Trials: Chapter Twenty-Eight

[wa_papertigers]

Several days later, September 8, 2003…
Two doors clicked shut. They saw Nadia walk around the front of her car to the driver's side where he was leaning.
She slipped her arms around him and gazed up in his eyes. "I love you Josh" her words a mere breath of a whisper.
His arms wrapped tightly around her. "I love you too" his voice a quiet whisper.
"I don't want to do this part" her voice choked.
"I know" his voice strained, quiet.
She lifted her head and his lips covered hers in a soft kiss.
"There they go" Joey grinned.
"Hey guys" JC smiled as the two of them approached. "Ya'll didn't have to come…" he started.
"Like hell" Chris interjected with a wide smile and thrust a case at him before hugging him.
"Thanks man" JC replied returning the hug.
"Besides, we'd have missed the show if…ow" Joey lowered his eyes from Shelby's gaze.
Nadia laughed softly, a slight blush creeping over her cheeks.
They chatted for a few minutes before Frank pulled him away. Lance slung his arm over Nadia's shoulder. "You know we're all here right?" he asked gently.
She gave him a smile and nodded. "Yeah Lance, I know" she replied before slipping away.
They all turned to see her go to him at the door of his bus. She pulled him close and kissed him. When they pulled back he murmured his love to her again and she to him. She kissed him softly and held him close for a moment before she pulled away.
He brushed the tears off her cheeks gently before brushing a kiss to her forehead and stepped back on his bus.
She stood there for a moment but stepped back as the engine started. She turned on her heel to go to her car when the bus started moving.
"Nadia!" he called as he leapt off the step.
She turned and just as quick he'd pulled her to him closing his mouth over hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck. They broke away slowly. He lifted her up, gazing into her eyes. "I'm taking you with me" his voice a shaky whisper.
She gazed at him understandingly. "I'm keeping you here" her voice a choked whisper as tears filled her eyes again.
"JC!" Frank shouted from the waiting bus.
"I love you" his voice husky with emotion.
"I love you too" she replied in a choked whisper.
He pressed his lips to hers again for a moment before letting her down. He wiped the tears from her cheeks. She could see his barely held by his eyes. "Go on, I'll be back before you know it" his voice a weak whisper.
She swallowed hard and gave a little nod before she turned and started away. He watched her for a moment before Frank physically dragged him back onto his bus. She glanced back to see him leaning slightly out the door. She gave a little nod before he stepped back and she turned back.
Lance slung an arm over her shoulder. "It's okay Nadia" his voice a gentle whisper.
Just those three words released in her the flood she'd kept back from JC. A few tears had slipped past the barriers but nothing compared to the tears she held at bay.
Lance glanced behind them. "It's gone" his voice a whisper.
She turned and gripped onto him tightly, tears streaming down her face. "I love him" her voice barely audible.
He held her, supporting her. "I know" his voice a gentle whisper. "He misses you already too."
"I didn't ever expect…" her voice faded.
"I know" he replied quietly, holding her up in his arms.
JC's…
He closed the door quietly and took the steps off the porch.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" Shelby asked quietly.
He nodded. "She'll be alright. I don't think she really wants to be around us right now though" he replied quietly.
Shelby nodded slightly. "I figured" her voice quiet.
"It was strange…one day we heard of her the next she was an actual person and now…she and JC are practically living together" his voice quiet.
"I wish he weren't going to be gone…" Shelby trailed off.
He met her eyes. "Is she really okay to be alone?" his voice quiet.
Shelby nodded slightly. "I never wanted to be around anyone right away…she'll call when she's ready" she replied quietly.
Tour Bus…
He stared into the space above him. Never before had he second-guessed his career choice like he was at that moment. The thought of her alone, the image of her wandering the house aimlessly.
He shook his head slightly. She probably has Greg over.
JC's…
The house was quiet and though she'd been there before, when he wasn't, it didn't feel right without him there. It was as though the house knew he wasn't there and was quiet in protest.
She curled up, holding his pillow to her chest. Silent tears disappeared into it. She knew the difference, her body knew the difference, her heart knew the difference…and his absence shook through her.
She heard the knocking from below but she couldn't bring herself to move, from a space he'd occupied with her just hours before. She couldn't bring herself to move.
He glanced around before knocking again, turning as he heard a car pull into the driveway.
"It was you" Shelby smiled.
