Page 23 of Saving Luke

"Just you here in a good mood is all I want," I tell her.

"You have to give me some ideas so you have gifts to open."

I bite my tongue, because I want to go off and tell her the only gift I want is for her to let up on Brooke, so we can be happy. But in the back of my mind, I can hear my mom scolding me and telling me to be patient.

"Well, I have been reading a bit more, so those thriller books you used to send in the care packages, more of those. My therapist has me doing some adult coloring books for stress and anxiety, so coloring books with intricate geometrical designs and some coloring pencils. Also, lounge clothes, t-shirts, and sweatpants."

Gabbie is making notes on her phone. “Good, this gives me some ideas." We spend the next hour talking before Brooke peeks her head in, and Gabbie's posture stiffens.

"Sorry to interrupt, but you have a PT appointment," Brooke says.

I look at the clock. "Time got away from me. I'm on my way." I say to Brooke with a smile.

"Gabbie, you are welcome to wait until he's done in here, or there are some other family members in the lobby. I can show you to the library too if you want," Brooke says.

I hold my breath, waiting for her reaction.

"I'm actually going to head out. Luke finally gave me some ideas for his Christmas gifts, so I need to go shopping. I will be back tomorrow." She gives me a hug and leaves.

Brooke watches her go and then turns back to me. "What kind of gift ideas?" She smirks.

I just smile and shake my head. The ideas I have for Brooke are much dirtier than anything I’d talk about with my sister.

"I have a PT appointment to go, too. I want to walk. Will you go with me?" I ask.

She looks uncertain, but I have been cleared to walk as long as I take breaks when it gets too much. It almost seems like Brooke is battling the nurse who wants to encourage her patient and the girlfriend who doesn't want me to overdo it. I see the moment the nurse in her wins out because she straightens her back, takes a deep breath, and nods.

"Let's go."

She wraps her arm around mine, and to anyone looking in, it appears like we are just out for a walk. What they don't realize is I'm leaning on her more than needed as we walk through the lobby.

I make it to PT and sit down. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

"Well, I can always get the wheelchair, if you are too tired to walk. Remember, after this is the gift exchange in the lobby." She reminds me.

PT flies by as I think of Brooke and our night together after the Christmas lights. Brooke is my secret weapon for pushing myself in PT and still being able to walk out to the lobby for the gift exchange. I may collapse onto the couch, but I still made it.

"How was PT?" Brooke asks as she sits down next to me.

"Kicked my butt in a good way," I say as I watch two guys in suits walk over by the Christmas Tree.

"Who are they?" I ask.

"The couple with the two little girls? That's Owen and Ellie. Lexi met Ellie at a fundraiser, and they hit it off. She volunteers here sometimes. Owen owns a company in Knoxville. He's super rich and is always donating and helping out here. The other couple is Teddy and Mia. Teddy is a former patient who inherited a company, and over the summer, Ellie’s best friend, Mia, was volunteering, and that's how Mia met Teddy. They are always here doing stuff for the guys." Brooke says just as Teddy steps up.

"Hello everyone. I'm Teddy. I was patient here just like you. My unit came under fire, and when I woke up in Germany, I was told I was the only survivor. To say I didn't deal with it is an understatement. This place and the people here saved my life and helped me heal. Because of them, I met my amazing wife Mia and am able to honor the men who didn't make it home." He turns to smile at his wife.

Pointing to the other couple, he says, "This is a good friend of mine, Owen, and his wife, Ellie. Ellie is friends with Lexi and can't seem to stay away from Oakside. So, because of that and because we know what it's like to spend Christmas alone, we decided we weren't going to let all of you do that. Under the tree are some gifts for each of you, and some for the staff, because I know how hard they work. Allie and Becca here will help pass them out. The gifts for the patients are ones we hope will help you with your next steps." Teddy nods towards the two girls standing next to Owen.

There’s a round of applause, and then Christmas music starts, and the kitchen staff brings out cookies and eggnog.

Each patient gets a brand new laptop and a high-tech one, too.

"Are they serious?" I ask.

"Yeah," Brooke laughs. "When I say these guys are rich, I'm not joking. They are billionaires."

"Hence the suits," I say. "Open your gift, I'm interested to see what they got you," I tell her and nod towards the presents in her lap.

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