Levi's POV...

The following morning, we catch an early flight to Boston so that I could endure a 2-hour physical therapy session with Nate, while Charlotte worked in her office and Landon explored the city.

After making sure we have all essentials packed...I making sure to have enough pain pills to last me through two days of strenuous activity, we drive 2.5 hours north into the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

It's already been a very long day of traveling so we head straight to the Omni Mount Washington Resort.

This place is massive and beautiful. The outside of this castle-like hotel is an elegant shade of white, covered with a red roof. Mount Washington is in the background, adding to the resort's grand appeal with it's snow-capped peak in the middle of summer. There is so much to do outdoors here, and the scenery is so captivating, I can see why Charlotte likes visiting New Hampshire. I'd like to come back up here in the fall to view the foliage.

Adventures awaiting me or not, Nate didn't take it easy on me at all during PT earlier, and all the traveling by plane and car have made my back and legs stiff.

I don't want to ruin what Charlotte and Landon have planned for tonight, so I let them both exit the car before I do and swallow back a pain pill. I hate that I'm hiding these from them. Charlotte would be so disappointed in me. I'll chance my luck with them knowing they help to make the spasms I have much more tolerable and help me to push my physical limits further. I need all of my body working properly before the baby is born.

Like a ninety-year-old man, I bend and flex my stiff joints prior to lugging my body out of the car. Charlotte notices how slow I am but doesn't address the matter, she only gives me a smile and hands me both crutches.

She walks beside me to the hotel lobby with her hand on my lower back while Landon trails behind carrying our 3 small bags. Her hand on my back isn't needed to help me walk. Her touch is an act of comfort for me, reminding me that I'm the one she chooses to be with.

We check into our two rooms and hop on the lift to the 3rd floor. All I'm looking forward to is a hot shower and dinner after. I'm knackered from traveling all day, just imagine how I'm going to feel after hiking and whatever else these two have in store for me.

Landon throws our bags on our king size canopy bed then walks over to his room across the hall.

My right hip hurts like a bitch and I can feel a back spasm threatening to take over, so I plop a seat onto the bed just before my knee gives out. Why did I let them convince me to come here? Don't get me wrong, this place is amazing, and I wish more than anything that I will be able to hike or bike or whatever else. I'm not sure my body will be able to handle it though and I don't want to disappoint Charlotte. I want to show her that I'm capable of being a normal husband and father.

"Hey! How are you holding up?" My sweet girl asks while sitting onto the bed beside me.

I lean over and kiss the top of her head. " I'm good, just sore. It's been a long day."

"It has. I'm tired too and hungry," she smirks while rubbing her belly.

We opt for dinner in the hotel restaurant, hoping we will get to bed somewhat early.

Once we were through eating, Landon goes outside by the hotel fire pit to socialize while Charlotte and I take the lift back to our room.

I don't even remember my head hitting the pillow and before I know it, the sun is blazing through the window.

Charlotte's still asleep so I take this time to admire her. She's lying on her back with one arm up beside her head and her other with her hand on top of her cute little baby bump. She makes me smile. That's our little one growing inside her. My hand moves towards her and gently rubs her belly, causing her to stir.

Her long hair is a mess and she's still groggy from sleep, but when those hazel eyes bore into mine, all I see is the most beautiful woman lying next to me.

I lean over and kiss her belly, "Morning beautiful," I greet her, kissing her lips next.

"Morning handsome," she returns my kiss.

"Are you excited for today's adventure?" She sits up in the bed, stretching her arms over her head.

"I'm excited to spend the day with you...and Landon," is the only thing I admit.

"I'll stretch your legs a bit first," she moves closer to me and places one hand around my skinny left lower leg and another cupping my heel, moving my limp ankle side to side. I lay back against my pillow letting her stretch all my muscles. When she switches legs and begins to rotate my right hip, she sees it's uncomfortable for me and asks me to roll on my side. I feel her cool fingers kneed into my lower back and hip, spending extra time trying to push through the knots.

"We will hit the hot tub tonight and hopefully that will ease some of this tension," she says while rolling me back over.

Landon is anxiously waiting for us in the lobby after we've dressed and packed a few essentials. "Hey, you ready for this?" He smacks my shoulder in excitement, causing me to stumble forward in my crutches.

He catches me. "Shit! Sorry."

"As ready as I'll ever be," I roll my eyes at him and fix my stance. I'm already frustrated having to rely on these and I've never actually seen anyone hike with crutches before, this should be interesting.

It's not too far of a drive before we reach a dirt parking lot with a small hut near the front gate. We pay the parking fee and park in the closest available spot to the trail entrance. We have arrived at Diana's Baths. According to the sign and Charlotte, we are hiking a fairly flat one-mile trail to some waterfalls.

I slip my hand into my small hiking backpack and find my pain pills before anyone notices. I haven't gone on a hike with abled legs since before my accident, now I have one semi-abled leg and another leg that needs a brace to work correctly at all. These two sure have a lot of faith in me, a mile is a long way for someone on crutches. I swallow two pills and swiftly zip up my pack and swing it over my back.

Landon is up ahead, reading the sign. He quickly turns back towards Charlotte and gives her a worried glance like he's having second thoughts about this idea for me. You think!

"You've got this," she's up on her toes and pecks my cheek. I only smile back, thinking she's gone mental. Her bubbly attitude towards this adventure is the only reason I agreed to this. If going on this kike with her makes her happy, so be it.

The three of us begin walking the dirt trail. The path is mostly flat and narrow, yet the three of us comfortably fit across its width. "I know a mile is a long way, but it's almost all flat like this, no obstacles to climb around," she informs Landon and I, making me feel slightly better about this situation.

