Saving Her || Ian Gallagher

Home Sweet Home

-Lexi's POV-
*2 weeks later*

My parents pull into the driveway, finally bringing Serena home. I wait at the front door with Serena's boyfriend Nathan as we watch my parents get out of the car to grab her from the back. We decided to throw a little welcome home party because she hasn't been feeling like herself lately. We decorated the house partially, mostly in the kitchen and backyard with streamers, balloons, banners, and lots of food, including a cake.

My parents first asked me if it was okay, since they didn't give me anything. I laughed, saying it wasn't necessary because it's not a celebration or achievement and because I'm fine, well, besides the broken leg. But since I've visited Serena she hasn't really been the same. When I would visit her at the hospital she would barely make eye contact, always staring at the tv or her food. She wouldn't fully talk to me, only answering by nods or shakes of the head, or with one or few word answers.

Mom and dad said she wouldn't talk to them much either. They said they felt a little like she didn't want them there, but they stayed anyways because they wanted to make sure she was fine and that if she needed anything they would be there. Well at least that's what they said, but they probably just stayed to prove a point and that they weren't going to leave till she talked to them. I already know they probably talked her ear off, questioned, and begged her whenever I wasn't there.

But maybe that she's home now she'll feel more comfortable. We invited a lot of family members and family friends, including Serena's friends that we hope she will talk to and will help her feel more at home.

I watch as my dad lifts Serena out of the car and into her wheelchair that my mom holds. Her face shows no expression as she just stares at the ground. She looks a lot better though since the day I first saw her in the hospital bed. She now has a cast on her left leg and leg arm/hand, and the spot on the left side of her head where they had to shave a small area to put in stitches is healed better now, and her blonde hair is beginning to regrow in the area. She is dressed in a loose fitting t-shirt and shorts. She has her hair in a loose side braid that my mom most likely did, and her glasses are back on, which she hasn't worn in forever.

"Man, I really hate seeing her like this." Nathan says to me, watching as my mom begins to wheel Serena up the driveway.

"I know, me too. We just have to be patient, really patient. And we have to give her space and just act normal." I reply, leaning against the wall for support.

"She hasn't talked to me in forever. Probably since the day of the accident. I know I only visited her twice in the hospital but that's because the second time she literally told me to go." He says taking a deep breath.

If she doesn't talk to Nathan soon then I don't know what to do. Her and Nathan have been dating for a year. He plays basketball at their college and that's how they met because she basically went to every game with her friends. They've been inseparable since.

I can feel his anxiousness and it makes me a little anxious too. I really hope this is just some kind of post-accident phase or something. It was a traumatic experience but I barely remember it. And I have no idea how Serena experienced it as the driver because she hasn't said a word. And I'm smart enough not to question her about it like some damn therapist.

When they reach the front door, Serena looks up at me and Nathan and she then moves her eyes above us to the banner that reads "Welcome Home!". She looks back at Nathan specifically and her eyes begin to water. He walks out the front door to meet her and he squats down so he's at eye level with her.

He wipes one of her tears away with his thumb  and she presses his hand to her cheek with hers and she begins to sob uncontrollably. My mom and dad quickly back away and walk up to the front door. They step around me and peer back outside as we watch Nathan kiss her forehead.