You weren't overly technically savvy but that didn't mean you didn't appreciate the amazing things that technology could do to help and assist the lives of people. It was a horrible fate to see your husband unable to walk. It wasn't even just not being able to walk but rather how it affected his mental health. He wouldn't admit how terrible he felt about the whole thing, but you hadn't really seen him smile, not until Tony brought mechanical leg braces he had been working on to try and assist along with him recuperating.

James spent nearly every day pushing himself through his rehabilitation, but you could see his frustration when his legs wouldn't do exactly as he wanted them to.

He let out an angry grunt when he struggled to lift his leg to move it forward in a step. His hands clenched onto the bars to try and keep himself steady on his feet, but it didn't matter much as he was struggling to move at all.

"This is useless," he huffed.

"You've been making so much progress," you assured him. "You can't expect to go from having a shattered spine to walking in a day. You've only been using the braces for a couple of days and you've made two steps already today. A week ago, you couldn't even stand up."

His expression seemed defeated. Although he knew you were right, he wished you weren't. He hated being dependent on other people and hated that he needed help to do basic things. All he wanted was to make progress quickly and be back to how he was but sadly that wasn't going to happen without a lot of work.

"I don't know why you stay with me," he frowned.

You stepped between the bars so you could reach your husband in the middle. You cupped his cheeks, giving him a loving smile, wishing you could solve all his pain and problems but knowing you actually couldn't.

"When we got married, I said for better or for worse, through sickness and in health. I didn't say those things without meaning them. I love you James Rhodes and whether you can walk or not, I still love you. I am going to be here, fighting in your corner, helping you every step of the way. A little paralysis isn't going to get rid of me," you smiled.

He rolled his eyes at you but leaned in to kiss you. Even if he didn't feel great about himself in that state, you loved him no matter what and would stay by his side as long as he wanted you there.

~*~

Written by Charlotte.