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Back at Harvard her roommates Gabriel, Bianca and Hope were all equally worried about Tristan. He’d grown on them over the years. He was always a fun loving guy and he’d shown time and time again how much their Blaire means to him. And they all knew how much he means to her. The news did put a slight damper on their evenings being Valentine’s Day. “Medical opinion do you think he’ll be alright?”, Hope asked chewing on her nails nervous. “If the surgery goes well yes. And after the surgery if he sticks with the physical therapy and no other complications come up he will walk again. The vertebrae he’s damaged at least wouldn’t permanently cripple him. But getting out of the wheelchair will be up to him. He’s gotta be strong enough and determined enough to do it. He won’t be able to ride again, and that might crush his spirit some. He’s going to need support on an emotional level more than anything.”, Bianca explained. Gabriel nodded and squeezed Bianca’s hand. “Then that’s what we give him. Blaire is family therefore Tristan is too. This was the first rodeo of the year. Which means he’s going to be out of work and can’t travel around with his dad.”, Gabriel started to think out loud. “He’s going to need somewhere permanent to stay, with people who can be there for him. And somewhere he can get medical care and go to physical therapy.”, Bianca said finishing her boyfriend’s thought.
“So he comes here. We know Blaire will think of that too. We put in a ramp and move her room downstairs. Bianca can check around the hospital get some good recommendations for doctors for him and physical therapists. And he’d have an in house healer/doctor in training. So we all agree on this?”, Hope asked taking her finger from her mouth to stop chewing on her nails. Gabriel nodded. “Yes we are in agreement. We take care of our own. And Tristan is family. Do you think your dad will mind us putting in the ramp and such?”, Bianca agreed before looking to her boyfriend. “My dad in a minute arranged for Blaire to fly there and a hotel to stay in. I don’t think he’ll mind us putting in a ramp. In the morning I’ll go to the supply store to get one so we can get it installed. I guess we take the furniture out of the first floor office to swap it as Blaire’s bedroom.”, he said looking over to the bedroom they’d been using as the office for studying. “I can do that. Will be a snap with my telekinesis. So we have our plan and know what we need to accomplish between now and when she brings him home. Should we maybe when we know when he’s coming plan like a party? Invite the guys from the Manhattan House up and we can all welcome him to Harvard proper?”, Hope suggested. “That sounds like a great idea. Having friends around that won’t treat him or talk to him any different can help his spirits. To know that he’s got people who care will be great.”, Bianca said yawning. “Alright let’s all get some sleep tomorrow we’ll be busy.”, Gabriel suggested. The girls nodded and they all headed up to their bedrooms.
Blaire had relieved Alex at the hospital taking over holding Tristan’s hand and sitting at his bedside waiting for him to wake up. During the night his breathing had stabilized enough that they took out the breathing tube and just had him on oxygen through his nose. Blaire sighed and looked at him in the bed there were still wires and iv tubes connected to him. She hated seeing him like this. “You’ll get through this Tristan. I’ll be here when you wake up and we will get through this together. I love you…”, she said softly looking at him. She sighed and leaned forward resting her head on his lap as she held his hand. She wasn’t paying attention as her eyes were closed, so she didn’t see the flutter of his eyes. Tristan groaned softly as he woke. His shamrock eyes partially opened glossy from the morphine they had as a drip hooked up to his arm. He could faintly make out where he was the last thing he remembered was getting on the bull. He could see the faint glimmer of light coming through a set of blinds and heard the tiny beeping of machines. He tried to sit up but it hurt and he just couldn’t it hurt too much. He tried to move his legs but they weren’t exactly responding. However he did feel a weight on his lap. He raised his head a little and saw the top of familiar black hair and in his half awake and drugged state he smirked a little at where her head was. “While you’re there…”, he teased his voice a little horse. Blaire blinked hearing his voice and raised her head, her eyes bloodshot from crying and not having slept well. “Tristan? Oh god baby!”, she yelled moving and hugging him and kissing his cheeks.
“Hey beautiful….why do you look like you’ve been crying? What are you doing here? Then again where is here?”, Tristan asked his voice starting to not be as horse as saliva built up. “Here let me get you some water….”, Blaire said grabbing her water bottle and offering it to him. “I’ve been crying since your dad called me yesterday to say you were in the hospital. I’m here because you are in the hospital. You had a punctured lung that they had to operate on immediately. Then x rays showed damage to four of your vertebrae that they had to operate on too. You were on a breathing tube till late in the night and have been unconscious since you got thrown.”, she explained as he drank some of the water. “Which I should go tell someone you’re awake.”, she said getting up and going to the door calling down the hall. “Nurse! He’s awake!”, she called getting out her phone and calling Alex. Tristan just sat in the bed drinking the water a little confused trying to piece together what he could remember. Alex was quick to answer the phone. “What’s happened?”, Alex answered. A doctor went past Blaire and started checking Tristan’s vitals. “He’s awake.”, Blaire said. “I’ll be right there.”, Alex said hanging up and quickly rolling out of his hotel bed and getting dressed to go to the hospital.
“Alright so Mister Whitland, I’m sure your wife told you what happened.”, the doctor said glancing to Blaire. Tristan smirked a little. “We aren’t married but yeah my girlfriend told me what happened. So how long till I can ride again?”, he asked. The doctor looked at Tristan and sighed softly shaking his head. “It’s going to be a long road just to walk again Mister Whitland. And after that I could not medically recommend you ever get on a bull or anything that bucks like that again.”, the doctor advised. Tristan’s lips tightened Blaire frowned moving around the doctor and holding Tristan’s hand. “So I’ll...I’ll never ride again…”, Tristan sighed sadly. The year's season had just started and now he was never going to ride again. “I’ll leave you two to talk. Just know that you are probably going to need at least one maybe two more surgeries and a long road of physical therapy.”, the doctor sighed before leaving the room. Blaire looked at Tristan and gently touched the side of his face. “Blaire…”, Tristan sighed squeezing her hand. If he wasn’t going to be able to ride anymore what could he do for a living? What did he have to offer her? He wasn’t even sure if or when he’d be able to walk again. He wasn’t sure he could still be the same man he’d been. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. I mean I can’t ride anymore, so I have no job. I’m going to be in a wheelchair for however long so I’m not sure what I’ll really be able to do. I just...”, he continued to explained. Blaire furrowed her brow. “How hard did that bull hit your head?”, she asked. Tristan looked at her questioningly. “I don’t care about any of that. I love you for you Tristan. If you can’t ride anymore fine you’ll find something else and otherwise I’m going to be a lawyer so I’ll have a good job. As for the wheelchair, who cares. I’ll push you around and otherwise sit on your lap and ride around with you.”, she smiled giving him a kiss.
“I love you Blaire. What happens if...ummm down there doesn’t work the same?”, he questioned looking to his waist. Blaire smirked and reached under the blanket and the hospital gown he was wearing and ran her hand over his penis which reacted getting harder with each movement. Tristan groaned a little as she did her little ‘test’. Even trapped in a hospital bed she could get to him. “Nope looks like that’s still working.”, she chuckled. “Ahem...should I come back?”, Alex asked standing in the doorway. Blaire quickly pulled her hand back. “No it’s alright Mister Whitland. Just proving a point to your son.”, she explained. Tristan opened his eyes slightly. “Yeah...Blaire’s all about proving points… Hey dad.”, he smiled turning to look at his father. He looked like hell. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you like this.”, Tristan said. Alex took a breath and walked over and hugged his son. “It’s not your fault son. It is the hazard of the job.”, Alex said letting Tristan go and lightly messing with his hair. Since the day he was born Tristan had been everything to Alex. Yes early on he shared custody of Tristan with his ex girlfriend Cordelia. Aurelia had happened to be at the ranch during that time while Cordelia had Tristan. But by the time Tristan was two Cordelia wanted to change the agreement to just having visitation, she just didn’t feel she had the mom gene. She’d suffered from postpartum depression and thought that she’d get over it as Tristan got older that she’d feel less like he’d taken her life from her, but when it didn't look like that she knew it was probably better that Alex have him. Alex had done everything he could to protect his son, to raise him and give him chances to experience what was out there. But when Tristan got interested in riding at fourteen it was hard to tell him no and that it was too dangerous. And now this happened.
