Chapter 23
Three months later
Alex
The months that followed were grueling. Tuesday had to put her life on hold and focus solely on getting stronger. She was in a wheelchair for months. The endless physical and occupational therapy helped her to make strides but wore her out. It was more important than ever that she knew I was by her side and would do anything and everything to help her regain her life.
The Palmers have been great about letting me spend so much time at their home. I’ve practically moved in. With my rotating schedule at the fire department, it only made sense for Sunny to stay in her home, where she could receive therapy, and her mother or father could assist her if I was on duty.
Yet she’s come a long way, and the time has come to regain some privacy.
“Why are you so jumpy?” I ask as we sit in the waiting room of her orthopedic surgeon’s office.
“I don’t know. It feels like graduation day. That this visit could mark the start of so many new things after all of this time. Not needing constant supervision, getting my life back, returning to work at Cygnature Blooms─”
“Moving in with me,” I interrupt.
Tuesday beams at me.
“Tuesday,” the nurse calls from the doorway.
We stand and follow her down the hall to Dr. Knight’s office. She ushers us inside and reassures us he will be with us shortly. Looking about the room, there are no personal photos or mementos—just various certificates and degrees on display.
All of a sudden, Dr. Knight appears and greets us before sitting down. Tuesday looks at me and smiles before reaching for my hand. Shit. I know this girl loves me. She didn’t bat an eye when doctor tall, rich, and handsome walked in. Orthopedist extraordinaire Dr. Holden Knight is impressive. He’s talented, good-looking, and appears pretty humble. I mean, I’m a dude, and I’d hit that.
“I wanted to start by saying how impressed I am with your tenacity, Ms. Palmer. You’ve endured quite a tragic accident and bounced back impressively. While you’ll still likely face some obstacles, I think the worst is behind you.”
“I’m glad you brought that up, Dr. Knight. It’s not something I’m considering anytime soon. But I want to be clear on what the future holds.”
Confused, I turn to see she’s struggling to finish her statement.
“Can I still have kids?”
I get a lump in my throat. How had I never even considered this before? I guess it’s only natural for a woman to contemplate this after all she’s been through. This could be devastating for her. Me too, if I’m being honest. But I’m not opposed to adoption if we need to. So long as she’s okay, we’ll figure out the rest.
“I’m glad you brought that up. It’s a misconception that most people with pelvic fractures, such as yours, cannot have children. Some may require cesarean section versus delivering vaginally, but the majority have healthy pregnancies without complication.”
Tuesday visibly exhales, and I can see her shoulders relax. My heart clenches at the sight. I didn’t realize how much this had been weighing on her.
“The other area I would encourage you to feel free to discuss with me is intercourse.”
What the fuck? I drop Tuesday’s hand as both of mine ball into fists. Okay, maybe I’ll be hitting him in a different way.
He must notice my face reddening and quickly interjects, “This is an area many find embarrassing to talk over with their doctor. And unfortunately, I suspect many of my colleagues may prefer to avoid the discussion altogether. Yet it’s important. This can obviously affect your quality of life. Some patients, men and women, can struggle with intercourse following a fracture like yours. Only time will tell. But it’s not uncommon for patients to have long-term struggles. If this becomes an issue for you, please let me know. There are pelvic floor exercises that can be performed with physical therapy, biofeedback, lots of options. I don’t want you to suffer in silence.”
I sit back in my seat dumbfounded. I never considered this either. Purely focused on her recovery, it never dawned on me this could be a problem down the road. But it’s not surprising. I’m glad he was so forthright about it. This fucker really is smooth.
* * *
Having left Dr. Knight’s office with a little more spring in her step, we decide to grab lunch before returning home.
“Do you feel good about how things went?”
“Yes.” She nods over her turkey club.
“I hadn’t thought about the impact this could have on our sex life,” I admit.
“Me either. I only worried about carrying a baby to term with hardware holding my pelvis together. I never considered sex could be a problem.”
“I need you to be honest when the time comes. Please don’t shut me out if you’re in pain or having any issues. I want to know what you’re feeling.”
She reaches out to squeeze my hand. “I have a good feeling about us. I think we’ll find a way to overcome whatever life throws at us.”
Lifting her hand to my mouth, I kiss the inside of her palm. This food has nothing on my sweet girl.
“Oh. Did I ever tell you I met a girl in North Carolina after your birthday cruise?”
Tuesday sits up straighter in her chair, pulls her sandwich from her mouth, and gives me the worst glare I’ve ever seen. “I wondered what happened when you ghosted me. Now I’m not sure I want to know.”
“What? No. No.” I reach for her hand. “Baby, that came out all wrong. I went to Sycamore Mountain with some friends to clear my head. And while I was there, I met a girl who designs gourmet cakes and cupcakes. She was saying how she wanted to expand her little shop and join forces with a creative florist to bring a unique vision to the clients who order from her for garden parties, weddings, and the like. I told her you’d be perfect for the job.”
Tuesday’s face lights up like nothing I’ve ever seen. It’s probably the most luminous I’ve seen her since the accident. “Wow.” Tear fill her eyes. “I’d love to meet her. It sounds amazing.”
“Well, why don’t we plan a trip? Sycamore Mountain, here we come.”
Tuesday
“Oh, Tuesday. I’m so proud of you. You’ve done so well with rehab, and now my baby girl is moving out on her own,” Mom says.
I smile. I’m grateful she and Dad have been so accepting of my decision to move in with Alex.
“Just don’t let your living situation distract you from your studies.”
“About that.” I wince as I try to find the right words. “I’d like to finish my degree. But I don’t want to be a nurse.”
My mother looks at me with a flat affect.
“I know how important it is to you to have Ricky and me follow in your footsteps. But I’m not interested in health care. At all. I didn’t mind volunteering, but not enough to do it for a living. If that accident taught me nothing else, it’s to seize the day.”
“Honey, I’m just surprised. I had no idea you didn’t want to be a nurse.”
“I want to have my own floral shop one day. I’m at peace when I’m at Cygnature Blooms, surrounded by flowers. The few days a month I work there are some of the happiest I have. I want to work at a job I love. Not one I tolerate.”
“You’re absolutely right. Working your whole life is hard enough. You should follow your passion. And if your passion is flowers, then so be it.”
I wrap my arms around my mother, squeezing her tight. “You have no idea how relieved I am.”
“Oh, honey. We love you. We only want to see you happy.”
Pulling back from her, I stop to reflect on all the positives in my life. Alex and I have been looking online at Sycamore Mountain, and we’re excited to visit and meet Addison at her bake shop. He even said he’d be willing to consider a transfer there if working with her became a serious possibility. I just can’t believe it.
While some would focus on how my life has turned upside down following the accident, I choose to see it differently. I’ve faced adversity head-on and won. I have an amazing supportive family. I’m going to pursue my dream job. And I’m in love with my brother’s best friend.
How can things get any better than this?
Keep reading for Matt and Ellie’s story.