from the hospital.
It's been six long weeks since Carlos has been in the hospital and he's antsy to come home. He's doing well, making progress with each physical therapy session. He's thrilled when that week he's moved to a nearby rehabilitation center because he knows that means the next step is home and there's no place he'd rather be. But even better, he's regained sensation down to his thighs which sparks hope in both Carlos and James. It's not much, it isn't going to make him be able to walk again, but it means his body is still healing, still working towards recovery and there's still hope.
A week after Carlos' victory he receives a day pass to go home. It's exciting and scary all at the same time. Carlos doesn't really need any medical equipment aside from his wheelchair, but it still feels like a pretty big undertaking for him to be away from the nurses for so many hours, away from the people who know just what he needs. James knows, James has been there every step of the way but Carlos doesn't like the thought of his boyfriend having to take care of him, it makes him feel helpless and that's not a feeling he likes at all.
There's a lot of fussing over Carlos when he comes home for the day. Mama Knight has insisted on cooking a big meal full of all his favorite things. The boys have set up the video games and for a while everything seems perfect again. They have Carlos home, safe and happy and all of them try to push away the reminder that in a few hours he has to go back to his rehabilitation center. His smile is bright as he sits at the table surrounded by Logan, Kendall, James, Katie and Mama Knight, eating a delicious home-cooked meal instead of hospital food. The food at the rehab center is a little better, but nothing compares to this, especially when she brings out the chocolate cake she made for dessert and Carlos' eyes light up, getting wide with excitement.
For those few hours all of them can almost forget what's happened. Carlos is sitting on the couch playing video games with them, laughing and talking and furiously pushing at the buttons on the controller, occasionally yelling at the TV screen. James watches and smiles to himself, putting an arm lovingly around Carlos' shoulder. He wants him home again so badly it aches. The apartment just isn't the same without him. His smile falters as he thinks about how lonely he is every night without the bubbly boy, always so full of life, to make him laugh. But it turns to a frown when he thinks of Carlos spending night after night in a hospital bed being taken care of by strangers, being away from the people he loves and he stops feeling sorry for himself then. Carlos turns his head and catches his eye, but quickly James fakes a smile which Carlos whole-heartedly returns before going back to playing the video game.
The hours pass so quickly and at the end of the evening it seems far too soon to be bringing Carlos back to the center, but James has no choice so everyone says their goodbyes and he drives Carlos to his temporary home, as always taking great care in helping transition him from the car to his wheelchair before bringing him inside. It's been a long day, but a good one. Carlos is tired and a little sore, as he tends to be when he spends most of the day sitting up. So he sinks into his chair, lets James push him through the doors of the center instead of using his arms. A wave of sadness passes over Carlos as he thinks about everyone else back at the apartment, laughing and hanging out together, maybe having a snack as they stay up late and watch movies together. He tries to push past it, knowing he'll be back home again soon. James looks down at him as he pushes the wheelchair toward Carlos' room and catches the sadness in his eyes. He sets a hand on the younger boy's shoulder, squeezes gently. He doesn't have the words to make Carlos feel better, but somehow his touch is enough for now.