"It was" he replied with a courteous smile. "I know he left today…is she alright?" he asked cautiously.
"She should be inside, we just left…" Shelby eyed him curiously. "She's not answering?"
He shook his head. "I was worried about her. Couldn't sleep a wink last night…" he trailed off.
"I'll let you in" she replied quietly slipping past him.
"Thanks Shelby" he replied quietly. She nodded and let the door open. "She's probably in his room" his voice quiet. She eyed him curiously but didn't ask. "I went away for summer camp one year, her mother found her asleep in my room…" he trailed off.
"This way" Shelby replied quietly as she started up the stairs.
The door cracked open and he gave Shelby a little nod before passing through the door. "I'm here" his voice quiet as he approached her.
"Dominic" her voice a whisper as she pushed herself up.
He sat on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on her shoulder. "What were you thinking Nadia?" his voice quiet.
"Nothing…" she started.
"Did you think I wouldn't know when you needed me to be here?" he asked gently.
She shook her head as she leaned into him. "I knew you'd come" she murmured to his chest.
He rubbed her back in a soothing manner, rocking her gently in his arms. "You've really lost it haven't you?" he asked softly.
"Completely" she breathed out.
He smiled as he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry you're hurting now Nadia, but I'm glad you are at the same time…it's good for you to know what love is" his voice quiet. She nodded against his chest. "Will Greg be by?" he asked cautiously.
"No" she mumbled.
"Too close" he whispered.
"I know he's happy for me…but sometimes I still think he…would rather I not have found this with Josh" her voice a whisper.
He was quiet a moment. "It would be difficult to know that you brought the woman you love to another man's arms" his voice quiet.
"Dominic, Greg…" she started.
"Still knows what he's missing Nadia, even if he's told himself it won't be you…he still knows" his voice gentle.
She burrowed her face to his chest. "Why does it have to be so complicated?" her voice muffled.
"It's life Nadia" he replied gently. "It's always been complicated for us…we've always pulled each other through though. Greg knows you and he wants you to be happy Nadia…and Josh won't be gone forever. It'll make you appreciate your time together more" his voice quiet.
"I feel…almost like I'm not even really here" her voice a whisper.
"You'll be okay" he replied softly, rocking her gently.
"He's become so much to me Dom" her voice a whisper.
He nodded slightly, quiet for a moment. "Nadia, did you ever tell him about the day he came in?" his voice a little cautious.
"It isn't important Dominic" she replied quietly.
He pushed her back gently taking her eyes. "You don't think it's important?" his voice quiet.
She shook her head slightly. "It's not necessary for him to know Dom. He doesn't remember…" she started.
"Nadia," he quieted her with his tone. "One day he'll find out about it and he'll want to know why you didn't tell him. What are you going to say when he asks?"
"He won't find out Dominic" she replied as she pulled away from him.
"Yes, he will Nadia" his voice quiet but firm as he kept her hands. "And he'll want to know why you never told him…" he started.
"Because I don't want him to feel indebted to me. I don't want him with me because he feels like he owes me something or has to prove to me that he's okay now" she eyed him. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
He stared into her eyes. "Do you honestly believe he's only with you because you helped him recover?" his voice quiet.
"Of course not…" she started.
"Then he can know Nadia…" he interjected.
She shook her head. "We agree to disagree on this one Dom" her voice firm.
He sighed quietly. "You and I are the same half Nadia, that's why we never got together…but it allows me to know you in a way most others don't. If Josh is your other half, he'll find out someday, and he will wonder Nadia…that's all I'm gonna say about it" his voice quiet.
She leaned back against him. "Are you mad at me now?" she asked quietly, her voice almost childlike.
He shook his head slightly. "I'm not mad Nadia. I know you is all…nightmares again last night?" his voice quiet.
She nodded slightly against him.
"And Josh knows?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah" she breathed out.
Tour bus…
"I want…JC are you listening to me?" Frank eyed him skeptically.
"Yeah, sounds good" he mumbled.
"Those chocolate covered worms sure were great weren't they?" Frank asked.
"Mm hmm, the best" he mumbled.
"JC!" Frank groaned as he shook his head.
He blinked. "What?" JC asked innocently.
"Where did you tune out?" Frank sighed.
He was quiet a moment. "When did you start talking?" his voice quiet.
"It's gonna be a long day, isn't it?" Frank sighed.
"Sorry" he mumbled.
"I think…are you going to call her or what?" Frank eyed him.
