Freedom at it's Best

Single mom, waitress, photographer, and tin man

[makoakamaka]

siggycassell​

~

Siggy soaked in the moment and loved every minute of it. She missed this and she hadn’t realized the security just his size gave her. “You’re getting better at it though.” She smiled letting him sit down and relax again before nodding. “I think we can handle that. The kids can definitely motivate you for sure.”

-

Makoa smiled softly as he settled back into the chair, wincing slightly as his muscles relaxed from being used. He used his hands to massage his back a bit and nodded. “If the kids need me to do something, I will definitely get it done, that’s for sure.”

[siggycassell]

Siggy nodded, "they need you to be around mostly and keep pushing yourself." She pressed a kiss to his cheek and smiled as she pulled away, "I believe this is cause for a celebration honestly because progress is progress. What do you say we stop at the diner on the way home? Or the bakery and get a cake or something?"

[siggycassell]

juniper-porter​:

-

Juniper read the note and shrugged. ‘I suppose I can’t hear them so fussy doesn’t bother me.’ She turned the paper and nodded her head. ‘I see. I wish I was any good with a camera. I haven’t ordered anything. A scone might be nice.’ She wrote and pulled out her wallet from her bag fish some cash out.

~

Siggy smiled and nodded, that was true she wouldn’t be able to hear the potentially fussy duo. Siggy smiled, ‘honestly I don’t think I would be as good with it if I hadn’t worked in front of one for so long when I was younger. Okay, I’ll get it for you. Least I can do since you’re letting me wait here with you.’ She raised her hand and shook her head at the money before ordering for them both. ‘So what do you do? If it’s not too much to ask?’

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

-

Makoa couldn’t help but smile as her arms wrapped around him. He wanted to wrap his own arms around her but he was afraid that if he let go of the bars then he would fall. “You did.” He said and nodded. “Enough patience. Something I’m not good at but you are.” He let her pull away and then sat himself down in his chair, letting out a breath as he was tired and had used all his energy. “Just keep stretching. The kids just need to keep being there to motivate me.”

~

Siggy soaked in the moment and loved every minute of it. She missed this and she hadn’t realized the security just his size gave her. “You’re getting better at it though.” She smiled letting him sit down and relax again before nodding. “I think we can handle that. The kids can definitely motivate you for sure.”

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

-

Makoa could feel the tears starting to swell in his eyes to match those of Siggy, the emotions of what exactly was happening in this moment and what it meant for him and her and their family that they had created were at the forefront of his thoughts, as they usually were. This time though, it wasn’t the question of if or when he would walk again after the accident, but that he was actually doing it. While he would likely need the wheelchair and then other aides in his journey still, the question of the ability to walk again was answered in this moment. 

“I think a hug from you is exactly what I need in this moment.” Makoa said as he looked lovingly over at Siggy, wanting to feel her against him at a normal height again. “Though if you’re gonna do it, I need you to come do it now because I’m gonna need to sit back down here sooner rather then later.” He said honestly as he watched her from the bars.

~

She went straight over to him wrapping her arms around him and crying into his shirt. “I told you, it would happen.” She smiled looking up at him and wiping her eyes, “we just had to be patient, but you’re getting there. I’m so proud of you, baby.” She took another hug and before pulling away wiping her face so he could get back in his chair. “Is there anything we need to keep doing at home or need to change at home?” Her brows raising gently at him, “you know I’ll help however I can and the kids will too.”

[siggycassell]

juniper-porter​:

-

Juniper offered the other a smile and wrote back on the sheet. ‘No, I don’t mind at all. I love kids.’ She said and waved at the two small children. ‘That’s alright, writing notes is what I’m used to.’ She shrugged and then took a drink from her cup. She truly did loved kids and she didn’t even mind if they were crying because she couldn’t hear them anyway. ‘Client huh? What do you do?’ she turned her paper towards the other, head tilted to the side slightly.

