Chapter 6

It had been a long week. His Friday afternoon therapy session had tapped him of any remaining energy. He and Jordan were sitting on the couch together when Jordan noticed Woody's eyes close.

"Tired?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't we go to bed?"

"No, I'm okay. I just want to sit here with you a little longer. "

"Okay." Jordan suspected he may not want to move. She began to rub his legs. He hadn't said anything, but she knew the intense therapy sessions made him sore.

"Mmmm, that feels good, Jo, thank you." Woody said sincerely. Jordan smiled at him.

"Pathetic, isn't it?" He said without looking at her

"What?" She questioned. She knew that tone.

"It's 8: 30 on a Friday night and you're boyfriend can't even get off the couch."

"Hey, don't go there. We've been over this. There is nowhere else I'd rather be." She said looking him right in the eyes. Woody looked like he was going to protest.

"Woody, the progress you've made has been amazing. This isn't some TV show where you're better in the next episode. You will walk again and I can't wait to see you do it, but don't discount how far you've come already. These nights, sitting with you, rubbing your legs, are more precious than you know. Four months ago none of this was promised." She finished firmly, trying to hold back the tears that started to form in her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get all emotional on you." She let out a small laugh. Woody gave her a soft smile and leaned forward to kiss her.

"You're right, Jordan. I loose perspective sometimes. It's a bad habit." Jordan watched him as he seemed to get lost in thought.

"Marry me."

"Woody?"

" Just let me get this out." He started." I always envisioned this as some grand gesture. I was waiting until I could walk again, until I could get down on one knee, but I just realized it doesn't matter. I love you. God, I can't believe I amost pushed you away. We've wasted enough time. It won't always be easy. It hasn't been so far, but despite all that, I'm happy. We've already faced the scariest thing, almost losing each other. And, you know what? I not scared anymore. Jordan Cavanaugh, will you marry me?"

"Yes. " She simply replied. They both let out a little gasp at her reply, not quite believing it was happening. Woody smiled at her, then pulled her to him. The kiss that followed was full of love and promise.

Once they broke apart he was grabbing his crutches from beside the couch and getting up.

"Woody?"

She heard him rummaging through his bedside table. He came out with a familiar ring box.

" Like I said, I wasn't planning to do this now, but maybe this will work for the time being?" He sat back down opening the ring box and slipping it on her left ring finger.

" I thought you took it back?" She asked.

" I couldn't." He stated simply.

" I'm glad "

The next morning Woody woke up with Jordan wrapped in his arms. As he ran his hand through her hair, he realized how amazing this was. Jordan's words from the night before echoed in his head. None of this was promised. Everything they'd been through in the last few months, they managed to find each other. She really did love him and she'd agreed to marry him.

Their relationship had never been conventional, it seemed fitting that they had explored the intimacies of their relationship before consummating it. Again, he had this idealized expectation of what the moment should be, but as he held her with the ring on her finger he knew he just wanted her.

He could feel her wake. She shifted away from him slightly and turned to face him.

"Good morning." She said with almost a shy smile.

"It is." He affirmed.

He cupped her face and kissed her. When Jordan expected the kiss to end, Woody deepened it. Eventually they did break apart and Jordan pulled back slightly to look at his face. She looked into his eyes; they shone with intensity. She realized the significance. She knew it was important for Woody to initiate when he was ready. She'd never been a relationship like this before, realizing intimacy without sex. There was something uniquely beautiful about how their relationship had progressed.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Jo."

He pulled her to him, claiming her lips again. He then grabbed her middle and hoisted her on top of him. He removed her shirt and explored her body. Jordan followed suit and removed Woody's shirt. She began planting kisses on his neck trailing them down his chest and stomach until she got to his scar. It was still red and prominent. A fresh reminder of how they'd gotten here. She kissed it tenderly, acknowledging the significance that they had made it to this moment. The exchange of kisses continued and their remaining clothes were shed. Their bodies moved together bringing them both to the pinnacle of intimacy.