Lyra* Welcome Home

LYRA*

Dr. Wise started my physical therapy the morning after I had woken up from the coma, and the last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. At first, my muscles were weak, and Dr. Wise tried to get me to take painkillers and muscle relaxers, but I wouldn't take them. I know how it goes with pain medication; it's so easy for someone to get addicted to them. Half of the time, I wouldn't take anything at all. When I couldn't stand it anymore, I would take some Tylenol or Advil.

Now, after two weeks, I have made it up to three-pound weights, and my muscles have strengthened enough in my legs so that I could walk some.

Dr. Wise and I were now on a first-name basis and have become good friends. I am attracted to Jared, but he insisted that we be nothing more than just friends. If Jared were to have a relationship with one of his patients, he could get suspended or fired from his job. I insisted that I would be going home in two weeks, and then I wouldn't be his patient any longer. Still, here we were, just friends.

"I think it's ok for me to move up to five-pound weights now, don't you think, Jared," I said.

"We'll assess everything on Saturday, and if everything goes well, I'll start you on five-pound weights on Monday. Let's take it slow; I don't want you to strain your muscles and cause damage," Jared said.

"But I'm doing fine. I don't see why I should wait; Jared, I'm ready to go home. Why can't I do my physical therapy there? All of the equipment has been bought and set up; also, I have a physical therapist due to start once I get home. Why do I have to stay here?" I asked.

I know I almost died, but I'm so tired of everyone treating me like I'm a fragile glass doll. I want to go home, damn it.

"Just two more weeks, Lyra. I want to make sure everything is healing correctly. I had to reconstruct your arm and leg; you can't rush your recovery Lyra," Jared said.

That's just bloody fantastic. If I ever get ahold of that asshole that sideswiped me, I'll kick his ass. My parents received a hefty lump sum from a settlement to pay for my hospital care and aftercare. Hence the reason I will have a physical therapist and all new equipment once I get home. The guy that sideswiped me is in prison now for fifteen years for attempted manslaughter. I don't feel sorry for the man; he shouldn't have been driving drunk.

"Jared, this is horse shit. I think you like me and want to keep me around," I said and giggled.

"This is serious, Lyra; you could seriously hurt yourself. This is not something to laugh about. I do like you, but that isn't the reason why I'm making you stay. You've done enough reps for the day; time to work on your walking; come on," Jared said as he helped me get into my wheelchair.

"You are doing so well, Lyra, and I'm so proud of how far you have come. I have never seen anyone that has recovered so quickly," Jared said as he helped me onto the ramp.

I took a few tiny steps, and in true Lyra fashion, I tripped and fell forward. Jared caught me before I could fall to the ground. He helped me to stand upright, and our lips almost grazed each other.

Jared's dark brown eyes stared into mine. He didn't pull away from me like I thought he would. Jared and I stood there for a few moments as Jared held me up. Jared seemed hypnotized.

"Are you going to kiss me? Or stare at me all day?" I asked shyly. One of his hands went into my hair, and the other trailed along my ribs on the right side of my chest. Then Jared bent down and kissed me.

TWO WEEKS LATER*LYRA*

"I can't believe I'm finally going home, Jared. I'm so excited. I'll miss you, but now that we are together I'll still see you often. Are you coming by tonight after your shift?" I asked Jared as I continued to pack my bags.

Jared and I have done a fantastic job of hiding our relationship over the last two weeks. Jared is so unique in every way and is unlike any man I have ever dated. Jared is a virgin like me, and he is twenty-eight years old, has an established career, he takes care of his mom and siblings back home. Jared is everything I have ever thought I wanted. However, I knew that Jared wasn't the man of my dreams. I know the man from my dreams was my soulmate, but who knows when he would come along for real.

"Yes, I'll swing by before heading home and spend an hour or two with you," Jared said.

"Ok great, that'll be nice. Can you help me pick up this suitcase and place it on the bed? It weighs a ton," I asked Jared.

Jared picked up the suitcase and put it on the bed, and then kissed me quickly before he walked out the door.

VEGA*

It's Friday afternoon around four o'clock, and I'm about to head to the hospital with my parents to pick up Lyra. We have only two hours left but still have a long way to go to get this party set up. Well, to my standards anyway. I wanted everything to be perfect.

Blaze, Tanner, Wade, and Conner are here, along with their parents and dates. All of our friends from High School and College are here. We've put up Welcome Home banners and decor everywhere. We set up a karaoke station and a buffet and bar area in the kitchen. This is going to be a crazy homecoming party. My parents and the rest of the parentals will be leaving shortly after Lyra gets home.

Lyra is getting around tremendously, so Blaze and the guys are working on taking down the ramps. No point in having them since she was no longer in a wheelchair. She and Jared are so cute together. He would be coming by later on tonight when his shift was over.

No one has told Blaze about Jared and Lyra being together. Blaze should have gone and seen Lyra a month ago, but Jace was right; Blaze made himself too busy. Now it's too late. Jared is such a great guy, so I knew Lyra was in good hands. Jared reminds me a lot of Jace; Jared is perfect for Lyra.

"No, don't put that coffee table right there; Lyra will trip over that and break her leg again. Move it over to the wall and get it out of the way," I yelled at Tanner and Wade.

"Yes, ma'am," they both grunted as they lifted the coffee table and moved it to the wall.

"Mom, dad, it's almost five-thirty; we should go," I said; I grabbed my purse and headed to the door.

Jace walked up to me and gave me a quick kiss. "I'll stay here with everyone else and give you some time with Lyra. I love you, baby," Jace said.

"I love you too, my muscle man," I said with a smile. Then I walked out the door with my parents.

BLAZE*

I am beyond excited that Lyra is coming home; I've been waiting so long to meet her. I haven't had any other dreams of her. So seeing her face to face was going to rock my world. I knew it was going to be instant love at first sight.

I reached for my beer and pulled a couple of drinks from it. I'm nervous as hell, and I hoped I wouldn't end up acting like a lovesick puppy. What happens if it's not what I'm expecting? I needed to act normal and not do anything stupid. It wasn't like I could randomly go up and kiss Lyra. However, I would want to.

I walked into her new room. I looked around to make sure everything was perfect and easily assessable. Vega, Jace, and I went ahead and moved all of Lyra's things to the guest room, even though she was no longer in the wheelchair. We all felt like the stairs would be a bit much for her. Vega said that Lyra chose the colors in this room, so we left everything as it was. All her other belongings we brought down from her room, though. I hope Lyra doesn't mind.

"Alright, everyone get into position; they are coming down the block," Jace yelled, and someone turned off the music.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Lyra and Vega walked into the room. Everyone jumped up and yelled, Welcome Home!

Lyra looked around, surprised, and then started laughing. She and Vega had bandanas on; Lyra's was Black and Blue, and Vega's was purple. They both looked cute in them.

"All of this for me," Lyra said excitedly.

Everyone started to go up to Lyra, giving her hugs and welcoming her home. My cousins all walked up and introduced themselves; then my parents and Uncles, and Aunt did the same. When it came to my turn, I held back. My mother was bombarding Lyra with questions. I took a deep breath and walked up to them so I could save Lyra from my mom.

"Mom, come on, I'm pretty sure Lyra needs to sit down," I said as I looked into Lyra's eyes. I froze in place; I couldn't move.

Lyra's eyes grew wide, and my brain fell out. We both gaped at each other. Vega saved us both from ourselves.

"Lyra, this is Blaze, Jace's cousin; Blaze, this is my sister Lyra," Vega said with a massive grin on her face.