by Lilly Wilde
“I’ll take care of it right away.” She looked up from her device. “Is there anything else?”
“No, that should take care of everything.” I turned back to the email as she left the office. After a fifth attempt at reading it, I finally gave up, closed the message, and lowered my head to the desk. It was obvious I wasn’t going to accomplish anything by being here. I was too worried about Aiden, and it felt wrong to be away from him when he needed me—whether he admitted it or not.
Dianna had called twice already. Her reports were positive, but then, Aiden always responded favorably to Dianna. She’d convinced Aiden to eat in preparation for his upcoming appointment with Kevin Rawls. Kevin had been highly praised for the miraculous recoveries he wrought for his patients, and the testimonies from his clients had given me hope that he would have the same level of success with Aiden.
My intercom buzzed, and Andrea announced Raina Willis’s arrival to the reception area. Under normal circumstances, I would have been happy to see my former assistant, but today I wasn’t in the mood to visit with her. Nonetheless, exhaling a deep breath, I lifted my head and asked Andrea to send Raina in.
“Hi, Aria,” she said, walking in with her usual sweet smile.
“It’s seems like forever since I’ve seen you. It’s so odd hearing you finally call me Aria,” I replied, forcing a smile of my own.
“It seems odd to me, too.”
“So what brings you up here?” I asked, once she was seated.
“Well, actually I was wondering if you’d like to grab an early dinner.”
I couldn’t remember Raina and me ever sharing a meal that didn’t involve RPH. On any other day, I might have happily accepted her invitation, but right now, what I wanted more than anything was to go home and be with my husband. “I was actually going to call it a day and head home,” I said. “Maybe later on in the week?”
“I completely understand, but what if your husband is the reason behind my invite?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“He called a little while ago and asked if I were free to take you to dinner. He thought it would help take your mind off him for a while.”
That was the man I’d married—looking out for me, even in the midst of his own troubles. Did that mean he wasn’t put off by me after all? Still, I hesitated. “I don’t know, Raina.”
“We’ll make it quick, and you can go home directly afterward.”
I really wanted to decline, but the hope in her eyes swayed my decision. “In that case, I accept.”
*****
I came home to the sympathetic eyes of the entire Raine clan.
“What are you all doing here?” I asked, stepping into the family room.
“Is that any way to welcome your loved ones?” Nicholas asked, greeting me with a hug.
“I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. I’d expected Connor and Sienna, but I didn’t know you’d all be coming.”
“We wanted to be here for Aiden’s first session with Kevin. To offer our support and encouragement,” Sienna said. She passed Lyric to Connor, and then walked over to embrace me.
I glanced over her shoulder as we hugged. Lyric and Connor. Now there was a sight—the relationship Aiden and I would always worry about. Even though Connor had seemingly made peace with Aiden’s business move and Sienna’s ultimatum, I maintained a watchful eye.
“Dianna tells us Aiden’s been in very poor spirits,” Connor said.
“He has,” I said. “Have you seen him yet?”
“No. We only arrived a few moments ago,” Sienna said. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” I replied as I circulated the room, hugging everyone. “As Connor said, Aiden isn’t in the best of moods, and I don’t know how well he’ll respond to all of us crowding around him.”
“We won’t do that. That’s why we didn’t all rush upstairs. But maybe he’d be up for a family dinner. What do you think?” Sloan asked.
“To be honest, I don’t think he’s ready for any of it.” I hesitated, not wanting to push them away as Aiden had done with me. “I could be wrong. I guess it won’t hurt to ask him.”
“I’ll go up with you,” Nicholas said.
“Okay, but I’ll warn you … he was in an absolutely horrible mood this morning, and I doubt it’s changed very much.”
*****
Aiden’s therapy was to take place in the privacy of our home; therefore, he’d instructed Brooklyn to initiate plans to remodel the gym to accommodate his treatment. The upstairs billiards room had already been modified to include specific pieces of physical therapy equipment. And as soon as Kevin arrived, he and Aiden jumped right into therapy.
