Up in Arms

“I didn’t do anything more than anyone else did that night. Every member of my team would have made those same decisions if they were in my shoes. I’m no hero,” Trevor responded. Reed could see his mom ready to argue the point. Not wanting any reminders of what his man went through that fated night, Reed began to push Trevor forward again, up onto the ramp. The construction crew did a superb job. There wasn’t even a jostle when the wheels hit the small incline.

“Mom, is Dr. McBride on his way?” Reed asked, making his way up onto the front porch. Olivia took Trevor’s hand, walking along with them.

“Yes. I called him a little while ago. He’ll be here soon. Trevor, I brought dinner; your favorite chicken enchiladas with that special Spanish rice you like. Everything’s in the fridge, ready to pop in the oven to warm. I hope you’re hungry. I made enough to feed an army, but I have to run now. I just wanted to say hi and welcome home. We’re so glad you’re here with us. Dad and I will be back tonight when he’s off. We love you two.” Bending down again, Olivia kissed Trevor sweetly on the lips, giving him a tight hug before turning to hug Reed, whispering as she held him. “Son, you make me so very proud.”

“Thank you,” Reed said, as she turned to leave.

“Thank you for the food and for being here, Mrs. Kensington,” Trevor added, watching Olivia retreat.

“Honey, I’ve told you to call me Olivia, and there’s no place I would rather be,” Olivia called back, almost to her car. “Rest, Trevor. We’ll see you tonight.”

Pushing Trevor through the front door, Reed eyed his home closely. Everything in the entry way was moved out of the way, as per his instruction. Furniture, tables, and plants all shifted, making room for Trevor’s wheelchair. From the corner of his eye, he could see the first guest bedroom off to the left of the entry way. A new ramp covering the few steps down into the room looked completed. Pleased, Reed looked around his newly designed entry. Reed wanted a seamless transition for Trevor; nothing that would jostle the chair as he entered any room, including the front and back doors.

The contractors did excellent work, even matching the hardwood throughout the room. Both the ramps he could see looked as if they had always been a part of his home. From this vantage, Reed could see the room looked ready for his guest. Originally, Reed did have every intention of giving Trevor his own space in the room right off the entry, but things changed radically when he first saw Trevor exiting the plane. Reed wanted Trevor with him, in his bedroom, forever. He didn’t even want to offer the guest bedroom to Trevor for fear he might want to take it.

All his new found nurturing instincts slammed forward, kicking into place the moment he’d received word of Trevor’s accident. How could a chance meeting have changed his heart and life so drastically? Now, overwhelming need coursed through him. He had to keep Trevor close so he could protect and care for him. Grinning at all these primal urges and feelings he never felt before, Reed resisted the impulse to caveman out, pound his fist against his chest, and demand Trevor stay by his side.

“You went to a lot of trouble, Reed. Building ramps, moving your house around...you shouldn’t have done all this. I could have stayed at a hospital.” Trevor craned his neck, looking into the guest room. Reed bypassed the room all together and took him around the house, through the kitchen, to the hall separating the master bedroom from the rest of the home. Reed continued pushing Trevor through the kitchen and down the hall to his bedroom, stopping momentarily at the door.

“It was no trouble at all, Trevor. We needed to make the house easier for you to use until you’re back on your feet. I won’t dominate this decision, it’s too important. I’ll let this be your choice. I prepared the guest bedroom for your stay. I didn’t want you to feel like I was pushing you into my house, or my bed.” A thoughtful smile slid across Reed’s face as he looked down. Trevor looked up and over his shoulder. Their eyes met, holding while Reed continued on. “But I find now that I really want you in this room with me. I want to be there if you need me. And yes, although that is the truth, I would also just like you there with me even if you don’t need me. So you decide, handsome.”

Trevor dropped his gaze, but lifted it quickly again, looking back at him, uncertainty filling his eyes. The uncertainty melted Reed’s heart for it seemed they were both in the same place with their feelings. Reed leaned down to brush his lips softly against Trevor’s in a tender kiss. “I’ve been waiting to do that since we got home.”

“I don’t want to be in your way, or be a burden. It’s my biggest concern about this whole deal.” Trevor kept his eyes intently focused on Reed, waiting for his answer.

“You can never be in my way. I want you here with me. It’s my choice to have you here. Now decide. Forward into my large, spacious, well decorated bedroom with the softest plush rugs you have ever walked upon and a rather large plasma, flat screen television, or back to the smaller, conservative, but still very nice guest bedroom.”

“It’s your home, Reed. You decide.” Trevor turned his gaze back to the front. Reed didn’t say another word, just pushed him forward into his room, moving directly to the bed.

“I’ve been told you need to stay down, get rested up today from the flight. Dr. McBride will be by here to change your bandages and check your wounds any time now. He’ll also leave us antibiotics and pain medicine for you. He’s spoken to the treating physician in Germany and with the hospital here.”