Page 28 of 21 Years of Jane

“That’s right! Did you bring her a present?” Stella asked, pulling away from him.

“He already gave it to me,” I answered with a smile.

“What’d you get?” she asked excitedly coming over to me.

“A very special promise,” Nolan said mysteriously.

“You can’t wear a promise,” Stella said in disappointment.

“Rabbit, not every present has to be something material. What Nolan just promised me is something no one else ever has,” I said reprimanded.

She pouted for a moment, before her seven year old mind took over, and she told us to go upstairs with her and Liam.

When we got to the stairs, Nolan leaned down. I lifted my arms, expecting him to cradle me, but instead he stood me on my feet. A sharp pain shot through my left leg, and I winced.

“Today, Janey, on your twenty-first birthday, you’re going to fulfill a dream. You’re going to walk up to the kids' rooms,” he said, getting behind me.

I felt tears welling in my eyes, and I didn’t know if it was because he had so much faith in me or if it was because the pain kept resonating throughout my body.

“I don’t think I can,” I said miserably.

“Yes you can, Starr!” Liam said. I looked up and saw him and Stella sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for me. They both had huge, encouraging smiles on their faces.

“I won’t let you fall. Promise,” Nolan whispered into my ear.

I looked down at my feet and up at the long arduous task in front of me. I took a deep breath and put my hand on the railing. Nolan put his hands on my hips to steady me and I bent my leg.

My first footstep turned out to be quite agonizing. And it wasn’t the fact that I bent my leg or that I moved my hips; it was putting my foot down and putting pressure on it that made me bite my lip and blink back tears.

“Hold on,” Nolan said. I think he noticed the problem as quickly as I felt it. He used his hand to gently move my foot off of the step. He shifted again behind me and gently raised me high enough to place my feet on top of his. With an arm around my waist, he slowly began to climb up the stairs, careful not to step too harshly on the steps.

Now, I get it; I didn’t exactly walk up the stairs by myself. But Nolan did his best and something no one had ever thought to do before him. Since my legs and hips couldn’t take my weight on top of them, he gave me the sensation of walking, by letting me use his feet to rest my weight on.

“Mommy! Daddy! Come see! Starr’s walking!” Liam yelled proudly at the top of his lungs.

“Liam, what in the world are you yelling about? Mom asked entering the room. “And where is your big sister?”

I took my hand off of the banister and raised it.

“Oh my God, Aaron! AARON COME QUICK!” Mom yelled, half crying, half laughing.

“Jessie, what are you the children screaming about?” Dad asked in exasperation.

Nolan took the last step up the stairs and onto the second floor landing. He hugged me tightly against him and I smiled at the kids. They were whooping and jumping up and down.

“Turn me around,” I said to him.

He turned slowly, making sure to keep my feet on his and to balance both of us.

“Hi, Daddy,” I said, waving.

He put a hand to his mouth and even from where I stood I could see the tears starting to spill over onto his cheeks.

“I walked up the stairs. Are you proud of me?” I asked, gripping Nolan’s arms.

“I’ve never been so proud of you in my life,” he said through his tears.

“Taking her back down the stairs will be easier and a lot faster. And just as safe, I assure you,” Nolan reassured my parents.