“So the doctor came in after I woke up…”, Tristan said with a frown. “What he have to say?”, Alex questioned. “Well for one I’ll need one maybe two more surgeries on my back and lots of physical therapy to walk, but I’m sure he already told you that. I also won’t ever be able to ride as he put it ‘anything that bucks’. So twenty-one years old and my career in the sport I love is over. I’ve got no clue what I do from here.”, he sighed heavy. Alex nodded. “You’ll figure it out. You’re still here and that’s what matters. I don’t know what I’d done if you hadn’t made it...or what Blaire would have done. She was so sick with worry she flew here.”, Alex frowned. “Well I’m apparently too stubborn to not pull through. So you got a plane ticket that fast?”, Tristan asked looking to Blaire. “Well Mister Worthington kind of insisted that I use his jet. I was at the office when your dad told me the news and Mister Worthington came upon me crying. And guess the fact he’s known me forever and such he felt bad and wanted to help. So he had me take his jet and set me up with a hotel room nearby.”, she explained. Tristan nodded. “Remind me to thank Gabriel’s dad next time I see him. Was nice to wake up to your face.”, he smiled reaching over and squeezing her hand. “You know...they won’t keep you in this hospital forever. And you’ll need to go somewhere that you can go to physical therapy and when or if necessary have the additional surgeries.”, Blaire said. Alex and Tristan both looked at her. “And we have really good doctors in Boston, ones that specialize in the spine. I did research before I left.”, she explained. “And you’re implying what with this?”, Tristan questioned. “That, since your dad still has his rodeo to run and you can’t just be alone in Oregon… you come stay with me.”, Blaire offered.
“Stay with you and your gang? Wouldn’t I be kind of a burden? And imposing on you all? You have classes and your job…”, Tristan said shaking his head a little. “You wouldn’t be a burden or imposing. I can call and ask the others to confirm. I may have classes and my job but it’s not like you’d be left alone for overly long as our schedules don’t all line up. And with Bianca in the house you’d have a healer who’s also a med student on call. Plus if you stay with me that means every morning you wake up and every night you fall asleep it’s next to me.”, she countered. Tristan smirked. “Have to admit that last part sounds damn good. Talk to your friends counselor and see if you can negotiate a deal.”, he chuckled a little. Blaire smiled and pulled out her cell phone calling the house. Bianca instantly picked up. “So how is he? What kind of medical care has he been given?”, she answered not bothering with a greeting. Blaire smiled a little loving how concerned her friend was. “He’s awake now. He was brought in unconscious, they did surgery for his punctured lung, and they did surgery on his back for the damage to his T11, T12, L1, and L2 vertebrae.”, Blaire answered. Bianca breath a slight sigh of relief. “Alright. At least that part of the spine doesn’t always result in parallelization. With the right care and treatment he should be able to walk again.”, Bianca sighed pacing around the living room. “Stop pacing.”, Hope said in the background. “Yes please sweetheart you are making us dizzy.”, Gabriel added. Blaire laughed a little hearing them in the background. “Hey Bianca put me on speaker I need to talk to all three of you.”, Blaire requested. “Sure.”, she answered hitting the button for speaker.
“Can everyone hear me?”, Blaire asked. “YES! Tell Tristan we were worried about him!”, Hope yelled. Blaire smiled. “Hope says they were worried about you.”, she said looking over at him. Tristan smiled. “You’ve got some very kind friends.”, he commented. “The flight and room are okay?”, Gabriel asked. “Yes I don’t think I can thank your dad enough. He really earned that codename Angel.”, Blaire smiled. “I have a question about Tristan that I need your opinions on.”, she added. “Answer is yes.”, Hope said. “I haven’t even asked the question and I know I’m too far for your telepathy.”, she said. “We can all guess the question. He’s been injured he’s going to need physical therapy and medical care. You want to bring him home. We already discussed that option last night. And we all agreed. Bring him home. With my internship at Boston Medical I can easily check into who the best spinal doctor is and see who is the best we’ve got for physical therapy. Gabriel already went to medical supply store and got a ramp he’s going to install on the front steps since he’ll be in a wheelchair for a while. Hope said she’ll use her telekinesis to swap the downstairs office and your bedroom so he’ll be on the first floor.”, Bianca answered. Blaire started to tear listening to everything her friends were doing. Tristan arched an eyebrow at her crying. “They already figured I’d be bringing you home with me. Gabriel is installing a ramp on the front stairs and Hope’s moving my bedroom to the first floor.”, she explained to Tristan.
“You’re friends are literally the most amazing kind people I’ve ever known.”, he said. “You guys are just..the best. Thank you so much. I’ll let you know when they plan to release him here so we can fly back. I’ll have to get plane tickets for that.”, Blaire said. “The jet hasn’t left Blaire. Dad said that jet will stay till you need to leave. So when you know you are going to leave just tell your driver and he’ll let the pilot know.”, Gabriel spoke up. “How am I ever going to repay your dad for his kindness?”, Blaire sighed shaking her head sniffling a little. “Give him a hug when you see him next and just be happy. You know dad. He’s got a soft spot for couples that get separated by circumstances out of their control. His way of paying forward your dad rescuing him so he could get back to my mom.”, Gabriel explained. “Yes well he’s getting the biggest hug I can give and I will be baking pies for months to give him.”, she smiled. “I’ll let mom know to plan on letting his clothes out. Give Tristan our best and tell him we look forward to having him here. It’ll be nice to have another guy around.”, Gabriel said. “Yes tell him we love him.”, Bianca added. “And no more doing stupid shit.”, Hoped chimed in. “I will. Thank you guys. You’re the best. I’ll talk to you soon.”, she said hanging up. “So looks like you are going to be coming home with me when they release you handsome. Mister Worthington is leaving the jet he sent me here on at the airport here to take us home. Bianca said to tell you they love you. Gabriel is looking forward to another guy in the house. And Hope just said no more doing stupid shit.”, she said pocketing her phone. Tristan smiled. “Well I’ll try to keep the stupid shit to a minimum. No promises though.”, he chuckled.
“Dad you alright with me going to Massachusetts instead of back home?”, he asked looking to his dad. “Of course I am. Blaire I’m sorry that now it’ll be your job to try and keep this one in line.”, Alex smiled a little. “Oh I think I can handle him.”, Blaire smirked. Alex nodded. “I know you’ll be in good hands with Blaire and her friends. And you’ll be close to Holly so she can check on you too. She was worried sick when I called her.”, Alex sighed. “Yeah. And me living closer to Holly just gives you an additional excuse to come east to bang your girlfriend.”, Tristan teased. Alex narrowed his eyes. “Sex isn’t always priority in a relationship.”, Alex said shaking his head. Tristan chuckled and looked over at Blaire smiling. “Oh I know dad. It’s just one of the fun parts of it.”, he stated. “So what’s a guy gotta do in his place to get food?”, Tristan asked. Blaire chuckled and found the hospital menu and handed it to him. She wasn’t sure how long he’d be in that hospital bed but she knew she wouldn't leave his side ever. In a way she was glad he couldn’t ride again, she wouldn’t have to worry about getting a call like that again. But she was also sad because it was his passion it was what he loved to do. But she knew they’d figure it out, together.
While Blaire ended up spending a week in Texas with Tristan, Alex had to move on with the rodeo which he didn’t want to do because he’d rather be with his son and only did because Tristan told him to go and he’d be fine. At the house Gabriel had gotten the ramp installed and Hope had switched Blaire’s bedroom to the first floor. They had been given his return date and planned a big bash inviting everyone they could think of to come and be there to welcome Tristan home. Rose had heard about the accident and regretted that she couldn’t get home to see Tristan but Merrick had agreed to drive up to Harvard for the party on her behalf. The party itself was supposed to be a surprise. So no one told Blaire about the plan. Instead everyone found hiding spots around the living room and first floor of the house in general since there was so many of them there. Merrick had come up bringing Faelan with him, everyone from the Manhattan house; Landon, Rachel, Lily, Tommy, Cora Lee, and Malcolm came in by train, Holly drove up with Colby, Alison and Carter, Logan and Aurelia drove up, Warren and Paige were there as well, even Samuel came up from Yale.