~

Siggy laughed and took the paper back writing on it, ‘they’re pretty quiet but they can get fussy.’ Her brows raised and she smiled, ‘photography, I was finishing up with a client. Met them here to show them their pictures.’ She smiled before writing something else down, ‘have you ordered something? would you like something?’

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa had been working hard in physical therapy to continue the road to regaining function of his legs. As hard as this was, he would not have made a different decision if he had the chance to do it over again, as long as his son was safe, he would go through this over and over again. He hadn’t told Siggy anything about his milestone he had hit as he really wanted to surprise her with it. He looked at the time on the clock, knowing that Siggy would be there soon to pick him up. He had his physical therapist help him stretch out. He could feel the butterflies lining up as he saw the car pull up and once he saw Siggy coming in to the office, he pushed himself up from the floor and used the bars to help hold himself up in a standing position. He waited until he saw Siggy walk into the big room and waited another moment to let her take in the fact he was up to his normal height before slowly, carefully taking one step after another, his therapist walking next to him, arms out ready to help steady if he needed to. Makoa watched Siggy for her reaction as he got to the end of the bars, holding himself up using the bars as his therapist pushed the wheelchair over for whenever he needed to sit back down.

@siggycassell​

~

Siggy hadn’t expected much change in Makoa’s physical therapy but she hoped for it every day. She wasn’t a religious person but she was pretty sure she had even caught herself praying for it more than a couple times. It hadn’t been easy for Makoa after the wreck and she knew that but she tried to help. The kids were also a driving force and it especially when it came to picking Makoa up from therapy. After all he was typically the first stop before heading towards the school.

Her jaw dropped at the sight of Makoa standing again, before she covered her mouth still amazed to finally see it. The tears of joy that streamed down her face as he took his steps pulled the most vulnerable sounds from her she had probably ever made in his presence and a part of her wanted to hit the floor in just pure awe, but her eyes never left his as he stood there, before she laughed, “can I hug you like that or would it risk ruining the moment?” She teased before wiping her eyes.

[siggycassell]

ahlai-stevenson​:

Running into Makoa had been such a shock, Ahlai could hardly believe it had happened.  Of course this wasn’t a romantic comedy, so they didn’t rekindle their love affair, nor had they wanted to.  It had been so long and they were totally different people and were both happy in their current relationships, but it was still a shock.  They hadn’t talked long, just caught up a bit and showed off their families before parting ways with vague plans to see each other on purpose some day, but nothing solid.

Ahlai had been thinking about the meeting quite a bit, if only to stop thinking about her divorce for a while, but she didn’t expect to run into him again for some time.  To take her mind off everything, she packed up her younger son, Tide, and they went to the grocery store while her oldest was at school.  Tide was a very happy, silly little boy and he always kept Ahlai entertained while they were out and she was paying attention to him instead of where they were going and she almost crashed their cart into someone else’s.

“I’m so sorry,” Ahlai said, finally looking up and was shocked t see who it was.  “Oh, you’re Siggy, right? Makoa’s fiancée? I’m Ahlai, we haven’t met yet.” 

@siggycassell​

~

Siggy hadn’t really been paying attention, her eyes more on Leilani and making sure she wasn’t grabbing up unnecessary cookies. So the sudden shock that hi the cart and woke up Cecily. She shook her head at the other mother that had clearly been enjoying their time. “No, I’m sorry. It’s just as much our fault -.” She stopped and her brow gently raised as she nodded. A smile crossing her features again. “It’s nice to meet you. Yes, I’m Siggy. I.. I didn’t realize news had spread that quick.” She chuckled, knowing she had been more concerned with taking care of the kids, her business, and Makoa. She nodded towards Ahlai’s son and smiled, “honestly, if I had him around I think I would bump in to more carts myself. He’s funny, I be he makes you laugh a lot. My son, Bryce used to be like that but now he’s almost a teenager and I don’t get these moments with him anymore.” She smiled, “Have you seen Makoa around?”

