When the Bough Breaks

Chapter 12

BRITTNEY POV.

I wake up in a dimmed room with beeping sounds. And I hear voices. As I get my vision together, I see Carter and the nurse talking.

"I just wanna say thank you for everything you and everybody else has done. I really don't know what I'd do without her", said Carter.

"It's our goal to make sure that every patient has the best outcome possible", said the nurse.

I close my eyes again and moan little because I was hurting. But not to bad. Just when I move.

"Good morning, Mrs. Pearson", said the nurse. "How are you feeling?"

"Morning?", I asked.

"Yes. You were in and out of sleep all night", said said Carter.

"I'm hurting", I said.

"How would you rate your pain on a scale from 0-10?", asked the nurse.

"...8", I said.

"Okay, I'm going to look at your prescription orders and see what I can do for you okay? I'll be back", said the nurse.

The nurse walks out of the room.

Carter walks to my bedside. He touched the top of my head and smooths my hair back.

"I'm sorry", said Carter.

I didn't say anything.

"...i found out some news from the nurse", said Carter.

I look at him. I wanted him to say that I was probably going to die soon because that's how I felt. I should've died.

"...before they could give you certain meds, they had to run a urinalysis. On of the tests were testing for pregnancy.", said Carter.

I closed my eyes when he said that word.

"It was positive", said Carter.

I begin to get emotional. I didn't wanna be pregnant by Carter again. I wanted him out my life. I didn't even wanna see him when I opened my eyes. But now...I can't even leave. I can raise two kids on my own.

Carter touches my hand.

"And this time around...I'm going to do better. I swear to God. I... I took your medicine and I played with your mental health but that's because I was mad. I knew it was someone else...I took the medicine because I didn't want to put my hands on you. I'm trying to refrain myself from violence...especially after what I did to Grayson. I-...I know that what I did wasn't any better because I hurt you in another way but I'm sorry. You deserve better baby", said Carter.

I open my eyes and look at Carter.

"I don't love you", said Brittney. "...not anymore."

"Well...I guess we have to build that love back up because I'm not going to let you leave me. But with my son or with my b—"

"Wheres Grayson?", I asked.

"With my mom", said Carter.

I roll my eyes. I hate that woman and she hates me.

"But anyways...I wanna start going to counseling with you. That's what you said we needed to do last year so let's do it", said Carter. "I'm ready"

I look forward. I think to myself how my life has been for the past 5 years. I can do it for another 18 years...I guess. Even if he continues to act accordingly, I don't think I'd ever fall in love with Carter again.

"...I wasn't seeing Dontrell in the way you think. He was just a good friend", I said. "...he made me feel in control of my life...not only that but I did want him to be my lawyer for a divorce. I wasn't romantically involved with him"

"But you liked him right?", asked Carter.

"...no", I said.

"...Britt...I'm going to make this work. I've been a horrible husband...horrible. I did sometimes I'm not proud of...how about we just start over? I mean we have to anyway to build that love again", said Cater.

"I don't love you anymore!", I blurted out. "I cant stand to look at you sometimes. You have made me feel like shit, Carter."

"I know and I'm going to fix that", said Carter in a Calm voice.

I didn't want him to get upset with me but I wondered why he wasn't upset. Why was he so calm when I said things he would've slapped me for by now?

"Be mad at me. I don't care. Let your anger out. I don't care", said Carter. "...at the end of the day...I'm going to make you proud. I'm going to make you happy again. I'm going to make this marriage whole again."

"...why the sudden change of heart?", I asked. "Hell, why even treat me like that in the first place?"

"Change in heart because...well because I don't wanna live a life without you and even though it isn't an excuse...I take my anger out on you that's been built up from work", said Carter. "But um...Im quitting."

"You what?", I asked.

"I'll admit that I didn't want to but...I rather me a good husband. I was never home and I know you don't like being lonely ", said Carter.

Wow...I can't believe he quit. For me.

"Carter that was...selfless of you...thank you", I said. "But you didn't need to do that"

"But I did. For my wife", said Carter. "My beautiful, irreplaceable wife that's worth more than any amount of money in the world."

I smile a little. A genuine smile that Carter hasn't caused in a while. I still didn't want to be with him but at least I knew he was really going to try this time around. I don't know if it'll work though. I know I have mental health issues but so does Carter. But his isn't the one to play around with.

TO BE CONTINUED...