Merrick and Logan heard the car first. “They’re here..”, Logan whispered to the room from his hiding place. Aurelia was ducked behind a sofa between Logan and Merrick holding Faelan in her arms trying to keep the ten month old from wiggling out of her arms or making too much noise. Everyone ducked into their hiding spots. The driver got the wheelchair out of the trunk and brought it around to the side of the car Tristan was seated in while Blaire moved around to get the bags. Tristan had made it clear he appreciated the help but he didn’t want anyone to do more than lock the wheels of the chair for him. So she came around holding her suitcase and his dufflebag and tried to restrain herself from helping. Instead she just watched as he winced and cursed a couple times as she used his upper body strength to hold the wheelchair and bring himself into it. It took him a few minutes but he did it. “So can I at least push you into the house?”, she asked unlocking the wheels. “Yeah alright.”, he sighed. “Here give me the bags. Can hold them on my lap.”, he offered. Blaire carefully handed him her suitcase and his bag before giving him a light kiss.
“Welcome home babe.”, she smiled. Tristan sighed and looked at the house with it’s ramp on the right half of the front stairs. ‘Home’ she said. It was her home and he was just a guest in it. He knew he was invited, that her friends wanted him there but he couldn’t help but feel like he was being a burden on their lives. “Lets see if anyone is home.”, Blaire suggested as she grabbed the handles and pushed him up the ramp. The driver rushed ahead and opened the door. “Thanks Mike.”, Blaire smiled to their driver as she pushed Tristan into the seemingly empty house. “You told them we were coming today right?”, Tristan asked confused. “Yeah. Maybe they figured give us alone time?”, Blaire shrugged pushing him further into the house. Suddenly the lights flickered on and people popped up from everyone. “Welcome Home!”, they shouted. Tristan blinked looking around at all the faces some he was more than a little surprised to see. He was most surprised to see Samuel there. They’d been getting along better over the years but there was still that bit of distance that Samuel kept. Blaire laughed a little looking around. “What in the…”, she questioned shaking her head. “We just wanted to welcome Tristan properly.”, Hope explained walking over taking the bags off Tristan’s lap and giving him a hug. Tristan smiled giving Hope a hug back.
“Well thanks, ya didn’t have to throw a party…”, Tristan said shaking his head. “We wanted to. We threw a big party when we first moved in so now that we are adding a new housemate it just seemed to make sense.”, Bianca said giving him a hug. “If I’ve learned one thing growing up with these girls, it’s easier to not argue man.”, Gabriel laughed. “Welcome home and helping somewhat evening the genders here.”, he smiled. “Yeah probably is easier to not argue with them.Thanks for letting me.”, Tristan smiled up at Gabriel. Holly got past some others and hugged Tristan tight and pulled back. “You ever scare the shit out of me like that young man and I’ll kill you myself.”, she warned. Tristan laughed. “Gee thanks Holly feeling the love.”, he laughed. “She means it, you know mom.”, Samuel said standing behind his mom. Tristan smiled nodding. “Hey Sammy… thanks for coming up.”, Tristan said offering his hand. Samuel rolled his eyes but shook his hand. “No problem. Mom had called and told me what happened and that you were going to be moving in with Blaire. Then I heard they were giving you a welcome home party. So decided to come up for a visit.”, Samuel shrugged being nice and not correcting Tristan this time about calling him Sammy. Tristan nodded a little.
He did appreciate seeing so many people there for him. Alison walked over and leaned giving him a hug setting a cake on his lap. “I was told I wasn’t allowed to cook you anything but I could bake if I wanted.”, she said. Tristan chuckled mentally being grateful to whoever told her not to cook. “Thanks Misses Delaney. Always like your baked goods.”, he smiled. “Well now that you are local I’ll have to add more to my care packages of goodies I send to the kids.”, she smiled. “Hey bro, welcome to being an east coaster.”, Carter greeted with a smile offering his hand. “Thanks Carter.”, he said giving Carter their customary hand shake, slide into fist bump greeting. Colby rolled his eyes at the two. “Blaire I’m sure is happy to have you closer.”, Colby commented. Blaire leaned over the back of the wheelchair and hugged Tristan kissing his cheek. “You better believe it daddy.”, she commented. Tristan smiled and offered a hand to Colby. Colby sighed and shook Tristan’s hand and leaned a bit closer. “I’m the one that told Alison to not cook.”, he commented. “Thanks Mister Delaney.”, Tristan chuckled.
“Any trouble with getting to the airport, the flight or the drive here?”, Warren asked taking his turn to greet them as the others stepped away. Tristan smiled up at Warren with his ivory wings and blonde hair with slightly greys mixed in that all seemed to light up with the overhead light behind him. “No troubles at all Mister Worthington. I don’t know how I’m supposed to thank you, for everything. For getting Blaire to me most of all. Waking up from that in the hospital and getting to see her face….”, Tristan sighed shaking his head because there wasn’t words. Warren smiled and patted Tristan on the shoulder. “I know. Believe me I know what it means to go through hell and when you recover have the face of someone you love there.”, he said reaching over and squeezing his wife’s hand. He’d gone through hell at the Cage all those years ago and he’d blacked out after the rescue and even after being healed by Kisa he had still been out as his wings tried to regenerate. And the first sight he could remember was waking up and seeing Paige looking down at him her hand so soft on his face. That moment had meant everything to him, had told him he’d lived through it and seeing her face he had known things would be better again. Tristan nodded. “I still can’t thank you enough for that.”, Tristan sighed. “You want to thank me? Then follow your doctor's orders, recover from this, and just love that young lady.”, Warren instructed. Tristan laughed a little reaching up and lightly touching Blaire’s hands that were on his shoulder. “That last part I know I can do. The other two I’ll do my best.”, Tristan assured.
“Hey kid, glad your alright. You’ll be in good hands with this lot. But brought ya this.”, Logan greeted handing Tristan an old bottle of Johnnie Walker Old Highland scotch. Tristan blinked looking at the rather old bottle. “Johnnie Walker. Old highland whiskey. John Walker and Sons, Kilmarnock. Registered. Produce of Scotland. Ministry of food, Particulars furnished in compliance with the Spirits, Princes and Description, Order 1905. Strength, 30 degrees under proof. Category, D. Maximum price, 9/6 per bottle. Greatest Exhibition awards; Sydney 1880, Melbourne 1881, Pairs 1185, Adelaide 1187, Dunedin 1890, Jamica 1891, Kimberley 1892, Brisbane 1897, Christchruch 1901. Gauranteed same quality throughout the world. Jesus how old is this Logan?”, Tristan said reading the label aloud. “It’s from 1905 so almost as old as me kid. And will be hell of lot better than any pain medicine doctors will give ya.”, Logan smiled. Landon was the first to do the math and blinked. “Christ Sensei Logan, that’s a hundred and twenty-four year old bottle of scotch! Drink that in tiny doses Tris.”, Landon laughed shaking his head. Tristan blinked. “Holy crap… anyone got a shot glass handy?”, Tristan laughed. “Why don’t you hold of drinking that for a bit.”, Aurelia suggested shifting little Faelan in her arms who wanted to get to the cake on Tristan’s lap. “CAKE!”, Faelan insisted.
The whole room busted out laughing. Merrick covered his face shaking his head. “I blame my mother she gave my pup a sweet tooth. “Someone take the cake and set it down so the kid can have some. I’m not really hungry but he apparently is.”, Tristan laughed shaking his head. Blaire moved from behind the wheelchair to take the chocolate cake her mother had made with it’s vanilla bean frosting that said welcome home in red icing from Tristan’s lap and smiled at Faelan. “Alright cutie in the words of Marie Antoinette ‘let them eat cake’.”, she chuckled setting the cake on the coffee table cutting a piece and putting on a plate for Faelan. “Thanks Jail Bait.”, Merrick commented as Aurelia moved to sit with Faelan who plunged both hands into the piece of cake to eat. Blaire rolled her eyes. “I’m going to twenty, I stopped being jail bait long ago Merrick.”, she countered. Merrick shrugged. “And your point? You’re a cops daughter. Name stands.”, Merrick stated. Tristan chuckled a little. “Didn’t expect to see you here handsome. Last I heard you dared to cross an ocean to see Rose.”, Tristan greeted Merrick.