[siggycassell]

juniper-porter​:

It had been a slow news day and Juniper ad asked to leave work early which was something she almost never did. Her boss told her to go and she left trying to figure out what she wanted to do for the rest of her day. She found herself at a little cafe place sitting outside as she waited for her coffee to arrive. It was bus inside and she had managed to snag the last table and she hadn’t realized anyone had come up to her until they waved. She looked up, startled slightly, grabbing a pen. She quickly wrote on a napkin. ‘Sorry, I can’t hear.’ She said as she turned the note over. 

She hadn’t told Cain yet but her hearing had fully gone now, though she knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later but she didn’t think it would fully go just yet. She sat up some in the chair and offered the other a smile as she saw a stroller with the other. ‘Did you want to sit?’ She wrote and showed it to her, pointing towards the chair. She realized that the tables were all full.

@siggycassell​

~

Siggy was stopping by to meet a client with Leilani and Cece in tow the crowded shop didn’t seem like a good fit. When she saw the blond writing she nodded and gestured for the pen. ‘Sure. I’m waiting for a client right now. You don’t mind two tired kids do you?’ She smiled sliding the paper back before taking a seat and pulling out her notebook and pen. ‘Sorry I don’t know sign language. I wish I knew more, but I’m cool writing notes if you are.’ She smiled at the other, pulling Leilani into her lap and kissing the top of her head.

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa listened to her and nodded. He knew that she was right, but he still felt bad and it was harder for him to get passed it in his head which was screaming that he should do more. “It just feels like I haven’t even made much progress with physical therapy and I don’t know. Kinda hard to think that I’m doing that much.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Thanks but I don’t know what there is to be proud of.” He could feel the emotions starting to well up inside of him and he shoved them back down, not wanting to make Siggy think anything was wrong. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy with his progress, but he just wished he could be further along in the process.

“Don’t remind me. They grow up so fast.” Makoa said as he looked down at Cece and then ahead at Leilani. “I wish they didn’t. I can remember Lei as a baby, just a month old and how small she was. I was scared I was going to crush her or something on accident.” He said with a smile as he wheeled down the sidewalk. “I mean, I can always take her place as your assistant but I’m not sure how much help I would actually be. I think Cece might be a better choice then me.”

~

“Baby. There is so much to be proud of, like the fact that you’re still here. I know it’s getting hard, but I’m not giving up on you and I don’t want you to give up either.” She said running a hand down his face. “All that matters to me is that you are still here with us. With me.” 

“Who are you telling? Bryce is basically a teenager. It makes me want to cry every time.” She smiled at him and Cece before looking at Leilani and nodding, “I remember. She was so small. I’ll never forget the late night phone calls from you though.” She chuckled, “your worry definitely made you even more cute. She loved you so much though.” She smirked and nodded, “I wouldn’t mind you as my assistant. You would be a lot of help. I would just be worried that you would be taking advantage of the views because of the positions I find myself in...” She said with a smirk, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’d be scared you would just be enjoying the view and not actually being my assistant.” 

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa looked over towards Siggy and let out a small sigh. “I just feel like I’m not doing as much as I want to do because I can’t. It makes me feel bad.” He said and kissed her back gently. “No, I can do it.” He said as he gently set Cece down on the couch next to him and quickly transferred himself back to his chair. He had hoped to be out of the chair soon but he was still not able to feel much past his hips. It was hard to be patient when he wanted nothing more than to get up and walk and get back to how it was. He smiled softly at Cece, reaching out to pick her up and settle her into the sling carrier he wore to hold her against his chest as he wheeled himself towards where her clothes were, picking out an outfit and carefully changing her into them. 

Getting Cece back into the sling, smiling at the warmth he felt on his chest from her body, Makoa took her out and they were on their way. “It has been a while, hasn’t it? I hadn’t even realized it had been this long.”