Both sides of the path are surrounded by trees. It's quiet enough that we can hear a few birds and the squirrels scurrying around the tree branches. If I wasn't crippled, this would be a very simple hike.

For the first quarter mile, it actually is easy for me. Landon quietly walking on my right, taking in the scenery, while Charlotte's on my left, softly rubbing her hand under my backpack across my lower back as we step. I guess if we can't hold each other's hand, this is her way of showing me a similar gesture.

At the half mile point, I feel faint spasms in my lower spine. Charlotte feels them too, with her hand already there. Her hand begins moving along my muscles with more pressure, although I don't think that's going to help any. "I'm okay," I let her know and keep pushing forward. This is the longest stretch of walking I've done on crutches without taking a break. I'm feeling a little proud of myself right now. Charlotte is too by the way she looks at me. Her eyes are bright and full of encouragement. "You're doing great!" she beams. Her smile alone gives me the motivation to keep hiking. I can rest when we reach the falls, I tell myself.

Thankfully none of us feel the need to chatter. My pace has slowed significantly, but Landon and Charlotte don't mind as they slow their pace to match mine without complaint. The last quarter mile seeming like ten miles. My semi-good right leg can only support my weight for so long and my left knee proving it dislikes this activity by buckling every other step. My arms now working in overtime, holding most of my weight with my crutches. I'm not ready to give up though, we're almost there. Tonight, I will most definitely regret pushing myself so hard but, showing Landon and Charlotte that I am capable for at least one day is totally worth it.

Water rushing and splashing down on the rocks has got to be the sweetest sound. Somehow hearing the water just ahead of us brings my legs to move faster, and the sight in front of us as we reach the end of the trail is the frosting on the cake. Large boulders above and below us with multiple cascading waterfalls. Some falls are big and wide while others are small and leading into wading pools, or baths is what they are probably referred as. The water is clear and looks so refreshing. My muscles are on fire from that walk and all I want to do is immerse myself in one of the pools and cool off.

"This is the hard part," Charlotte's voice tears me away from my brief excitement. I turn my head towards where she's pointing and immediately regret feeling any previous accomplishment. We need to climb the rocks to get to a flat spot where we can lay out our towels and rest. There is no way my body can handle this next part on my own. Some of the rocks are dry while others are wet from the splashing falls. My crutches are no good here, because once I plant them and take a step, they will slip on the wet rocks.

"This is where I come in," Landon speaks. He walks closer and turns around so his back is facing me. "Hold onto my shoulders, there is an unoccupied rock just up a little ways," he instructs.

"Hold on a second, I'll bring up his crutches and our bags and then come back down to help," Charlotte takes my crutches and climbs up the boulders before I have time to object.

People are now trying not to stare. "This is embarrassing," I mumble out loud.

"Well do you want Charlotte to have to lug your arse up there or me?" Landon simply states.

I grunt in response and place my hands on his shoulders. Charlotte returns and stands behind me, supporting me with her hands on my hips. This is even more humiliating having the two of them helping me climb a few rocks. The curiosity from everyone around us is very obvious at this point. My legs feel like junk though and this is the only way I'll make it. So, I swallow any remaining pride I have and let them help.

As soon as we reach our designated area, I collapse onto the towel Charlotte's laid out for us. Landon doesn't wait a second longer before plunging into the nearest pool of water. "Wow, this water is cold," he yelps, and we laugh. "What are you two waiting for, get in here," he shouts at us. Next thing we see is Landon climbing over one of the waterfalls and sliding down a rock waterslide into the next pool. He's having a grand old time standing under a ledge while rushing water pours down over his head.

Charlotte removes her pink tank top and black shorts, revealing her black bikini, her gorgeous body on display for everyone. Her little baby belly now covers her abs, yet she remains as irresistible as ever. My eyes focus only on her. She captivates me with her very essence, the way she takes in life with every stride, pulling me along with her. I watch her slide down the rock and shiver as her body enters the cool water. She swims around until she reaches the falling water and stands up under the falls with her head leaning back, letting her hair catch all the water.

She looks over to me, waving at me to join her. I smile back and nod then remove my leg brace and take off my shirt. I scoot on my butt over to the edge of the rock and hang my legs over the edge. Charlotte swims over to me while I lower myself into the water. My right leg reaches down first, feeling smaller rocks and sand under my foot. Before I have time to worry about my left foot getting caught between some rocks or slipping from under me, Charlotte appears in front of me and wraps my arms around the back of her neck. I feel her arms wrap around my waist and we hold onto each other like that until both my feet are firmly planted.

The water is refreshing, cooling my body and my mind. Natural beauty surrounds us while we clutch to one another. For a moment I forget about the stares, forget about my disability, forget about my pain and embrace the love of my life.

She slowly steps backwards, helping me step forwards. Our arms still holding each other, patiently making sure my left foot is stable with each step. My body is infatuated with the way her skin feels against mine while I'm enveloped in her arms. The protective way she guides me through the pool is intimate and comforting. She leads me underneath a rock ledge so we are hidden behind the water flowing down in front of us. Her hands leave my waist and find their way to my face. I silently watch her palms rest against my cheeks as she smiles up at me.

There are no words to describe how I feel about this woman. There is so much love, that it overwhelms me. "You amaze me, always. I know this was tough for you and you kept going. I'm so proud of you Levi," she speaks the words I need to hear and then reaches up and kisses me.

I want to melt in her arms right here and now with her lips connected to mine. She's the reason I continue to fight every day. Her and our unborn baby are my lifeline.