Princess of the universe // Hardzzellee

Chapter 38

The three weeks they weren't allowed to see Gwil were rough on Ben and Joe. Neither of them had expected it to get so difficult. They had been away from each other for longer periods of time. But the fact that they weren't able to call or even text made it so much more difficult. It wasn't uncommon for them to find the other staring at a picture of Gwil trying to figure out a way to deal with the longing feeling of wanting to spend time with Gwil.

Today they got a phone call from the center to inform them how they planned the day. Gwil's parents would be coming to the center in the morning. Ben, Joe, and Addison were allowed to come in later. They permitted Gwil to come home for the weekend.
"Addison, we are going to see Gwil today," Ben said while he sat down on his knees in front of her. Her eyes widened while a smile formed on her lips.
"We really missed Gwil. And I am sure that Gwil missed us as well. The past few weeks were really difficult for him. So, when we see him he might cry. I just want you to know that those are happy tears. That he is really glad that he gets to see us again," Ben explained. Addison nodded.
"I already talked to one of the doctors on the phone. Gwil is coming home this week, but he needs to go back to where he is staying on Monday. But from now on they are going to let him come home every weekend. So, we will only have to miss him for a few days at a time," Ben said. Addison nodded. Ben could see the wheels turning in her head.

"You can ask any questions you have," Ben said.
"Is he still hurt?" Addison asked while looking down.
"He is not really hurt anymore. Do you remember that both of his legs were in a cast?" Ben asked.
"Yes," Addison said.
"When your cast got taken off. What happened to your arm?" Ben asked.
"It felt really weird. Like jelly," Addison said. Ben chuckled softly.
"You could still move your arm while in the cast. Gwil's legs were in casts all the way. So, he couldn't move them at all. What do you think happens to your legs when you don't walk or move them for really long?" Ben asked. Addison stared in the distance, a frown on her face.
"They become even more jelly?" She asked. Ben nodded.
"Basically. Your entire body consists of muscles. They are the reason you can move your body. Even your fingers have them," Ben said while wiggling his fingers. Addison repeated his movements.
"When you don't move your muscles for a really long time, they forget how to move. You have to train them again to make sure you can still do all the things you could do before your injury," Ben said. Addison frowned.
"Dad couldn't walk?" Ben shook his head.
"He still has a difficult time walking. So, we have to be really patient when he gets home. And wherever we can, we are going to help him. Do you think you can do that?" Ben asked. Addison immediately nodded enthusiastically.

Ben and Joe had left Addison with Gwil's parents in the waiting area. They had already seen Gwil. They all agreed that it'd be best if Ben and Joe got some alone time with Gwil first. Ben knocked on the door before slowly opening it. Gwil was sitting on a chair next to the window. He immediately looked towards the door. A huge smile spread on his face. Almost immediately he started crying. Both Ben and Joe rushed to his side.
"These three weeks without you were so hard. I am so glad to see you two," Gwil said. The past weeks had been really tough on him. In between therapy sessions he had a lot of time. But as they took his phone away, he couldn't call Ben and Joe. He had lived three weeks without even texting them. He grabbed Joe's face in both hands.
"You're even prettier than I remember," He joked. Joe giggled loudly. He stood up to wrap both of his arms around Gwil.
"You are the one saying that, Mr. Handsome?" When Joe let go, Ben immediately replaced him.
"I missed you," Ben said.
"I missed you too."

"Where is Addison?" Gwil asked once they had all taken a seat.
"She is with your parents in the waiting room. Do you want me to get her?" Ben asked. Joe nodded eagerly.
"How is she doing?" Gwil asked while focussing on Joe.
"She has honestly been doing very well. She doesn't have trouble with anything. Her casts got taken off the day after you came here. She runs and jumps around like she used to. Car rides with her are fine as well. She doesn't remember a thing. She does ask me every day when you'll be home again," Joe summarizes. 
"I haven't been home in over two months,"  Gwil whispered. Before Joe can say anything, the door opened. Addison ran straight into Gwil's open arms.
"Dad," She said while hugging him close. Gwil tried to lift her onto his lap but didn't have enough strength. He tried again before shaking his head. After one more try, he gave up.
"Help," He said while he looked at Ben. The latter had completely missed what Gwil was trying to do.
"Can you lift her on my lap?" Ben immediately picked Addison up before sitting her down on Gwil's lap.
"Be careful with dad, okay honey?" He asked before kissing her forehead.