Refuge

Growing Strong

"Daddy is coming home today!" Charlie cheers, excited as she skips through the hall of the hospital, skittles in hand. Veronica usually refrains from letting her have candy but one little smile and her father immediately caved, treating her to a stop at the vending machine during his last daily walk with the nurses and the physical therapist.

Veronica has been the most amazing partner, spending every second that she wasn't at work up at the hospital. There were nights when Archie wouldn't let her sleep at the hospital, but Mary was at home with Charlie helping take care of the little girl. Charlie didn't see him for the first few days, until he left the ICU. After the short walk, Mary takes Charlie back downstairs and to the car so that Veronica can sign all of the discharge papers.

"Are you ready to come home?" Veronica asks her husband, kissing his cheek softly.

"I'm so ready to be out of here, and to get home to my girls," Archie nods. He doesn't reach to kiss her, since he is still a little bit sore, but he does hold her hand.

Settling in is more difficult than either Archie or Veronica had imagined. Charlie doesn't understand why Archie isn't back to normal even though he's home. There has been a few close calls where she tries to jump on him or tug an arm that Veronica has had to step in and explain that her Dad still has "ouchies".

The first night, Veronica is so afraid that she'll roll in her sleep, that she stays awake all night and watches over her husband. He's doing better, but he still doesn't have all of his color back and has bruising all along his chest and ribs. Veronica laughs softly at his appearance, his grown out beard and long shaggy hair that's grown out in the past three weeks since he was now allowed to shave.

She loves him so much. A year ago she never could have imagined she would be marrying her first love, the father of her child, and getting to be there to support him like he always has been for her. She's anxious for him to be healed, she's ready to take a family vacation, go out on dates, plan a big wedding.

But it hasn't been easy. She vowed in sickness and in health that she would stand by him, and she has, but it's an undertaking she's never experienced.

"You have to sit still," Veronica scolds, with him set up in the bed, trying to change his dressing. "Archie I'm serious."

"It hurts," Archie bites his tongue. The pain is excruciating but he doesn't want to scare his wife. He knows that she already stayed up last night, because he was awake too. "Sorry, Ronnie, you should just let me do it."

"With the arms that you don't have any range of motion in?" she kinks an eyebrow, placing a peck on his cheek. "I'm going to take care of you."

"You don't have to do this," Archie brushes her hand softly, and she does the same, tracing her hand over his gold wedding band.

"I suppose I don't, but I want to," Veronica smiles. "Plus, I'm expecting you to repay me with lots and lots of-"

Archie cuts her off with a kiss, his cheeks turning bright red.

"I'm gonna go check on Charlotte, and see if she fell asleep," Veronica grins. When she leaves the bedroom, and heads for the staircase, she sees Charlie sitting on the couch. Not even an hour ago Veronica had bathed Charlie and combed her hair before putting her to bed. "Sweetheart, what are you doing out here?"

"I miss Daddy," Charlie frowns, a few tears slipping from her eyes. "He would come in my room and read me stories and he would push me on the swings and we would play tag."

"Oh honey," Veronica strokes her hair. "I know you miss Daddy but he has to be all better, remember."

"Is it going to be like before when I didn't have a Daddy?" Charlie cries into Veronica's shoulder, and Veronica picks her up and rubs her back.