Stolen By A Rose

Simon lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, watching the shadows move past his drawn curtain. He hadn't left his room in a few days after his last fall and didn't want to face his friends.

The balcony his room backed onto was east access and he was beginning to hate where he lived. There were hushed whispers outside his door and he groaned, pulling his pillow over his head as his friend picklocked open the door.

"I told you he was asleep," Lori whispered and Simon smirked. She always had his back, "You shouldn't invade his personal space,"

"This is bullshit," Enzo said, "Get the fuck up!"

"Kindly fuck off," Simon said, his voice muffled from the pillow.

"Simon," Lori sighed and the bed dipped beside him, "You need to get up. You haven't eaten and your physical therapist is pissed you missed an appointment and didn't call,"

Simon dropped the pillow, "That woman hates my presence. Why would she care?"

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Simon," Lori said, "You either get your ass in the shower or I will drag you myself,"

"I'd like to see you try,"

"Don't fucking tempt her," Zeke said, strolling into the room, "If you want to annoy her even more today, then carry on but I'm not being the one to suffer her fucking mood swings,"

"Get fucked, Zeke," Lori snapped, "No one asked for your shitty opinion,"

"What did I miss?" Simon sat up, "Anything juicy?"

"Your boss is a total prick," Lori turned on her husband, "Go away. No one needs you and I don't want you around me,"

Zeke rolled his eyes, "You'll come crawling back. You always do,"

"Fuck off!" Lori yelled and threw an empty glass at his head.

"Jesus fucking christ woman!" Zeke snapped, "What is wrong with you? Actually, don't answer that. We all fucking know what crawled up your ass and died,"

"Enzo," Lori clenched her fists, "Kindly remove him before I throw him over the balcony,"

Enzo grinned widely, "Yes, ma'am,"

Zeke muttered under his breath but left the room.

"Care to tell me what that was all about?"

"No," Lori said, "Get up. Can you walk to the chair or do you want me to bring it to you?"

"I hurt," Simon muttered, "Can you bring it here?"

"Of course," Lori jumped to her feet and wheeled his chair over, holding it as he slid onto it, "Have you taken your medication?"

"I didn't need to,"

"I saw the pain on your face. There is no shame in taking them,"

Simon scoffed, "Right, cause you understand what it's like to end up in a fucking wheelchair,"

"No, I don't," Lori said, rolling him to his bathroom, "But I know what it's like to be in pain and rely on someone. While our circumstances are different, pain is pain,"

"I hate you,"

"No you don't," Lori said, turning his shower on, "I know you don't feel comfortable with your cock out around me, but I can help you if you want,"

Simon snorted with laughter, "And risk Zeke chopping it off? No thanks,"

"I cared for my mum for years," Lori said, "It doesn't bother me and you can cover yourself up with a towel,"

"I'm sure I can work the fucking chair lift," Simon snapped, "I don't need your help or anyone else so back up. I'm not a fucking burden,"

Lori tilted her head at him, "I have never said you are a burden, Simon,"

"Well stop treating me like one!" Simon exclaimed, "I'm not a fucking invalid. I can get in the fucking shower by myself and not have you hovering around worrying that I'm going to break my neck,"

"If I'm making you feel like a burden, then I'm sorry," Lori said walking to the door, "But you've never felt like a burden to me. I only wanted to help, but fine if you don't want it. If you need help call someone,"

Simon groaned as she closed the door and he wanted to punch something.

"Fuck sake!" He yelled and snatched the chair lift remote from the side, "Which button is fucking which,"

"Need my help now?" Lori called through the door.

"Shut up and get your ass in here,"

The door opened and Lori looked smug, "Get naked and cover your junk. I won't stay here while you wash but let me know when you're finished,"

Simon glared at her as he yanked his top over his head, "You know damn well I struggle with my trousers. If you want to look at my cock, you only have to ask,"

Lori rolled her eyes, "Hold onto my arm and lift your hips, then pull one side down, then the other,"

"Why are you so good at this?" Simon muttered as he pulled his trousers down one side at a time.

"I helped Mum a lot when she couldn't move," Lori said, "She didn't want me seeing her naked and I didn't want to see her struggle. You are my best friend, Simon. You are in this situation because of me. I...I want to help you, no, I need to help,"

Simon sighed, "Lori, you have a daughter to look after,"

"And she is asleep now and has everyone looking over her,"

"Hm," Simon said as she dropped a towel over his crotch. He let her help take his boxers off and climbed onto the chair lift with ease, wiggling his toes and rotating his ankles, "I never thought I'd be the one to end up in a chair. With the way Zeke was going, I thought it would be him,"

"Yes, well shit happens," Lori shrugged and sat on the counter next to the sink, "Oh, sorry, did you want me to leave?"

