by Kaci Rose
I also can’t wait to see this house she’s so passionate about. To see this space with my own eyes, one that holds her heart, and she’s allowing me to share. The best part is me being able to leave.
As we are waiting on all the discharge paperwork, she helps me pack up my stuff.
Finally, the doctor comes in to go over my limitations, no lifting over ten pounds, and I’m to stick to my diet, so no spicy foods.
Then, he gives us referrals and prescriptions for things like my sleeping medicine, if I need them and more. Along with a ton of instructions and follow up appointments, we’re ready to leave. Before we go, Lexi adds every appointment to the calendar on her phone.
Lexi takes me out in the wheelchair, and Brooke is there to say goodbye.
“It’s always hard when patients go home. We get so attached, and though, this is what we have been working for all this time, I’m still going to miss you.” Brooke hugs Lexi.
“Since Noah is no longer your patient, why don’t we do lunch next week? You’re my friend, and I don’t want to lose that. Plus, I want to pick your brain on a project I’m working on.” Lexi says.
I perk right up because she hasn’t mentioned a project to me, but maybe, it’s part of what she wants to talk about when we get to the house, so I let it go.
“Of course, you have my number. Call me, and we’ll set it up,” Brooke says.
As we make our way outside, I notice the little things. The sun on my face, the slight breeze in my hair, and the noise of the hospital parking lot. Maybe, Easton is on to something, enjoying the outside.
Lexi helps me into her SUV, and once we’re settled, she looks over at me.
“Everything okay, angel?”
“Yeah, just want to savor this. I have been waiting for the day that I can take you home. It’s weird having someone else in the car, but I like it.” She smiles.
I roll down the window and enjoy my freedom on the drive out of town. Reaching over, I take Lexi’s hand, and this feels normal and right. After a little drive, we turn down an old country road, and I know we’re getting close to her house. There are a few places out here, but not many, and there’s still a lot of land.
“All this land used to belong to Oakside, but it was sold off over the years. This house here,” she points to a colonial style home on her left. “Is up for sale. It has thirty acres and runs right alongside my property.”
When she turns into the driveway, there’s an old iron gate in front of it.
“The gate is original, but it’s been updated and made electric.” She rolls down her window and punches in a code.
We make our way down a long driveway with oak trees on both sides, forming a tree tunnel.
“You weren’t kidding. This is beautiful,” I say.
“It’s my favorite part of the outside of the house,” Lexi says with a huge smile, and her enthusiasm is catching, making me smile, too.
A minute later the house comes into view, and I’m pretty sure my jaw hits the ground. In front of us, is one of the most beautiful Greek Revival homes I’ve ever seen. It looks like one of the plantation homes you see in magazines or travel brochures. It’s a large two-story home with what I’m assuming is an attic window, making a small third floor. There are six huge two-story columns along the front porch that runs the length of the front of the house.
The second floor has a balcony, and the windows and doors are exactly the same on the first floor.
“The front of the house is untouched as the day it was built, but there was a fire, so the back of the house has been reconstructed. The sides were added on later, but they match the rest of the house.” Lexi says.
She’s talking about the two-story L shaped wings on either side of the house. Just like she said, it looks just like a true southern plantation home.
Lexi pulls around to the left side of the house.
“This entrance is closer to the master bedroom, so you should be able to walk if you want.”
“Let’s use the wheelchair. I want to see the house.”
Really, I’m still sore from PT, and I don’t trust myself right now, but taking it into the house, is the perfect excuse, and Lexi doesn’t even question it.
We enter into a decent sized mudroom with lots of places to hang coats and store shoes and other items. Then, we enter a hallway that’s filled with natural light. There are a lot of windows ahead on my left, looking out over a small courtyard.
“Well, you are officially the first patient of Oakside Military Rehabilitation Home,” Lexi says, as she stops beside me.
“What?” I ask, thinking I missed something.
“I have too much to tell you, but first, a quick tour. This is your wing.” Lexi moves with me down the hall where another short corridor is off to my left filled with windows on one side, looking over a courtyard.
“Down here is your home gym and living room dining area,” Lexi points down the hallway to my left.
“The room over there is my office, and we added a desk, so you can use it as well,” Lexi gestures to the door up ahead on the right.
“And this is your room.” She opens the door on my right.
“Our room.” I correct her. I have been waiting to share a bed with her, and I’m not letting her out of that so easily.
The room is larger than any room I’ve ever had in my life. The large king size bed actually looks small against the wall.
“This wasn’t part of the original house, but they did good, including some of the same woodwork and all. In here, is the closet.” Lexi opens a door on the left side of the room.
It’s almost a small room in itself. There are shelves to hang clothes on either side. One is packed with clothes that look like Lexi’s, and the other side has a few clothes I recognize.
“I unpacked some of your boxes that were labeled clothes. This side is yours. Now, over here is the bathroom.” Lexi opens the door next to the closet, and inside, is a bathroom that is about the size of my room in the barracks. There are double sinks, a large walk-in shower, and a claw foot tub.