He shook his head slightly. "Can't handle talking to her right now" he replied quietly. "She was really upset this morning and…" he trailed off.
"You know, you are going to have to snap out of this" Frank's voice quiet.
"I know Frank" he replied quietly. "Just, give me a little while" he replied quietly, dismissively.
Frank eyed him for a moment before leaving him be.
He stared out the window, cars passing by, cities, nameless, faceless…his thoughts drifted back to her.
"You're the one I make every rule for and the one I'd break them all with. You're the only man I've ever even thought about having a real future with. And believe me Josh, I know you're a man. That's the one thing I don't ever have to remind myself of…" she started.
Those were the words that left him free from the uncertainty he'd been feeling. He knew the other things, that they were many things to each other, they played different roles for each other at times…but knowing she thought of him and thought of a future with him made him want to jump out the window and run back to her.
The entire conversation came from no where. They'd never really talked marriage or children before, though they'd both thought about it. But that little outburst led to later conversation of her living with him.
His health was somewhat in question still…so there were two things major in his life he was waiting on answers for, both could drastically affect his future.

Several weeks later, October 2, 2003…
He'd been home for a few days. She may as well have been living with him with the amount of time she spent with him and that most of her things were there and had been for sometime before he'd left.
"They're supposed to call today?" she asked curiously. He nodded, his expression solemn. She laughed softly. "JC, it's all been done…" she started.
"I know Matt" he breathed out. "I just…" he started.
She smiled understandingly. "I know. Come on in, Chris has been torturing Nadia long enough" she laughed softly.
"Hey, I heard that" Chris eyed her pulling the door open wider.
"Where's Nadia?" they chorused.
"Come see" Chris grinned.
They followed him down the hall and into the living room to find them napping in a recliner. JC stood still, his head cocking to the side slightly as he took them in, a smile touching his lips.
"I think we can go without worry" Chris smiled, his voice a whisper, but the words went unheard to JC.
Matt nodded with a smile.
His steps were light as he crossed the room. His hand rested over hers on Hannah's back and he would've crawled right up there with them if there'd been room.
"Josh?" Nadia murmured sleepily.
"It's me" he whispered softly.
"Okay" she murmured.
*
He walked out of the bathroom with Hannah wrapped in a mass of fluffy white terrycloth. She was cooing softly at the faces he was making at her.
Nadia walked in to find Hannah giggling at her feet being tickled. He was laughing with her, a warm smile spread across his face. He lifted her up cradling her to his chest he sat in the rocker and began humming softly, his hand patting her back.
She sat in the doorway taking the two of them in.
He felt her body become heavy, her breathing slow and deep. He smiled down at her, standing carefully to put her to bed.
She walked softly across the room, her arms linking around him as he was tucking Hannah in.
"How long were you sitting in the doorway?" he whispered softly before he turned to meet her eyes.
"Long enough" she replied softly.
He leaned his head down, their foreheads pressed together. "She's easy, Tyler used to give dad hell…" he smiled.
"You haven't asked me" she interjected softly, pulling her face away from his.
He studied her expression for a moment. "You told me to stop" he smiled.
"I know" she replied before tugging on his hands, leading him out of the room.
"Maybe I don't want to know anymore" his voice quiet, the smile never leaving his face.
"Maybe you don't…maybe you do" she replied.
He sighed dramatically. "If you say no, I don't think I could take it" he moaned.
She laughed softly. "I think it's more, if I said yes you wouldn't be able to take it" she smiled, walking ahead of him.
His arms snaked around her pulling her to a stop. "What made you decide you were ready to answer?" his voice a whisper near her ear.
"Haven't I kept you waiting long enough" she murmured.
"Mm, but you're avoiding the question" he replied pulling her closer.
"I've seen my future many times Josh…but never like I have tonight. And I've never wanted to chase it so badly" her voice quiet.
He breathed in deeply. "So if I asked you to move in…" his voice a whisper.
"Are you asking Josh?" she smiled.
He turned her about meeting her eyes. "Woman are you trying to drive me to the funny farm?" his voice quiet.
"First class ticket" she smiled softly. He shook his head slightly. "Yes Josh" she whispered softly.
*
Her fingers combed through his hair rhythmically. "Sometimes" she replied quietly.
His eyes were closed but his expression far from relaxed. "Why haven't they called?" his voice quiet.
"Maybe they called the house" she tried quietly.
