Baby Steps [OTA]

[thecutdiamond]

Others may have been antsy about the fact that they can't escape from the confines of the Deck, but Rachel's been increasingly more anxious to be more properly out of the confines of the wheelchair. Her strength has been building, slowly but surely, especially since she's returned home, and the weeks of physical therapy have been effective in

Comments

[ishineon]

That sound's unfamiliar, the clatter on the stone floor. The sight of the woman rounding the corner isn't unfamiliar, but it's been a while since she was seeing it at this height.

"Oh my- you're- Oh!"

[thecutdiamond]

It's a rare thing, to see the other woman surprised, but then, it's a rare thing to see Rachel smiling quite so widely, as well.

It calls for a bit of informality between friends, "Hello, Säde."

[ishineon]

She can't bring herself to return the greeting so casually, not faced with the clear evidence of a celebration being called for. "You're standing. Unassisted, even. I hadn't thought-- that's wonderful."

[thecutdiamond]

"Not quite unassisted," she can't help but say, "But yes-- they said I'm able to begin using the crutches more, now."

[ishineon]

She has to shake her head, impulsively throwing her arms around the other woman. Who cares for propriety? That's hardly the most important thing here.

[thecutdiamond]

There's a quiet sound of surprise, the faintest rush of air from her lips as she's embraced. It's a bit of a balancing act to get one of her own arms around the other woman, but she manages.

Laughs quietly but with utter joy into her friend's ear.

"It-- is wonderful, isn't it?"

A Hopeful thing in the midst of so much concern.

[ishineon]

She leans her head against Rachel's hair, still laughing a little herself. "Just a few months ago- only yesterday, it feels like- I wasn't sure you'd ever be the same again. And now--"

[thecutdiamond]

"I thought there was no hope," she confesses softly, "But-- oh, Säde, it must have been some-- miracle of some sort. Everything's just... so much better than I dared imagine."

[ishineon]

"A miracle for the new year," she murmurs, finally pulling back, her smile still soft on her face. "Isn't that just wonderful."

[thecutdiamond]

"It is," she answers, a smile of her own still properly settled on her face, "I hope it's a good sign for what the rest of the year will bring."

For herself and for all of them. It's a better feeling than her emotions last year.

[ishineon]

"We'd best work to make it so, then." Starting the year with a burst of joy like this? Surely it wouldn't be so hard to sustain.

[thecutdiamond]

They could certainly try.

"I'm certain we'll all do our best."