“This place is beautiful,” I say, taking in all the little details. “Now, what was that about Oakside Military Rehabilitation Home?”
Chapter 30
Noah
She takes me into her office, and I can see Lexi in here. The curtains are open, and there’s a ton of natural light. A desk against one wall that is messy, but I know makes sense to her. Her computer, several bookcases that hold some books, and photo props. On the wall are photos, and everything looks like it’s been moved to make room for the now empty desk she said would be for me to use.
Lexi grabs a folder from her desk and brings it over and hands it to me. Instead of taking the folder, I pull her down onto my lap and wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close.
“So, I went to Texas to visit a military rehabilitation home there. It’s a place where you could be now, while you finish PT, where Johnny could have been, and where Easton could be.” She says.
“There isn’t anything like that here?” I ask, thinking the idea would be more popular, and they’d have places like this all over.
“No, but this is what I want to do. I’d like to turn it into Oakside Military Rehabilitation Home. That’s why I was in Texas. The couple who runs the one out there invited me and showed me around. It’s like a bed-and-breakfast with activities, and the guys have more freedom than a hospital, and I think it’s a better place to heal. There’s a PT room, and a doctor comes to the home for the appointments. What do you think?”
This idea is amazing. Giving guys like me a place to be, a little independence outside the hospital. It might be just what Easton needs. I can’t forget about him or leave him behind, but I’m not sure how to reach him either. For now, I’ll shelf that for another day.
“Angel, I love the idea.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep, I’ve been trying to figure out what to go to school for, but now I know,” I tell her.
&nb
sp; “What?”
“Business management, so I can help you run this place.”
As the thought takes root, so many ideas start churning in my head. I love this idea, and being able to be a part of it, would be amazing.
“You want to help me run it?” Her eyes light up. “I love that idea, Noah. You’d be such a help to the guys because you’ve been in their shoes.”
I nod, “Sometimes, you just need to feel like you aren’t alone. The guys here could help each other. Have you thought about renovations?”
“Yes, so this won’t be the first floor bedrooms. There’s room behind the staircase where we can put in an elevator, and then the living room and dining room would make a good lobby. In the other wing, we would have the dining room, library with computers, and the PT room.” She pulls out her phone and shows me photos of the place in Texas.
“The basement would have a few bedrooms on the back since it’s a walkout basement. My office, I mean our office, would be there, along with room for the staff, the kitchen, laundry, doctor’s office, and storage.”
I really like that she corrected herself, our office. The idea of working with her is getting me excited for this project, and the more I think about it, the more I love it.
“With a little work, we can get ten bedrooms on the second floor and two more on the third floor. I’d like each room to have its own bathroom, but we’ll have to talk to my dad about how to make it work.” She says.
“I know you haven’t seen it, but there’s a beautiful fireplace in the living room I’d like to feature in the lobby. I want to make that a room where guests can relax, and so can their visitors. Picture a large living room. All in all, we would have twenty-one rooms. I’d like to keep the porches and courtyard for the guys to use and make sure they have enough benches and rocking chairs. I want to put in a garden. My plans include a section with flowers and a section with fruit and vegetables to use in the kitchen. Did you know there’s a type of therapy used in gardens to help those with anxiety? The barn can be fixed up and used for equine therapy as well.”
“I think you forgot one thing,” I tell her.
“What’s that?” She asks, pursing her lips trying to think.
“Where will we live, angel?”
“Well, assuming you don’t tire of me.” She sighs.
“Lexi, never,” I tell her. “You’re it for me. I feel it in my bones. I plan to make you my wife someday, soon if I have my way.”
Her eyes go wide, and she opens her mouth to speak, but closes it again before she keeps on with what she was saying. I want her to know I’m serious, and where I stand.
“Remember the colonial I pointed out on the way here?” She says.
“The one that’s for sale?”
“Yep, I talked to the owner, and they love the idea of Oakside, and the land going back to help the soldiers so much, that they’re willing to sell it, and at a really good price. It has five bedrooms, and the basement is set as its own apartment with two more rooms in case we need it. I was thinking we keep one acre for the house, and the other twenty-nine go back to Oakside. I have enough money left over from Tyler’s insurance to buy it and start on some small renovations. Though, we’ll need grants and fundraisers for the rest.” She says.
“I love the idea.” I can tell there’s more she wants to tell me from the look on her face, so I squeeze her hip. “What else?”
“Well, there’s a place just beyond the barns. It’s some old building damaged in a fire but never rebuilt. I think it would be a perfect place to build some guest cottages for families to stay in. Then, I’d like to build an aquatics center with a pool, sauna, and hot tubs, too. It’s all in the future, but our main focus would be getting this place set up. While we work on the second and third floors, I think we can get everything going on the first floor and ready for patients.”
She looks over at her desk. “Oh, I contacted the local college to find some grant writers to volunteer their time to help get us some money. Judy and Keith pointed me towards a ministry that will help with renovations, and my dad agreed to supervise them and help out, too.”