His eyes opened on hers. "They have my cell number…I don't understand what takes this long Nadia" his voice quiet, a little frustrated.
She paused in motion for a moment before continuing. "I would rather they take a little longer and know for sure, then tell you something that isn't right Josh" her voice quiet.
He nodded slightly as he closed his eyes again. "I just…I don't like waiting over this" his voice quiet.
"I don't either Josh" she replied softly.
He sighed quietly settling himself for what could've been the hundredth time trying to be more comfortable, though it wasn't a state of physical discomfort he was experiencing.
"It's late Josh, they won't call 'til tomorrow" her voice gentle.
"I guess…" he started.
Both their heads snapped toward the sound of his cell phone. He sat up running his fingers through his hair before he reached for it. "Hello?"
"Hey Greg" he nodded slightly. "Yeah, hang on" he replied before handing her the phone.
"Hey…" she started. She nodded. "I heard" she replied.
He stood and started pacing the space in front of her.
"You're kidding me right?" she breathed out.
He stared at her trying to figure out what that expression could possibly mean, but he couldn't read it for the life of him.
"Yeah, here" she replied and held the phone out to him.

The next day, October 3, 2003…
He eyed them uncertainly. "So you're saying, after all this, it's up to me?" his voice quiet in disbelief.
"Your case is marginal Joshua. You could go ahead with it and be fine or you could go ahead with it and need knee replacement surgery again in five years…" he started.
"What does it mean?" JC interjected shaking his head frustratedly.
"Your body's been through hell enough and if I were you, I wouldn't put it through any more than I had to…" he started.
"But" Greg added quietly.
"But" he nodded slightly. "The decision is yours, your recovery has been remarkable. In fact your case has been written about in journals…" he stopped seeing the look Greg was giving him. "As I was saying, there is a certain point and you've recovered beyond that point so the decision is ultimately yours…we won't put an against doctors recommendation in your file."
JC sat there for a moment. "You're telling me you have no idea the chances I'd have of having to go through all that again in five or ten years?" his eyes disbelieving.
"Could be six months, could be five years, could be twenty, could be never. It depends on how hard you are on your body" he replied.
The two of them walked out of the office silently. Greg glanced over at him seeing his mind turning over the meeting again. He drew in a breath. "Josh…" he started.
"I don't know yet" he replied quietly.
JC's…
"I know she won't want me to Chris" his voice quiet.
Chris nodded slightly. "JC, is it really worth going through all that again?" his voice quiet, cautious.
He was quiet a moment. "I've been dancing forever Chris. To be told I can't do it…" he started quietly.
"Don't dance just to defy people JC, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. People know about the accident, no one would ever blame you for not…" Chris started seriously.
"I know…but I would wonder Chris. I'd wonder if I could've done it. If I was really giving it everything I could…" he trailed off quietly.
A silence fell over the room. "Nadia will need some serious…" Chris started.
"Coaxing" JC filled in with a nod. "I know."
He smiled slightly. "You're better butter her up real good JC, cause she's going to freak on you" his voice quiet.
"That'd be a first" he laughed.
Chris shook his head slightly. "I'm serious" his voice quiet.
He nodded slightly. "I know Chris."
*
She sat there quietly as he told her about the meeting. She was quiet for a moment. "It's something I really think you should think about Josh" her voice quiet.
"I know…and I am" he replied quietly.
"I think we should go out" she smiled. "There's been far too much stress lately."
"Thai?" he suggested as he scooted back from the table.
She smiled. "Sounds good" her fingers wove with his as they walked down the hall.
*
"You were quiet at dinner" her voice quiet, her eyes probing his.
He kept her eyes. "I was just thinking…how much I love you" his voice quiet.
It was moments like those, when they were completely alone, when he was peering into her as though he were actually delving in her being, when he'd whisper words to her, she still flushed.
"I love you too Josh" her voice a soft whisper.

The next day, October 4, 2003…
He held her close breathing deeply of her. "Josh?" she whispered.
"Hmm?"
She smiled softly. "I have to get up, I'm working a rotation today" she reminded gently.
"Call in sick Nadia" he breathed out.
"I can't do that" she almost laughed.
"Okay, I'll call for you" he reached over her.
"Josh…" she started.
"What?" he smiled softly at her. "They'd believe me…you I mean." He cleared his throat. "Hi, this is Nadia…" he started in a raspy voice.
