Chapter 354

Sebastian slept for an entire day. The doctor and physical therapist came in and woke him so they could talk with him and examine him.

"Pearl?" He asked for her.

She came over and held his hand. "I'm here. I'm here, okay?" She said.

He nodded. They all sat down and the doctor told them what they dreaded the most.

"He has an incomplete fracture of his lumbar spine. L1 and L2 are affected." The doctor said.

"Ok, what does that mean?" Pearl asked.

"He has no sensation in his bilateral lower extremities so we are sure the nerves are damaged. We won't know about bowel or bladder function until we remove the catheter."

Pearl put her hands on her mouth. Sebastian closed his eyes and she saw tears falling down his face.

"Okay. What are the options. I know there are surgeries and therapy. What can we do?" Pearl asked.

The doctor laid out the options and Pearl listened intently to all of them. Sebastian laid there looking off and out the window. He seemed so detached. So sad.

After the doctor left, Pearl looked at Sebastian. "It doesn't sound hopeless. He seems to be optimistic about surgeries. He thinks you may be able to walk again someday." Pearl said.

"I hope so." He said quietly. She held his hand and kissed it.

"I love you." She said.

"I know." He said back, choking back emotion.

It was a dark time for them but Pearl was no stranger to it. Maybe Dylan was right. Maybe she went through these things because she was built to.

********************

"Bash, get up. This is stupid." Pearl said. The physical therapist was in the room, trying to get Sebastian up in bed and ready for therapy.

"I can't. We all know I can't." He said. "I'm tired of you bossing me around. It's not going to work. None of it is." He said.

It had been two weeks since he arrived back in London and his depression and attitude continued to get worse. Pearl had been there everyday, taking in his frustration and supporting him every second, which usually meant he fought them all every time they tried to help him. She knew he hated being vulnerable. It wasn't his nature. But she had enough.

"Fine! You know what? I'm going home. If you want to give up, I will, too. And I'm not coming back until you start regularly participating in therapy. This is absolutely ridiculous." Pearl said, grabbing her purse and walking out of the room.

"Pearl, wait!" He called out.

She waved and continued to walk down the hall. Maybe, she thought, this would work.

"Pearl, you can't just leave him there."

Jim said, following her out of the front entrance and to the car.

"Don't tell me how to handle my husband, Jim. And if you are so worried about him, you can sit up there and listen to him yell at you all day. Believe me, I know what I am doing. Take me home." She said to the driver. He nodded and Jim got in and closed the door.