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Nora looked at Hudson at the mention of her getting the job. He had an expectant look, waiting for her answer.
“Absolutely,” she answered without a second thought.
Hannah’s eyes danced with joy, which solidified Nora’s feelings. This was going to be a full-time job and challenging, as well, but rewarding.
She enjoyed being around Hannah, but she wasn’t sure about Hudson yet.
But he wasn’t what was important. All that mattered was that he wanted the best for this little girl, and Nora was eager to be a part of that.
FOUR
HUDSON
Hudson walked into the living room and noticed that the PT nurse was there with Nora helping her. Hannah was on the ground. He watched as they stretched out Hannah's legs, trying to get her muscles to move.
It was something they had been working on a couple of days a week now, and every time they did, Hannah seemed unhappy with the results.
He watched pain cross her face, and he wanted to yell at them to stop. The bear in him growled at the sight, demanding that he rush in and put a stop to it. Hannah was only six. She didn't deserve the pain that came with everything.
But in his mind, he heard Nora's warning from before. “It will likely hurt, and we are going to push her, but it's all for her. She needs this. She needs to work the muscles, or she will never recover. Hannah will not always be like this, and if we want her to walk again, we have to push her.”
He swallowed and watched as Nora gave Hannah a soft smile. She reached out, brushing some of Hannah's hair back. "You're doing so great, sweetie. I'm impressed. You really can handle anything, can't you?"
Hannah beamed with a smile, and the pain that covered her face a moment ago was gone completely. Hannah now looked confident, ready to continue working hard.
Nora helped the other nurse move Hannah into a different position, trying to move her legs a little farther than before.
He smiled at them. He liked how quickly Hannah got along with Nora and vice versa. Hannah needed a woman in her corner, someone who knew how to handle her.
He was a little jealous. He wished he knew how to help her and make her feel better. He'd known Hannah since she was born, but to her, he was just another person her parents knew.
He remembered visiting her folks’ house and seeing Hannah run around happily. She had the life every kid dreamed of, and it had been snatched from her so quickly. It was a feeling he'd never wish upon anyone.
He didn't know how to make her feel safe or how to make her laugh. He didn't know what her favorite color was or what she wanted to be when she grew up. These were all questions her parents would know the answers to. And now they were gone.
He ran a hand over his face, realizing he needed to do better. He needed to work harder, too, so she had someone she could lean on. Her parents were gone, so he was responsible for making her feel safe.
"Hudson," Hannah called out to him, giving him a big smile. "Did you see that? I moved my foot. I moved it!"
Hannah giggled, looking back at her feet. "I moved it."
Tears burned in the back of his eyes. Just a couple of months ago, she was as normal and happy as could be, and now she was so giddy that she could wiggle her toes.
Nora looked at him, giving him a gentle smile. She walked over to him, patting him on the shoulder. "She's doing good. This is progress. This is all going in the right direction."
Hannah looked back up at him. "What's wrong? Why do you look sad?"
He quickly hardened his face and gave her a nod. He didn't need her feeling the emotions he was feeling. She was happy, and he wanted her to stay that way. "Nothing. This is good, Hannah."
The PT nurse nodded. "I agree. We can try again on Thursday, but I think we should stop for today."
Nora thanked the nurse and helped her out.
He bent down to Hannah's level. He could see a sparkle in her eyes, a sparkle he had not seen since her parents died. Nora really had a way with her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, a question he asked her every day.
"I feel good," she said, looking down the hallway where Nora had disappeared. "I like her. She's nice."
