In the middle of the night, Erin woke up. She had to use the bathroom but it was a room away. She knew she couldn't get there on her own because her wheelchair was still in the living room where it had been left when Jay carried her into the bedroom. Although she knew she had to have help, she didn't wake Jay and figured she had to try to get to the bathroom herself.
She looked over at Jay and saw the peacefulness on his face. Not wanting to disturb that peace, she pushed herself up into a sitting position and sat on the edge of the bed.
Jay shot out of bed at the sounds of a crash and a groan. "What's going on?" He asked groggily.
Erin screamed out in pain.
"Erin," he ran over to her, "are you okay?"
"I had to go to the bathroom."
"What happened to hitting me?" Jay questioned.
"I was going to, but I don't know, I decided not to. Jay, it hurts."
"What hurts?"
"My shoulder, it hurts," Erin stated.
"You probably rebroke your clavicle, here, let's get you up."
"Thank you, Jay."
"No need to thank me, I told you I'm here for you and I meant it."
"Thank you," she repeated.
"Your welcome," Jay whispered.
Once they arrived at the hospital, the doctor confirmed what they thought. She had broken her clavicle, again. Fortunately, it wasn't severely broken, so it would heal somewhat quick for a broken bone.
They went back to the apartment and Jay helped her get settled in.
Weeks later, Erin was super healed up. Most of her injuries healed up in the 3-month interval. All but one. Her emotional pain. She could finally walk again, she could finally use her wrist and her shoulder. She could finally lean on only herself and no one else. Jay could finally stop helping her, although, she didn't mind his company.
That night, Erin sat on her couch watching Pretty Little Liars. A knock on the door stole her attention.
"Hey," Jay said as the door opened.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" Erin smiled.
"I love you."
"What?" Erin murmured.
"I love you." Jay said, "I can't live without you. You are the only one for me and I don't know why I ever let you go. You gave me Kota. You're giving me this baby, our baby. I love you for that and I love you."
"Jay, I...," Erin started.
"Don't say anything, let me finish." Jay interrupted, "I usually do before I think. You know that there are plenty of examples of that certain, yet terrible trait I have. One of which was letting you go. I felt as if I didn't need you then, but I was lying to myself. I was being a coward and I was hiding from the truth and the difficultness of compromise and decision." Jay paused and walked into the apartment, shutting the door behind him.
Jay explained, "I love you because even when I was being a coward, you were there, fighting for what I thought you didn't want. I love you because when I was lying to myself, you were there, being the honest, faithful, kind woman the world knows you to be. And I need you in my life. The accident cleared things up and made it very clear that I want to be the man that is there to protect you when things get hard. I want to be the man that stands strong even when I feel weak. I want to be the man that deserves to have you. Whatever it takes, I want to be that guy for you."
Erin stood there, frozen in her thoughts.
"Erin?"
"I... I need a minute," Erin muttered.
She walked over to the couch and sat down.
"What are you feeling?" Jay asked, anxious for a response.
"I love you, but...," Erin started.
"But you don't want to be with me," Jay sank.
"But you're lying. You say I'm this strong woman, but I could barely handle all the pain that I was receiving. You're talking about being worthy of me when it's me that isn't worthy of you. I don't deserve to have the already great man you are, so please, leave. Don't make a choice you'll regret, leave now while you still can." Erin stated.
He walked over to the door, opened it, left the apartment, the door shutting behind him.