Merrick rolled his eyes being called ‘handsome’ by Tristan. “Yeah I went over there spent a week, basically your hospital time. Rose’s parents told her about your accident and then about the party. I got in yesterday and told her I’d come and bring the pup since she can’t. I’m supposed to give you a kiss from her but I told her Blaire could do that.”, Merrick explained. Tristan snap his fingers pretending to be sad. “And here I was hoping I’d get to say I got a kiss from Merrick.”, he teased. “Yeah well you can keep dreaming.”, Merrick said shaking his head sitting down by Aurelia to keep his eyes on how much cake Faelan would get. “No worries kissing Tristan is something I will happily do.”, Blaire smirked walking over bending giving Tristan a long kiss. Colby coughed a little and Blaire giggled pulling back. “Sorry daddy, my house not yours.”, Blaire said sitting down on Tristan’s lap. Rachel laughed a little at her best friend. Blaire had always been the adventurous one, though after graduation Rachel would be the one going off having adventures.
“Well welcome to the east coast Tristan. Guess now that you are a resident we’ll see more of you which will be nice.”, Rachel smiled. “Yeah will be nice to have someone other than Lily and the band to drink with since till later this year most of these guys won’t be old enough to drink.”, Landon added keeping his arm around Rachel. Tristan nodded. “You’re on Landon. Granted I’m sure most of the meds they will be giving me won’t go well with liquor.”, he smiled. “That’s why you don’t take the meds when you know you’ll be drinking and use public transit.”, Lily smiled. “I like how you think red.”, Tristan nodded putting his arms around Blaire. “And later this summer and fall the three of us can join the drinking fun.”, Cora Lee commented pointing to Malcolm and Tommy. “This is going to take some getting use to for me.”, Tristan commented. “What is?”, Malcolm asked. “Having friend around like this. I mean yeah I had friends on the circuit. But that was a bit different. You get limited who you can be around when you are traveling. Now though… I’ve got a permanent residence that I’ll be actually living in. And I’ll have people who want to hang out just for the sake of hanging out. It’ll be different.”, he explained. “And beyond having friends you’ll be stuck with Blaire all the time...you poor man.”, Tommy teased. Tristan nodded hugging Blaire. “Yeah well that’s the bright spot in this whole thing. My silver lining.”, he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
The party carried on for a couple hours. Everyone mostly just finding anything but the wheelchair and what he planned to do for work now as subjects. They reminisced about old times and talked about what was going on currently in their lives. it at least didn’t feel like they were avoiding the subjects as they still had plenty to talk about anyways. Faelan was the only one who didn’t seem to think about being courteous in regards to the wheelchair and had managed to escape Merrick, Aurelia and Logan’s grasp and toddled up to Tristan’s chair and grabbed at the wheel. “Wat?”, he questioned with natural curiosity and being so small he didn't quite have his h sound down well. Cora Lee moved to scoop up her baby cousin. “Come here wolf leave Tristan alone..”, she said reaching for him. “It’s alright.”, Tristan said bending with a slight wince to pick up Faelan and set him on his lap. “This is my new wheels. They call it a wheelchair. I got hurt and need to use this for a little bit till I can learn to walk again.”, he explained. Faelan just looked at him unsure.
Tristan laughed. “Alright so that went over your head. This you might like more.”, he smiled positioning Faelan on his lap and started rolling with him on his lap moving around the room which had been cleared to make sure there was room for the wheelchair. Faelan giggled a little before yawning. “Think someone’s tired.”, Tristan said yawning. “Aw two cuties all tuckered out.”, Blaire teased picking Faelan up from Tristan’s lap giving Tristan a kiss on the cheek. She kissed Faelan’s cheek before handing him to Merrick. Merrick grabbed the diaper bag standing up. “I should get him back home. It’s getting late. When you get a chance Tristan just call Rose she knows you’re alright for herself, me telling her is second hand.”, Merrick said. Tristan nodded. “Yeah. I’ll see about calling her tomorrow. Thanks for coming. Everyone thanks for coming.”, he said before leaning his head back to look up at Blaire. “So where is this room we are supposed to have on this floor? Cause I’m with the kid I want to sleep.”, he asked. Blarie smiled. “I’ll show you the way. Thank you everyone for coming and for this party it was nice to have everyone.”, Blaire said leading the way out of the living room. “Bye Tristan.”, the others waved as everyone started to leave.
Blaire showed Tristan to their bedroom. “Well here it is, our bedroom.”, she smiled setting the bags down. “Not exactly the circumstances I pictured getting to live with you.”, Tristan frowned backed the chair up to a side of the bed. Blaire walked around to get behind him locking the wheels of the chair for him before kissing his neck. “I don’t care what circumstances are. As long as I get to have you here with me.”, she smiled. Tristan nodded a little it didn’t make him feel much better about it. He had thought about the day he’d get to live with Blaire and the circumstances were that he’d asked her to marry him. It wasn’t him being a cripple. Sure he wasn’t exactly a cripple with physical therapy and more surgeries he’d be able to walk again, but he’d never be what he used to be. He could never ride a bull again. His source of income was lost, the job he’d been passionate about since he was a kid was already over. Yeah everyone was being supportive and great about it, but he just felt shitty. Here he was twenty-one going on twenty-two out of work and physically disabled moving in with his girlfriend and her friends who are all at Harvard college getting these great degrees and have careers in their futures. Where he had no idea what he was going to do now. He sighed and carefully got himself out of the wheelchair and onto the bed after pulling back the covers.
“I know you like to do things yourself and you have always been rather independent…. but I’m going to undress you weather you like it or not.”, Blaire smirked sitting on the edge of the bed starting to unbutton his shirt. Tristan rolled his eyes a little but smiled reaching up and pulling her closer kissing her. “Cripple or not I will never complain about you undressing me gorgeous.”, he smiled. “Good.”, she said getting to the last button starting to pull the shirt off him leaning so she could. She smiled looking at his chest running a hand over the various scars from his life as a bull rider and then there was the new scar from the surgery for his punctured lung. Tristan closed his eyes mmming as her fingers moved around over his chest. He always enjoyed the feel of her skin against his. Her hand trailed lower starting to undo his pants carefully sliding them along with his boxers off leaving him naked on her bed. She stooed up and just smiled looking at him. “Hmm?”, he asked putting his arms behind his head zero shame about being nude. “I just like the way you look on my bed.”, she explained reaching behind her to start unzipping her dress. “Ooo I get a show?”, he teased.
Blaire smirked being slow and deliberate in undressing at the end of the bed till she was completely naked. Tristan sighed. “You know we have one problem.”, he said looking her over. “What might that be?”, she asked getting the light. “The doctor said I’m not really ready for physical activities..”, he sighed. “I know. Don’t see how that’s a problem.”, she said getting into the bed and getting close to him kissing his shoulder. “Don’t see how that’s a problem?”, he repeated. “I can’t really move much so having sex is a no go. I can’t do the crazy stuff we generally do in bed. So how is this not a problem?”, he asked. Blaire smiled and kissed him her hand trailing down his chest to start offering some encouragement. Tristan moaned into her mouth on hand holding the back of her head the other moving to at least hold her closer since he couldn’t really turn to her. As she pulled back from the kiss she nibbled a little at his bottom lip. “You don’t exactly have to move or have any real strain placed on your back for sixty-nine.”, she smirked. Tristan chuckled and nodded a little. “God I love you.”, he smiled kissing her again. “Mmm… I love you too. Now let me welcome you to Harvard my way.”, she said starting to kiss down his chest. “Mmmm. And I’ll happily thank you for letting me stay here.”, he said reaching with his left arm that could better reach her to touch her back and encourage her to reposition. Blaire took the encouragement repositioning so he could give while receiving.
Down the hall in the living room Hope, Bianca, and Gabriel looked to the hall hearing noises. “Well that didn’t take them long.”, Hope laughed. “I hope they aren’t attempting anything too strenuous. His back isn’t ready for that kind of activity.”, Bianca frowned. Gabriel chuckled and kissed Bianca’s cheek. “Ah my med student. Somehow I’m sure they can find ways of pleasuring the other that doesn't involve his back getting jostled.”, he smiled. Bianca blushed a little. Hope shook her head. “Alright well you two do what you want I’ve got the overnight shift at the museum for security. Night.”, Hope said grabbing her bag with her uniform in it and heading out the door. “Come on Bianca, let’s go upstairs and we can review sexual positions that don’t really require the back as much.”, Gabriel teased kissing her neck. Bianca bit her bottom lip blushing still. “Okay…”, she nodded letting him lead her upstairs to their bedroom for some of their own alone time.

