Gabby opened the doors for him as he made his way inside. This morning she had picked him up at the center, together with all his stuff s he was finally home now.
''Just in time for Christmas.'' He smiled, so glad to be home. Even though he knew his recovery was not done, he was so glad to finally be home.
She carried his bag to the laundry room to wash them and leaned in the doorway as he was making his way through the house. `Looking as he did so, it hit her again how much had changed an dhow much time had passed. But with everything that had been going on, the accident seemed even longer ago then it even was.
Matt was looking at a bunch of flowers on the table, moving closer.
''Your mom send flowers over.'' She pointed at them at the table and Matt smiled.
''That is great.'' He looked at the flowers. It was still weird that he was going to be here now from now on again. It was his house again, after he had been gone for 7 months.
Some small renovations had still been done after the initial work they had done with the firehouse, and he looked around. It was so much work all of them had put into this apartment, and it made him feel grateful he had such great friends.
''Everything alright?'' Gabby walked up behind him as he was looking at their patio from the bedroom.
''Yeah, just really glad to be here.'' He said, his eyes tearing up but in a good way, because he was grateful and happy to be home. She laid her arms around him and kissed him on his cheek.
''I am really glad you are here again too.''
With a drink, they settled in the living room. Even though it was sunny today, it was December and way too cold to sit outside.
''Kelly is coming by later, other offered as well but honestly, I just want to enjoy the day at home.'' Matt explained and Gabby nodded, understanding what he meant.
The doorbell rang and Matt made his way to the door, opening the door for his friend.
''hey, welcome home!'' Kelly said excited to see Matt home.
''Come in man, thanks for coming.'' Matt said and they made their way to the kitchen table. It was a bit easier for him to sit up at the table since he could lean on it, which was less of a burden on his abs.
''So how does it feel to be home.'' Kelly smiled after grabbing a beer, giving Matt one as well.
''It is great.'' Matt smiled. Gabby smiled at him too, grateful to have him home.
''Need anything about the house still adjusted? I am glad to help.''
''Thanks, no it is fine.'' Matt shook his head. He really appreciated how his friend was trying to help him.
They chatted a bit more and Kelly left a little later.
He let Kelly out and made his way back inside. Some of the furniture had been moved around which made it a lot easier for him to get around. Gabby was standing in the kitchen.
''You still want to eat pancakes?'' She asked a bit concerned.
''What is wrong?'' He asked as he made his way towards her.
''We are out of milk and eggs. I need some for pancakes.'' She sighed, wanting to grab the keys to go out and get some at the corner shop only two blocks again.
''I will go and get some.'' He said.
''No Matt, it is fine, I can go myself.''
''Gabby, I really want to do this. It will make me feel good that I can do these simple things again, on my own.'' He explained, and she nodded.
''Okay.'' She smiled and kissed him. He made his way out of the house through the back and towards the shop. It was not that far, but he really wanted to do this. It made him feel like his life would finally be back to as normal as it could be now. He knew Gabby wanted to go at first, but he wanted to show he could do thing independent again.
It was not really far, but he struggled a bit making his way over the bumpy sidewalks to the shop with his wheelchair.
At the shop, he got the groceries they needed and made his way to the counter to pay.
''hey, it is nice to see you again!'' The clerk said, recognizing Matt immediately.
''It is good to be here again.'' Matt smiled.
''I thought you and your wife had moved…I am sorry to ask but what happened?'' He asked curious.
''Accident on the job. Just glad to finally be back home'' Matt said as he took the chance.
''I can understand. I am sorry that happened. Just glad to see you around again.''
The shopkeeper put the groceries in a bag and handed it to him. Matt put it on his lap, making his way to the door. Out of the shop, he made his way back home. It was almost weird being back in his old neighborhood after months of rehabilitation.
He made his way back to their backyard, opening the gate. Gabby opened the patio door for him and he held out the bag for her.
''Got everything.''
''I didn't doubt you would.'' She said, but knew he felt good doing these things on his own. She started prepping dinner as he was setting the table. After he had been here when the firehouse had adjusted their house, they moved a lot of stuff Matt would need to get too. Now he was able to do all of this on his own and it made him feel good. Making pancakes, Matt was at the table, his arms on the table and is head on his hands, looking at his wife.
''What are you looking at?'' Gabby joked as she was flipping the pancakes.
''My wife.'' He smiled. ''My very beautiful wife.''