Simon sighed, "No. I'd like the company but close your eyes when I need to wash my goods,"

"I won't look," Lori smiled, "Do you have any idea how brave you are?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've dealt with this amazingly. You're amazing,"

"I wouldn't say that," Simon said, rubbing his hair with shampoo, "I have bad days,"

"I've noticed but you've done well. It's been over a year and you can walk now,"

"Five steps isn't walking,"

"I dare you to say that to Zeke," Lori said, "When Amelia took one step, it was walking,"

"Amelia drew on the wall and he had a frame put around it. He's fucking weird,"

"I can't disagree with that," Lori laughed, "Look, I understand that things might not always be easy but I'm always here if you want to talk. Depression is my middle name and I always enjoy our little depressive talks,"

"Close your eyes," Simon said. Lori closed her eyes, then covered them with her hands before he began to wash himself, "I don't want to annoy you with my thoughts of feeling useless. I was one of Zeke's top enforcers, people were scared of me but who can be scared of me? I'm crippled."

"No, you have a disability but that doesn't make you any less scary. A year ago, the doctor said you'd never walk again but you stuck your finger up and the week after, you took two steps unaided. You just need extra help and there is nothing wrong with that,"

"You make it sound so easy,"

"I've had a shit ton of therapy," Lori laughed, "Mum always told me life was never easy or a straight path. You have to make the most of what you have and keep your head high,"

"Then why do you have depression?" Simon teased.

"Because having a baby is stressful and it made my past issues pop up like daisies," Lori said, "Have you finished?"

"Yeah," Simon said, "Now you can tell me why you were so angry at Zeke,"

"Oh, I'm being petty," Lori shrugged, "I am on my period, I am stressed and he has been receiving naked photos from one of his ex-hookups. Zeke didn't delete them or tell me about them and I flipped out. Oh, he will have a new phone soon so don't bother messaging him,"

"He didn't delete them?"

"No, he said Amelia caught his attention and he forgot about them,"

"He probably did,"

"I know but I was angry and I smashed his phone to pieces. I looked deranged and told him to get fucked in front of these guys in one of his meetings,"

"Shit, Lori," Simon sighed, "Why did you do it there?"

"Because he smirked at me. He fucking smirked. Zeke didn't think I would do it and I proved him wrong," Lori said, "I'll apologise later and we will make up,"

"He has turned you into a fucking psycho," Simon laughed, "I wished I was there to see it,"

"Enzo said I looked like a fucking banshee and possessed. I think I scared the men into making a deal with him so he doesn't care that much," Lori grinned, "Alright, let's get you out and dressed,"

While Simon got dressed, Lori stood on his balcony looking over the edge.

"If you are planning to jump, don't. I wouldn't get to you in time,"

Lori smiled sadly, "I know,"

"Shit, please don't jump. Guys! Help!"

"I'm not going to jump,"

The door was kicked in and Zeke ran in followed by Enzo, holding Amelia.

"What? What happened?" Zeke panicked.

"Simon thought I was going to jump," Lori said with a shrug, "He panicked,"

"For fuck sake, woman," Zeke put his hands on his hips and sighed heavily, "Stop stressing me out,"

"Kindly get fucked," Lori said.

"If you are going to have angry make-up sex, please do it in your room," Simon said.

"She's on her period. She won't let me," Zeke said and grunted when Lori punched him in the stomach, "You are deranged,"

"And you are a prick. Who keeps naked women on their phones, who aren't of their wife?"

"We have been through this. I was about to delete them and block her when Amelia picked up her favourite toy,"

"If anyone is deranged, it's you," Lori muttered and turned to Simon, "We are going out for lunch. You are joining us and you can't roll away because I'll catch you,"

"You are very pushy today," Simon said.

"You don't know the half of it," Enzo said, "I'm sure I saw her head spin earlier,"

"Everyone out!" Lori demanded, "Simon needs to make himself prettier and we are in his way,"

"Thank you, Lori," Simon said, "For helping me,"

"You don't need to thank me," Lori smiled, "It's the least I could do,"

"Wait," Zeke said as Lori ushered them out, "You fucking washed him?"

"Yeah, because I'm going to touch someone else's dick. No, I didn't wash him," Lori said, "You broke his door. You are going to replace this before we get back from lunch,"

"What a demanding little Rose I have today," Zeke grinned like a maniac, "Wait until you're off your period. I'm going to punish you,"

"As if I'll let that happen, bitch boy," Lori said and Simon smiled.

Zeke had changed dramatically since Lori was rescued from her abusers. But when Amelia arrived, it was as if the demon Zeke was holding back, left his body. Of course, Zeke was still a cold-hearted bastard at times but the love for his girls changed him.

Simon stared at his wheelchair and clenched his fists, "You're going to die alone. No one is going to love you anymore,"