That One Night

- ⅩⅩⅦ -

It was Valentine's Day.I talked with Mrs.Fern again and she thinks I can try sitting next to him,at least.I called Mrs.Fern so she can explain to him.

"It's Mrs.Fern.My therapist."He took the phone as I still stood at a certain distance.

* * *

"Doc?""Mr.Morretti,I wished to talk to you earlier but right now,to make it short,all I can say is that...Mr.Moretti there is no sugar coating this.She feels as if she is near her abuser knowing you aren't him."

"And?"

"She wants to overcome this state she is in.We worked on this for a couple months in the past but she knew she didn't want to see him ever again.Yet she loves you."

"I know.I know better than anyone else does."

"Good.She wants to try sitting next to you.These few days might look awkward from the outside but it's a good thing.It means she's trying something."

"Alright.Thanks,doc."

* * *

He put the phone down and I sat down at a close proximity to him."You can start from a more simple thing"I sniffed."Like what?"He backed away on the couch and extended his hand.

"Try holding my hand.You don't have to look at me or hear me.It's just my hand."I focused on his hand and slowly extended mine towards it.

I can do this.I can!

I felt his skin on mine and as good as it did feel,I feared what might come from it.I pulled away."Try as long as you want."

I tried a couple more times until I did it.I started crying out of joy."I did it."I smiled widely."Do you think I'd be able to kiss your hand?"I took a deep breath."If I feel like you can't,I'll back away."

I felt him smile against the skin of my hand and I couldn't do it."I'm sorry.I can't do this.I'm hurting you too much."I ran back inside the bedroom.I grabbed my clothes and changed.

Just when I was about to get out of the bathroom,I saw a glimpse of my bandages.I was thinking of leaving.I was planning on coming back but I wanted to leave him.

For a slight moment,I thought he'd be better off without me.I got my phone and texted him.

"Don't come to the bedroom but just answer the question.Do you think you'll be better off without me?Because I know how hard I have been on you recently."

He texted me back.

"I will NEVER be better off without you!I want you!I love you and I know you love me too!"

I sighed and told him to come to the bedroom."Let's just cut to the chase."I took off my shirt and let him see the bandages."Because I scratched too hard,I bled."

I started unwrapping it."It may just seem a little red to you tight now but that's because it's been healing for two weeks now."I sniffed."I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."I took a deep breath."I want you to tie me up and make me look at you.Because if we don't do it,I might as well never do it and I don't want that!"

"Are you sure?"I nodded."Did you bring cuffs?I might untie the rope or whatever you might use."

He cuffed me and I sat down on the ground.He tied my ankles with duct tape."Do it,Roman.Please,do it for me."I felt his hands on my face and I melted under his touch.

He gently turned my head towards him and made me look at him.As blurry as my vision got,the more I was convinced that if I looked longer,I will be able to see them the way they actually are.

"Don't give up because I'm crying.Please don't let go just yet."He nodded."I won't."As much as it hurt,ripping off the band aid was the best option and the quickest option I had.

"You can let go."I smiled as I realised I was able to look at him on my own.See him the way he actually is looking at me."I can look at you."I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in.

"I finally look at you!"I sniffed and slided my cuffed hands under me.I reached to my bobby pins and got rid of the cuffs.I leaned to my fron and ripped the duct tape with my teeth.

"Can I just try and hug you?"He nodded.I crawled a little towards him."I can't."I backed away again but at least I was able to look at him."I looked at you.Can that be enough for you for now?"

He scoffed."I didn't even think you'd be able to hold my hand!You have no idea how happy I am!"I smiled."I love you,Roman."

"I love you too,bellissima."

I got up and he got up after me."I want to work a little.I'm behind and would that be ok with you?"His hand went to my face and I let him."Work all you want.As long as I can watch over you.I'm fine with it."

"You can watch over me.Can you take your hand though?I don't know how long I can go without crying."He backed away."Right."I smiled.

I went over to my laptop."Can we go outside at the porch?You can sit with me,maybe?"He nodded."Alright.Go change to go outside and we'll head outside."

I rushed to the closet and turned back around to flash him another wide smile before choosing an outfit.I got changed and grabbed my laptop.He was already there.

He was at his own laptop.We worked togather for a few hours and then we decided to make dinner togather.He left to get groceries.I called Nora as I got this opportunity.

"Hey,mom.""La mia bambina,you sound so cheery.What happened?"I smiled."I looked at him,mom.I did it."She laughed."Oh my...Bambina,I'm so happy for you!"

"I forced myself into it!I made Roman force me into it!I just ripped off the band aid!I finally looked at him,mom."I got her facetime call and I answered.

"I thought I'd call you and see you like this.Your smile is back and it's wider than ever."I tucked the loost hairs behind my ears."I'm making dinner tonight."

"What will you do?"I sighed."I did this steak a while ago and I knew he loved it.So,Roman is out getting the steak and once he comes,I will make it."

"You're all happy and jumpy again!I got my bambina back!I wish I was there to hug you!"I smiled and giggled."I know!"

* * *

I got back and saw her talking to my mother over the phone.After they hung up,I called her myself."Roman?I jus-"I cut her off."I watched,mother.Believe me,I called you so I can thank you."

"Thank me for what?""I know I made her happy but...She never got a mother and...Mother you filled that whole in her heart that even I can never fill."

I heard her sniff over the phone."You are both really lucky to have each other.Just keep it that way.Keep making her happy and I know her happiness is what makes you happy."

"I know,mother,I know."