The Christmas Wish

Chapter Thirteen

Luke's POV

It's been several weeks since I arrived here in Germany. They have said that my leg has healed well, and today I will be fitted with my new prosthesis. They guys had stayed for about a week visiting me every day. I guess you could say I wasn't too much fun to be around because I didn't have much to say. This whole situation just sucks. A man who was in the prime of his life just starting a family and in one instance, I was reduced to a shell of who I was. How am I supposed to care for my family? What am I supposed to do with my life? Not much you can do with one leg. Tommy and Cap had several long conversations with me about the whole situation and I somewhat feel better about myself, but I still have self-doubt. I guess I just need to take it one day at a time and work to get back to my family.

"Hey Luke, are you ready to try this one on?" Josh asks as he brings over the leg.

"I guess I have to be if I ever want to get out of here."

"You know you've got this. I will be right here every step. NOw, let's head down to the therapy room and get started."
I don't say much as I follow behind him in my chair, and we quickly head into the therapy room. He takes me over to the bars and kneels down in front of me.

"Let's see how this fits, shall we?"
"Let's do this."
I pull back my pant leg to expose the stump, and he begins to put on the prosthesis. It feels a bit weird as he puts it on and stands back. I slowly stand up, pushing off the chair. It feels strange at first, since it has been months since I have stood up on my legs. He moves over to the balance bars, and I turn to look at him.

"Alright, I just want you to take a few steps. This is just to see how comfortable the leg is. It's not going to be a sprint to walk again. It's a marathon, and we will have you crossing that finish line soon. Now, walk a few steps to me."
I turn slowly and grab a hold of the bars. Slowly picking up the leg, I take a step leaning on the bars as I start to take another step. As I lift my good leg to step , the other leg starts to buckle, and I start to fall as Josh leaps over to catch me before I fall to the floor.

"Woah, here, let me help you sit down." Josh says as he catches me.
I shrug him off in anger as I try to sit back down. "I've got it. Leave me be."
"Don't be stubborn, Luke. I am only here to help you."
"I don't need your help."
"Obviously, you do. I am only here to help you get better. Let's try this again."
"No, I am done. I want to go back to my room."

"Okay, I will let you this time but if you want to go home, you have to work with me."
I turned my chair and quickly rolled back to my room.Once I got back to it, I ripped off the leg and climbed into my bed, curling up and trying to block out the world. It wasn't long before I slipped into dreamland. As I look down I see both feet and am confused as to why. I heard her call my name, and I slowly got up to find her.

"Laura, is that you?"

"Luke, where are you? I can't find you, baby. Please, where are you?"
"I'm right here. Follow my voice."
I frantically call out to her and try to move, but my feet are stuck to the floor. I can still hear her screaming my name. My anxiety is at its worst, and I try to get up but keep falling down. My leg doesn't seem to be working, and I look down to see it is gone. I call out for Laura and she appears in front of me.

"You're here."
"I will always be here for you."
"I am not the man you fell in love with."

"What, because you lost part of your leg?"
"Yes, because I can't be the man you fell in love with."
"Luke, you could lose both legs, and I would still love you as much as the day I fell in love with you, if not more. You are brave and strong, and you can get through this. You just have to fight for what you love."
"I don't know if I can."
"You can, and you will. I will be your rock when you need it. Fight for me and for us. Fight for your family, we need you."
"I can feel the tears fall from my eyes as I see her slowly disappear.