This house was always Lexi’s dream. So much so, that Tyler made sure if anything were to happen to him, that she’d still get her dream. So, I have to know.
“This house was your dream, Lexi. Are you sure this is what you want? Are you okay not living here?”
She laughs. That was not the reaction I was expecting.
“I’ll be spending most of my days here. I want to be as hands on as possible. And knowing we will be helping so many people, guys like you and Johnny? I can’t imagine a better way to fill up this home.”
“I agree,” trying to hide a yawn that takes over.
As excited as I am about all this, between PT and the excitement of getting out of the hospital, I’m worn out. Lexi doesn’t miss it, though.
“Come on, let’s get you settled in for a nap. I have a few phone calls to make, and then I’ll join you.”
I follow her in the master bedroom, our bedroom.
“Which side do you normally sleep on?” I ask.
“Well, normally the right side closest to the door, but I think you should take it because it will be easier for you. I can move my stuff to the other side.”
“No, I can sleep over there. It’s not a big deal,” I tell her.
She leans over, putting her hands on the armrest of my wheelchair, and stops me from moving. She looks right into my eyes, and I know she means business.
“Noah, you’re taking this side, because it’s easier for you. When you’re up and moving again, we can talk, but either you take this side, or I will go sleep upstairs.” She raises an eyebrow in a challenge.
“Fine, but as soon as I’m moving better, we are switching sides.”
“If you think so,” she smirks, as I get into bed.
Chapter 31
Lexi
When I make my way back to my room, after talking with people applying for the grant writing position, I find Noah asleep. It’s weird having someone in my bed again, but I like that I have someone to climb into bed with.
I just watch him sleep. He seems to sleep better here than he did in the hospital, and I like to think it’s because he feels safe here. Making my way to the other side, I try not to wake him climbing in, but the moment the bed dips, he turns to face me.
“Everything okay?” He mumbles, still half asleep.
“Yes, I have a few interviews lined up for the grant writer position. They’ll do it at no cost to us to gain experience and the same for the charity coordinators. I get to start all that paperwork tomorrow. Now, go back to sleep.” I tell him.
“I drifted a bit, but I wanted to hear what you were up, too.” He pulls me to lie on his shoulder. My body is pressed as close to his as he can get it. It’s comfortable, and the fact that I’m on his left side doesn’t escape me. I’m careful of him, but I love that he’s confident enough to not hide his scars from me.
“Well, tomorrow I’ll work on all the military paperwork. Oh, and my dad is sending some guys over to get measurements, so they can get a blueprint made and see if my ideas will work,” I say, snuggling into him, as close as I can get.
The next thing I know, I jolt awake. I’m in my bed, but in someone’s arms, and I jump out of bed before I realize it’s Noah.
“Lexi, what’s wrong?” He sits up and looks around the room.
I run my hands over my face, “Nothing, I guess this will take some more getting used to than I realized.” I groan, climbing back into bed.
Noah chuckles and lays back down. “It was weird waking up here too, but I smelled you, and it didn’t matter where I was, I had you in my arms. I’m going to love waking up like this.”
“I’ve gotten so used to being alone, especially here, and this has been my sanctuary, so I just need time,” I say.
“We have all the time in the world.”
I yawn and stretch, as his eyes run hungrily down my body b
efore he leans in and kisses me. The kiss is over too quickly, but I know I need to feed us, so I don’t take it further.
“What would you like for dinner? BLT sandwiches or spaghetti?”
“Spaghetti sounds good. Let me get up. I want to watch you cook.” He says.
It’s fun to actually have someone in the kitchen with me again. Having Noah here is showing me little things, I didn’t realize I was missing.
Once dinner is going, my phone rings.
“Sorry,” I say to Noah, and he just smiles.
* * *
Noah
While Lexi is on the phone, I look out of the window over the backyard. There’s a lot of open space out there, and in my mind’s eye, I can see patients out there on the back porch, enjoying the sun before dinner.
Maybe, working out on the lawn. Summer activities for the patients, BBQs, and water activities. I can see it all, everything Lexi has been talking about, and I want it more than I could ever imagine.
Her dream is infectious and has easily overtaken me. During my time in the hospital, I kept trying to figure out my next step. What I could do with my life. The skills the military gave me didn’t translate outside in the civilian world, and most companies wouldn’t want me to be the face their customers see. Then, in one moment, Lexi gave me a path, a purpose.
She gave me something I didn’t even know I wanted, and now, I can’t imagine my life without this opportunity. It’s a clear path to attending college, getting my business degree, and helping her run it.
Lexi gets off the phone and lets out a little sequel.
“Good news?” I ask, pulled from my new daydream.
“The college put out my request for interns for the charity organizer, and I already got a call! The girl is really sweet and is super excited to help out. She’ll be here tomorrow for an interview. I told her once we open there’s an option to go full time if we work well together. His brother is Army, so she loves the idea. I want to have people around that are as passionate as I am, as we are.” She says, coming over to give me a hug.