~

Siggy nodded, “I mean technically I would have to get up to feed her anyway. Pretty sure you’re not producing.” She chuckled but smiled, “I get it, but I promise you I am getting enough rest and you help when you can. You just keep working on your physical therapy and you’ll get where you can help more each day. Plus, even when you’re not helping me with Cece you’re helping with the others. You do more than enough to help, Makoa.” She said holding his cheek for a moment after the kiss and smiling at him. “You’re doing so good right now and I’m so proud of you.” 

Siggy smiled and nodded, “we should do this more often when we can while Bryce and Emma are in school. Won’t be long and Leilani will be joining them and I’m going to be heart broken by that. I won’t have my little buddy with me to go on shoots anymore. My little assistant is growing up on me too quick.” She said watching the little girl skipping in front of them before looking at Cece pressed against Makoa’s chest. “that one will follow her probably sooner than we expect too and I’m definitely not ready for that.” 

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa nodded his head and kissed Siggy’s forehead. “I can get behind a nap.” He said with a laugh as he slowly rocked cece back and forth carefully in his arms. “Well that’s good then. I wish it was easier for me to help in the middle of the night.” He said as he sighed, laying his head back on the couch. He felt bad that he couldn’t be more of a help. “Yes, let’s get to the park then, what do you say Lei?” He asked and the young girl grinned and jumped up and down. “Yay!”

~

Siggy smiled, “I can too.” Her smile faded a bit and she looked up at him, “you help, you make sure I don’t pass out with her and you’re there for moral support. That’s help enough for me.” She smiled pressing a kiss to his lips before smiling at Leilani and chuckling, “let’s go get dressed then, what do you say Lei? It will be so much better than a day in our pajamas.” She chuckled standing up, “You want me to get her dressed too?” She said pointing at Cecily “or do you wanna do it?”

Once they were all ready and started their walk to the park she was busy watching Leilani skip along the sidewalk just a few feet in front of them. “It feels like it’s been ages since we took her to the park.” 

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa smiled as he held Cecily in his arms, not really looking away from her until Siggy rested her head on his shoulder. “Probably, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some naps.” He said as he nodded. “I did. Thank you for that, but I’m telling you, you should make sure you are getting enough sleep. I’m gonna start to worry about you.” He looked down at the young girl. “I dunno, but it’s a nice day, I’d hate to be cooped up in the house. What do you think about a trip to the park?”

~

Siggy nodded against his shoulder and smiled, “I will take a nap when these two do, maybe we can all take one?” She said pulling away to look at him, “you’re welcome and I promise I will. I wasn’t really tired until I laid down on the couch. Once I got still and Cec was keeping me warm, I just couldn’t help it. She slept pretty good last night, not all the way through the night yet but she gave me enough time in between to get some nice little naps.” She nodded and looked at Leilani, “I think she would enjoy that. A quick trip just the four of us before Bryce and Emma get back from school.” 

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa had been getting used to being home in the wheelchair with now being home. It was just a waiting game at this point to see when or if he would be able to use his legs again. Though most people would be mad at the world about the situation, he would do it again if it meant that he would be protecting his kid again. Besides, there was a new baby in the house and who could be mad with such a beautiful life in the world. He got up from bed after seeing the time, moving his legs to hang over the bed and he pulled himself into the chair that was waiting for him next to the bed. Giving himself a moment to settle into the chair, he wheeled himself out of the room and smiled as he saw Siggy holding the baby on the couch. 

“Good morning.” Makoa said with a smile. “Thanks, but you look exhausted.” He wheeled over towards her and moved himself onto the couch, getting himself situated. “Let me take her and you go take a nap.” He said as he reached his arms out for Cece. “I can just re-heat breakfast later.”

~

Siggy sat up beside him, carefully cradling Cecily in her arms before passing her over. “I’m fine. I’m pretty sure tired is going to be a thing for us for a while with this one.” She chuckled, running her hand over the baby girl’s head. She pressed a kiss to Makoa’s cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. “You slept good? I would have got you up but I thought you deserved to sleep in.” She was still watching Leilani be fully invested in her favorite show. “What’s the plan for the day? Especially with these two little ladies.” 

