Levi's POV...

We got back to Boston with two weeks left until Christmas. Charlotte and Sarah got right to work shopping and decorating the entire place. Everyone helped put the ornaments up on the tree which was fun. The place looked amazing with all the lights and garland everywhere. It felt like home to everyone, in a way.

Charlotte took it upon herself to invite my parents, Landon, Andy, and Mark over to her apartment to spend the holiday with me, but only my parents could make it for Christmas, Mark and the lads promised to make it over for New Years.

God, I'll miss spending Christmas back home. The lads and I having our traditional night around town the night before Christmas Eve. That would always turn into an all night affair, exchanging gifts, having too many drinks...We always slightly regret it the next day as we visit our families. The feeling of home though... that I will miss. Mum's dinner and relaxing by the fireplace. Usually Emma made her appearance and cut my family time short so we could see her parents and spend the rest of the holiday together with them. With Emma, we're always on a schedule...Christmas breakfast then gift exchange, followed by tea then lunch, ending with a party filled with people I don't know. I don't need to worry about that anymore.

"What are you thinking about?" Charlotte's sweet voice interrupts my thoughts. We're driving into the city and she must've noticed me zoning out.

"Oh nothing really," I lie and she knows it because I feel her fingers slide between mine, linking our hands together. My mind quickly shifting to thoughts of Charlotte.

I don't understand how Charlotte finds time to do everything. She checks on every patient here daily, manages how their treatments are progressing, decorates for Christmas, all while constantly making sure I am okay and getting through all my therapy sessions. No wonder she looks so tired lately. The only time she's taken a break in the last two nights since we've been back, is when we go to her house for the night, and even then, I find her fast asleep on the couch after leaving her alone for a few minutes to use the loo. She's so amazingly selfless, why was I ever with someone as selfish as Emma, I'll never know.

I'm unsure how I can help her. I need to help her realize that it's fine to take a break once in a while, that it's ok to not have everything work out perfectly all the time. She doesn't want to revert to having Sarah and Nate take over any of my therapy sessions, which is mostly my fault since I practically begged her in the beginning not to leave me in someone else's hands. I'm a stronger person now because of her and I'm ready to get through some of my challenges without her always holding my hand. I need to show her that somehow.

We arrive at rehab early in the morning with ten days left until Christmas now. I want to give her something special, but I'm not sure what, so I decide that I'm going to ask Sarah to bring me shopping.

Charlotte brings me into the gym, then tells me she's going to bring her things to her office before starting therapy.

"Is it alright if Sarah does my morning therapy with me?" I ask Charlotte who stops dead in her tracks and turns to me looking utterly confused.

She's not angry or sad with my request though and shrugs her shoulders at me.

"Sure, if that's what you want," she says back to me.

"Yeah, I mean I haven't spent any time with them over the last few weeks, so it'll be nice to catch up. Go get what ever work you need to get done. I'll be fine, and you know where to find me," I persuade her.

Charlotte reluctantly leaves me in the gym with Sarah so she can tend to her other responsibilities.

"Sarah, I need to do or get something special for Charlotte for a Christmas gift," I blurt out.

Sarah presses her finger to her pursed lips like she's thinking.

"Well from my experience with Charlotte and gifts, she would rather be the one giving not receiving," she tells me.

"Of course, she would," I chuckle.

"I have an idea! How about you and I focus on one thing to work on in therapy every morning, that way by Christmas you can surprise her by showing her something new you've accomplished, like doing something with your left arm that you haven't been able to do before?" Sarah suggests.

"That sounds great, but what if we put in all that work and my arm just stays as it is now?" I say to her with slight anticipation of defeat in my tone.

"Charlotte will take your determination in trying as a gift Levi, trust me."

"You're probably right, okay let's do this, but I still want you to take me shopping so I can get her something nice," I warn Sarah.

Sarah and I get right to work. Whatever type of exercise that involved using my arms I did, even girl-style push ups which were very difficult to perform.

Sarah worked with me for my first session every morning and Nate took over the sessions right after, making me use the weights. Sarah and I let Nate and Jake in on our little secret, so everyday he added a little more weight for my left arm to lift, push, and pull as Jake cheered me on.