She laughed and pushed him away. "I have to work Josh" she shook her head slightly as she sat up.
One more day of normal, I just want one more day of normal… He sighed dramatically. "You'd leave me here all alone, with nothing to do?" he pouted.
She smiled. "You should know the puppy look doesn't work on me by now Josh" she shook her head slightly as she stood and started toward the bathroom.
The hospital…
"Joey?" she eyed him curiously.
"Oh hey Nadia, wow you're here…" he started eyeing her curiously.
"Yeah, I'm here…" she started.
"Oh, I was just visiting a friend who works here. You?" he explained with a smile.
She nodded. "Getting back into things, slowly but surely" she replied with a smile.
"That's good…" he started.
"I was on my way down, you?" she asked as she pressed the button for the elevator. He nodded. "Research is something I didn't miss…"
He nodded. "I'm really glad you've taken it so well. JC was really worried about how you'd react…" he started as the doors closed.
She eyed him strangely. "He was supportive of me doing this…" she started.
"Well, I know but…between you and me, I wouldn't do it if I were him. It's just not worth everything he went through just to maybe have to do it all again…" he started.
"Joe, what are you talking about?" she eyed him.
"What do you mean?" he asked eyeing her strangely. "I'm talking about him dancing again…" he started.
"I see" she replied with a little nod.
"You…" he started cautiously.
She smiled and nodded. "It's the least I could do, after all he wants me to continue my work. How could I deny him the same right" she replied quietly.
He smiled. "Whew, for a second I thought I let the cat out of the bag. I knew you were special in the beginning Nadia, but you're something else" he pat her back as they left the elevator.
"I'll see ya around Joe" she smiled as she turned off in the other direction.
"See ya" he waved and left in the opposite direction.
She smiled all the way down the hall until she reached a supply closet. She keyed the door and stepped inside, closing the door before she sunk to the floor.
JC's…
"Hey" he smiled patting the seat beside him. "Long day?" he questioned softly as she sunk back closing her eyes.
"Mm hmm" she mumbled.
He laughed softly. "I guess it's good I told Justin and Shelby no on dinner" he smiled.
"Mm" she nodded slightly.
"You okay?" he asked softly as her eyes opened.
"Yeah, just a long day is all" she replied quietly.
"Well, I was about to throw something together. Any requests?" he asked with a curious look.
"Whatever, I'm not really hungry anyway" she replied quietly.
He shrugged his shoulders slightly as he stood up. "Did you have lunch with Greg?" he asked curiously.
"Yeah, spent four hours in the library doing research…" she trailed off.
He groaned. "Don't miss that" he smiled. "Chicken okay?"
"Yeah, whatever you were gonna make Josh" she replied tiredly as she stretched out on the couch. Exactly how long are you going to wait before you tell me?
Dinner was quieter than usual but he figured she'd had a long day. She'd ask him questions to get him talking and pass the time.

A couple days later, October 6, 2003…
"She was really great about it" Joey smiled. "I was pretty surprised myself."
"What are you talking about Joe?" Justin asked cautiously.
"Nadia, I figured she'd be pretty pissed with him…I mean, I knew she was great but this is more than I would've expected from even her…" he trailed off.
"Joe, are you sure he told her?" Justin asked cautiously.
He nodded. "She said she couldn't expect him not to when he was supportive of her work" he smiled.
"Who said that about what?" JC asked curiously.
"Nadia said it…" Joey started.
"What?" JC eyed him.
"She said…" Joey started.
"She can't believe that you haven't told her yourself yet" her voice quiet from behind him.
He breathed out, his eyes closing before he drew in a breath and turned to face her. "Nadia…" he started quietly.
"How could you not tell me you already decided Josh?" her voice quiet.
"Shit" Joey mumbled as he and Justin crept past them.
"I was trying to find the right time Nadia. I knew you would be upset…" he started quietly.
"I'd be upset?" she questioned eyeing him.
"You are" he replied quietly.
"Should I not be Josh?" she shook her head slightly.
"I've been thinking about it Nadia, it wasn't…" he started.
"It wasn't a lie?" she questioned eyeing him. "Fine, you've been thinking about. Why didn't you just tell me…" she started.
"Because I didn't want…" he started.
"I forgot, you didn't want to upset me" she interjected. "Imagine for a moment Josh, how I felt when I heard your decision from Joey" she eyed him.
"Nadia…" he started.
