Chapter 6 - The Night He Stood Again
Six months after Laura entered the Bennett mansion, Richard’s physical therapist called her.
“Come immediately.”
Laura’s heart jumped.
“What happened?”
“Nothing bad.”
That was all she would say.
Laura rushed to the rehabilitation center.
Brandon, Emma, and Daniel were already there.
“What’s happening?” Laura asked.
Daniel grinned.
“Watch.”
Richard was positioned between parallel bars.
Laura stopped.
“Richard?”
He looked terrified.
She had never seen that expression on him.
Not when confronting Edward.
Not when discussing the accident.
This was different.
Because this mattered.
His therapist stood beside him.
“Ready?”
Richard gripped the bars.
“No.”
The therapist smiled.
“Good.”
Richard pushed.
His arms trembled.
His shoulders tightened.
Then slowly—painfully—his body rose from the wheelchair.
Laura covered her mouth.
Brandon whispered, “Whoa.”
Richard’s legs shook violently.
But they held.
Three seconds.
Four.
Five.
Then he lowered himself back down.
Nobody spoke.
Richard looked at Laura.
“Say something.”
She wiped her eyes.
“You’re still shorter than I remember.”
Daniel burst out laughing.
Richard stared at her.
“I just stood for the first time since the accident.”
“And immediately became arrogant again.”
Richard laughed.
Then Laura hugged him.
He held her tightly.
“I thought I’d never do that.”
“I know.”
“No.”
He pulled back.
“I mean any of it.”
Laura looked at him.
“Standing?”
“Having a family.”
Across the room, Emma was explaining to Brandon why she should eventually inherit Richard’s motorized wheelchair.
Daniel was arguing with both of them.
Richard watched.
“I spent years building a house nobody wanted to live in.”
Laura took his hand.
“You can build something different.”
Richard looked at her.
“With you?”
“Yes.”
The answer came without hesitation.
That evening, Richard took Laura back to the mansion.
The marble bathroom was warm and quiet.
Laura stopped in the doorway.
“This room?”
Richard nodded.
“Terrible choice for romance.”
“Just listen.”
He reached beneath his shirt and removed the old silver pendant.
“The night I gave you this twenty years ago, I promised I’d come back.”
Laura touched the chain.
“You didn’t.”
“I know.”
“You don’t have to keep apologizing.”
“I’m not.”
Richard placed the pendant in her palm.
“I’m making another promise.”
Laura looked at him.
“No disappearing.”
His voice was steady.
“No secrets.”
She closed her fingers around the pendant.
“No letting other people decide our lives.”
Richard smiled.
“Agreed.”
Then Laura kissed him.
There was no dramatic music.
No perfect speech.
Just two people finally choosing what had once been stolen from them.
When they separated, Richard whispered, “Was that pity?”
Laura laughed.
“Absolutely.”
“You’re fired.”
“You already fired me.”
May you like
“Then you’re fired again.”
---