She got the pancakes ready and put the plate down in front of him, handing him cutlery as well and sitting down herself.
''This is great, thanks.'' Matt started to eat.
''I am so glad you are home.''
''I am too, and I am so grateful about how you have been the last few weeks, everything was all ready and I am so grateful how helpful you have been.'' He said.
''Well you are my husband.'' She smiled. It had not always been easy, but she was glad she could be here for her husband.
''I was planning on going back to work next week, is that alright with you?'' Gabby asked.
''Ofcourse.'' Matt smiled, glad she was getting back to her own life again. She had done so much for him and the last thing he wanted was for her to stop living her life because of him. Even though he knew it would take some time adjusting to everything, he wanted her to go back to work if she wanted to.
''Are you sure you will be okay here alone?'' She asked a bit concerned.
''Yeah, I did not spend that much time in rehabilitation to not be able to manage on my own now.'' Matt assured her.
''You are right. I just want you to feel okay and do the right thing.''
''I know, and I appreciate it.''
They moved into the kitchen to do the dishes. With the new sink, Matt was doing the dishes, as he was worried to drop the dishes if we were drying them.
Leaning into the sink, he washed it off and handed it to Gabby to dry it off.
''Guy in the shop recognized me, he thought we moved.'' Matt mumbled then, thinking about it.
''Well, it has been a while.''
''I know.'' Matt mumbled. They finished up the dishes and Matt went to take his medication and did some exercises why Gabby settled at the kitchen table with her laptop, figuring out some things for their trip a few weeks. They were going to a big mountain lodge as she had given him for his birthday. It was still a bit odd now that he was home after all these months and she was worried that everything was a bit overwhelming, as he had been very quiet today.
Hopefully the holidays and the trip to the lodge would reconnect them a bit more.
Matt came back to the living room and she closed the laptop.
''Was looking at some things for our trip.'' She smiled.
''I am looking forward to it.'' Matt smiled and he kissed her on her cheek.
''Let's get settled on the couch.'' He offered and he moved over to the couch, Gabby sitting down beside him. He laid against her as they watched the news and her hands caressed over his neck and shoulders.
Watching TV together, laying close, Gabby could not help but think about how much had changed over the last few months, but she hoped thinks would be like they were before now that he was home. She knew he would get another job, and some things would never go back to the way things were before, but at least they were home together again.
''Want a drink?'' Matt asked then, sitting up.
''I can go and get it.'' Gabby offered so he did not have to get up, but he shook his head.
''No it is fine, I can get it.''
He moved from the couch back to his chair and made his way to the kitchen. Gabby looked backwards, looking as he was grabbing the wine from the fridge. His hands were shaking as he poured it into her glass, but making it back to her he looked glad to do it. After grabbing himself another drink he moved back to the couch.
''Thanks.''
He held her close as they started a movie and he laid back, Gabby laying against him. He had his arms around her and his hands around hers. She was so glad to feel his hands around hers. When the accident had just happened, he had not been able to move his hands at all, and it had improved so much.
After watching the movie, Matt sat up, yawning.
''I am going to shower and go the bed.'' Matt sighed and she held his arm as he moved back to his chair.
''Gabby, I can do it.''
''I know, just thought because you are tired.'' She said as she let go of his arm.
''Thanks, but I am fine.'' He assured her, still looking at her with a smile. He knew she meant it well, but really wanted to do it himself.
Matt going into the shower, Gabby was getting ready for bed as well. As it took Matt a while now, she was folding the laundry from this morning.
Coming out of the bathroom, he lifted himself onto the bed, struggling a bit.
''If the bed is still to high we can look at getting a lower one.'' She said as she
''I am fine.'' He assured her. Getting onto the bed, pulling his legs up. It was the first time he was back in his own bed since the accident had happened, and he was so glad to be next to Gabby again.
''Can you get me an extra pillow?'' He asked and she nodded, grabbing one from the cabinet. She stuffed under his neck and made sure he was comfortable, sitting down on the bed beside him.
''It is so great to finally have you home.'' She smiled as she kissed him.
''It is good to be here, sorry, I am just really tired.'' Matt admitted. Even though he was really glad to be home, everything took a lot more effort now. Even though he was happy to be here still, it did make him a bit sad as so much had changed.
Gabby was laying beside him now, and he knew that he should be grateful he had her, and she had been by his side all this time.
Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her closer and she laid against his chest. Laying close, they fell asleep.