Title: Yesterday to Tomorrow: Chapter Twenty-three, Baby Steps
Rating: R [violence, swearing, nudity]

Summary: Chris struggles to allow Alyssa mobility.

Previous Chapter Prickling Revelations

Current Chapter Baby Steps

Next Chapter Accidents Happen

With his arms around her, Alyssa sobbed for about an hour. She detailed every little thing, down to the faux-grain on the wastebasket she had to carry around for everyone to throw their cell phones into. Even the pain from the bullet hitting her she could recall. Chris held her, muttering soothing words, kissing her forehead, kissing her tears.

Finally her tears and sobs dried. It took many deep breaths to calm her body's spasms as she still clung to him. Without even a thought, Chris slowly lifted her, moving her to her wheelchair so he could take her home, their home. Alyssa wiggled some, not wanting to be released from his embrace, but relented nonetheless.

Outside the room they were greeted by the monks. Chris said a few words to them, but Alyssa's face remained turned down, her eyes on her folded hands. They understood and did not press her to talk. Instead as always, they blessed her and Chris's departure, after walking the couple from the sanctuary.

Silent during the drive, she nearly objected when she realized they were not going back to Brad's. But then again, it would be good to be back 'home.'

The house did not even smell of smoke at all. In fact it didn't really smell of anything. Not of Chris. Not of flowers. Not of his kids. Not of anything.

It was then that it finally dawned on Alyssa that she hadn't seen Chris's kids in sometime, "Chris? Where's the kids?"

He frowned, moving her from her chair to the couch, though Alysa could practically do that herself with one leg functioning, "In France. Vicky agreed to take them while I take care of you."

"Oh," she replied. "I miss them too."

Chris smiled crookedly, moving her wheelchair aside, "They'll be coming for a visit next week. Kinda a test drive as to how they can live with us now."

"Chris? I think I want to try crutches. My right leg seems to be completely better. I'd have more freedom if I could at least be on crutches," Alyssa suddenly shifted gears, watching him sit next to her.

Instinctually his hands reached for her left foot, intending to massage and flex her foot and leg to keep the muscle tone up, "If that's what you want, we'll give it a try tomorrow."

Her eyes widened, stuck on his fingers on her foot, "Chris... touch..."

His eyes followed her gaze. Without hesitation his hands moved up her calf, massaging as much as hoping to get some response from her. All the way up her leg he did this, before his eyes turned to hers.

"Lyss?"

She was grinning, "I felt it."

A smile graced his face, "That's wonderful, baby."

"Chris!" she gasped, pointing at her foot.

Her toes were wiggling.

"I'm doing that."

"Really?"

"Really!" she squeeled.

He grinned, leaning down to kiss her foot. She giggled again, wiggling her toes more. A few moments later she ventured at bending her leg, slowly sliding it some towards her. Her muscles quivered and she had to stop after moving it hardly at all.

But she had moved it.

She was getting her life back. All because of a bunch of needles shoved into her skin.


"FUCK YOU!" Alyssa shouted, pushing Chris away. "I can do it myself!"

"You know what the doctor said, Lyss. You need to take it easy. Doing too much at once will—"

"I can fucking do it, Chris. Stop holding me back. I can do it," she argued, moving a little too quickly away from him.

Chris barely managed to catch her before her leg buckled, "I don't doubt that you can, Lyssa. But slowly. Step by step. The doctor said—"

"FUCK THE DOCTOR," she spat. "He said I would never walk again. What the fuck am I doing then?"

"Baby....."

"Let me do it," Alyssa pushed against his arms.

Slowly Chris's arms unravelled from about her. She knew he didn't want to, but also knew he understood. She needed her first steps just as a baby did, steps without him holding her up.

And so she stepped away from him. Her left leg was stiff and didn't want to bend, to cooperate. A few shuffled steps she made towards the wall. Alyssa didn't really have any destination, just away from the couch, away from sitting.

Pain shot up her left leg, stopping midback. She knew it was connected to the bullet's entry. Closing her eyes, Alyssa pressed her forehead to the wall. Inhaling deeply, she searched for her centre to push away the pain, to push away the doubts.

And a smile came to her lips when she found it. Because she realized something then: Chris was a part of her very centre, her very being. Slowly she turned, her back pressed against the wall. Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his green stare.

"Chris.... Chris, I love you," she breathed.

A glance of shock passed over his face. He certainly hadn't been expecting that, not with her yelling at him a moment before. But the shock and confusion passed and he closed the space between them fairly quickly. His lips met hers, kissing her gently.

"I love you more than life," he muttered before kissing her again. "I would have died if I lost you."

Her arms slipped over his shoulders, as much an act of supporting her standing as it was an embrace, "I couldn't die, Chris. Because your love is what has sustained me so long. As long as you love me.... never fear."

His lips showered her face with a dozen kisses, "I could be rich or poor. I don't need any more. Just you. Just you."