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Back at Harvard her roommates Gabriel, Bianca and Hope were all equally worried about Tristan. He’d grown on them over the years. He was always a fun loving guy and he’d shown time and time again how much their Blaire means to him. And they all knew how much he means to her. The news did put a slight damper on their evenings being Valentine’s Day. “Medical opinion do you think he’ll be alright?”, Hope asked chewing on her nails nervous. “If the surgery goes well yes. And after the surgery if he sticks with the physical therapy and no other complications come up he will walk again. The vertebrae he’s damaged at least wouldn’t permanently cripple him. But getting out of the wheelchair will be up to him. He’s gotta be strong enough and determined enough to do it. He won’t be able to ride again, and that might crush his spirit some. He’s going to need support on an emotional level more than anything.”, Bianca explained. Gabriel nodded and squeezed Bianca’s hand. “Then that’s what we give him. Blaire is family therefore Tristan is too. This was the first rodeo of the year. Which means he’s going to be out of work and can’t travel around with his dad.”, Gabriel started to think out loud. “He’s going to need somewhere permanent to stay, with people who can be there for him. And somewhere he can get medical care and go to physical therapy.”, Bianca said finishing her boyfriend’s thought.
“So he comes here. We know Blaire will think of that too. We put in a ramp and move her room downstairs. Bianca can check around the hospital get some good recommendations for doctors for him and physical therapists. And he’d have an in house healer/doctor in training. So we all agree on this?”, Hope asked taking her finger from her mouth to stop chewing on her nails. Gabriel nodded. “Yes we are in agreement. We take care of our own. And Tristan is family. Do you think your dad will mind us putting in the ramp and such?”, Bianca agreed before looking to her boyfriend. “My dad in a minute arranged for Blaire to fly there and a hotel to stay in. I don’t think he’ll mind us putting in a ramp. In the morning I’ll go to the supply store to get one so we can get it installed. I guess we take the furniture out of the first floor office to swap it as Blaire’s bedroom.”, he said looking over to the bedroom they’d been using as the office for studying. “I can do that. Will be a snap with my telekinesis. So we have our plan and know what we need to accomplish between now and when she brings him home. Should we maybe when we know when he’s coming plan like a party? Invite the guys from the Manhattan House up and we can all welcome him to Harvard proper?”, Hope suggested. “That sounds like a great idea. Having friends around that won’t treat him or talk to him any different can help his spirits. To know that he’s got people who care will be great.”, Bianca said yawning. “Alright let’s all get some sleep tomorrow we’ll be busy.”, Gabriel suggested. The girls nodded and they all headed up to their bedrooms.
Blaire had relieved Alex at the hospital taking over holding Tristan’s hand and sitting at his bedside waiting for him to wake up. During the night his breathing had stabilized enough that they took out the breathing tube and just had him on oxygen through his nose. Blaire sighed and looked at him in the bed there were still wires and iv tubes connected to him. She hated seeing him like this. “You’ll get through this Tristan. I’ll be here when you wake up and we will get through this together. I love you…”, she said softly looking at him. She sighed and leaned forward resting her head on his lap as she held his hand. She wasn’t paying attention as her eyes were closed, so she didn’t see the flutter of his eyes. Tristan groaned softly as he woke. His shamrock eyes partially opened glossy from the morphine they had as a drip hooked up to his arm. He could faintly make out where he was the last thing he remembered was getting on the bull. He could see the faint glimmer of light coming through a set of blinds and heard the tiny beeping of machines. He tried to sit up but it hurt and he just couldn’t it hurt too much. He tried to move his legs but they weren’t exactly responding. However he did feel a weight on his lap. He raised his head a little and saw the top of familiar black hair and in his half awake and drugged state he smirked a little at where her head was. “While you’re there…”, he teased his voice a little horse. Blaire blinked hearing his voice and raised her head, her eyes bloodshot from crying and not having slept well. “Tristan? Oh god baby!”, she yelled moving and hugging him and kissing his cheeks.
“Hey beautiful….why do you look like you’ve been crying? What are you doing here? Then again where is here?”, Tristan asked his voice starting to not be as horse as saliva built up. “Here let me get you some water….”, Blaire said grabbing her water bottle and offering it to him. “I’ve been crying since your dad called me yesterday to say you were in the hospital. I’m here because you are in the hospital. You had a punctured lung that they had to operate on immediately. Then x rays showed damage to four of your vertebrae that they had to operate on too. You were on a breathing tube till late in the night and have been unconscious since you got thrown.”, she explained as he drank some of the water. “Which I should go tell someone you’re awake.”, she said getting up and going to the door calling down the hall. “Nurse! He’s awake!”, she called getting out her phone and calling Alex. Tristan just sat in the bed drinking the water a little confused trying to piece together what he could remember. Alex was quick to answer the phone. “What’s happened?”, Alex answered. A doctor went past Blaire and started checking Tristan’s vitals. “He’s awake.”, Blaire said. “I’ll be right there.”, Alex said hanging up and quickly rolling out of his hotel bed and getting dressed to go to the hospital.
“Alright so Mister Whitland, I’m sure your wife told you what happened.”, the doctor said glancing to Blaire. Tristan smirked a little. “We aren’t married but yeah my girlfriend told me what happened. So how long till I can ride again?”, he asked. The doctor looked at Tristan and sighed softly shaking his head. “It’s going to be a long road just to walk again Mister Whitland. And after that I could not medically recommend you ever get on a bull or anything that bucks like that again.”, the doctor advised. Tristan’s lips tightened Blaire frowned moving around the doctor and holding Tristan’s hand. “So I’ll...I’ll never ride again…”, Tristan sighed sadly. The year's season had just started and now he was never going to ride again. “I’ll leave you two to talk. Just know that you are probably going to need at least one maybe two more surgeries and a long road of physical therapy.”, the doctor sighed before leaving the room. Blaire looked at Tristan and gently touched the side of his face. “Blaire…”, Tristan sighed squeezing her hand. If he wasn’t going to be able to ride anymore what could he do for a living? What did he have to offer her? He wasn’t even sure if or when he’d be able to walk again. He wasn’t sure he could still be the same man he’d been. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. I mean I can’t ride anymore, so I have no job. I’m going to be in a wheelchair for however long so I’m not sure what I’ll really be able to do. I just...”, he continued to explained. Blaire furrowed her brow. “How hard did that bull hit your head?”, she asked. Tristan looked at her questioningly. “I don’t care about any of that. I love you for you Tristan. If you can’t ride anymore fine you’ll find something else and otherwise I’m going to be a lawyer so I’ll have a good job. As for the wheelchair, who cares. I’ll push you around and otherwise sit on your lap and ride around with you.”, she smiled giving him a kiss.
“I love you Blaire. What happens if...ummm down there doesn’t work the same?”, he questioned looking to his waist. Blaire smirked and reached under the blanket and the hospital gown he was wearing and ran her hand over his penis which reacted getting harder with each movement. Tristan groaned a little as she did her little ‘test’. Even trapped in a hospital bed she could get to him. “Nope looks like that’s still working.”, she chuckled. “Ahem...should I come back?”, Alex asked standing in the doorway. Blaire quickly pulled her hand back. “No it’s alright Mister Whitland. Just proving a point to your son.”, she explained. Tristan opened his eyes slightly. “Yeah...Blaire’s all about proving points… Hey dad.”, he smiled turning to look at his father. He looked like hell. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you like this.”, Tristan said. Alex took a breath and walked over and hugged his son. “It’s not your fault son. It is the hazard of the job.”, Alex said letting Tristan go and lightly messing with his hair. Since the day he was born Tristan had been everything to Alex. Yes early on he shared custody of Tristan with his ex girlfriend Cordelia. Aurelia had happened to be at the ranch during that time while Cordelia had Tristan. But by the time Tristan was two Cordelia wanted to change the agreement to just having visitation, she just didn’t feel she had the mom gene. She’d suffered from postpartum depression and thought that she’d get over it as Tristan got older that she’d feel less like he’d taken her life from her, but when it didn't look like that she knew it was probably better that Alex have him. Alex had done everything he could to protect his son, to raise him and give him chances to experience what was out there. But when Tristan got interested in riding at fourteen it was hard to tell him no and that it was too dangerous. And now this happened.
