"She doesn't need to be saddled with...this.” He motioned to his whole body with his hand, even though it didn’t come close to labeling all the things that were wrong with him. “With someone who’s disabled and will be dependent on her and hold her back for the rest of her life." Damon defended his choice even as he questioned whether he'd made a mistake.
"That wasn't your decision to make," Isabella said, a deep V creasing her brow.
Steven snorted. "Just because youhavea disability that doesn’t meanyou’redisabled. Besides, that will all change once you get your prosthetic."
"You'll be up and running in no time." Matt clapped a hand on his shoulder. "In fact, I'm counting on it, because I want to run a half marathon, and I need you to help me train."
Running.
Damon had missed it. The sun on his face, wind in his hair. After he got his prosthetic, would he be able to get back to where he was before the blast.
"Okay," Mom rose to her feet, taking the attention off Damon. "Time for brunch. Who's flipping the pancakes and who’s cooking the bacon?"
Everyone, except the kids, moved to the kitchen where mom put them all to work, even Damon. She set him up at the table with a bowl and two dozen eggs to crack. Then he was tasked with cutting fruit.
Later, after they were all stuffed but feeling too lazy to leave the table because that meant they had to clean up, Isabella asked, "When do you get to come home, Damon?"
All eyes looked at him.
"I uh...I'm going to stay here at the rehab center for a while."
"If you come home, Mom won't feel like she has to fly out here so often." Steven gave him a pointed look.
Would Grace continue to accompany his mom?
Damon looked at his mom. He'd been glad to have her here off and on over the past few weeks, but he worried all the traveling would wear her out. "I think I should stay here until I'm more independent. I have to do PT everyday and...I still need help with...certain tasks.” It looked like Matt was going to argue with him, so Damon continued. “But you really don't need to keep flying out here to be with me, Mom."
The last thing he wanted was his mom having to help him shower or try to lift him off the floor if he fell.
"If you come home, you can do PT with Gabe," Steven said. "And Matt and I can help you with whatever you need."
"No offense, Bro, but I don't want you scrubbing my back."
This sparked a round of laughter followed by teasing about pretty, young nurses.
The truth though? He didn't want to have to face Gabe and admit that he'd broken Grace's heart. And if he was at home, it was only a matter of time until he crossed paths with Grace.
It wasn't until his brothers took him back to the rehab center that afternoon that he opened Grace's final gift. The softest crocheted blanket he'd ever seen burst from the box along with a note when he lifted the lid.
This is my first completed project. It was a major learning experience, so don't look too closely, or you'll see all my mistakes.
I know it's not the same as me hugging you, but every time you use this, remember I'm thinking of you and wish I was there with you (even if you don't want me there).
Those were the words he'd insisted Maria write on the card when he asked her to leave the hoodie on Grace's doorstep after her mother passed away.
Tears pricked at the back of Damon's eyes as he curled his fingers into the soft yarn. He wouldn't give into them though. It wouldn't do any good, because even though he still loved Grace, nothing had changed.
She deserved someone who wasn’t so damaged and could give her the things he couldn’t.
CHAPTER 27
Damon’s coming home.
Grace’s heart rate kicked up at the knowledge. She felt all the emotions. Nervous, excited, and anxious. They made her feel intoxicated and nauseous at the same time.
It had been a long seven weeks since they got the call that he’d been injured. She’d continued to fly back and forth with Charity almost every week, putting some of her mom’s life insurance money to use.
She stepped back and studied the fresh cinnamon rolls. It was her first solo attempt. They weren't as pretty as Charity's, but they looked good enough to eat. Hopefully they tasted that way.
