finding me while loving you

part 11

Grace's POV

I stirred awake slowly, feeling pain on my face and a pounding headache. I felt sad as I noticed Demi was faced away from me, and we weren't wrapped up in each other like usual. I rolled over and wrapped my arm around her hip, pulling my body as close to her as I could. I felt her relax into me, and intertwined her hand in mine allowing me to know she's awake.

"Hi, baby." I whispered.

"Good morning, Gracie." She whispered back.

"What's the matter? We usually hold each other all night." I began to run my fingers up and down her arm.

"There's nothing wrong, I promise. I just couldn't really sleep so I just tried to get comfortable. I maybe dozed off for only a few hours."

"Why couldn't you sleep?" I pulled her shoulder showing her that I wanted her to roll over. She rolled over and put her face in my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and immediately brought my hands to her hair, rubbing her head and playing with her hair.

"I just can't stop thinking about last night." She spoke quietly.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." I replied, feeling sad that she got dragged into this and that it even happened.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help you or protect you from it. It's eating me alive." She said, her voice cracking.

My heart dropped realizing that she's starting to blame herself. I squeezed her tighter.

"You can't put that on yourself. There's no way we can be together all the time. It's not your fault, baby."

"Gracie, it was the most terrifying feeling you showing up in tears and your face bruised." She said, tears pouring out of her eyes. "I kept asking what happened and you wouldn't answer me. It was the worst feeling I've ever felt."

"Fuck, baby, I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to scare you. I was just so scared of her kissing me and your reaction. I was just in pure panic." I tried to explain, feeling guilty for upsetting her.

"It's not your fault. None of it was your fault, it's just an image I'll never be able to forget. I look at your beautiful face, and your eye is so bruised, and I just can't believe someone laid hands on you and I couldn't do anything to help you."

"It's not your fault, either. I would never even think to blame you for that." I started to rub her back, trying to calm her down.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you. I promise, I'll try my best to never let anyone or anything hurt you again." She sobbed into my chest and my heart was breaking by the second.

"Please, please, stop crying. I'm so sorry you're putting this on you. It's not your fault and I'm okay. See. I'm here, in bed, with you. I'm okay. I'm the safest I've ever felt."

Immediately I felt her lips connect with mine, and although the pressure of her face on my bruised eye hurt, I didn't stop her. She needed this just as much as I did. I kissed her back, as hard as passionate as I could.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered between kisses. "You're way too fucking pretty to have those bruises on your face."

I smiled and kissed her again, as hard as I could. To my surprise, she stopped kissing me and curled back into my side which I gladly accepted. I wrapped my arms back around her and held her tight.

"I think I'm going to cancel with James today." She said, beginning to trace shapes on my skin.

"What?! Dems, no you're not." I spoke, upset at the thought.