There were days now, since the accident, that August could forget she was injured at all. Where she could shower and clean herself like a normal person. This was not one of those days. By the time she made her way to the master bathroom, the big step stool was set up in the tub. A towel was put on the top step where she would sit. Beau was stripped down so as not to get his clothes wet while he helped her and had towels on standby.

“How do you need to get in today?”

Beau was always so careful with his words, not wanting to make her feel bad. The garden tub she had fallen in love with when they bought the house was currently her worst enemy, with its high sides. “Sit and spin, I think.”
He took August’s hand as she sat on the edge, lifting her bad leg over first then turning around before slowly standing up long enough to get onto the step stool. Everything was left in reach minus the showerhead and the water faucet itself. She did, at least, get a pleasant view of Beau’s backside as he got the showerhead down and turned the water on so it could warm up a tad first.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

And so the process started. This had to be, from her perspective, the least flattering view of her Beau could see. Sitting down, her body squished so the rolls could be seen. Her knee swollen like a balloon. Having to be washed like a toddler. It was all so embarrassing. It had to be done, but that didn’t mean she liked it. The whole time he was attentive and caring. Checking when she was ready for a rinse, if she needed help standing to get other areas. Not once acting like this was strange or disgusting. Just helping where needed.

Before long, he was finished rinsing her back and turning off the water. She enjoyed the view again as Beau reached to turn off the water and carefully put everything back so August would have a clear path to get out. He even double checked there wasn’t any soap still at the bottom of the tub. After a moment he was out, and August realized something she should have asked before.

“Did you need a shower?”

“Got one this morning after you all left. It was easier then. Helped me clear my head before setting to work too.” He smiled that prince charming smile of his. “You don’t worry about a thing. Now, you need some help getting out?”

“I think I got—” Just as she started to carefully push up, her knee completely went out, and she slammed her butt back onto the stool.

“AUG!”

“I . . . I’m ok. I’m . . .” She could feel the salty trail forming on her face as she started to cry. God she felt so helpless. So useless sometimes. Beau was already hugging her.

“It’s ok. It’ll be ok. Do you have tomorrow off?”

August nodded. Thank god for that at least. A dry towel gently brushed her face as she started to slow down. When the towel moved, he was looking into her eyes, his hair a mix of wet and dry from helping her get cleaned off. Worry filling his beautiful chocolate eyes as he looked for any sign of further issue.

“Then let’s set up bedroom anime time, ok? Maybe some Pirate Hunt and popcorn?”

She nodded a bit more as he carefully got out and started helping her slide and turn her way out of the tub. August wanted to start a new waterfall of tears as he helped dry her off and get dressed, checking the floor for wet spots and handing August her cane. Beau always tried so hard to check for every detail. Thank god their home was a one story house, at least. Watching as he went off to get everything together, August carefully hobbled over to the bed, pain radiating up her leg with each step.

How did he not see her as a burden?

Why did he still love her when one of the things he loved was how she’d dance and sing with the twins? With him?

It only took a few minutes to get from the tub to the bed and settle, though it felt much longer. By the time August was there, there was ice water in her favorite armadillo mug to help with the tears after the fact. An ice pack sitting and waiting to be used on her knee. Even some chocolate for her to enjoy and boost her spirits. It was all so perfect. Romantic, even.

Sitting alone in the room, certain no one could hear her, August let out the rest of the tears. It was such a bother to everyone. How could she do her part to bring romance and wonder to the relationship when she couldn’t even keep herself together? When poor Beau had to do all of the work and strain?

As Beau called out to the girls, she quickly dried her face and blew her nose. Maybe no one would notice. The girls didn’t seem to. They got beanbags from their room and dragged them onto the floor.

“Daddy said we could!” Raven kicked her bag into place before bodyslaming into it.

“I bet he did. Just remember the rules, no making a mess on the floor.”

Alexandra was being a bit more careful, looking down at her sister. “Too late, she busted it again.”

“Awww, Mama, can you fix it tomorrow?”

“Maybe. No promises right now, ok?”

“Cause you hurt?”

There was a pause as Beau walked in with the bowls of popcorn and some drinks. “I . . . yeah. Because of the pain.”
Alexandra frowned. “I’m gonna make a car that electrocutes people that don’t slow down and drive dangerously.”

“Maybe don’t do that, sweetie. Just make a car that’s safer for everyone.”

Raven popped her head above the edge of the bed. “Can I make a car that does it then?”

Beau turned the tv on and set up the streaming from Anime Muncher. “Hey, look, anime time. Think the pirates are going to find that treasure today?”

“Daddy! This is only episode 92. There’s like, 900 more.”

“Soooo no then?” He gave his goofy grin as he handed Raven her popcorn.

August enjoyed the scene. This was such a magical moment. Another reminder of why she loved him. His humor and way with the girls. The ability to switch topics when needed. It was so smooth, so brilliant.
As the girls got settled, Beau got into place himself, gently pulling his arm around August as the anime started up. He carefully put the popcorn on her lap, scooted over, and gently put his arm around her. The two of them cuddled on the bed. His romantic skill was of the finest silk compared to her canvas level attempts. Here he was setting up an almost movie night with the girls nearby but still making it feel like it was just them alone like the early days of dating.

Curled up on his parents’ couch watching anime, making up stories and telling eachother their dreams. Obviously, there’d be less making out with the twins present and the pain, but it was all so sweet. August was certain that Beau had this stuff stashed away for whenever she needed a pick me up. He had ideas and plans for everything. Always did. Hell there were times he’d show up with a whole picnic in tow, complete with candles to set the mood, at her job. The only reason he stopped was because the comments from her co-workers got so bad.

As the anime went on, Alexandra spoke up, looking at the screen. “Hey, Mom? You’d look so pretty as Molly Snatcher.”

August looked at the character. The cute but not to be trusted right away female pirate that joined the crew. She was thin and considered perfect looking. “You think so?”

“Yeah. You should dress up like her sometime.”

Beau whispered in her ear, too low for the girls to hear. “She’s right. You’d look amazing in a costume of her.”
August blushed. Again, these little moments where he made her feel like a teenager again. Instead of responding, August leaned on Beau, kissing his shoulder. As she did, she looked at the ice pack sitting on her knee. Someone said losing weight would help with the knee. But the knee was part of why she put it on in the first place. It made any sort of work out difficult. Though if she did and then could move more easily, then August could also do cons more easily.

Then maybe she could do something to sweep her beloved knight off his feet for once.