My nervous gaze met Nicholas’ as Aiden’s frustrated sighs floated into the hallway. We listened outside the door as Aiden expended great effort following Kevin’s instructions. Unnoticed, I stepped into the room and watched as Kevin lowered Aiden’s leg.
“Ten more reps, and then we’ll get you on your feet,” Kevin said.
After the last exercise, Kevin allotted Aiden a few seconds of recovery time, then he and Lauren helped him sit up. Lauren then moved Aiden into a chair with some type of pulley at the top. Once Aiden was seated, Lauren rolled the chair toward the end of the parallel bars.
After Kevin explained the next steps, he helped Aiden stand, and as he gripped the bars, Kevin and Lauren strapped four belts around his waist. They next placed each of Aiden’s legs between two thick pieces of metal. It looked to be some type of robotic walking equipment. When Aiden was in position, they backed away. Then, with the press of a button, Aiden was standing upright.
Kevin asked Aiden a question to which I couldn’t hear. Aiden responded with a shake of his head. His hands gripped the rails of the bars, and for several seconds, he was motionless. Kevin urged him to take a step and after a few more seconds, Aiden’s right leg moved forward. It was a small move—one that took great effort—and after a few moments more, he finally moved forward again. Kevin coached Aiden to take two additional paces and then he made some minor adjustments to the height of the pulley, after which Aiden took two subsequent steps. Once Aiden reached the end of the platform, Lauren and Kevin began unstrapping the equipment.
“Why are we stopping?” Aiden asked.
“We’re off to a good start, but we don’t want to overdo it on the first day,” Kevin said. “I’ve reviewed your chart, and I have every reason to believe you’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
“I’d better be,” Aiden said.
“Be patient. Don’t push yourself too hard so soon. I’m going to make sure the equipment is set up correctly in the gym, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kevin said, and then he and Lauren stepped away, leaving an aggravated Aiden behind them.
“You’re Mrs. Raine?” Kevin asked when he saw Nicholas and me standing near the door.
“Yes. Please call me Aria. And this is Aiden’s brother, Nicholas.”
“Good to meet you both,” Kevin said, and shook Nicholas’ hand.
“So, today’s session was good?” I asked.
“Yes. I would say so. Aiden’s determined, and that’s more than half the battle. I was just telling him he’s off to an excellent start.”
“So you’re confident in a full recovery?” I asked.
“Don’t worry, Aria. My therapy is highly successful. My regimen should get us where we need to be relatively quickly. Aiden’s determination will get us the rest of the way.”
“That’s great,” Nicholas said.
“And there’s some good news already, but I’ll let Aiden share that with you,” he said. “Lauren and I are going to check in on the guys in the gym.”
“Thanks, Kevin,” I said. Nicholas and I stepped further into the room. “Hi, sweetie. Look who’s here.”
Aiden grabbed some free weights and started pumping slow reps. “Why aren’t you in Dubai?” he asked Nicholas.
“Whoa. Since when does a brother not warrant a greet
ing?” Nicholas asked.
“Since that brother is somewhere he isn’t supposed to be,” Aiden replied, breathing through the reps.
“I’m exactly where I need to be,” Nicholas said. “It’s good to see you vertical. How’s it going, bro?”
“I’m still paralyzed, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Damn. Have you totally lost the art of subtlety?” Nicholas asked.
“I don’t think that’s called for, Aiden,” I scolded.
“How was work?” Aiden asked, looking up at me.
I shrugged. “It was work. Nothing exciting to talk about. How was your first session? Kevin said you had good news.”
“Oh that,” Aiden said, dismissively. “There’s some feeling in my toes.”
“That’s wonderful!” I exclaimed.
“Considering the fact I should already be walking, that’s not much of an accomplishment,” Aiden said.
