20 Questions

Chapter 102

Hunter got eight staples in his head and I got an array of uncomfortable questions that I hope to never have to answer again.  Something changed in him, a sense of confidence and resolve that I haven't seen before.  I don't know what my dad said to him, but I like the change.  He has always been so hard on himself, his own worst enemy to say the least.  I held his hand while the ER doctor put the staples in his head and he held mine while I had the sheer displeasure of reliving my traumatic night all over again.  All I want to do is go home and take a shower.  I feel dirty from the inside out.  Tyler may have busted my lip and bruised my body, but he didn't break me.  I have two amazing parents and the love of my life by my side and we will get through this together.

My parents drive us home and offer to stay, but I assure them that we are fine and will call them in the morning.  When we walk in the house, the smell of bleach and pine sol invade my nose.  Patrick and Helen stayed to clean up the bloody mess and I couldn't be more grateful.  I fear seeing the blood splatter and handcuffs would have made the horrid memories flood my mind and haunt my dreams.  I can't imagine I will sleep very well tonight.  Each time I close my eyes, I see Tyler's evil smile.  I have to wake Hunter up every couple hours for neuro checks due to his concussion anyway so I don't see either one of us sleeping very well tonight.  Thank goodness we have an entire week in Hawaii to make up for the sleep and leave all this mess behind us.

I walk into the bedroom and look around the room, my eyes focused on the bed.  Four hours ago, that bed wasn't where I was making love or sleeping peacefully, it was where I was fighting for my life.  Just like that day at the café, I don't feel victimized...I feel angry.  I'm angry that he took that safe and warm place from me and replaced it with horror and disgust.  It will take time, but I will get back to that bed.  For now, I will find comfort on the couch. 

Hunter has already started the shower and stepped in.  I undress and take in my reflection in the mirror.  I know it's me, but it doesn't look like me.  My lip is swollen and there is dried blood on the side.  My wrists and ankles are red and the skin is broken.  There is a bruise to my left cheek that I can only guess will get worse over the next couple days.  The girl who does my makeup on Saturday will really have her work cut out for her. 

I step into the shower and Hunter has his back to me.  He is trying to wash his body and avoid saturating his hair with water.  I put my hand on his back, causing him to jump.

"I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to scare you," I whisper.

"No, it's ok.  I guess I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear you come in," he frowns and I stand there wishing the water could wash it away.  I wish it could wash away this whole evening, but it can't.  The only things that can are time and the love and support of family.  "Are you ok with me being in here?"

"Of course, I am," I tell him.  "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know.  I...um... I just assumed..." he stutters.

"You assumed that I wouldn't want to be around or touched by a man?" I finish for him.

"Yeah, I guess," he says, his face somber.

"Hunter, you aren't just some man.  You're my fiancée and come Saturday, you will be my husband.  Having you in here makes me feel safe, and right now, safe is what I need."

He cocks his head to the side and studies my face.  "Saturday?  Baby, we need to reschedule the wedding."

"Why?"

"Why not?" he asks, bewildered.

"Because it's the most important day of our lives and nobody, not even some raging lunatic is going to change that.  I still want to get married.  Do you not?"