In Piece And Pieces (Completed)

Chapter 28

The silence thereafter was deafening.
Then she continued.
'Daniel. There are things you don't know about me. Please, let's not do this, please'.
'You still haven't said anything'. He pushed.
'You think I just woke up one morning and found myself in Los Angeles? It was I who ran, Daniel. It was me...it was me running away from my past.
'What happened?'. His voice was the softest of whispers.
She sniffed.
Knowing she was about to begin another round of tearing,he let go of her hands and gathered her into his arms once more.
'My life was ruined in one night. My whole life,every single one of my plans,my dreams,my aspirations....One single night and everything came crashing on my head. Worse off,I couldn't help it,I still can't,be...beca..use I'm guilty,because it's all my fault. I should have stayed home that night. I shouldn't have gone to that party'.
He moved closer until there was no single space left between them.
'It isn't that I didn't have a bad feeling about attending that party. I actually did have that sick feeling in my stomach, but what did I do? I completely ignored it. I wanted to be the rebellious princess for one night,to get a breath of fresh air-far from the crazy watchfulness of my parents. To make up with my boyfriend and have a perfect night with him. Was it too much of a thing to want?'
When he said nothing, she continued.
'Raymond....he had been asking me out since 9th grade. When I finally agreed to date him after high school,he wanted sex and demanded it,but I couldn't give it to him. I liked him alright but a sexual relationship outside marriage? My mum would kill me'. She made a bitter sound.
'So,we broke up. He was angry,I was pained. I wanted us back together,he didn't want that if the sex wasn't forthcoming. We stayed apart for months and then one time,when we got to talk,he told me he missed me. I missed him too so It didn't take time to tell him I missed him too...'
She sniffed again.
'...He said he was having a party,I agreed to attend. Sophie felt it was a great opportunity to run wild since my parents had travelled out for a church convention. I felt it was a great time to salvage what was left of my relationship with him. Turns out it was only me who thought it that way because, obviously, Sophie had known exactly what would happen at the party. I was so naive. They had had it all planned out'. Her voice cracked another notch and she paused,then continued.

'Bottom line is...I was abused,beaten and raped,by three different guys, including my boyfriend'.
'My mum thought it was a taboo to even mention the incident as it would dent their societal image. And so,when I realized that my abuse had resulted to an unwanted pregnancy. I knew that would be the worse of it all,and so I took the closest exit and ran'.
His hands were running back and forth her back now. He didn't exactly know what to say.
'Don't you miss your family?'.
She looked up to him with puffy eyes and sniffed again.
I miss my parents badly,my dad especially. I'm even angry that somehow,I still miss my best friend. I want to go home to my mum and dad. I mean, they're still my parents,but I can't. I need to hate them,to despise them,not miss them'.
'Is there something else you'd like me to know? You haven't gotten to the part where you stopped been worthy of any man's dreams'.
She looked up to him,confused.
'I don't know the paternity of my child. Isn't that bad enough?'
'And you think it's your fault?'
'Of course,it is my fault'.
'All of these things you just said... I'm angry that you had to go through any of that. I am mad that none of the people who hurt you are within my reach right now so I can throw punches. I'm angry that you have been alone while you were fighting all of these. But,Macy, I'm amazed that you are this strong. Through all of these,you managed to fight. The fact that you stubbornly held on, although,knowing that it's easier to give up,it makes me respect you all the more. It makes me fall way deeper in love with you than I already am'.
Her eyes widened with shock.
'You love me?'
'More than even my poor little heart can withstand'.
'Daniel....You don't know what you're saying. You don't know what you feel'.
'I do know that my heart beats for for you. I do know that you give me butterflies. I do know that every single thought of you brings smiles to my face. I do know that anywhere you are, I want to be found right there. I do know that....'.
'Stop, please stop. It's too good to be true'.
'But it is true. And i'm not asking you to jump into my arms, I'm not even asking you to love me right back,but I'm just begging you to please,let me Love you,as you ought to be loved. You deserve to be loved,Macy. You deserve everything beautiful because you're beautiful'.

***

There and then, something shifted in her insides.
The last wall of her defences crumbled and she felt that burden of guilt and hate for herself melt away.
She knew she deserved happiness. She wanted so badly to be loved. Had it not been that yearning that had driven her to go seeking her estranged boyfriend that night?. Had her own parents not loved the church more than their only child. She wanted to love and feel loved. And here Daniel was,offering her his love and without compromise. She would be a fool not to grab it with both hands.
He cupped her face with his hands.
'I love you,Macy. Whoever you are,whatever you represent. I love all of you'.
She felt the distinct rumbling of her stomach. Her baby had kicked for the first time.
She was filled with sudden warmness and happiness.

He loved her,HER!

He placed his hand on her belly and rubbed her. The baby kicked again,this time directly against his palm.
Her chest tightened. Her blood heated. Her insides turned over with want.
She wanted this man,no,she needed him.
She looked up into his eyes. He didn't just confess his love for her,it shone so brightly in his eyes and she was gobsmacked.

How was it possible?!

Desire churned within her. She hadn't felt like this before. She didn't know she had feelings this powerful.
Love.
Yes! She loved him.
There was no denying her feelings for him now because they burned and threatened to consume her.
'Please,make love to me'. She whispered,her voice impatient with need'.

And he did just that.

Copyright © Stacy Patricks