“So the doctor came in after I woke up…”, Tristan said with a frown. “What he have to say?”, Alex questioned. “Well for one I’ll need one maybe two more surgeries on my back and lots of physical therapy to walk, but I’m sure he already told you that. I also won’t ever be able to ride as he put it ‘anything that bucks’. So twenty-one years old and my career in the sport I love is over. I’ve got no clue what I do from here.”, he sighed heavy. Alex nodded. “You’ll figure it out. You’re still here and that’s what matters. I don’t know what I’d done if you hadn’t made it...or what Blaire would have done. She was so sick with worry she flew here.”, Alex frowned. “Well I’m apparently too stubborn to not pull through. So you got a plane ticket that fast?”, Tristan asked looking to Blaire. “Well Mister Worthington kind of insisted that I use his jet. I was at the office when your dad told me the news and Mister Worthington came upon me crying. And guess the fact he’s known me forever and such he felt bad and wanted to help. So he had me take his jet and set me up with a hotel room nearby.”, she explained. Tristan nodded. “Remind me to thank Gabriel’s dad next time I see him. Was nice to wake up to your face.”, he smiled reaching over and squeezing her hand. “You know...they won’t keep you in this hospital forever. And you’ll need to go somewhere that you can go to physical therapy and when or if necessary have the additional surgeries.”, Blaire said. Alex and Tristan both looked at her. “And we have really good doctors in Boston, ones that specialize in the spine. I did research before I left.”, she explained. “And you’re implying what with this?”, Tristan questioned. “That, since your dad still has his rodeo to run and you can’t just be alone in Oregon… you come stay with me.”, Blaire offered.
“Stay with you and your gang? Wouldn’t I be kind of a burden? And imposing on you all? You have classes and your job…”, Tristan said shaking his head a little. “You wouldn’t be a burden or imposing. I can call and ask the others to confirm. I may have classes and my job but it’s not like you’d be left alone for overly long as our schedules don’t all line up. And with Bianca in the house you’d have a healer who’s also a med student on call. Plus if you stay with me that means every morning you wake up and every night you fall asleep it’s next to me.”, she countered. Tristan smirked. “Have to admit that last part sounds damn good. Talk to your friends counselor and see if you can negotiate a deal.”, he chuckled a little. Blaire smiled and pulled out her cell phone calling the house. Bianca instantly picked up. “So how is he? What kind of medical care has he been given?”, she answered not bothering with a greeting. Blaire smiled a little loving how concerned her friend was. “He’s awake now. He was brought in unconscious, they did surgery for his punctured lung, and they did surgery on his back for the damage to his T11, T12, L1, and L2 vertebrae.”, Blaire answered. Bianca breath a slight sigh of relief. “Alright. At least that part of the spine doesn’t always result in parallelization. With the right care and treatment he should be able to walk again.”, Bianca sighed pacing around the living room. “Stop pacing.”, Hope said in the background. “Yes please sweetheart you are making us dizzy.”, Gabriel added. Blaire laughed a little hearing them in the background. “Hey Bianca put me on speaker I need to talk to all three of you.”, Blaire requested. “Sure.”, she answered hitting the button for speaker.
“Can everyone hear me?”, Blaire asked. “YES! Tell Tristan we were worried about him!”, Hope yelled. Blaire smiled. “Hope says they were worried about you.”, she said looking over at him. Tristan smiled. “You’ve got some very kind friends.”, he commented. “The flight and room are okay?”, Gabriel asked. “Yes I don’t think I can thank your dad enough. He really earned that codename Angel.”, Blaire smiled. “I have a question about Tristan that I need your opinions on.”, she added. “Answer is yes.”, Hope said. “I haven’t even asked the question and I know I’m too far for your telepathy.”, she said. “We can all guess the question. He’s been injured he’s going to need physical therapy and medical care. You want to bring him home. We already discussed that option last night. And we all agreed. Bring him home. With my internship at Boston Medical I can easily check into who the best spinal doctor is and see who is the best we’ve got for physical therapy. Gabriel already went to medical supply store and got a ramp he’s going to install on the front steps since he’ll be in a wheelchair for a while. Hope said she’ll use her telekinesis to swap the downstairs office and your bedroom so he’ll be on the first floor.”, Bianca answered. Blaire started to tear listening to everything her friends were doing. Tristan arched an eyebrow at her crying. “They already figured I’d be bringing you home with me. Gabriel is installing a ramp on the front stairs and Hope’s moving my bedroom to the first floor.”, she explained to Tristan.
“You’re friends are literally the most amazing kind people I’ve ever known.”, he said. “You guys are just..the best. Thank you so much. I’ll let you know when they plan to release him here so we can fly back. I’ll have to get plane tickets for that.”, Blaire said. “The jet hasn’t left Blaire. Dad said that jet will stay till you need to leave. So when you know you are going to leave just tell your driver and he’ll let the pilot know.”, Gabriel spoke up. “How am I ever going to repay your dad for his kindness?”, Blaire sighed shaking her head sniffling a little. “Give him a hug when you see him next and just be happy. You know dad. He’s got a soft spot for couples that get separated by circumstances out of their control. His way of paying forward your dad rescuing him so he could get back to my mom.”, Gabriel explained. “Yes well he’s getting the biggest hug I can give and I will be baking pies for months to give him.”, she smiled. “I’ll let mom know to plan on letting his clothes out. Give Tristan our best and tell him we look forward to having him here. It’ll be nice to have another guy around.”, Gabriel said. “Yes tell him we love him.”, Bianca added. “And no more doing stupid shit.”, Hoped chimed in. “I will. Thank you guys. You’re the best. I’ll talk to you soon.”, she said hanging up. “So looks like you are going to be coming home with me when they release you handsome. Mister Worthington is leaving the jet he sent me here on at the airport here to take us home. Bianca said to tell you they love you. Gabriel is looking forward to another guy in the house. And Hope just said no more doing stupid shit.”, she said pocketing her phone. Tristan smiled. “Well I’ll try to keep the stupid shit to a minimum. No promises though.”, he chuckled.
“Dad you alright with me going to Massachusetts instead of back home?”, he asked looking to his dad. “Of course I am. Blaire I’m sorry that now it’ll be your job to try and keep this one in line.”, Alex smiled a little. “Oh I think I can handle him.”, Blaire smirked. Alex nodded. “I know you’ll be in good hands with Blaire and her friends. And you’ll be close to Holly so she can check on you too. She was worried sick when I called her.”, Alex sighed. “Yeah. And me living closer to Holly just gives you an additional excuse to come east to bang your girlfriend.”, Tristan teased. Alex narrowed his eyes. “Sex isn’t always priority in a relationship.”, Alex said shaking his head. Tristan chuckled and looked over at Blaire smiling. “Oh I know dad. It’s just one of the fun parts of it.”, he stated. “So what’s a guy gotta do in his place to get food?”, Tristan asked. Blaire chuckled and found the hospital menu and handed it to him. She wasn’t sure how long he’d be in that hospital bed but she knew she wouldn't leave his side ever. In a way she was glad he couldn’t ride again, she wouldn’t have to worry about getting a call like that again. But she was also sad because it was his passion it was what he loved to do. But she knew they’d figure it out, together.
While Blaire ended up spending a week in Texas with Tristan, Alex had to move on with the rodeo which he didn’t want to do because he’d rather be with his son and only did because Tristan told him to go and he’d be fine. At the house Gabriel had gotten the ramp installed and Hope had switched Blaire’s bedroom to the first floor. They had been given his return date and planned a big bash inviting everyone they could think of to come and be there to welcome Tristan home. Rose had heard about the accident and regretted that she couldn’t get home to see Tristan but Merrick had agreed to drive up to Harvard for the party on her behalf. The party itself was supposed to be a surprise. So no one told Blaire about the plan. Instead everyone found hiding spots around the living room and first floor of the house in general since there was so many of them there. Merrick had come up bringing Faelan with him, everyone from the Manhattan house; Landon, Rachel, Lily, Tommy, Cora Lee, and Malcolm came in by train, Holly drove up with Colby, Alison and Carter, Logan and Aurelia drove up, Warren and Paige were there as well, even Samuel came up from Yale.