Charlotte met back up with me every day for lunch and then took me to the pool to practice walking without my leg brace.

I'm starting to feel my arm getting physically stronger. It's gotten easier to get myself out of bed and transfer to my chair on my own. Even Charlotte noticed while we were in the pool one afternoon.

"Your grip on my hand with your left is much stronger!" Charlotte expresses while walking backwards in the pool holding my hands as I take a few steps forward.

"Yes I can feel it is," I give her a huge grin.

My left leg improved right after my last stem-cell procedure but it's remained the same since. I'm still only able to take two or three steps before my leg buckles from under me. My balance hasn't improved much either, I can only balance on my own for a few seconds, although when I first got into the pool today Charlotte squealed with excitement after she purposely let go of me and I unknowingly stood on my own for a solid thirty seconds. Progress, right!

"You're doing so great! I am so proud of you!" She shrieks. This is something she's continued to say to me daily, more times than I can count. The way her beautiful soulful eyes look at me when she tells me how proud she is, I know she truly means every word.

I know I'm physically screwed up and mentally too at this point, but Charlotte treats me like I'm the most important person in the world. She looks at me like there's nothing wrong with me, like I'm perfect. I know I'm far from perfect. I also know I love this girl so much, I don't know what I'd do without her.

"How about you and I have an evening off to spend some quality time together?" She asks me.

Oh my God! Yes please! I think to myself. I've been waiting for the past four weeks for us to have a night just her and I together, hanging out, talking, I'll do anything. Charlotte seems to have more energy lately and she's been staying awake later at night ever since I made Nate & Sarah do all my morning therapies with me. I'm glad my plan's working.

" How about we order out, watch some funny movies and eat popcorn tonight?" She asks me.

"Brilliant!" I yelp a little over zealous.

We devoured the Chinese food Charlotte had delivered then snuggled on the couch together eating popcorn and laughing. By the time we started watching our second movie, Charlotte looked like she was getting sleepy. I noticed her squinting at the screen more than once and rubbing her eyes often, trying to clear them. I was getting  concerned.

" Are you alright, Love?" I ask her.

"Yes, the screen appears blurry to me sometimes, maybe my eyes are tired," she affirms.

"Do you want to go lay in bed? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we have a lot to do, so maybe getting to sleep early will be good," I try and convince her.

"That's a good idea! We need to get to rehab early tomorrow to fit some therapy in before we pick your parents up from the airport," she reminds me. She's always thinking of me first.

We both happily go to bed and she lays her head on my chest while I wrap my arms around her, listening to her soft breathing as she falls asleep.

Tomorrow is the big day. Sarah's helped me prepare my big surprise for Charlotte, I can't wait to show her.

In the morning I make sure I'm up and ready before Charlotte even wakes up. I'm eager to finally be able to do something special for my girl and I can't stop smiling .

"Wow! You're up early and looking cheerful this morning!" Charlotte says in a surprised voice.

"I'm just excited for the Holiday!" I exclaim. "Now let's get going sleepy head," I chuckle.

I'm so anxious that I practically rush her to rehab.

"Please come meet me in the gym in ten minutes, I need your help with something," I tell her, hoping she'll agree without asking any questions.

"Umm, okay," she shrugs.

I meet Sarah in the gym and she helps me prepare by attaching my left leg brace and putting a gait belt around my waist as a precaution.

Charlotte walks into the gym and looks at us with curiosity when she notices us at one end of the parallel bars.

"What is this?" She questions, her voice sounds perplexed as she points at us and then to the bars.

" I have something to show you," I grin. "Now please stand at the other end of the bars," I instruct her.

Her eyes go wide, so does her smile when she realizes what I'm about to do and brings herself to stand at the other end of the bars, facing me.

I can feel the jitters, but the anticipation of watching the expression on her face when I get through this will all be worth it.

I tell Sarah I'm ready so she stands behind me holding my gait belt as I place both of my hands on the bars and she helps me pull myself to stand. I take a moment to adjust my stance between the bars and make sure my left arm is cooperating. I can't balance on my own so it's up to my arms to support me with each step.

