It took three weeks until Mark was able to make a full recovery. After one week, his sense of feel had completely returned, as did his ability to move. He had to have some therapy for his neck, but overall healed quite quickly. Mark knew he was lucky that it hadn't been worse, and he thanked God it wasn't.
Throughout this healing process, Brandy stayed by Mark's side as much as she possibly could. Both knew they needed to talk about what had happened, but neither one wanted to bring it up, so they simply ignored the matter at hand. Things started somewhat going back to the way they had once been, but what had happened always hung above their heads. Brandy tried to act like she wasn't hurt, but eventually she would be unable to hide it.
"Careful, Mark. Don't hit your head," Brandy said as she helped Mark into her car.
"I got it," he said as he cautiously eased his way inside. It felt good to be out of the hospital, and to be heading back home. However, he did still have the neck brace on, which bugged the hell out of him. In just one more week, he would be able to have it removed, and he could not wait until it came off.
"How does it feel to be out of there?" Brandy asked once they were on the road.
"It feels damn good," he replied, making her grin.
"I bet it does," she commented. Patting his hand, she added, "It's nice to see you out of there, too."
Mark smiled at her and took her hand in his. "When are you going back?" he asked.
"Vince let me take a week off to help you out at first. I wanted to make sure you were doing well on your own before leaving you alone."
"You didn't have to do that. I'll be fine on my own."
"Yeah, I really believe that one," she said in a sarcastic manner.
Placing his other hand over hers, Mark said, "Thank you for being with me during all of this. I really appreciate it, and I don't know if I could have handled it without you."
"You're welcome, Mark," she replied, giving his hand a squeeze.
"You're an amazing person," he added, and lifted her hand to kiss it, when she suddenly pulled it away.
"Home sweet home," she said, changing the subject as she pulled into their driveway.
Mark looked out the window. "Damn, am I glad to see home."
"I don't blame you," Brandy said as she pulled up to the house and parked the car. "You head on in, and I'll get your bags," she added as they got out of the car.
"I can bring something in-"
"No, Mark, you don't need to be doing anything like that. Go on inside, and I'll get this. Take a bath, watch some TV, just don't do anything strenuous."
Seeing he wasn't going to get anywhere with this, Mark reluctantly headed in while Brandy popped open the trunk of her car and started getting out the bags in there. Once she had all his bags in his room, Brandy went in search for where Mark had gone. She eventually found him in the main bathroom, soaking in the bathtub. "How you feeling, big guy?" she asked as she sat down on the edge of the tub.
"Pretty good," he replied.
"Hey, wait a minute. Why don't you have your brace on?"
"The doctor said it would be okay to remove it when I wash, but that I just need to be extra careful." Brandy raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm serious. I wouldn't just take it off for the hell of it. The last thing I need is to fuck my neck up even more."
"Okay, I believe you."
"Good. Hey, would you mind getting my back for me?"
"Sure," she replied, grabbing the rag and soaping it up. She had Mark lean forward, and gently scrubbed his back. She heard a low growl escape his mouth, and her heart began to pound when she heard this. "A-Am I hurting you?"
"No, that feels good," he murmured. "I'm so tense."
Rinsing off his back, she then sat the rag aside, and cautiously set her feet in the tub on either side of Mark as she started gently massaging his shoulders. Letting out a sigh, Mark leaned back against her and rested his head against her stomach. This made Brandy's heart pound even harder. How could he do this? How could he one day accuse her of cheating, and then the next act as if nothing happened? He confused her.
Mark was in heaven as Brandy's hands ran along his shoulders and chest. He had missed this. He had missed HER. Now that he had her back, though, he planned on never letting her go. Mark let out a silent sigh when she started massaging his scalp, feeling beyond relaxed. He began softly caressing her leg, when she hesitated on what she was doing before continuing. Mark continued to stroke her leg, when Brandy suddenly stopped, and had him lean forward so she could get up. "I can't do this," she said as she dried off her legs.
Mark frowned. "Brandy-" he said, but she quickly walked out the door. Leaning back, he let out a frustrated sigh. Things were far from being okay between them.