Fired Up

Valeria's POV

I woke up to the sound of Mateo's giggles in the living room, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like a weight had lifted off my chest. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this light. I slowly pushed myself up from the bed, a small smile curling on my lips.

I could walk. It felt strange, almost foreign, but at the same time, it was freeing. Each step I took, though shaky at first, made me feel a little more like myself again. The recovery had been difficult—so much pain, so much emotional turmoil—but I had made it through. And now, I was finally standing on my own two feet.

I grabbed the rail by the bedside, steadying myself before I took a few tentative steps toward the door. I was proud of how far I'd come, but deep down, I knew there was still a long road ahead.

As I stepped out of the bedroom, I saw Lewis sitting on the couch, flipping through his phone. His head snapped up as he saw me standing in the doorway, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Valeria?" His voice was soft, but full of concern. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I'm walking," I said with a small, wobbly grin. I could feel the strength in my legs, though it still felt like I was taking baby steps. "And I'm ready to go outside. I need some fresh air."

He stood up, immediately walking toward me, his hand hovering near my elbow as if to steady me. "You shouldn't be up yet. The doctor said you need to rest more."

"I'm fine, Lewis," I insisted, brushing his hand away gently. "I need to do this. I need to feel like myself again."

He hesitated for a moment, and then, with a deep sigh, he nodded. "Alright, but I'm staying by your side."

I smiled at him, touched by his constant care and support. He had been there for me through everything—my recovery, the emotional toll, and even when I pushed him away. He was always there, never questioning, never faltering.

"I'm going to get Mateo," I said, my heart swelling at the thought of him. I wanted to hold him, to feel his little hands in mine, to tell him how proud I was of him for being so strong through everything.

Lewis nodded, a small, understanding smile on his lips. "I'll get the door ready for you."

The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the garden as I sat outside with Mateo in my arms. He had been so excited when he saw me walking, and now, as we sat together, he rested his head on my shoulder, content and calm.

"I'm so proud of you, mamá," Mateo whispered, his tiny voice full of love.

"Gracias, mi amor," I said, kissing the top of his head. "You've been so brave through all of this. I'm proud of you too."

Lewis joined us outside, sitting down beside me. I could tell he was watching me carefully, still unsure if I was pushing myself too hard, but there was a tenderness in his eyes that made me feel safe.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked gently.

I nodded, leaning into him slightly. "I'm okay. Really. I just needed to feel normal again, to feel like I could take control of my life, even in a small way."

He smiled softly, placing a hand on mine. "You're stronger than you know, Valeria."

For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope. It wasn't all going to be easy, and I still had a lot of healing to do, but in this moment, surrounded by the people I loved, I knew I could face whatever came next.

Lewis's POV

As I watched Valeria with Mateo, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and relief. She was doing so much better, and though I knew it wasn't all behind her, there was a sense of strength in her that I hadn't seen before. She was fighting through the pain, the fear, and the trauma, and I admired her more than words could express.

But there was still a part of me that was worried—worried that she might push herself too hard, too soon. The doctor had said she needed to take it slow, but I could see the determination in her eyes, the need to regain control of her life.

I reached over and placed my hand on hers, feeling the warmth of her skin. She was still fragile, but she was stronger than I had ever known her to be. And I was going to be there for her, every step of the way.

"You're doing great, Valeria," I said softly, my voice filled with affection. "But if you ever need to take a break, I'll be here."

She smiled up at me, her eyes tired but full of warmth. "I know, Lewis. I know."

As the day turned to night, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. It wasn't perfect, but it was real. We were healing, and together, we were going to make it through this.