Isabella Biers had it all. A loving husband, two adorable children and the dream job. One night, however, changed everything. Bella had a spinal stroke, paralyzing her from the waist down. Bella's husband tried to be there for her, but caring for a wife who was an invalid proved to be too much for him. He divorced his wife, unable to cope with her long recovery.
Despite being abandoned by her husband, Bella was determined to not let her disability define her. She wanted to walk again. Enter her physical therapist, Edward Cullen. With the perfect combination of humor, patience, stubbornness and love, can he help her in her endeavor in walking again? Will he open her heart after it was shattered by the man who vowed to be with her, in sickness and in health?
It all begins with A Single Step ...
“I know that your recovery has been a challenge. How much of what you put out is a front?” Alice asked.
“Almost all of it,” Bella sighed. “I’m frustrated. My legs haven’t worked properly since that night. The first time I moved my legs was when your husband used that wheel thingy on my shin. On top of that, my ex-husband gave up on me and my sons are still struggling with his absence and the changes in the house.”
“That was a bullshit move,” Alice sneered.
“You’re telling me,” Bella grumbled, shaking her head.
Edward knocked and came back into the room. “My apologies,” he said. “Your mom went to go get some coffee. A treat after your first appointment.”
“It’s been hard on her,” Bella muttered. “It’s been hard on all of us. And it’s all so senseless. I don’t understand why this happened to me.”
“Why don’t you tell us about your physical activity level prior to your stroke?” Alice asked.
“I was very active. A few months prior to the stroke, I had completed a half marathon,” Bella said. “I’d always been active. I compensated for being clumsy. I found that if I exercised, I wouldn’t stumble over my own feet as much.”
“With you being in such good shape prior to your stroke, it should make things easier with your therapy,” Edward said. He sat down in the chair that Renee had vacated. “After discussing it with Alice and Jasper, I’ll be handling your case. I worked closely with another spinal injury patient and we got some excellent results. If you don’t mind, of course?”
“I thought I’d be working with Alice,” Bella spluttered. “Dr. Whitlock said …”
“Your type of physical therapy is very intense and requires a great deal of strength,” Alice said, giving her a soft smile. “With my own condition, I’m taking a more administrative role in my practice.”
“Are you ill?” Bella asked.
“Pregnant,” Alice grinned, pressing her hand to her flat belly. “We just passed into the second trimester.”
“Congratulations,” Bella breathed. Blinking to Edward, she gave him a sheepish grin. “I’d be more than happy to work with you. I’m sorry about …”
“It’s not a big deal, Ms. Swan,” Edward chuckled. Bella arched a brow. “Bella …”
“If I remember correctly, the movements can be relatively intimate,” Bella blushed. “I’d prefer you call me by my first name, Edward.”
“By all means,” he grinned crookedly.
For the next half hour, Bella told both Alice and Edward of her stroke, the therapy she’d endured and her frustrations with her body. They also delineated a plan of attack for their physical rehabilitation. With that, Alice left and Edward ran some tests on her body. He tested her upper body strength and was shocked at how strong she was. Where she lacked strength was in her feet, legs, and hips. She had good range of motion, but the muscular atrophy was apparent.
“So, what’s the plan?” Bella asked as she settled back into her wheelchair. She bent down to pick up her shoes, but Edward gently lifted her leg. “I can do that, Edward.”
“I know,” he said, his eyes crinkling. He guided her leg into his lap and slipped on her sock, followed by her sneaker. “In regard to the plan, we need to get your spine speaking to your lower limbs. We also need to work those muscles.” He picked up her other foot, still bare and he chuckled. “Pink … I like it.”
“My mother picked out the color,” Bella blushed. “I would have gotten something more sedate.”
“It suits you,” Edward beamed. “Can you try something for me?”
“I can try, but that may not necessarily happen,” Bella quipped.
Edward captured her big toe. “Wriggle this,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to wriggle my toes, roll my ankles, bend my knees … none of it works,” Bella snapped. Angry tears welled in her eyes and she gripped the handles of her wheelchair.