" I'm ready Sarah, you can let go now," I inform her.

Sarah releases her hold of me but stays behind me just in case.

Charlotte is still wide eyed with anticipation when I look up at her. I take a deep breath and exhale then carefully move my left hand forward on the bar, then my right hand, followed by my left leg and right. I don't look graceful at all when I do this. I probably resemble a puppet on strings, but Charlotte thinks I'm doing something magical.

I hear Charlotte gasp but I don't want to see her facial expression yet, so I continue slowly moving both arms forward on the bars followed by taking a step with each foot.

So far so good! My inner voice assures me. I've taken two steps with each leg, only four more to go. I can do this, I talk myself up.

Another two steps down before I feel my left arm shake a little.

"Levi?" Sarah softly questioning if I need her support.

"I've got this, just give me a second," I convince her.

After I take another deep breath and exhale to try and calm my nerves; I succeed with my last two steps and stop a few inches in front of Charlotte and look up at her.

Tears are flowing down her cheeks but the way her watery multi-color eyes are looking at me is pure admiration. Her body is noticeably fidgety and I can guess that she wants to throw her arms around me, but I stop her.

"I have one more thing to give you," I force her to wait just a little longer.

Sarah hands me a four by two inch box and then holds onto my gait belt so I can have more support. I shift my wait to my right arm so I can let go of the bar and hand Charlotte the box.

"Go ahead, open it," I smile.

Charlotte opens the box and pulls out a silver heart shaped pendant attached to a silver chain. She holds the pendant in her hand and brushes her thumb over the single diamond in the middle, then flips the pendant over and reads the engraving on the back...

My Love, My Hero

"Merry Christmas Charlotte," I softly say. Sarah keeps hold of my hips so I can let go of the bars and help Charlotte clasp the necklace around her neck.

She's still crying and I'm hoping it's because she is happy, so I ask, "Do you like your gift?"

Just as I imagined, she throws her arms around me and embraces me.

"Oh Levi, It's beautiful! I love it! And what you accomplished just now walking across the bars... is the sweetest gift I could ever receive," she sniffs and I can feel her tears soaking my t-shirt.

" Those better be tears of joy," I smirk.

"Definitely tears of joy," she replies, hugging me again.

She releases her grip when I place my hands back onto the bars and looks at Sarah and then me and inquests, "This is why you insisted I get other work done every morning? So you two could work on this?"

I can't stop smiling at her and confess, " Yes, I wanted to do something special for you, to surprise you."

" Yes, Nate and Jake were in on it too", Sarah chirps.

" I can't believe you guys! Thank you! This is amazing! Not just for me but for you, Levi!", her voice ecstatic, and she grabs my face and kisses me.

"You're my Hero Levi, I love you!" She breathes into my mouth as she kisses me again.

"Now I have a surprise for all of you," she boasts.

" Can you two round everyone up and meet me at the door to the lounge?" She asks us, then gives me one more peck on the lips before bolting out the door.

Sarah and I do what she says and find Jake, Marlo, Kenny, and Abby and all wait together for Charlotte by the lounge.

Charlotte pops out of the lounge, holding the door almost shut behind her.

" Are you all ready?" She asks with excitement.

We all smile and nod as she flings open the lounge door.

"Surprise! Merry Christmas everyone! She blurts out.

We all slowly make our way into the room, our eyes soaking in the magnificence, our jaws hanging from shock and amazement.

My parents, Charlotte's parents and everyone else's parents or wife, girlfriend, and other family members are all here for us. Christmas decorations adorn the room, food tables line the back wall, and a massive amount of presents engulf the lighted tree.

"How and when did you do all this?" I pull her down towards me and whisper in her ear.

"You're not the only one who can secretly plan something special," she laughs.

"You're incredible!" I express to her.

"What you did for me earlier was incredible," she smiles and presses her soft lips to mine.

"Any more secret plans in the making?" She jokes with me.

I laugh along with her playful banter before I respond, "Why yes my love, I do have something I'd like to work on next, but only if you'll help me this time."