Figure Five: The College Years

Therapy

It would be another week before Lucas got any more visitors and this time it was his parents. He didn't cry but he did hug them tight, taking in all the warmth and love they had to give. "Oh my sweet sunshine. Look at you." Kurt said and Lucas just held onto him, feeling like a child instead of an adult. He felt Blaine's fingers in his hair and shut his eyes, sighing deeply. "I missed you so much." He said and Blaine smiled. "We missed you more." They sat and Lucas showed them all the art he did, the pictures he took and the things he made.

"I even show some people the things you do with the horses. It's actually helped quite a few that's come in." Lucas said to Kurt who smiled at him. "Oh! I made these. I meant to give them to Evie to bring home but I must've passed out during the picnic." He opened his drawer and pulled out the boxes of songcords. "They're songcords. I made one for everyone in art therapy. Aren't they cool?" He smiled along with Kurt and Blaine. "They're very cool, bud." Blaine said.

Another week went by and Lucas had fully acclimated to the facility, participating and actually making an effort to change. Occasionally Kurt, Blaine, Evie, Beth or Daniel came with him to therapy and other times they came to visit or just sit with him on a bad day where he'd sit in his corner, rocking back and forth. Today was one of those days. It was his 23rd birthday and he had woken up from a nightmare in a sweat, shaken and afraid. He dreamt that he had died after slamming into the tree, the car rolling after him and trapping him in a fiery hell while another him stood and watched as his parents and sisters wept for him, Blaine identifying his mangled body.

He had a funeral, closed casket but he was there, watching person after person talk about him as he stood behind them, reaching for them, screaming, begging but it fell on deaf ears. He had retreated to his corner and stayed there all day, thumbing his songcord until finally he came out because he had a visit. He thought by now, he would be more lucid but he felt like he was on autopilot as he got led to the equine therapy barn where all his family and friends stood with Shay. At the sight of his horse, he seemed to light up and jump as everyone spoke.

"SURPRISE!!"

Lucas stood there, shocked and tearful before rushing over to hug his parents. "You didn't think we'd forget your birthday, did you?" Kurt asked and Lucas just broke, sobbing. Kurt hugged Lucas tighter and soothed him, rubbing his back. "Hey now, it's alright. Look who's here." He smiled as Lucas looked and reached for Shay, hugging his friend tight. "I missed you buddy." He cracked out and sniffled, pulling back to rub and kiss Shay's nose. "I can't believe you all are here. It's so good to see you." He smiled at everyone.

"Well Shay isn't the only surprise. We threw a little number together for you and I think you'd like it." Finn said and Lucas stood by as Aurora got on Shay, leading him inside the circle while Kurt got Elizabeth and Evie got her own horse, Bloom. Lucas and his favorite nurse sat on the stands, watching as the lights dimmed and the music started.

(Kurt)
I've been dreaming of friendly faces
I've got so much time to kill
Just imagine people laughing
I know some day we will
And even if it's far away
Get me through another day

Kurt, Evie and Aurora rode around in opposite paths in the circle, Kurt singing which was always Lucas' favorite thing ever since he was a baby. Then the three stood, Aurora finding her balance as they each kicked a leg up in a folded position, singing together

Cover me in sunshine
Shower me with good times
Tell me that the world's been spinning since the beginning
And everything will be alright
Cover me in sunshine

Evie took the next verse, leading the next trick to a sitting position before hanging upside down, Kurt and Aurora following her.