Chapter 14: First Step

The next day, the first thing that Thaddeus did was to review the rehabilitation plan, which he was planning on implementing later that day.

Basically, her legs were completely healthy. She just needed to learn how to use them.

The plan would theoretically help her stand up on her two feet within a few days, at most.

At this thought, he couldn't help but look down on the woman making herself comfortable using his arm as a pillow.

If one would tell the previous him he'd be sharing a bed with a woman he just met—a woman whose name he didn't know—he'd have called the police on him.

But he couldn't find it in himself to reject her. If anything, he felt a bit happy she seemed to have imprinted on him. Despite all his usual discomfort towards women, he enjoyed this one's clinginess.

Seeing her so peaceful in his embrace, his lips slowly bent upwards.

It was just that, although he could stay like this all day, the rehabilitation plan also stated to fix it as soon as possible. Delaying it would further weaken her bones.

He turned a bit so he could face her, but the movement just made her spoon deeper into him instead. His heart softened into a puddle and his free hand slid to her curvaceous waist.

He rubbed it to wake her up, though he wasn't going to fool himself anymore that he wasn't taking advantage. "Wake up, my dear," he said, though his voice was a bit raspier than usual.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Her eyelashes were so long it felt like they were feathers tickling his heart.

"Good morning," he said when their eyes met, "Let's eat breakfast now, okay?

She uttered something, though he could tell she was still groggy and sleepy, and he fought the urge to just lean down to kiss her awake.

He sat them up to wake her up and shake his own head of the thoughts.

"Don't you want to be able to move on your own?" He asked, "Let's go help you take your first step, okay?"

***

He carried her to his gym, which was now rearranged to accommodate her needs. There was a good soft mat there in case he couldn't catch her in time.

Her dainty feet touched the mat, and he guided her to hold the rail (which was usually used for assisted balance and mobility training, as well as bodyweight exercises).

Her legs were shaky and uncertain as he helped her up. He guided her on where to put her hands at first: one hand was on the railing and the other around his waist.

One of his arm were wrapped around her torso, offering her stability until she found her footing.

He guided her as she took tentative steps, relishing in both her warmth and her progress.

It was really shaky at first, but neither gave up doing so over and over, even after an hour. Despite his busy schedule, Thaddeus never showed a hint of impatience.

They went back and forth a few more times, and her movements soon became more deliberate, more stable.

With every step, her confidence slowly grew and she patted his waist with a determined look in her azure eyes.

He smiled, understanding she wanted to try on her own.

He stepped back, though only a few steps—not too far.

Then she let go of the railing and her legs buckled, causing his heart to drop. However, fortunately, she quickly stabilized herself before he had to get to her.

When she walked past him, he realized his own awkward pose—extending his hands mid-air in an attempt to catch her—and he stepped back again after clearing his throat.

She walked and practiced, patiently, with a serious look on her cute face.

He watched with warmth as she went back and forth again, her pace increasing from a snail's pace to a slow walk.

He felt very proud.

It got to the point he stopped following her every step, thinking she was stable enough.

But when she was a few meters away, she suddenly lost balance, making his heart drop to his stomach.

"Watch out!" He yelled, sprinting to her. Fortunately, he managed to catch her shoulder and he subconsciously turned their bodies so it was his back that hit the mat.

Thump!

"Ugh…"

He uttered out as the impact hit his back and her whole weight hit his own body as she landed above him.

He felt her shift and hover over him, eyebrows furrowed in worry. Her hand caressed his head, shoulder, and chest as if to ask if he was alright.

He looked at the gorgeous woman above him, illuminated by the reddish light from the window, highlighting her beauty that bested angels.

She was asking him something with a worried tone. He couldn't understand a word, as always, and his eyes stayed on her face and her lips. Before he knew it, his body moved on its own

He didn't know what came over him.

His hand found its way behind her head and he pulled her down—so he could take her lips, finally sampling the taste he had been so curious about for days.