Like You Mean It

Nightmare Turns into Reality

TW: there's a part where a sexual assault is mentioned. If this would trigger you, I would say to skip that part, and move on to the rest of the chapter. I'm trying to be sensitive while also trying to be honest. You won't miss anything in between "scenes". So if you wish to skip that, just skip between the **

It was amazing having spent time at home with my whole family. I'm happy my brother's got leave time to come over to our parent's house, and that I was able to take off from the hospital. And even more grateful that everyone seemed to love Chris.

But now, it's back to work as usual. I walk into the hospital, coffee and donuts in hand, and head to the break room. I greet everyone as I walk in, and put down our breakfast. I put my things in my locker before looking over at my work family and smile.

"How was your trip home?" Mel asks me as she serves herself some coffee.

"It was great! It was great to have all my family in one place, and they all seemed to like Chris, so I would say it was a success!" I smile brightly as I think back to our time in Tennessee.

"Aw, I'm glad to hear that! How are things going with him?" I smile bashfully at Riley.

"Really good! I can't even explain it! I've never felt like this about anyone before, not even my late husband." I look down feeling guilty.

"Oh, honey, it's okay to move on. You know you loved him and he knows you loved him. But sometimes things happen for us to find other things. He would be proud to see where you are now, and he would love the fact that Chris loves you so much." I look at Ashley with tears in my eyes.

"Thanks Ash. I really appreciate you." She nods before giving me a hug.

We all head out to start our days. I'm thankfully working with all the female doctors today.

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It was my break time, and I was sitting in the break room finally taking a breather. It always seems like illnesses pick up right after major holidays, especially Christmas since it usually coincides with flu season.

I'm mindlessly scrolling through my phone as I eat my lunch. Chris and I have been texting off and on during the day, making plans to meet up for dinner.

I'm so wrapped up in my own world, that I don't notice someone else join me in the break room until it was too late.

I feel someone wrap their hand around my neck squeezing lightly. Their breath is fanning over my ear heavily. "No one here to help you Charlie. Just you and me."

My stomach sinks as I recognize the voice. Dr. Morris has caught me off guard and alone. I'm paralyzed with fear, and I don't know what to do. My breathing starts to quicken as I feel myself panicking.

"Now Charlie, you're going to be a good, helpful nurse and stand up quietly." My body reacts out of fear and does as he asks.

"That's right. Now, I'm going to finally get what should've been mine from the start instead of Dr. Evans'."

I start to panic even more as I feel his hands wander around my body until they reach my breasts. He cups them and moans as I feel a sob escape me.

"Please Dr. Morris, stop." My voice comes out choked from the tears now streaming down my face.

He doesn't listen and continues to fondle my breasts before he starts to run one of his hands down my torso. He reaches the top of my pants, but before he can do anything, someone starts trying to open the door he locked.

"Help!" I scream out hoping whoever it is can hear me.

Dr. Morris turns me around and slaps me across the face. "Shut up! You are going to take me, and you are going to enjoy it."

I start crying louder and begging loudly for help. The last thing I remember, before my world went black, was Dr. Morris' fist connecting with my eye as the door burst open.

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I wake up in a hospital bed with monitors connected to me. I realize I can't open my right eye as I look around the room. The room is filled with flowers and balloons, and that's when I notice him. Chris.

He's awkwardly asleep on a chair next to my bed. He looks to be having a fitful sleep. He keeps mumbling my name in his sleep almost like a whimper.

"Chris." I gently whisper, but he doesn't budge. "Chris." I say a little louder, still unable to wake him. "Chris!" I all but scream, making him jolt awake.

"Charlie! Oh my goodness, Charlie! You're awake! I was so worried baby!" He kisses my forehead a few times before he rests his on mine.

"What happened?" I now feel my voice hoarse as my throat hurts.

"Baby, Dr. Morris attacked you..." I look at him with tears in my eyes.

"I wasn't paying attention. He just came up behind me..." I feel myself starting to panic again.

Chris pulls me into his arms as much as he can and leads me through breathing exercises. "Breathe baby. Just deep breaths."

I start to calm down at his soothing tone. "Did he do it?"

I look up at Chris fearing the worst. Chris shakes his head no. "Ashley had security bust the door down when she noticed it was locked."

I let out a breath of relief. "I was so scared, Chris. I didn't know what to do, I just... just froze!"

"Hey, this is not your fault baby. Dr. Morris is to blame. He's been arrested and charged for sexual assault."

I look at him with tears now falling from my eyes. I let out a sob that came from deep within me. "I should've just listened to you and went to work for you."

"Baby, this is not your fault! You love where you work, and I wasn't going to force you to do anything you didn't want." I nod as I try to steady my breathing and bury my face in his chest inhaling his scent.

I start to calm down, feeling the love and comfort of his arms around me. And his familiar smell helps to keep me calm.

"I love you Chris."

"I love you so much Charlie. I um, had been thinking of asking you this for a while now, but I kept trying to find the perfect time... Um... would you..."

"Chris, what is it? You're making me nervous." I look at him trying to figure out what has him so nervous.

"Would you want to move in with me?" He says so fast I almost didn't understand him.

I look at him dumbfounded. I realize I have been staring at him without answering him. "You want me to move in with you?"

He nods sheepishly. "I've been wanting to ask you, but I didn't know how to."

I smile at how nervous he seems. "Of course I will move in with you Chris! I would love nothing more!"

He smiles widely and pulls me in for a hug. In this moment I don't think about what happened to me, or about any future legal battle. All I think about is this man that I'm madly in love with, asking me to move in with him. I won't let what happened bring me down right now. I know it is something I will need to work through with a professional, but I refuse to let that memory ruin this moment with Chris.

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