“But Aiden, it’s a sign that your body is working to restore itself. And today was technically your first session … and Kevin says you’re on track,” I said, encouraging him.
“On track? How the fuck am I on track, Aria? Do you not see what I see? Or are you too committed to saying and doing the right thing to see the truth?”
His belligerence caught me off guard. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Aiden glanced at Nicholas as he replied to me, “We can talk about this later.”
“No, I want to know what you mean,” I said. “Tell me now.”
“Remember when I told you I couldn’t feel my legs?”
“Yes. What does that have to do with anything?”
“I saw the look on your face. It’s the last image I see every night when I close my eyes. So despite what you’re saying, or not saying rather, I know what this has already done to you.”
“Aiden, I was in shock. Just as you were. So whatever look you saw or thought you saw, it was no more than that.”
“Is that what you’ve been telling yourself?”
“I don’t need to tell myself anything. I’m just trying to be here for you. To support you.”
“I don’t need anyone’s version of support. What I need is for my fucking legs to work.”
“Hey, dude,” Nicholas said, “don’t talk to her like that.”
Aiden glared at his brother. “This doesn’t concern you, Nick.”
“She’s told us that you’ve been an asshole to her. Is that getting you anywhere?”
His gaze narrowed as he looked at me. “Oh, so you’ve been discussing me?”
Oh, hell. Why had Nicholas told him that? “What’s there to discuss? I just explained that given your mood, you may not be up for visitors.”
“And no one listened, obviously.”
“I’m not doing this,” I said. I walked away to the other side of the room. If Aiden was looking for a fight, he wouldn’t get it from me.
“You need to stop being a jerk,” Nicholas said. “You’re making something hard that doesn’t need to be.”
“So, you think this is easy?” Aiden asked. “Wondering if this shit is really temporary? And if it isn’t, then what? Do I tie my wife to a life with a man she has to take care of?”
“Aiden, bro. You’re being ridiculous.”
“How? Because I’m considering how this may affect her?”
“She loves you,” Nicholas said. “And she’s not going anywhere.”
“And I love her, which is why I’m looking out for her.”
“Do you really think pushing her away is the solution?” Nicholas asked.
“She doesn’t need this,” Aiden said, his tone resolute.
“Maybe she doesn’t need this,” Nicholas said. “No one plans for something like this to happen. But you don’t just toss everything away when you’re thrown for a loop. You have a wife and kid that you love. They remind you of what’s important. They give you something to fight for. I see what you’re doing. Don’t be stupid. Don’t shut Aria out when you need her the most. I know you two can make it through this … together.”
Aiden placed the weights on the bench in front of him. “Since when did you become a motivational speaker? Nick, do us both a favor and stop talking.”
Nicholas stepped in front of Aiden. “I will, after I say this. My nephew needs to see two parents who love each other. Two parents who will always be there. Two parents who fight for the life they’ve started together.” Nicholas lowered his voice. “Don’t let him grow up the way we did.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Nothing has ever gotten you down before, and this isn’t the time to start,” Connor said as he and the rest of our guests filed into the room.
It had appeared as though Nicholas had gotten through to Aiden, but when he looked up and saw the assembly of Raines huddled near the door, he flipped a switch. “Why are you all here?” he demanded.
“That’s a silly question,” Allison said. “You know why.”
“To see how far the great Aiden Raine has fallen? Well, take a good look,” he gestured over his frame with a grimace. “Here I am … on display for you all.”
Aiden’s outburst was a bit of a shock to me, but as I scanned the faces of our family, I could see it wasn’t for them.
“And now that you’ve gotten what you came for—get out,” he said. “All of you. Get the fuck out of my house.”
“Aiden, what are you doing?” I said, stepping closer to him. “Everyone is here because they love you. They don’t want you going through this alone.”
“Look around, Aria. Do you see anyone else here whose legs have stopped working? I am alone. I’m the one going through this. Me, dammit!”
