More Today than Yesterday

The bestest birthday

Sophie decided she had to come clean, all she needed was the courage to actually do it. She came close several times in the first few weeks.

When Tessa was working with Benedict, rubbing her chest on his leg to apply pressure, smiling at him, laughing at his jokes, Sophie wanted to burst in and punch Tessa in the face and claim Benedict for herself.

During Benedict's sponge baths, Sophie wanted so badly to throw away that sponge, climb into the bed and make out with him, rubbing his body all over.

Violet and Elizabeth both noticed that Sophie was behaving differently than usual and tried talking to her, but Sophie blew them off feigning ignorance.

Sophie's courage took a hit when she asked Benedict what he thought about Tessa.

"She's great, it's a wonder she can make me laugh with all the pain she's putting me through, but I like her." He had said, smiling.

Sophie felt a surge of hurt in her stomach and heart when he spoke.

Benedict liked Tessa, much like he liked his old physical therapist, George, they were friends. He didn't know that Tessa was interested in more and, while he did think she was pretty, to him there were no one more beautiful than Sophie.

Once when they were watching a romantic movie, My Girl again, Sophie almost reached out her hand for his, but she withdrew just before intertwining her fingers in his. Instead she just snuggled closer to him, enjoying the embrace of her best friend. Benedict had had the same idea, but he was likewise scared of what could go wrong.

"You are getting much stronger, Benedict. Won't be long now before we'll try to get you on your feet." Tessa said after she had finished that day's program.

"Really?" he asked, ecstatic to hear of the progress.

"Yep, we'll have you walking in no time; it'll be awhile before running though." She answered.

Benedict thought of the night before, when he had watched the movie with Sophie, and remembered the dancing they had done after the first time they had watched it.

Tessa thought Benedict was hinting at her when he asked, "What about dancing?"

She smiled as she answered, "It would have to be a slow dance then."

"When?" Benedict asked, hope evident in his eyes.

"If you keep up with the exercises, maybe we can get you up and about in two week, but be careful about getting your hopes up, it might take longer." Tessa said, "Well, I better get going, see you next week, handsome."

For the next two weeks Benedict exhausted himself with exercises. He was determined to get better, he wanted to dance with Sophie again and it was her birthday the following week. They hadn't done much for his but he wanted to surprise her.

Sophie was devastated when Benedict asked her to leave him and Tessa alone the times she came by those weeks.

It was Saturday, most of Sophie's birthday had been spent in Benedict's room so everybody could be included.

Sophie had just left Benedict's room when he said he wanted to take a nap instead of their usual evening movie and honestly, it nearly broke her heart.

She took her phone from her pocket and called Kate. Kate and Anthony had been over for her birthday, but left half an hour earlier.

"Hey Kate, I'm gonna tell him, I can't wait any longer, if you have any last minute advice, this is the time." She said into the phone, speaking very rapidly.