Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lily - Four Weeks Later
“What do you say, Lily-Bee? You ready to blow this pop stand and head home?”
The timbre of Jaxon’s voice barely preceded him as he sprinted across the threshold of my room, pushing a wheelchair with unparalleled enthusiasm, tipping the chair back on its rear wheels while he wore a grin a mile wide, sparkling in his eyes, filled with the promise of adventure ahead.
“Places like this usually frown upon their patients trying to pop a wheelie.”
After my emotional reunion with Arizona a month ago in her hospital room, I returned to mine in time to see Dr. Holt.
Since I was awake and alert and my labs were clear, he recommended moving me to the inpatient rehabilitation center adjacent to the hospital in Rockwood, of all places, as soon as possible.
He explained that they had a state-of-the-art facility and were better equipped to handle the specialized care I would need to help me regain my mobility and shorten my recovery time—a plan I was completely on board with.
“Good thing I’m not a patient then.” He winked. “It’s also why I ran out earlier and returned armed with copious amounts of coffee, strawberry lemonade, donuts, and muffins. I’m banking on all of the staff being distracted while I break my girl out of here.”
“Then you shouldn’t have practically skipped down the hallway humming so loudly, Fisher,” Doctor Holt said, startling us both from the doorway where he stood in a crisp navy suit and white button-down dress shirt.
“I wasn’t skipping,” Jaxon countered, but the corner of his mouth twitched, which was really saying something since he was known for having the best poker face.
“Not what I heard.” The doctor arched a brow.
“You don’t even work here, so you can’t get me in trouble.”
He shook his head with an amused smile before turning his attention to me. “So, today’s the big day, huh, Lily?”
“It is, no take-backs, Doc,” Jaxon teased.
“No, no. I’d never. I had a meeting next door at the hospital and hoped to catch you before you checked out. I wanted to say again how proud I am of your recovery. All your hard work and determination have really paid off. It’s been a privilege to witness.”
“Thank you.”
“While I know Sutton River’s hospital isn’t as big, fancy, and exciting as what you’re used to here, but when the time comes that you’re ready to return to work, we’d love to offer you a nursing position. That is if you’re interested.”
“Really?” Jaxon and I both said in unison.
“Yes. The staff, myself included, believe you’d be an excellent addition.”
“That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Now take your time and give it some thought.”
I looked over at Jaxon, already sure of my answer. “I’d love nothing more than to work much closer to home when I’m ready.”
“I had a feeling you might say that.” His eyes glanced to Jaxon’s for a beat before returning to mine.
“Now, honestly speaking, there’s no rush.
Deborah is going to retire within the next year.
We’ve spoken and run it by the administration at length.
If you’re ready next week, she’ll happily retire early; otherwise, you can take the full year. She’s good either way.”
“Wow, I . . . I’m speechless.” I could hardly believe the opportunity he was presenting me was real. It was also a huge relief to have one less thing to worry about.
I was so grateful.
“On that note, this isn’t goodbye; it’s until I see you again.”
“Thank you, Doctor Holt, for everything. Truly, you’ve been amazing through this whole ordeal,” I said, placing my hand over my heart.
“Yes, thank you, Doctor. We’re forever in your debt,” Jaxon echoed.
“Just doing my job. Now go on, Fisher, get your girl out of here. I’d say she’s more than earned a change in scenery.”
We all laughed because the past four weeks had felt like Groundhog Day.
“I can’t argue that.” I stood up from the bed and moved between the footrests, easing myself into the wheelchair seat. “Okay, handsome, time to put your money where your mouth is and take me home.”
“Ten-four, my love.” He leaned down and kissed the side of my neck before making our way out to the parking lot.
As soon as we were settled and Jaxon started his car, I rolled down my window.
I didn’t have a hair tie, but I didn’t let that deter me.
With the music up and my hair tickling my face as it danced in the wind, I breathed in the rush of fresh air that filled my lungs without a single care in the world.
A simple pleasure that was easy to take for granted felt new and invigorating.
Once we entered Sutton River, I took in all the beauty our small town had to offer. From the quaint little shops in the heart of Main Street, all family-owned and cared for with pride, to the farmer’s market, where there was never a shortage of fresh stock of fruits and vegetables.
