Another two weeks passed before the doctor said I could abandon the wheelchair.
"But you still can't overexert yourself," the doctor cautioned. "The wounds need more time to fully heal."
"I understand."
The moment I stood up from that wheelchair, I felt reborn.
"Noelle, look," I took a few careful steps. "I can walk."
"Be careful," she steadied me. "Don't fall."
"I won't."
I walked over to Leo's crib and gazed down at my sleeping son.
"Noelle, I want to take you both back to Philadelphia."
"Why? Isn't it nice here?" Resistance colored her tone.
"I know you don't want to go back." I took her hand. "There are too many painful memories there. But Noelle, I want to show you—everything has changed."
"What do you mean?"
"Before I came to find you, I had the entire place renovated," I explained. "All those cold colors you despised are gone. Everything is warm tones now—very cozy and inviting. I also replaced all the clothes in your wardrobe with styles you actually like."
"Kholod, did you plan this from the beginning?"
"No. But I kept hoping that maybe, just maybe, you'd be willing to come back. I wanted everything to be ready if you did."
She remained silent.
"I know it takes courage. But Noelle, that place is our home."
"Let me think about it," she finally said.
"Of course," I nodded. "Take your time."
That evening, Noelle came to my room.
"Kholod, are you asleep?"
"Not yet," I sat up. "What is it?"
"I've made my decision," she sat on the edge of the bed. "About returning to Philadelphia."
"Oh?" I couldn't help tensing.
"I'm willing to go back," she said. "But I have conditions."
"What conditions? Tell me."
"First, I want my own space. I don't want to be monitored or have my freedom restricted."
"Absolutely," I agreed immediately. "You can go anywhere you want."
"Second, I want to continue pursuing my own interests. I refuse to be some idle trophy wife."
"I completely support whatever you want to do."