"I've been doing some thinking myself Josh" she interjected.
"Nadia, I really was going to tell you…" he started.
"When Josh? Tonight?" she questioned, her eyes ablaze.
"Well yes, actually…" he started.
"Don't bother, I've heard already" she interjected before turning to leave.
"Nadia…" he started after her.
"Do not touch me" her voice froze his hand mid-air.
"Nadia, I…" he started.
"You should've told me Josh" her voice quiet.
"I know, I just didn't want…" he started.
"You should've told me" she caught his eyes for a moment.
"Everything okay?" Shelby asked cautiously.
"Fine" Nadia replied. "I gonna go though. I have a headache…" she trailed off.
"JC…" Shelby started cautiously.
"She knows" he interjected quietly before he went after her. Her car sped off as he reached the driveway.
Greg's…
"Did you know?" she eyed him.
"Nadia, that's…" he started quietly.
"Privileged, bull shit Greg! Did you?" her voice almost a shout.
"I couldn't tell you even if I'd known Nadia, but he didn't tell me. He knows we're close" he replied quietly.
She studied his face a moment before nodding. "I don't understand…" she started.
"Nadia, it's his way. It's how he's survived…" he started quietly.
"You're supporting him?" she eyed him.
"Nadia, he's my patient, and a friend…" he started.
"Fine Greg, I won't ask anything else" she interjected coolly.
"Don't be like that" he groaned.
"Like what?" she demanded.
"Don't do this Nadia" he sighed quietly.
She shook her head. "I can't watch it again Greg. I've been thinking about this for days and I cannot watch him tear himself apart…" she trailed off.
"So…" he started cautiously.
JC's…
"She's not at Greg's" Lance replied quietly.
"You went in?" JC eyed him.
Lance shook his head slightly. "JC, I looked alright. She isn't there…" he started.
"She's not at Dominic's" Chris' voice quiet as he glanced around.
"Then where else would she…" Justin started.
"The beach" JC and Lance chorused.
He looked at Lance. "We took a drive" Lance replied vaguely.
"That's it, I'm going" JC started for the door.
"No, you aren't" Lance took his arm.
"What…" JC started.
Lance eyed him, gripping his arm more firmly as he tried to pull away. "She'll just run if she sees you JC. She's upset. If she's at the beach she's safe. I'll make sure she's okay."
"I'll go" JC eyed him.
"No you won't" Lance replied firmly.
"Yes…" JC started yanking his arm away.
"No you won't" Shelby took hold of his arm.
"Get off me!" he shouted pushing away from her.
Justin steadied her before chasing him down. He whipped him around and had him backed up against his car. "What the hell are you doing?" he seethed.
"Get off…" JC started.
"You know you just almost knocked my pregnant wife to the ground?!" Justin glared at him.
He blinked several times before his eyes drifted back to where Shelby was walking back in the house with Chris and Joey. "Jesus" he breathed out as he relaxed against the car.
"Yeah, you did" Justin glared at him.
"I'm going after her" Lance's voice quiet before he passed by them.
"Justin, I…" he started quietly.
"Have your head way up your ass JC" Justin interrupted. "Way up your ass."
"I know" he breathed out, his eyes lowering to find Justin's hands in fists against his chest. "I know."
The beach…
He sat silently beside her, the sound of the waves muffling the sniffles. The sun was low and the air was cooling quickly.
"Nadia?" his voice almost a whisper.
"It's too much Lance" her voice quiet, strained. "I've had days to think about this and…I can't. I'm completely behind him doing his music, touring as much as I hate the thought of being away from him, all of the crap that goes with it…but I can't stand by him doing this."
"What about your future?" his voice cautious.
She sniffled softly. "The future's always been uncertain for me" she replied quietly. "But I always get by."
He sighed silently. "Nadia…" he started quietly.
"Please don't Lance" she interrupted.
"I agree with you" his voice quiet. She glanced over cautiously to see him nod. "I don't think I could stand there and watch him break himself…if I were you."
"Does he not understand he's already a miracle" her voice a breath on the breeze.
He put a hand on her shoulder drawing her eyes. "No Nadia, he doesn't" his voice quiet.
Her gaze returned to the horizon. "I can't" she replied quietly to his silent plea.
"They're your legs as much as they are his Nadia…" he started quietly.
She shook her head slightly. "It's his life to live Lance…the way he chooses to."
Chapter Twenty-Nine