Merrick and Logan heard the car first. “They’re here..”, Logan whispered to the room from his hiding place. Aurelia was ducked behind a sofa between Logan and Merrick holding Faelan in her arms trying to keep the ten month old from wiggling out of her arms or making too much noise. Everyone ducked into their hiding spots. The driver got the wheelchair out of the trunk and brought it around to the side of the car Tristan was seated in while Blaire moved around to get the bags. Tristan had made it clear he appreciated the help but he didn’t want anyone to do more than lock the wheels of the chair for him. So she came around holding her suitcase and his dufflebag and tried to restrain herself from helping. Instead she just watched as he winced and cursed a couple times as she used his upper body strength to hold the wheelchair and bring himself into it. It took him a few minutes but he did it. “So can I at least push you into the house?”, she asked unlocking the wheels. “Yeah alright.”, he sighed. “Here give me the bags. Can hold them on my lap.”, he offered. Blaire carefully handed him her suitcase and his bag before giving him a light kiss.
“Welcome home babe.”, she smiled. Tristan sighed and looked at the house with it’s ramp on the right half of the front stairs. ‘Home’ she said. It was her home and he was just a guest in it. He knew he was invited, that her friends wanted him there but he couldn’t help but feel like he was being a burden on their lives. “Lets see if anyone is home.”, Blaire suggested as she grabbed the handles and pushed him up the ramp. The driver rushed ahead and opened the door. “Thanks Mike.”, Blaire smiled to their driver as she pushed Tristan into the seemingly empty house. “You told them we were coming today right?”, Tristan asked confused. “Yeah. Maybe they figured give us alone time?”, Blaire shrugged pushing him further into the house. Suddenly the lights flickered on and people popped up from everyone. “Welcome Home!”, they shouted. Tristan blinked looking around at all the faces some he was more than a little surprised to see. He was most surprised to see Samuel there. They’d been getting along better over the years but there was still that bit of distance that Samuel kept. Blaire laughed a little looking around. “What in the…”, she questioned shaking her head. “We just wanted to welcome Tristan properly.”, Hope explained walking over taking the bags off Tristan’s lap and giving him a hug. Tristan smiled giving Hope a hug back.
“Well thanks, ya didn’t have to throw a party…”, Tristan said shaking his head. “We wanted to. We threw a big party when we first moved in so now that we are adding a new housemate it just seemed to make sense.”, Bianca said giving him a hug. “If I’ve learned one thing growing up with these girls, it’s easier to not argue man.”, Gabriel laughed. “Welcome home and helping somewhat evening the genders here.”, he smiled. “Yeah probably is easier to not argue with them.Thanks for letting me.”, Tristan smiled up at Gabriel. Holly got past some others and hugged Tristan tight and pulled back. “You ever scare the shit out of me like that young man and I’ll kill you myself.”, she warned. Tristan laughed. “Gee thanks Holly feeling the love.”, he laughed. “She means it, you know mom.”, Samuel said standing behind his mom. Tristan smiled nodding. “Hey Sammy… thanks for coming up.”, Tristan said offering his hand. Samuel rolled his eyes but shook his hand. “No problem. Mom had called and told me what happened and that you were going to be moving in with Blaire. Then I heard they were giving you a welcome home party. So decided to come up for a visit.”, Samuel shrugged being nice and not correcting Tristan this time about calling him Sammy. Tristan nodded a little.
He did appreciate seeing so many people there for him. Alison walked over and leaned giving him a hug setting a cake on his lap. “I was told I wasn’t allowed to cook you anything but I could bake if I wanted.”, she said. Tristan chuckled mentally being grateful to whoever told her not to cook. “Thanks Misses Delaney. Always like your baked goods.”, he smiled. “Well now that you are local I’ll have to add more to my care packages of goodies I send to the kids.”, she smiled. “Hey bro, welcome to being an east coaster.”, Carter greeted with a smile offering his hand. “Thanks Carter.”, he said giving Carter their customary hand shake, slide into fist bump greeting. Colby rolled his eyes at the two. “Blaire I’m sure is happy to have you closer.”, Colby commented. Blaire leaned over the back of the wheelchair and hugged Tristan kissing his cheek. “You better believe it daddy.”, she commented. Tristan smiled and offered a hand to Colby. Colby sighed and shook Tristan’s hand and leaned a bit closer. “I’m the one that told Alison to not cook.”, he commented. “Thanks Mister Delaney.”, Tristan chuckled.
“Any trouble with getting to the airport, the flight or the drive here?”, Warren asked taking his turn to greet them as the others stepped away. Tristan smiled up at Warren with his ivory wings and blonde hair with slightly greys mixed in that all seemed to light up with the overhead light behind him. “No troubles at all Mister Worthington. I don’t know how I’m supposed to thank you, for everything. For getting Blaire to me most of all. Waking up from that in the hospital and getting to see her face….”, Tristan sighed shaking his head because there wasn’t words. Warren smiled and patted Tristan on the shoulder. “I know. Believe me I know what it means to go through hell and when you recover have the face of someone you love there.”, he said reaching over and squeezing his wife’s hand. He’d gone through hell at the Cage all those years ago and he’d blacked out after the rescue and even after being healed by Kisa he had still been out as his wings tried to regenerate. And the first sight he could remember was waking up and seeing Paige looking down at him her hand so soft on his face. That moment had meant everything to him, had told him he’d lived through it and seeing her face he had known things would be better again. Tristan nodded. “I still can’t thank you enough for that.”, Tristan sighed. “You want to thank me? Then follow your doctor's orders, recover from this, and just love that young lady.”, Warren instructed. Tristan laughed a little reaching up and lightly touching Blaire’s hands that were on his shoulder. “That last part I know I can do. The other two I’ll do my best.”, Tristan assured.
“Hey kid, glad your alright. You’ll be in good hands with this lot. But brought ya this.”, Logan greeted handing Tristan an old bottle of Johnnie Walker Old Highland scotch. Tristan blinked looking at the rather old bottle. “Johnnie Walker. Old highland whiskey. John Walker and Sons, Kilmarnock. Registered. Produce of Scotland. Ministry of food, Particulars furnished in compliance with the Spirits, Princes and Description, Order 1905. Strength, 30 degrees under proof. Category, D. Maximum price, 9/6 per bottle. Greatest Exhibition awards; Sydney 1880, Melbourne 1881, Pairs 1185, Adelaide 1187, Dunedin 1890, Jamica 1891, Kimberley 1892, Brisbane 1897, Christchruch 1901. Gauranteed same quality throughout the world. Jesus how old is this Logan?”, Tristan said reading the label aloud. “It’s from 1905 so almost as old as me kid. And will be hell of lot better than any pain medicine doctors will give ya.”, Logan smiled. Landon was the first to do the math and blinked. “Christ Sensei Logan, that’s a hundred and twenty-four year old bottle of scotch! Drink that in tiny doses Tris.”, Landon laughed shaking his head. Tristan blinked. “Holy crap… anyone got a shot glass handy?”, Tristan laughed. “Why don’t you hold of drinking that for a bit.”, Aurelia suggested shifting little Faelan in her arms who wanted to get to the cake on Tristan’s lap. “CAKE!”, Faelan insisted.
The whole room busted out laughing. Merrick covered his face shaking his head. “I blame my mother she gave my pup a sweet tooth. “Someone take the cake and set it down so the kid can have some. I’m not really hungry but he apparently is.”, Tristan laughed shaking his head. Blaire moved from behind the wheelchair to take the chocolate cake her mother had made with it’s vanilla bean frosting that said welcome home in red icing from Tristan’s lap and smiled at Faelan. “Alright cutie in the words of Marie Antoinette ‘let them eat cake’.”, she chuckled setting the cake on the coffee table cutting a piece and putting on a plate for Faelan. “Thanks Jail Bait.”, Merrick commented as Aurelia moved to sit with Faelan who plunged both hands into the piece of cake to eat. Blaire rolled her eyes. “I’m going to twenty, I stopped being jail bait long ago Merrick.”, she countered. Merrick shrugged. “And your point? You’re a cops daughter. Name stands.”, Merrick stated. Tristan chuckled a little. “Didn’t expect to see you here handsome. Last I heard you dared to cross an ocean to see Rose.”, Tristan greeted Merrick.
