If Only...

Laying Low

We did the only logical thing that we could think of. We headed to the airport and found the first flight out and got tickets. We didn't have luggage, but I did have money on me so we could buy whatever we needed later. I quit my janitorial job and sent a detailed report to my secretary who she should refer my patients to until I could return. I could not giver her anything specific, but I knew I had to take care of my patients before I disappeared for a while. I knew there was a possibility that we could be gone forever, but I did not want to think that way. After the email sent to my secretary I threw my phone in the trash. I did not want anyone being able to track me through my phone.

Catherine and I were on our way to Las Vegas. i had never been there, but I figured it would be easy to disappear there a for some time.It was also the only flight that left as soon as possible.

During the flight I came up with a plan. Catherine was asleep so I could not tell her. It also gave me time to think about how sure I was about my forming plan. I was scared out of my wits about losing her. I could not let her go back to the life she had been living, but figuring out how I was going to ensure her safety was challenging.

I only had one thought. I had to legally make her mine. I had to marry her. It would be a chaste marriage until we could have an actual ceremony. I hoped she would be willing to do a Vegas wedding and then she could plan a big affair if she wanted one when, or if, we were able to go home to family and friends.

The plane was getting ready to land and I had to figure so many things out. Most importantly I would have to figure out where to stay and how to convince Catherine to marry me.

"Hey sweetheart, it's time to wake up. The plane is about to land." I whispered, gently shaking her. Her eyes opened and she smiled. I really liked the look of her smile. She still looked exhausted, but at least she seemed happy.

We exited the plane and went in search of a place to stay. We found a place that was close to shopping but was cheap enough that we could be there for a little while.

She seemed surprised when I only reserved one room, but it did have two beds which seemed to appease her a little. I hoped she trusted me enough to know that I wouldn't pull any stunts, but I knew that the past couple of months had a profound impact on her. She needed to know that I was not going to hurt her, in any way. 

We went to the fourth floor to go to our room to relax for a little and regroup. Today had been a whirlwind of activity.

"So what now?" She asked, throwing herself on the bed near the window.

"I do kind of have a plan, but I know you are not going to like it." I stammered, not daring to look her in the eye.

"Okay... Well, I do not have any ideas, so I am all ears." She said, waiting for me to open my mouth and tell her my plans. I finally got up the courage to look her in the eye.

"Marry me." I stated simply. There was going to be no long declaration of love, at least not yet. That would come later. For now I just wanted to keep her safe. It seemed like the best option in my mind. The look on her face said otherwise.

"I'm sorry. I must  not have heard you correctly. I seem to still be foggy from my nap on the plane." She looked at me with disbelieving eyes.

"I know from your reaction that you heard me correctly. I'm not saying that we need to do the tacky Elvis thing, unless you want to. I was thinking that we could go into town and buy rings and clothes and we could get married tonight or tomorrow. I know that you probably don't think of me as someone who you would spend the rest of your life with, but I would try to make you happy and keep you safe. But, just know that this is not a decision that I have taken lightly. I thought about it and I knew it would be the right decision in my eyes." I had more floating around in my mind, but I just could not put it into words. I looked in her eyes and knew that she was skeptical. I didn't blame her, I was too. After a long silence, she spoke. 

"Why Taylor? Why are you doing this? I am nothing to you, and that's okay with me. I didn't want you to get into this mess, but now I have to wonder why you are doing all of this. I am a prostitute. How can I get that into your head? I AM A PROSTITUTE!" She yelled at me, covering her face.

I walked over to her and knelt in front of her.

"No Catherine. You were a prostitute. You are not now and you never will be again. I love you. I know it sounds crazy, but you are special. You always have been." I started into my declaration of love that I promised myself that I was not going to say when she stopped me.

"I am not someone you can fix with your psychology." She whispered.

"I know. I'm not trying to fix you. I'm trying to love you." Her eyes filled with tears and she locked herself in the bathroom.

I knew convincing her was going to be a challenge, but I was going to win her over.