[siggycassell]

@makoakamaka​

It had been a week since the crazy rush to the hospital happened and the little girl that was now snuggled up in Siggy’s hold on the couch made her grand entrance. A head full of hair rested under her cap and she was swaddled up tight to fight the cool winter morning. She was watching Leilani play and occasionally stop and watch the cartoon she had requested.

She was letting Makoa sleep in but found herself feeling tired as well. Her eyes were heavy but she kept them on Leilani before she heard Makoa moving and making his way down the hallway. “Good Morning.” She said unmoving from the couch. “I figured you deserved to sleep in this morning. Breakfast is still warm in the kitchen though.” Her eyes closed when she heard him moving again and she smiled nearly dozing in the few moments.

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa couldn’t help but smile because what he wanted more than anything was to spend as much time with Diggy as he possibly could. “Probab-bly. W-what ab-bout the kids tho-though?” He asked, head tilted slightly to the side before kissing her back when she had kissed him, longing for more once she had pulled away from him. He smiled softly as he let a hand rest on Leilani’s back, fingers circling on her back as he did.

He wished he could spend his whole day just holding his daughter but he knew that it wasn’t possible. Makoa had a lot of work ahead of him and if he was being honest, it did scare him a little bit. There was a big chance that his whole life would be forever changed from his point on and he knew that was a lot to put onto the kids and Siggy. He didn’t think it was fair for Siggy to have to deal with it.

Listening to the doctor talk, Makoa could only nod his head along with him. It had been mostly good news but of course, the lingering feeling of not being able to walk again stuck in the air. The thought terrified him because Leilani was still very young and they had a baby on the way and he was worried that he wouldn’t be able to help Siggy as much as he wanted to be able to help her. The thoughts swirled in his head as Siggy asked her question and he just looked at the doctor for his answer. The doctor looked at the two of them. “The most wecan do right now is continue physical therapy and the anti-immflamitories. Other then that, it’s all on his body to decide how it wants to heal.” He said as he looked over towards her. “I can have the physical therapist go over all of that when he comes in for the next appointment with him. They will be able to go over what his physical needs will be once at home. I can suggest some in home nursing care at least at the beginning just as another set of helping hands. But for now, let’s focus on the positive progress he is making, okay?”

~

“Your mom and dad can stay at the house and watch them if they don’t mind. I’d rather them be comfortable on their visit than have to stay up here with you. I don’t mind staying. Just means I’m closer to the delivery room incase we need it.” She chuckled partially joking and smiling at Leilani enjoying the time to snuggle with her dad. She definitely missed him just as much as Siggy and it was understandable why.

Her brows furrowed together and she kept hold of Makoa’s hand. He would come out of this, she had to believe that. “Thank you, for your help. We will definitely appreciate all the suggestions you can give. I definitely want to focus on the positive, I just want to be prepared to hopefully get more positive progress.” She smiled looking at Makoa and winking, “I know it may be for a while because you all probably still have a lot to keep an eye on for him, but do you happen to know when he might be able to come back home? There is definitely no rush, I just think it might ease both of our minds.”

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa nodded his head as he looked over towards her. “Yeah b-b-but I want to see you.” He said carefully, having had worked hard over the night when he couldn’t sleep on his speech, much to his nurses’ annoyance because she wanted him to sleep, which was hard when they kept waking you up for vital checks and whatever else they needed. He had already been taken for some more scans and testing with people from physical therapy and a whole slew of other departments. 

“I hope I c-can come home soonn.” Makoa said softly and looked down at his little girl as she laid down on him. “Well they are pretty smart. I would not have thought of pillows.” He said as he carefully pulled himself up a little more on the bed, though not being able to move too much, partly because of Lei, but also because he was just too weak to do it, though he would never admit that to Siggy or anybody, wanting to look strong.