“We’re all going through this, and how dare you be so insensitive and selfish to not see that!”
“Get out,” he said, ignoring me. “All of you. Now.”
We were all quiet, probably too afraid to say the wrong thing. Oh, I was sure there was plenty they all wanted to say, but given his condition, I knew they wouldn’t. Everyone except Nicholas and me left the room. My heart clenched as I took in Aiden’s expression. This was hard on him, and although he was handling his condition in typical Aiden style, he wasn’t getting the results he wanted.
“What are you trying to do?” I asked. “Drive everyone away who wants to help you? If so, you’re batting a thousand. Keep it up and you’ll get just what you think you want.”
Ignoring my criticism, he turned to Nick. “Why are you still here? My invitation to leave was intended for you, too. And take her with you. Maybe you all can continue that Aiden Raine round-table discussion.”
“You don’t have to do this, bro. We’re here to help.”
“Unless you have some type of magic pill that will suddenly restore feeling in the lower part of my body, there’s not a damn thing you can do to help me.”
“Does that go for me, too?” I asked, my gaze capturing his, and daring him to look into my eyes and send me away.
When he didn’t reply, Nicholas said, “I’ll let you two talk. I need to have a word with Anja anyway. But if he’s rude to you, just leave him be, Aria.”
“Thanks, Nicholas.” My curiosity was piqued by his remark about Anja, but it took a backseat to my current issues with Aiden.
Aiden shook his head and watched Nicholas stroll from the room.
“You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to treat us this way,” I said.
“What do you expect of me? This is all I have to offer you right now,” he said, motioning over his position in the wheel chair. “Is this what you want? Even before we could get started, I’ve failed you. Failure is not an option for me. It never has been, but that’s where I am right now. Do you honestly think I can be a husband to you or a father to my son?”
“Don’t ask something like that. Don’t even think it,” I said. “Remember when you told me cooking and cleaning didn’t determine my value as a wife and mother? Well, your ability to walk doesn’t determine your value as a husband
or father.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with anything else. You were already having a difficult time as it was. I’m not going to add more to your plate.”
“Aiden, I don’t know why you see it that way, because I don’t. I’m here for you. And like you said, this is just temporary.”
“What if it isn’t?” he asked.
“Even if it’s not, I want to help. Let me do that.”
Aiden looked past me, and then after a while, his gaze met mine. “Would you be okay if I told you I’d rather you didn’t?”
“I don’t understand,” I said, stepping closer to him. “Why?”
“Because you shouldn’t have to. Can you please try to understand and do this for me? Let me work through this.”
I shook my head, giving up. “Okay, but promise if there is anything I can do, you’ll tell me.”
“Aria, I’m not —”
“Promise me,” I said, muting his refusal.
He reached out for my hand. “I promise.”
*****
After spending some time with Aiden’s family, offering an explanation for Aiden’s behavior, they all decided to go out for dinner and try again the next day. It seemed I was right: they weren’t at all shocked by Aiden’s demeanor. They said Aiden had always been that way when something didn’t go the way he wanted. He never wanted to be crowded and typically figured it all out by himself. Maybe they accepted that type of crap, but I wouldn’t. There was no excuse for him to lash out like that.
After saying goodnight, I headed upstairs and found Aiden. He was seated in the wheelchair beside the sofa in the sitting room, concentrating on another one of the medical journals. He glanced up from the book when he noticed me.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, and headed off to get Lyric. He was standing in his crib, tossing toys over the edge, and then whining when he realized he couldn’t get them back. Lifting him, I kissed his cheek and said, “I think a visit with you will do your dad some good.”
“How about some time with your favorite guy before he goes to bed?” I asked, walking into our bedroom with the baby in my arms. “Maybe you can tell him a story.”
A warm smile reached Aiden’s eyes, his face lighting up for the first time in days. “Looks like he’s put on some weight,” he said.