Car Trouble

Determination

Miranda's pov

Jason's parents wanted to come to his show. We wanted them to stay the whole weekend so I was picking them up from the airport. "Oh my goodness! You're glowing!" His mom says excitedly walking over and hugging me. "Thanks. Going on 8 months. Can't wait to meet our little princess." I say, resting a hand on my belly. "How's Jason doing?" His dad asks, getting the suitcase off the belt. I wish I had better news. "He's not fully mobile. He can walk for a few minutes but it takes alot out of him." I say, nervous about him trying to do a show. But I can tell he wants to so bad. He needs a sense of normalcy anyway. But he's also right. I have nothing to worry about. If it's too much, Mike will cut it off. We get back home and my loving husband was asleep on the couch. His hand hung off and he was snoring. I tried not to laugh and his dad took the suitcase to the guest room. I sit beside his sleeping form. Gosh he looks so cute. I gently shake him awake. He tiredly opened his eyes. "Hey babe. No traffic?" He mumbles, looking groggy. "Only a little. Nothing this crazy girl can't handle." I say, smiling and holding his hand. "How're ya feelin'?" I ask. He shrugs and sits up, then sees his mom. "Hey mom." He says, waving. She walks over and hugs him. "I've missed you so much." "Heh yeah it's been a long and crazy few months hasn't it?" "Well what does everyone want for supper? I was thinking of grabbing some Applebee's?" His dad says, walking downstairs. Jason struggled to stand up. "Hey dad." He says, leaving a hand on the couch for balance. It hurt my heart to see him in so much pain just standing was causing him. They share a hug and he glanced at the staircase. "I'm uh... Just gonna stay here. Kinda tired." He says, falling back to the couch. "What do you want me to bring back?" He shrugs. "Eh it don't matter. Anything is fine." They head out. "You alright?" "I dread trying to climb the stairs. If walking and merely standing wipes me out, how the heck am I gonna go up those stairs?" "You don't have to yet. Not until you're ready." I say, holding his hand. "I'm sick of sleepin' on the damned couch but I don't... Think I have the strength." "We'll just take it one day at a time." I say, kissing him gently. "Are you looking forward to Saturday?" "More than anything. I can't wait to see the smiling faces of my fans." He's got stars in his eyes. It was amazing.

*that weekend*

Jason's pov

I hate that I have to stay in a wheelchair but I can't push myself too hard or Mike will cancel the show altogether. And I know I don't have it in me to walk the whole three hours. I was so nervous but also so excited. I could hear them chanting my name. It was awesome. Luckily my arms aren't as bad as they were. My legs are still an issue but with time, they'll be good as new. I gotta be patient. Which sure as heck ain't easy. I wheel myself out to the mic stand and the fans erupt in a loud yell of excitement. This place was busting at the seams. So many people. So many excited happy people come to see me. I couldn't believe it. I grabbed the mic and the band got ready. "Well guys, the last show I did wasn't the greatest but cowboys don't quit. And don't worry, this thing." I say, patting the wheelchair. "Is only temporary. But I was getting antsy and missed the stage. So who's ready to rock!" Even more loud excited cheers followed by, "Jason! Jason! Jason!" I can't keep a smile off my face. "Hit it boys!" The band breaks into Lights come on, a personal favorite. I get to the edge of the stage, singing the song, feeling a rush of invigorating adrenaline. This is my element. I get through four songs. I was drenched in sweat but it wasn't from pain or exhaustion. I'm not hurting thankfully. I wiped the sweat off my forehead. "Who wants to hear a new song?" I break into my new song, feeling pumped and full of energy, energy I didn't even know I still had. I saw my parents in the front row, cheering me on almost as loud as the fans. I saw tears in my mama's eyes. Poor ma. Poor Miranda always having to worry. I look back at her. She was smiling and waved, her other hand around her belly. God she is amazing. I grip the arms of my wheelchair tight. "This song goes out to all the amazing people who never gave up. Baby you give me the strength to keep fighting and pushing on. This song's for you!" I stare at the mic stand then grab it, hopeful. "Need some help?" Tully asks. I shake my head, determined. I gotta do this for myself. I can do this. I finally pulled myself out of that chair, my hands wrapped tightly around the mic stand. My legs burned from the intense workout standing up was. I can do this. I got this. My hands were shaking which made the stupid mic stand shake. I held onto it tighter, trying to get the shaking to stop, the burning pain was intense. I heard someone in my earpiece say should we cut it. I grit my teeth. "No." I say, standing up straight for the first time in God only knows how long. "You doing okay? Do we need to close?" Mike asks, over the earpiece. "No. I got this. I'm fine." I gripe, forcing myself to fight through the pain. Shit. I accidentally bumped my chair and it rolled back. No. I don't need the stupid thing. I can fucking do this. I glance side stage at my worried wife. The fear in her eyes broke my heart. Then I noticed the crowd was quiet, possibly worried or scared themselves. "Are you alright?" Mom asks, her hand on the stage. "I'm fine, ma. I promise." I say, through grit teeth. Finally after what felt like eternity but was only about 5 minutes, I grabbed the mic and broke into an oldie. "I don't go to church enough, I curse out loud, I drink too much! I'm more of a sinner than a saint. Got a dusty bible on my shelf, I just pick it up when I need help..... Lord knows there's alot I need to change.... And I want to.... Baby you make me want to! You tie the knot when I'm at the end of my rope! You never stop! Believin' in me when I don't know... Who I am... Or what I'm supposed to be... I don't give ya no good reason but baby don't give up on me!" Fuck. My legs are shaking. I hear Mike say cut it. "God dammit I said no! We aren't cutting it. I'm fine." I shout, accidentally into the mic. Crap. "Jason, there's nothing wrong with needing help." Tully says, walking up beside me. He rests a hand on my shoulder. "We can do this." He says, smiling. It hurts so much but I don't want to quit. I sling an arm around his shoulder which helps relieve some of the pain. I continue the song that now has more meaning to my life than ever before. After I get through that song, I was having trouble breathing. The pain was so intense. I lost my balance and fell to my knees, a scream ripping out of me. Mom tried to climb the stage to get to me. I tried to reassure her but the pain was surreal. I glance behind me and see Kurt pushing that blasted wheelchair. I hate that thing. I hate having to need it. "I don't want to." "Jase ya gotta or we have to shut it down." Mike says. Fuck. I reluctantly sit down and the burning pain subsides slightly. The fans cheered even louder. I was drenched in sweat and it was hard to think through the pain. "This cowboy is still kickin'." I say into the mic, my hand shaking. I smiled seeing my fans excitedly screaming and cheering. "Who wants to hear some country?" I break into she's country and seeing them sing along helped me get through it. I've still got it.... But I can't wait til I'm outta this fucking chair for good.