Chapter 361

"He's up. He's been working every day this week." Charles told Pearl at breakfast. "Augustus is going to see him today. You should join him."

"Okay." Pearl said. She hadn't seen her husband in almost two weeks. It wasn't easy, but she was holding herself to her word to stay away until he showed effort.

Later, the car pulled up at the hospital and Pearl accompanied Auggie inside.

They found Sebastian on the rehab floor, standing with a physical therapist in the parallel bars.

"Pearl." Sebastian said, sounding relieved.

"Hello." Pearl said. "It's wonderful to see you up."

"Thank you! I have been working on trying to wake up my nerves. The doctor says that he is going to schedule my surgery for next week. He thinks I may walk again." He said with a smile.

"Wow! That's amazing Bash. I'm so happy to hear it!" Auggie said.

"Where's Dylan?" Sebastian asked.

"I don't know. Maybe at his studio?" Pearl said.

"Oh. Alright." Sebastian said. "Has he been around much?"

"Yes. He's been very involved with the kids and myself. He is a big help." Pearl said. Sebastian grumbled something unintelligible.

"I'm sorry? What did you say?" Pearl asked.

"Nothing. It's nothing. So, tell me how the kids are. I miss them. I miss you." Sebastian said, wheeling his chair out of the bars and towards Pearl and Auggie. "Shall we have lunch? The food here is actually quite good." Sebastian said.

"I'd like that." Pearl said. After lunch, another therapist came in for more treatment. Sebastian grabbed Pearl's hand.

"Come back tomorrow?" Sebastian asked.

"Sure. I will." She said. She kissed his forehead. "Keep it up, you're doing great. Proud of you." She said.

"Thank you. I love you so much." He said. "Pearl, I know what I have. I appreciate you."

She looked at him a little puzzled. "I love you, too. I'll see you tomorrow." She said as she left.

"Well, how'd it go?" Dylan asked later that night at dinner.

"I was absolutely shocked. He was up and working in therapy. He told me he appreciated me. That he knew what he had. Hahaha I don't know what got into him but I'm happy he is working at it finally." Pearl said.

Dylan took a drink of his beer. "Yeah. I mean, that's great." He said. He finished his beer and kissed her cheek. "I was certain he would come around. I'm going to bed. Busy day planned in the garden tomorrow." He said with a smile. Pearl smiled and told him goodnight.

Dylan walked to his room and closed the door behind him. He was proud of Sebastian, no doubt. But he was also angry with him. And at Erik. And Rhys. Why did it take some interference for all of them to step up and be men for her? He never needed convincing to do what was right by her and it honestly infuriated him that he was behind Sebastian's miraculous recovery effort. It wasn't fair to Pearl to keep it from her, to not know that her and the children being in his life wasn't enough to make him want to get better. Only the thought of another man having her. He felt anger rise and took a deep breath. He needed to let it all happen as it should but he wondered if he should tell her the truth, even if it meant her being angry at Dylan as well.

The next day, she came back to the hospital to see Bash.

"Hey!" He said. He was sitting at the edge of bed working on his core stability.

"Hello. You look good sitting there." Pearl said.

"Thank you. It feels good." Sebastian said. "How are things? Where's Dylan?" He asked.

"What is your obsession with Dylan lately? You're freaking me out." Pearl said.

"Oh nothing, just wondering." Sebastian said.

Pearl shook her head and watched as he worked some more on his strength.

After the therapist left, Sebastian asked Pearl how she was doing.

"I'm ok I guess. Charles says I need to issue a statement to the world. He has talked to the press a little but he says I need to make an official statement. The kids are running me a little ragged. I'm lonely. Worried. You know." She said. He grabbed her hand.

"You don't have to always be so strong. I am going to take on some of this. I'm going to keep working hard so you don't have to so much." He said.

She smiled at him. "Thank you." She said.

"I am so sorry. But I am not giving up. I love you." He said.

"I love you, too." She said. She needed to hear that and she was thankful for him and his effort.

"I know it's not easy for you. But I want you to know that you can do this." She said. He kissed her hand.

"Because I'll be doing it with you by my side." He said.

She nodded and smiled.