Making it Home (Home book 2)

Part 9

"And I know that I can't ever tell you enough.  That all I need in this life is your crazy love.  If I never get to see the Northern lights.  Or if I never get to see the Eiffel Tower at night.  Oh, if all I got is your hand in my hand.  Baby, I could die a happy man." -Thomas Rhett, Die a Happy Man

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I shift in my seat and glance over at Tyler, in the seat next to me.  He reaches over gently squeezing my knee, as if to reassure me that everything is going fine.  It is, almost going to well.  No one is arguing or nit picking each other.  "I'll be right back.  If you'll excuse me."  Tyler says as he stands from the chair, grimacing slightly as he steps in the direction of the bathroom.  I stare after him for a moment and focus back to the table and my parents across from me.  

"So, Lydia.  Why didn't you tell us he was back?"  I frown and brush the stray hairs away from my face.

"Daddy...."  I start only to be cut off by my mother.

"Owen that's enough.  He's home and that's all that matters.  Be happy for your daughter."  She tells him, while standing to gather the empty plates from the table.  Tyler walks back in the room and gathers up the other plates preparing to head to the kitchen.  "Well thank you."  She says smiling in his direction as she walks to the sink.  Setting the plates in the sink Tyler, turns and walks back to where I'm now standing.  

"How long have you been back exactly son?"  My father asks as his gaze flicks back and forth between the two of us before settling on my fiance.  

Tyler stares directly back shifting his stance slightly so his weight is more to his good leg.  I watch him, waiting for his response.  "I've been back about a week Owen,  Lydia and I were catching up.  So you're invite fit in timing well."  

Dad stands from the chair and walks over towards us stopping in front of me.  "You're happy right sweetheart?"

I roll my eyes and stretch up kissing his cheek, "Yes daddy.  I am happy."  I step next to Tyler and squeeze his hand, looking up to him.  He smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. 

My dad nods and walks into the kitchen to shoo my mom away from the sink, where he takes her place washing the dishes.  She throws her hands up and steps out of his way, before walking towards us.  

"He'll be fine, just give him some time to calm down."  She turns her attention to Tyler, "Now how are you really doing?"

Tyler smiles and pulls my mom into a hug, "I really am okay Baylor.  Better now that I'm back and have Dee."  He steps back and wraps an arm around my waist, allowing me to feel the shift in his weight, taking pressure off of his bad leg yet again.  

I frown briefly and glance up at his face, before looking back to where my parents are standing.  "How about we go sit in the living room?  Then we don't have to just stand around."  Everyone nods and we make our way to the couches in front of the fireplace.  It isn't putting out any heat as it's spring time and warm enough in the house and outside to not need it.  I watch as Tyler reaches out, rubbing the spot where the prosthetic and knee meet.  I scan his face for more sign of pain, but only see a small flicker before his focus is back on the conversation with my parents.

An hour later I push away from my spot on the couch, moving away from Tylers side and stand.  He slowly pushes himself up until he's standing, his muscles across his body stiffening momentarily.  "We should be heading home.  Thanks for dinner guys."  I hug my mom and turn to my father.  "Be nice daddy.  I am happy so relax."  He nods as he pulls me into a hug and kisses my head.  

Tyler and I return to our house and he promptly heads to the kitchen, digging through the cabinets.  "Ty, sit down I'll get it."  He pauses his hands grabbing the counter causing his knuckles to turn white.  He swallows hard and releases the counter top, and shuffles his way to the bedroom.  I bite my lip staring after him, then turn back to the selection of bottles on the shelves.  I grab the bottle of full strength aspirin and shake out two pills, before grabbing a glass of water.  I follow in the direction he went, finding him sitting on the bed with his head tipped back against the head board, while his legs are stretched in front of him.  I notice the prosthetic set against the wall next to the bed and a sheet draped over the empty part where the bottom of the leg would be.  I walk over to him and carefully run my fingers through his hair, drawing his attention to me.  "Here,"  I say passing him the pills and then the glass of water.  

He glances at the pills and back to me before tossing them in his mouth and chasing them down with water.  "Thanks Dee."  I climb in the bed next to him and lean my head on his shoulder. My legs stretched out along side his.  

"Can I help Ty?  I hate seeing you hurting."  I ask quietly not wanting to stress him.  

"I'm okay sweetheart.  Just sore, is all."  His arm tightens around me, pulling me closer to the warmth of his body.  "I'll be okay once these kick in."  He shifts slightly causing him to grimace as his legs shift under the sheets.  

"Ty, you don't have to hide you know that.  I've seen it all before.  It doesn't matter to me, I love you."  I turn his face to me and stretch up allowing my lips to meet his for a moment. 

"It looks like hell Lydia, you don't need to see that."  He starts, but I cut him off with another kiss.

"Tyler I don't give a damn what your leg looks like.  You're home that's all I care about.  I love you, all of you just the way you are.  That isn't going to change."

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