Proud Moments
Charlotte's POV...
"I wish I could truly show you just how much I love you," Levi says before kissing me again. We've been hiding behind one of the waterfalls, enjoying each other's company, soaking in every second of bliss. That is what I feel, pure bliss when I am with him.
He looks at me as if I am the most beautiful person to walk this planet. He always makes me feel so loved, and that is all I really want. Feeling wanted, important and loved is all I need, and he makes me feel all those things. He supports me and my job, he worries about me, he wants to be a better man for me...although I don't need him to be a better man, he's already everything I could ever ask for. I only wish he would see himself the way I see him.
Today has been difficult for him both physically and mentally. I was hesitant to agree with Landon about this trip, but I also think Levi needs to realize he can still enjoy these adventures even with his handicap. He's enjoying himself now, but tonight he will be in pain and I'm afraid he will be discouraged from doing this again.
"You show me so much love, more than you realize, Levi," I kiss him one last time before leading him out into the open. We happily wade around in the water together as we watch Landon test out every waterfall and rockslide he can find. I'm tempted to ask Levi if he wants to try out one of the slides, but that might be pushing our luck and he seems content just floating around, leaving one of his arms draped around my shoulder. He has a smile on his face as he looks around, rhythmically brushing his fingers up and down my arm. Every so often he pulls me closer and kisses my temple. This is all I wish for, him to be happy, appreciate life's pleasures without feeling burdened by his physical limitations.
My body begins to shiver, I've been in this frigid water way too long. Levi moves behind me and engulfs me in his arms, rubbing his hands up and down my skin trying to warm me.
"My feet are getting numb, the baby is probably cold now too," I joke with him.
"We should get out now," he says in a more serious tone, obviously worried about the baby now that I've mentioned it.
I help him back to the rock. There are a few smaller rocks piled on top of each other we can use as stepping-stones to get out of the water, so I urge Levi to go first so I can spot him. He struggles to step up even with his stronger right leg first. That mile hike really took a toll on him and now I'm nervous about our walk back to the car. He mostly uses his arms to pull himself up while I keep my hand on his left leg to support it. It's not pretty, but he manages to get up onto the rock and then offers me his hand so he can help me up too. He slowly drags himself on his bum back to our towels. I know his muscles are weak and I don't want him scraping his left foot against the rock, so I lift his leg for him as he scoots backwards.
"Thanks, Love. I'm really trying, but I think my body has done too much today," he shrugs his shoulders. I know he feels defeated, but he's being a good sport about it.
He lifts my towel up and motions for me to sit down between his legs. He drapes the towel around me when I sit, rubbing his hands up and down my arms to warm me up, and then pulls my back into his chest so I can snuggle against him. I feel his chin rest on the top of my head while he hugs me. "I love you," he whispers, kissing my hair and then reaching around into one of the back packs, grabbing two waters.
I take a few sips from my water bottle and then stand up so that I can put my clothes back on. Levi chugs all his water then wipes his legs dry with his towel before attaching his brace. Just as he finishes putting on his shirt and shoes, Landon returns.
"Hey mate, did you have a good time?" He asks Levi.
"Yeah, I did, thanks for taking me here," he says and then sighs. "I'm going to need a lot more help getting back to the car though...starting with getting me up from this rock," he sighs again.
Honestly, I'm totally impressed. The fact that he admitted he needs help, and asked Landon for it, is a huge step for him.
"Anything, mate, tell me what you need me to do," Landon offers.
"I think you're going to have to get behind me and pick me up so I can stand," Levi tells him.
Landon swiftly goes behind Levi, leans forward and puts his arms under Levi's and lifts him up off the rock onto his feet. His legs are much weaker than I thought they would be, his left leg already shaking just from standing. I move next to him so he can put his arm around me while Landon hurries to get dressed.
"Have I told you how proud I am of you," I look up and smile at him.
"I think I can recall you telling me once already today," he smiles back.
"I'm sorry I don't have much strength left. I'll do what I can Love."
"You don't need to apologize; you've done amazing today. It's okay to need help getting back down," I remind him.
"So, what's the plan," Landon joins us with our backpacks and Levi's crutches in his hands. We both look at him, not knowing the best plan of action to take.
Landon decides to take matters into his own hands and gives me the bags and crutches. "Get on my back," he says to Levi.
"No."
"Do you have a better idea? Do you want Charlotte to carry you?"
"No."
"Alright then, let's get on with it," he says and then crouches down so Levi can get onto his back.
"We look ridiculous," Levi grunts.
"I'd rather look ridiculous than be stuck here all night," Landon tries to lighten the mood.
We make it down off the rocks and onto the trail. "You're not carrying me all the way to the car, I can walk if you both help me."
So, that's what we do. We each strap a backpack to our backs, Landon carries the crutches, while Levi stands between us with one arm around Landon's shoulders and his other arm around mine. The height difference between Landon and I makes it somewhat difficult, but together, the three of us complete the mile hike back to the car.
"I'm sorry about that, and thank you," Levi says to us while getting into the back seat of the car.
"Stop saying you're sorry, you would've done the same for either of us," Landon tells him. "I'm just glad you had fun."
