The Night I Was Saved

Chapter Forty-Four

🔺Trigger warning: this chapter will have detailed descriptions of sexual abuse and rape.🔺
_______________________________________

Her tiny fists lose their strength on the swell of my breast, and the suction around my nipple subsides slowly too. Her eyes were closed already, but now I also feel how her warm, fuzzy beige pajama-covered body goes completely slack.

She's out and it looks as if she needs it after the heavy cramps she's had the last couple of days.

"She's asleep, isn't she?" Hero mumbles from behind me, his lips pressing against my ear as his arms wrap around both me and Daisy a little firmer.

We're on the couch, Hero in the corner and I leaning against his chest. I just gave Daisy her last feeding, and before that Hero had a shower with her. This time, she was awake the whole time, looking around with her big eyes and even focussing on Hero a few times as he softly talked to her.

We had the perfect afternoon. When we came back from our walk, Hero suggested ordering in, and eventually, we ended up eating burritos just like we did on Christmas Eve. We ate them on the couch while we watched tv, with Daisy laying in between us as she clutched onto her rabbit.

"She's asleep," I confirm, looking down at my perfect little girl. So unexpectantly perfect.

She slowly turns her head, releasing my nipple completely and twisting her head. All the while, she doesn't bother to open her eyes; she looks full and content, and it gives me hope that tonight will be a good night without too much crying.

Hero's big hand folds around one of her little feet, his thumb pressing on her sole and moving up to each tiny toe.

"How come she always loses those damn socks?" He chuckles. "It took me such an effort to put them on, and she doesn't even care. She just kicks them off right after."

It's true; ever since they left the shower, he's put her socks back onto her feet at least three times, but she isn't having any of it.

"I love that though," he continues, his voice lazy and low while his thumb still strokes her foot. "Those little things that, by now, are so her."

"I think she is doing it to annoy you," I joke, and he snickers behind me before kissing my ear.

"Probably," he mumbles, his other hand moving until it's resting on my ribs, just underneath Daisy.

I smile and carefully lift her, putting her up in hopes she burps even though she is fast asleep. But as always, she burps the moment she's up, not waking for even a second.

"That'll always be my favorite thing." Hero laughs and then places a kiss on her forehead. In answer, Daisy lets out a soft, utterly content sigh, and it warms my heart.

In this moment, I know she is perfectly happy, and that makes me perfectly happy as well.

"I think I'm going to lay her down," I whisper after another few minutes of cuddling.

Hero hums in agreement, unlacing his arms from around me and giving me room to sit up. After I've covered myself and Hero has given Daisy a kiss goodnight, I make my way to her bedroom.

After I've tucked her in, I take a moment to scan the room. Her room, that was ours when we first got here. I remember how the first few nights were horrible. How I woke up bathing in sweat because of the nightmares that wouldn't leave me alone.

It all feels so long ago, yet the fear that rushes through my body tells me it's all just happened.

Fear for what is about to come. Fear for how Hero will react once he knows what those nightmares really entitled. Fear for what reliving those memories will do to me.