Merrick rolled his eyes being called ‘handsome’ by Tristan. “Yeah I went over there spent a week, basically your hospital time. Rose’s parents told her about your accident and then about the party. I got in yesterday and told her I’d come and bring the pup since she can’t. I’m supposed to give you a kiss from her but I told her Blaire could do that.”, Merrick explained. Tristan snap his fingers pretending to be sad. “And here I was hoping I’d get to say I got a kiss from Merrick.”, he teased. “Yeah well you can keep dreaming.”, Merrick said shaking his head sitting down by Aurelia to keep his eyes on how much cake Faelan would get. “No worries kissing Tristan is something I will happily do.”, Blaire smirked walking over bending giving Tristan a long kiss. Colby coughed a little and Blaire giggled pulling back. “Sorry daddy, my house not yours.”, Blaire said sitting down on Tristan’s lap. Rachel laughed a little at her best friend. Blaire had always been the adventurous one, though after graduation Rachel would be the one going off having adventures.
“Well welcome to the east coast Tristan. Guess now that you are a resident we’ll see more of you which will be nice.”, Rachel smiled. “Yeah will be nice to have someone other than Lily and the band to drink with since till later this year most of these guys won’t be old enough to drink.”, Landon added keeping his arm around Rachel. Tristan nodded. “You’re on Landon. Granted I’m sure most of the meds they will be giving me won’t go well with liquor.”, he smiled. “That’s why you don’t take the meds when you know you’ll be drinking and use public transit.”, Lily smiled. “I like how you think red.”, Tristan nodded putting his arms around Blaire. “And later this summer and fall the three of us can join the drinking fun.”, Cora Lee commented pointing to Malcolm and Tommy. “This is going to take some getting use to for me.”, Tristan commented. “What is?”, Malcolm asked. “Having friend around like this. I mean yeah I had friends on the circuit. But that was a bit different. You get limited who you can be around when you are traveling. Now though… I’ve got a permanent residence that I’ll be actually living in. And I’ll have people who want to hang out just for the sake of hanging out. It’ll be different.”, he explained. “And beyond having friends you’ll be stuck with Blaire all the time...you poor man.”, Tommy teased. Tristan nodded hugging Blaire. “Yeah well that’s the bright spot in this whole thing. My silver lining.”, he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
The party carried on for a couple hours. Everyone mostly just finding anything but the wheelchair and what he planned to do for work now as subjects. They reminisced about old times and talked about what was going on currently in their lives. it at least didn’t feel like they were avoiding the subjects as they still had plenty to talk about anyways. Faelan was the only one who didn’t seem to think about being courteous in regards to the wheelchair and had managed to escape Merrick, Aurelia and Logan’s grasp and toddled up to Tristan’s chair and grabbed at the wheel. “Wat?”, he questioned with natural curiosity and being so small he didn't quite have his h sound down well. Cora Lee moved to scoop up her baby cousin. “Come here wolf leave Tristan alone..”, she said reaching for him. “It’s alright.”, Tristan said bending with a slight wince to pick up Faelan and set him on his lap. “This is my new wheels. They call it a wheelchair. I got hurt and need to use this for a little bit till I can learn to walk again.”, he explained. Faelan just looked at him unsure.
Tristan laughed. “Alright so that went over your head. This you might like more.”, he smiled positioning Faelan on his lap and started rolling with him on his lap moving around the room which had been cleared to make sure there was room for the wheelchair. Faelan giggled a little before yawning. “Think someone’s tired.”, Tristan said yawning. “Aw two cuties all tuckered out.”, Blaire teased picking Faelan up from Tristan’s lap giving Tristan a kiss on the cheek. She kissed Faelan’s cheek before handing him to Merrick. Merrick grabbed the diaper bag standing up. “I should get him back home. It’s getting late. When you get a chance Tristan just call Rose she knows you’re alright for herself, me telling her is second hand.”, Merrick said. Tristan nodded. “Yeah. I’ll see about calling her tomorrow. Thanks for coming. Everyone thanks for coming.”, he said before leaning his head back to look up at Blaire. “So where is this room we are supposed to have on this floor? Cause I’m with the kid I want to sleep.”, he asked. Blarie smiled. “I’ll show you the way. Thank you everyone for coming and for this party it was nice to have everyone.”, Blaire said leading the way out of the living room. “Bye Tristan.”, the others waved as everyone started to leave.
Blaire showed Tristan to their bedroom. “Well here it is, our bedroom.”, she smiled setting the bags down. “Not exactly the circumstances I pictured getting to live with you.”, Tristan frowned backed the chair up to a side of the bed. Blaire walked around to get behind him locking the wheels of the chair for him before kissing his neck. “I don’t care what circumstances are. As long as I get to have you here with me.”, she smiled. Tristan nodded a little it didn’t make him feel much better about it. He had thought about the day he’d get to live with Blaire and the circumstances were that he’d asked her to marry him. It wasn’t him being a cripple. Sure he wasn’t exactly a cripple with physical therapy and more surgeries he’d be able to walk again, but he’d never be what he used to be. He could never ride a bull again. His source of income was lost, the job he’d been passionate about since he was a kid was already over. Yeah everyone was being supportive and great about it, but he just felt shitty. Here he was twenty-one going on twenty-two out of work and physically disabled moving in with his girlfriend and her friends who are all at Harvard college getting these great degrees and have careers in their futures. Where he had no idea what he was going to do now. He sighed and carefully got himself out of the wheelchair and onto the bed after pulling back the covers.
“I know you like to do things yourself and you have always been rather independent…. but I’m going to undress you weather you like it or not.”, Blaire smirked sitting on the edge of the bed starting to unbutton his shirt. Tristan rolled his eyes a little but smiled reaching up and pulling her closer kissing her. “Cripple or not I will never complain about you undressing me gorgeous.”, he smiled. “Good.”, she said getting to the last button starting to pull the shirt off him leaning so she could. She smiled looking at his chest running a hand over the various scars from his life as a bull rider and then there was the new scar from the surgery for his punctured lung. Tristan closed his eyes mmming as her fingers moved around over his chest. He always enjoyed the feel of her skin against his. Her hand trailed lower starting to undo his pants carefully sliding them along with his boxers off leaving him naked on her bed. She stooed up and just smiled looking at him. “Hmm?”, he asked putting his arms behind his head zero shame about being nude. “I just like the way you look on my bed.”, she explained reaching behind her to start unzipping her dress. “Ooo I get a show?”, he teased.
Blaire smirked being slow and deliberate in undressing at the end of the bed till she was completely naked. Tristan sighed. “You know we have one problem.”, he said looking her over. “What might that be?”, she asked getting the light. “The doctor said I’m not really ready for physical activities..”, he sighed. “I know. Don’t see how that’s a problem.”, she said getting into the bed and getting close to him kissing his shoulder. “Don’t see how that’s a problem?”, he repeated. “I can’t really move much so having sex is a no go. I can’t do the crazy stuff we generally do in bed. So how is this not a problem?”, he asked. Blaire smiled and kissed him her hand trailing down his chest to start offering some encouragement. Tristan moaned into her mouth on hand holding the back of her head the other moving to at least hold her closer since he couldn’t really turn to her. As she pulled back from the kiss she nibbled a little at his bottom lip. “You don’t exactly have to move or have any real strain placed on your back for sixty-nine.”, she smirked. Tristan chuckled and nodded a little. “God I love you.”, he smiled kissing her again. “Mmm… I love you too. Now let me welcome you to Harvard my way.”, she said starting to kiss down his chest. “Mmmm. And I’ll happily thank you for letting me stay here.”, he said reaching with his left arm that could better reach her to touch her back and encourage her to reposition. Blaire took the encouragement repositioning so he could give while receiving.
Down the hall in the living room Hope, Bianca, and Gabriel looked to the hall hearing noises. “Well that didn’t take them long.”, Hope laughed. “I hope they aren’t attempting anything too strenuous. His back isn’t ready for that kind of activity.”, Bianca frowned. Gabriel chuckled and kissed Bianca’s cheek. “Ah my med student. Somehow I’m sure they can find ways of pleasuring the other that doesn't involve his back getting jostled.”, he smiled. Bianca blushed a little. Hope shook her head. “Alright well you two do what you want I’ve got the overnight shift at the museum for security. Night.”, Hope said grabbing her bag with her uniform in it and heading out the door. “Come on Bianca, let’s go upstairs and we can review sexual positions that don’t really require the back as much.”, Gabriel teased kissing her neck. Bianca bit her bottom lip blushing still. “Okay…”, she nodded letting him lead her upstairs to their bedroom for some of their own alone time.