Chapter Eight . . . Not Dead Yet
Kristine's POV
After three nurses and four doctors checked me and the baby out, (All demanded by Tyler) I was fine to be released and to be put on bed rest. I thought that I would be free to go home and rest, then eventually go back to school, but Tyler thought differently.
"Tyler, I'm going back to school Wednesday." I said as he carried me through the door of the house and up the steps to our room.
"No, you are not. You and our child are in danger and I will not have you going back to the hospital." I rolled my eyes as he set me on the bed.
"For heaven sakes Tyler! Relax, okay. You act like she is going to die if you're not around her every second." Tina said. She scared me because I had no idea that she was following behind us. Tyler glared at her as he sat at the foot of the bed.
"Mom, this is none of your business."
"Yes it is Tyler." I said and placed my hands on my stomach. "She is our child's grandmother and your mother."
"But Kristine!"
"Tyler, you are upsetting me now just stop it. I've made up my mind and that's final. All this arguing is not getting us anywhere. Ouch!" I yelled and Tyler placed his hands on my stomach.
"Okay, calm down. Everything is okay, there's no more fighting. Everything is going to be fine." He said trying to soothe me and very slowly the pain in my stomach dulled and eventually went away.
"I'm okay now." I said and let air leave my lungs.
"Tyler, maybe we should let her get some rest." Tina said and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I don't want to leave you." He said directly to me.
"I'm fine here. I'm" I paused and put my hand on top of his where it layed on my stomach. "We are not going anywhere. Besides, I need some help with the kids until I'm back on my feet." He nodded and leaned in and kissed me with so much passion that it kind of scared me, or maybe I just felt the fear in him.
When he pulled away I felt his sigh on my lips and also his whisper as he said, "I love you." I nodded with a sad smile as he pulled away. He got up off the bed and stomped angriliy out of the room.
"You know when he says those words he means it." I nodded.
"I know, but is it wrong that sometimes I still wonder why? I mean I was the broken girl who was abused by her dad, raped, and pregnant living on her own at seventeen with a child and baby on the way. Then he finds out that he's my teacher but instead of going crazy he finds me covered in bruises and takes me and my two children in. Why?"
"I don't think you really know yourself Kristine, you are beautiful and strong."
"I'm sick of hearing that, though! It just doesn't make sense to me."
"Maybe with time you will see what we all see."
"Maybe." I said quietly.
"Well I better let you rest, or else Tyler will come in here an we will have to go through this again." I nodded in agreement and smiled sadly. I rolled over and closed my eyes pretending to go to sleep, but as soon as I heard the door click shut I jumped out of bed and went straight for the mirror. I stilled looked like me and wondered what Tyler saw in me, but then Tina's words whispered in my head. Maybe with time you will see what we all see.
I couldn't help but pray that she was right.
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