"Does he look different?" Sam asked wearily "Nah. Still looks the same, just a bit sick still. Actually a lot sick but he misses you and I think it will do you both the world of good"
Sam sighed "People at school... they've been saying mean things..." Molly turned to face him "Well they can be dealt with. And do you really care what they think of your dad? He's a war hero, he's kept their sorry ars... butts safe from all sort over the years. Remind them of that. Politely though, coz you don't want detention and I don't want your mum on my back" they shared a knowing smirk.
"Can he move about?"
This is exactly what Sam had needed. To be able to ask questions and put his fears to bed.
"He's using a wheelchair for the moment. It's still very swollen and hurts him a lot. He gets what they call phantom pains and it feels like it's still there, so sometimes he gets pains where his leg would have been and he gets quite stressed but that's because the nerves take time to realise what's happened. So if that happens while you're here don't be frightened, Just hold his hand. When he feels better, he'll get some crutches, remember he had those before? Like after Afghanistan when he had a broken leg. And then when he's feeling much better he'll get a prosthetic leg, you know like you see on the telly? In the Paralympics and stuff and they'll help him learn to walk again like a giant baby then he'll be able to do nearly everything again. He'll probably finally beat you at racing too because he won't have that silly old leg that hurt him when it was cold or made him limp when he run"
Sam squeezed her hand "Will he get one of them blades? Like on the telly?" Molly giggled "I'm not sure about that mate, one step at a time. We've got to get him walking on the basic leg first"
Sam squeezed her hand "I'm glad you're back Molly. I'm glad you love my dad again"
She pulled him into her arms "I never stopped loving him, or you for that matter. We just got a bit lost, but I won't be going anywhere again"
She hastily wiped away tears from her eyes before they saw Charles. This was going to be emotional enough without her snivelling too.
"You ready?"
"I don't have to look at it do I? I'm scared" He voice shook
"No. Your Dad hasn't looked yet either. But I have...it only bit me once" Sam snorted a laugh "It's okay to be scared too. But just remember he'll be alright. And so will you. If they didn't remove it then you'd have no dad, infection would have killed him"
She wondered if she was doing it right. If it would meet Rebecca's high standards but Rebecca hadn't bothered to talk to him or ease any of his fears and anxieties. And Charles needed his son. He needed to know he wasn't the leper her felt he was.
He was asleep when they entered allowing Sam a moment to himself to take it all in.
"He still looks sick" he confirmed to himself, inching closer. Placing his hand on top of Charles'.
"Remember when you use to write on his arm? Why don't we write him a message?"
Sam's face lit up as he took the pen from Molly.
Love you dad
Charles' eyes flickered open, a huge smile across his face. "Hello scamp. I've missed you"
Sam threw his arms around him "Dad"
Molly took a step back, allowing them their moment to fall back in line with each other. She blinked back tears and wondered why she'd ever fretted about this moment. Why Charles had been so frightened of it.