“No, but the scan results shooulld be b-b-ba-bac-back soon.” Makoa said and offered her a soft smile as a doctor walked in as if on cue. “Hello. We have some results for you to go over.” He said as he looked up towards Makoa and Siggy. “The swelling from the concussion has gone down considerably thanks to the anti-imflamitories he is on.” He said, talking towards Siggy. “Your speech should return back to normal from what we are seeing with some more speech therapy. As far as the parallelization, we still need more time to see what might come from that. We think we can discharge you in a few days pending physical therapy and occupational therapy which will help you learn how to live with your injuries while you have them. This all of course is pending that you have no more seizures.”

She hummed a laugh at him and nodded, “I’m not going anywhere, anytime soon. You have me all day and maybe all night if your parents let me stay. They probably would like to go sleep in actual bed.” She said leaning in to press a kiss to his lips, not realizing how much she had actually missed having him around until then.

“I hope so too.” She said trying her best to hold back the emotions of missing him being there so he couldn’t see it. She laughed and smiled at Leilani’s sleeping figure, “they are definitely smart. I swear they used all the pillows in the house to make you though.”

She nodded and jerked around as the doctor stepped in. Her brows furrowed together and her hands stayed wrapped around Makoa’s, “what will we need to do to keep him progressing and to get him back walking again?” Her brows raising gently at how fast this was all moving. “What all do we need to be prepared for if...” she stopped and looked back at Makoa knowing the worry on his mind as well but she knew they would get through it all no matter what. She squeezed his hand a little tighter and turned back to the doctor, “if things don’t get better? I.. I’d like to be prepared for the worst scenario and making everything as functional and easy for Makoa as possible.”

[siggycassell]

makoakamaka​:

Makoa smiled as he looked down towards her. He would probably never admit it to anyone but he always had his doubts about his ability to be a good father, simply because he had no clue what he was doing. When Leilani first came into his life, he was lost but luckily he was surrounded by people who did know what they were doing, luckily, he was surrounded by Siggy. He was glad that his daughter would have a motherly figure to look up to and he knew how much Leilani loved Siggy and how much she thought of Siggy like a mother. It made him happy. “Well, you have me forever.”

“I wouldn’t want you any other way.” She smirked before shrugging, her mind visibly wandering. “Though I could think of a few other ways I would want you temporarily.” She chuckled, her eyes closing as she felt the jerking in her stomach and she grabbed his hand placing it over the sudden movements. “They’re awake,” she giggled, feeling the baby inside her jerk and move around freely, “now we’ll never get back to sleep.” Not that she would complain. She could lay there enjoying Makoa’s embrace for hours. The overwhelming feeling of love between them still caught her off guard sometimes but once it was there she wanted to bask in it. To stay there forever because she had never known love like that except with her children.

No man had ever showed her the affection and true loving devotion Makoa did. Even before they were together he always showed how much he cared for her. It kept her awestruck. Made her vulnerable but in the best way possible, she trusted him with everything she had in her. She knew he would never let her down, because he never had and never wanted to. He would never hurt her, he was too gentle and loving towards her. He constantly built her up rather than tearing her down. Makoa showed her what love was and that she didn’t have to fight for it. He gave it freely, no strings attached. That was all she had ever wanted and now that she had it she would fight tooth and nail to keep it if she had to.

Her fingers traced his face and she was mesmerized by it while other hand kept his on her stomach. She stared at him lost in the moment of her thoughts before nudging her nose against his his and pressing a kiss to his lips. Her forehead resting against his. “I’m yours, Makoa. Forever. I will never find someone that could love me as much as you do.” It was almost like a vow. “I will always be beside you, no matter what. Your patience and kindness towards me and my children, your love you have given us. I hope I never do anything to make you resent choosing me, because I know, I will never love someone the way I love you.”