“Hey,” Edward said, moving closer and his legs were on either side of her chair. “Your body went through a trauma. You need to reteach it how to do the basics.” She looked at his polo shirt, tears brimming in her chocolate eyes. A drop fell onto her cheek and Edward gently wiped it away with the back of his knuckles. The motion was comforting and intimate. “Look at me, Bella.” Her eyes fluttered shut and more tears fell. She wiped them away before looking at him. “’The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’” He flipped his hand, showing her a tattoo on his forearm, written in Chinese characters. “Wriggling your toe is the first step to your next marathon.” He rolled back and picked up her foot. “Can you feel my hands on your foot?”
“Yes,” Bella nodded.
“Describe it,” he commanded.
“They’re warm, soft and big,” she blushed.
“Well, your feet are tiny, Bella,” Edward snickered. “Now, focus your attention on your big toe. Take a deep breath and allow your muscle memory to work.” Bella gave him a scowl. “Think positively, Bella.”
“It’s hard to think positive when your life went to hell in a hand basket, Edward,” Bella grumped. Edward gave her a wry smile. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, Bella. Move your toe,” he said simply. “Mind over matter.”
“You’re not going to make me read self-help books, are you?” Bella snorted.
“Not yet,” Edward laughed. “Toe? I’m waiting. I’m not going to let you leave until you at least try.”
With an adorable scowl, Bella glowered at her toe. The bright pink nail polish glimmered against her pale skin. Edward’s hands surrounded her foot. She wanted to feel more of his hands on her skin. With a huff of breath, her toe wiggled, brushing against Edward’s wrist. “I did it.”
“Yes, you did,” Edward beamed. “One more wriggle?” Bella nodded and her toes pointed, making her cry out in happiness. He put her sock on and her toes moved freely. When he tied her shoe, he gently lowered her leg. “Now, we’ll start easy. I would like you to try to point and flex your toes ten times before you go to sleep and ten more times when you wake up.”
“When will I come back?” Bella asked.
“For now, we’ll go every other day,” Edward said, standing up and opening the door. Bella rolled her chair past him. “Does this time work for you?”
“My schedule is flexible,” Bella replied. “And I can drive myself. I have a modified van.”
“I’ll put you on the schedule,” Edward smiled as he strolled next to her. He plucked a card from the counter, scribbling on the back and handed it to her. “If you need to reschedule or cancel, just let us know as soon as you’re able. If it’s after hours, you can text me. I’ve included my cell phone number on the back.”
“One question,” Bella mumbled. “Will I work in that room with you or out in the gym?”
“At first, we’ll work in the room. I want to manipulate your legs and get those muscles going. When you get stronger, we’ll move out to the gym. We also have a pool and an aquatic treadmill.”
“Aquatic treadmill?” Bella asked. “What’s that?”
“Exactly what it sounds like,” Edward smirked. “A treadmill, under water. It allows you to strengthen your legs, build your resistance, but at a low impact. You’re reteaching your body how to move, how to walk. It’s important to make it as less stressful as possible.”
“Okay,” Bella nodded. “I trust you. You’re already doing more than my other rehab facility.”
“Excellent!” Edward said. “I’ll see you in a couple of days. Don’t forget to wriggle those toes. Slow and steady, that’s what wins the race.”
“I hope so,” Bella sighed.
Edward squeezed Bella’s shoulders and gave her a deliciously crooked grin. “Remember that feeling when you wriggled your toe. You can do this, Bella. You will be running a half marathon again.” He squeezed her shoulders again. “I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
“Bye, Edward,” Bella said, waving as he walked back to the gym.
Aquatic Treadmill
Bella
Edward
As you know, the situation at the border has gotten, to be honest, out of hand. This administration is willfully condoning government sponsored child abuse. Children are being stripped from their mothers and not given the basic necessities of life.
It's bullshit.
There's got to be something we can do to help. In some tiny way, this compilation is raising funds and awareness for this abhorrent situation at our southern border. If you donate $10 to ACLU or RAICES, you will get a copy of the compilation. If you donate $20, your name will be placed into a raffle for signed copies of books by several authors.
Information about this fundraiser is located on the Babies at the Border website. You can access this site here.
I hope you consider to donate to this cause. I will be posting a teaser next week. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. These innocent children appreciate it all! Much love to you!