Levi chooses to sit in the back so he can stretch his legs across the seats. We silently listen to the music while Landon drives us back to the hotel. I catch a glimpse of Levi's legs shaking in my peripheral vision, his hands trying to keep his spasms at bay. We are all exhausted, but Levi feels it tenfold.
"I'll drop you both at the front door and then park," Landon suggests.
"Thanks, I think we will head straight to the hot tub. Meet us there?"
"Sounds good," he says and stops the car as close to the front entrance as possible. He puts the car in park and jogs around to Levi's door. Levi drapes an arm around Landon so he can help him out of the car. Landon proudly supports his friend's weight as they take a few steps away from the car so he can shut the door.
I come around to Levi's other side and switch places with Landon. Levi secures his arms into his crutches and makes a hissing sound when he tries to take another step. "Fuck!"
"What else do you need me to do?" Landon cautiously asks.
"I'll be good, I just need a minute."
I place my hand near Levi's back for support and nod to Landon, letting him know we will be fine.
"I'll park and take care of the bags and meet you in the hot tub," Landon jogs back to the driver's side.
"Thanks Mate," Levi shouts over his shoulder.
"Scale of 1-10?" I ask Levi before helping him walk any further.
"Pain isn't the problem. My legs feel like Jello, I'm not sure they will hold me up if I move," he grumbles.
I move back to his left side and reach my hand out towards his crutch. "Give me this crutch and put your arm around me, we will walk together," I tell him, and he does what I suggest. Just like when he first started to walk all those months ago, I support half of his weight while he uses his right crutch to support his other and we slowly saunter to the pool area.
Once we get there, I drop the one crutch onto a lounge chair and keep walking with him right down the steps into the hot tub, his other crutch and leg brace submerging into the hot bath with him. When he's situated with his back against the pulsing jets, he places his crutch outside the edge of the tub while I remove his brace for him. "Thanks, Love," he sounds relieved.
There is another couple sitting on the opposite side of us, but they don't bother Levi one bit. He happily rests his head back and closes his eyes while I massage both of his legs. Landon joins us shortly after and sits on Levi's other side.
"You good?" He asks Levi.
"Yeah, I'm good. I think I'm going to sleep in this tub tonight," he jokingly responds, making us all laugh.
"If you're up for it tomorrow, I say we take it easy and take a walk around Main Street in North Conway, check out the shops and have lunch before we drive back to Boston?" I ask both guys, Landon knowing it all depends on Levi.
"I like that plan," Levi slips his arm around the back of my neck, pulling me closer, his wet lips pecking my cheek. "Have I told you how much I love you," he continues to shower me with kisses.
"Ugh, get a room," Landon crosses his arms, pretending to be disgusted with us.
"We have a room," I smirk back.
"Maybe you both should go use it then," he makes us laugh again.
All three of us decide to call it a day. Landon helps Levi out of the tub and sits him on a lounge chair. We dry ourselves off and wait for Levi to attach his brace and then I walk with Levi back to our room the same way we had walked to the pool area. This time Landon follows behind carrying Levi's other crutch. Landon has been a great help today, I'm glad he came on this trip with us.
We opted not to go out for dinner and ordered room service instead. None of us had the energy to leave our rooms again for the rest of the evening.
Levi took an extra-long shower while we waited for our meals to arrive. I set up the small table in the corner of our room with two chairs and a fake candle centerpiece, making it resemble our own private dining experience.
Room service was better than I expected. Food was arranged on white porcelain plates with wine glasses and gold-plated silverware. We both ordered Filet Mignon with scalloped potatoes and asparagus, it was delicious.
"I know I struggled during the last part of our day, but I really did enjoy the hike and Diana's Baths. You are both right, I need to start getting out more and trying to do things even if they are much harder for me now," he admits. He's now sitting on the edge of the bed removing his leg brace.
I walk over and stand in front of him. He opens his knees wider, and his hands grab my waist, pulling me closer so that I'm standing between his legs. My fingers reach up and find their way through his hair, while a soft "Hmm" escapes his heart shaped lips.
As I brush his dark strands back with my fingers, I have a better look at his magnificent face. He is literally the most attractive man I've ever known, and I still wonder how I was lucky enough to snag him. His big blue eyes always so captivating, I could stare into them for hours.
"You basically walked over two miles today, the first mile without any pause or help. You never fail to astonish me," I continue stroking his hair. He smiles up at me and squeezes my love handles.
"I was afraid I was going to disappoint you. I wasn't able to do it all on my own," he drops his forehead against my belly, my hand slides down the back of his head, massaging small circles on his neck.
"You could never disappoint me Levi, even if Landon had to carry you all the way back to the car, I would be just as proud of you for trying so hard. You are stronger than you know, and I hope you are proud of yourself for what you did accomplish today."
" I am," he whispers. He lifts his head, his ocean blues searching my green ones for any sign of deceit. He won't find it, not from me. Him having a disability will never be a reason for me to feel any disappointment in him. What he deals with every day; constantly working on keeping his muscles strong enough and retraining his nerves so that he can do what we all take for granted. It's inspiring.
"I'm going to apologize now for keeping you up all night, it's not going to be a good one," he confesses.
Unfortunately, he wasn't exaggerating either. A rough night would be an understatement. Until 2:00am when he grabbed his backpack and disappeared into the bathroom, only to return and is out like a light less than thirty minutes later.
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