Pain rippled through Abby’s legs, but she desperately fought the urge to faint. If she was ever going to get better, Abby knew she must endure the pain, and learn to walk again. Holding tightly to the rail, she forced herself to make another step, pausing to allow the surge of pain to subside, then another. When Abby reached the end of the rails she carefully lowered herself into the waiting wheelchair “I think that’s enough for today, Abby, you are really doing so well. In a week or two I think you might be ready to try it with just a cane.” Kim had become Abby’s best friend in the hospital during her stay. There had been many uncertain days following her injury, wondering if she would ever walk again had nearly driven her crazy. Gary had simply refused to let her talk to the doctor, knowing hearing of the full impact of her situation would only drive her deeper into depression. One day, while Gary was getting lunch, the doctor had dropped in unexpectedly, and Abby pinned him down. Insisting he tell her everything about her condition.

The news was not hopeful. Walking was not something the doctors ever expected Abby to do again with the amount of damage she sustained from the beam. When he left, Abby wept bitterly. She could see now why Gary had been protecting her; he didn’t want her to lose hope, but what was really left if she couldn’t walk? She couldn’t do her job. That alone was enough to make her want to give up now. The door opened, and Abby hastily wiped away the tears, Gary didn’t see them. “Hi Honey, how are you feeling?” He asked in his usual casual tone. She turned to him, praying he didn’t see the despair in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” Gary asked, concern evident in his tone. “I just talked to the doctor, he told me everything.” Abby sobbed. “Oh Honey, they aren’t sure yet. Give it some time. I think you are going to beat the odds anyway.” He tried to soothe. After a few moments, he felt her go limp in his arms, and knew she was asleep again. Carefully, he laid her down, and slipped out the door again. He knew he had to do something, Abby knew about the doctors’ opinion of her situation. Gary knew he had to keep Abby from getting depressed and giving up.  He needed her in his life, even if she never walked again. It’s didn’t matter to him, he loved her with or without her legs.

Gary leaned his head against the window, watching the ant-sized people below. What was he going to do now? Abby knew of her slim chances to walk again, and that was going to crush her. He silently berated himself for getting lax, and letting her find out. Silently he began to pray. “Lord, please help Abby hold on. Help her to find a new purpose in life, if what the doctors is true , and she never walks again. Please help her to see how much I need her in my life.”

The doctor couldn’t believe the strides Abby was making. He never would have thought she would be back on her feet, much less only two months after her accident. As he watched her walk across the floor with only a cane, he had to shake his head, and wonder how she had ever done it. “You are doing awesome Abby, I think you will be ready to go home by the end of the week. There is still a long road ahead, but you are well on your way to a full recovery. I never would have thought I would have seen you back on your feet after such a severe blow, but you are truly a walking miracle.”  After the doctor left, Gary turned to Abby, love evident in his eyes, as he watched her climb back into bed. “Abby, there is something I have been wanting to talk to you about.” He said as he sat down across from her. “You know I love you, and I want to make you my wife, if you will have me.” Tear came to Abby’s eyes as she looked at Gary. “You know I will.” Abby was barely able to speak, through her tears. “I know you have been hurt so much in your life, and I can’t change that, but I will protect you and make sure it never happens again. You deserve so much more than you have been given in life, and I plan to give it to you.”