I’d always loved the real sense of community here, but now that familiar, nostalgic feeling that made me smile felt even more meaningful now.
The fresh scent of coffee roasting caught my attention as we drove past Beans and Beyond. I turned my head, admiring the cute little setup of tables and chairs with fresh flowers on each table under its large awning in front of its storefront window.
“Did you want me to turn around and get you anything from the cafe?”
“No, I’m anxious to get home, but I’d like you to take me one day soon.”
“Absolutely, whenever you want. I’m here to grant all your wishes.” His tone dripped with playful intent.
I angled my head toward him with my eyes widening. “Oh, how many do I get?”
“An infinite amount.”
“Is there a magical stick I need to rub for those wishes?” I couldn’t hide my smirk as I tried to say those words with a straight face.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say no.”
I returned his smile and leaned my head against the headrest. The past month had felt like an eternity.
I thought I knew what to expect after going through physical therapy years ago following my car accident, but this was a whole different experience entirely, on a level I never could have anticipated, since it wasn’t just my legs that were affected.
The days were long and tedious. Some felt like I was trying to conquer Everest, never having trained a single day in my life, while others gave me hope when my body responded as it should.
Through every moment of it, Jaxon was by my side.
He never once wavered in his praise and encouragement, even when my frustrations were running high at times.
He helped me dig deep and push through every hurdle thrown in my path designed to trip me up.
When Doctor Holt initially warned me I might not be able to go home for upward of eight weeks, I had myself a pity party for one.
Jaxon held me as I cried for what felt like hours.
I needed that time to feel the heaviness, shed every doubt and negative thought, so that I could replace them with a fighter’s mentality.
I knew that if I dug deep enough, I could summon every ounce of willpower and resilience I needed because my life was worth fighting for.
Surrendering wasn’t an option.
Beating the doctor’s timeline by half felt amazing, but nothing was better than feeling in control again.
“Ah, this feels so good.” Jaxon’s words broke through my thoughts as I looked out the front window to see him pulling into our driveway. “Finally, bringing you home with me.” He lifted the hand of mine that he’d been holding and pressed his lips to my skin.
The only reason he ever left my side was to grab a fresh set of clothes or food.
He’d spent every night camped beside my bed on a narrow armchair that pulled out into a makeshift bed.
I felt so bad every night when he refused to share mine, claiming he didn’t want to disturb me at all and reserved cuddling for the daytime when I wasn’t knee-deep in physiotherapy.
While returning to his old house wasn’t what I’d initially envisioned, it made the most sense as it was a bungalow with no stairs for me to navigate. But that wasn’t the only obvious reason, since it was our only option.
When Jaxon finally told me about the fire at the lake house and all the damage it caused, I was gutted and absolutely riddled with guilt that I’d unknowingly brought my past to his doorstep.
After some tough conversations, he helped me process and see past those feelings.
He reminded me that no one had power over us.
No one could take away the place we held in our hearts, the memories we made at the lake, or the life we chose to build there, unless we allowed it.
So in the end, we chose to move ahead with rebuilding. After an engineer and restoration experts confirmed the house needed to be completely gutted, crews quickly got to work, salvaging any parts of the stone exterior that had not been damaged by the fire.
In the end, all that mattered was being where Jaxon was.
He was my home.
Jaxon opened my door and offered me his hand to help me out of the car. I knew his first instinct was to do more, to step in fully, and yet he held back, allowing me the independence to move on my own until I asked for help.
But today, I didn’t want to be on display.
“Mind giving me a lift?”
“I’d be happy to.” He beamed with pride.
Jaxon carried me bridal-style toward the front door, where I reached down and slid the key into the lock.
“Welcome home, my love.” He stepped over the threshold and set me down on my feet next to the breakfast bar.
“Jaxon, this—” I was utterly blown away by the transformation of his old living room that I could hardly believe I was standing in the same space where I once thought he’d been robbed. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”
“Well, I can’t take any of the credit; I just asked for help in getting all your stuff here. It was Lakelyn’s idea to give the walls a fresh coat of paint; she made it cozy by placing everything just like in your condo. Boden built the wall shelves for your plant babies—”