Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 26

***TRIGGER WARNING- drugging mentions***

Once they were changed, AJ decided to respond to Morgan.

Morgan,

We appreciate you confiding in us about what happened. I do want to give you our sincerest apologies for Sara acting that way to you. We want you to know we do not condone her actions, and we will be sure to keep her away from any other fan interactions. We want to make this right by you. We would like to meet up with you and take you to lunch. Our treat, of course. We want to check up with you to make sure you are okay, and let you know we do care for you. Let us know when is good for you, and we will arrange it. 😁

All the best,
~AJ

AJ called Gwen over to read it, and sent it after her approval.

Gwen sighed. AJ looked over at her.

"You okay Honey?"

"Umm, yeah, just a lot on my mind." Gwen plastered a smile on. "I'm good. Let's go eat, I'm starving."

AJ wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead. "You know you can always tell me anything. I'll always be here for you."

"I know, Baby. I appreciate that. I just don't want to talk about it right now."

AJ gave Gwen a concerned look.

"I'm fine. I promise. Why don't we talk about it at lunch?"

"Okay. As long as you're sure it can wait."

"Yes, it can."

"Okay. I trust you." AJ kissed his wife, then taking her hand, they went downstairs then to the car.

Smiling to himself, Damien slowly pulled away from the curb and followed them- not too closely- to the restaurant. Once there, he sat at the table near theirs, with his back at an angle to them so they would not recognize him.

Once their drinks had been ordered, AJ looked at Gwen. He could tell something was bothering her. She didn't have the light in her eyes like she usually did.

"So, have you thought about what you're going to get?" Gwen looked up from the menu to see her husband looking at her concerned. "Baby, don't worry. Let's order then I'll talk, okay? But you have nothing to worry about." She took his hand and squeezed it. Smiling to reassure him, she looked back down to her menu.

After they had ordered, AJ looked at his wife expectantly.

"I wanted to... to talk to you. About something." Gwen put her head down, looking at her hands. "It's not a big deal, really, it's just something I'm going through—"

"Honey, look at me." Gwen kept her head down. "Gwen. Please." Taking a deep breath, Gwen looked at her love. "Whatever it is, we will get though it together."

"I've... I've been struggling lately. With everything that happened to me, with everything that Sara's doing to our fans, and just all that stress, I've just— I've not felt like myself lately." Gwen looked back down at her hands. "I wake up and I'm scared. I'm horrified with what has happened to me, scared of what will happen to me, terrified of what will happen to our fans... I— I've failed you. I didn't listen to you and I kept going to that cafe with Damien. He drugged me because of my naiveté. I've failed you and it's put me and us into more danger than ever. That's the last thing I want— for you to be in danger." A tear fell from her eye.

"Oh, Honey." AJ moved his chair over beside her and pulled her into a hug as best as he could. Her tears started falling. He rubbed her back. "It's okay. I'm right here. Let it out."

A few moments pass, and Gwen has calmed down. AJ strokes the side of her face, and she leans her head into his hand.

"Okay, first and foremost you are not failing me. You will never fail me. Second, whatever dangers come out way, we will face together. I will not leave your side. Third, you have every right to feel this way. I know it's been rough. What we need to focus on is you. We need to take care of you." AJ kissed her forehead.

"I know everything will turn out alright. It normally does. But just with everything hitting all at once— it's just a lot to process through."

"I know, Honey. But that's what I'm here for. You don't have to do things alone."

Damien, overhearing this whole exchange, rolled his eyes with the mushiness going on. He did at least learn how vulnerable Gwen was, and had started getting ideas.

Their server came over and set the food down. AJ scooted back to his side of the table and they both ate, with small light conversation between them.

Damien pulled out a notebook and jotted some ideas down for him and Sara to put into action. He knew with Gwen feeling the way she was, any of these ideas would make her feel worse.

After they finished, AJ and Gwen left. AJ took her to a quiet park near their house so they could just be with each other and talk. Sitting on the bench holding Gwen, AJ reassured her he was there for her. Leaning back into him, Gwen sighed and closed her eyes.

Damien hung back, watching the couple. Once he saw Gwen relax, he knew it was time to put another part of his plan into action.

Gwen's phone rang. Looking at the screen, it showed "No Caller ID." Gwen's brow furrowed.

"Hello?"

"Miss Gwendolyn." The voice was the same as before, garbled and indistinguishable.

"Who is this?" Gwen sat up and put it on speaker.

"Oh, let's not mess with introductions Miss Gwendolyn. All you need to know is I've got my eye on you."

Gwen's blood ran cold and she looked at AJ. "This is some sick joke! Who is this?!?"

"Now, now, keep calm Miss Gwendolyn. You just need to know I'm watching you. I will always find you. You can not run from me."

Gwen looked around, panic stricken. "Look, whoever you are, you need to stop harassing me and my family!" AJ's eyes turned dark. He was looking around as well, but saw no one.

"I would watch your back. Drugging you was only the beginning."

Gwen's eyes went wide and the phone dropped from her hand. AJ picked it up.

"You need stop threatening us! Or I will find you!" AJ hung up and tried comforting Gwen.

"Honey, look at me. Gwen! Please look at me!" AJ tried getting her to focus, but she was too far into herself. Her breathing was shallow, she had gone pale, and her eyes were looking around, searching for something, but not focusing on anything at the same time.

What has he done to you? AJ took Gwen's face in his hands and kissed her. He tried conveying all he could, showing he would be by her side, showing how much he loved her, showing how much he cared for her, all in that one kiss.

When they broke apart, Gwen looked at AJ and crumpled into him, tears flowing. He knew she wouldn't be able to go through all this alone.

Damien smiled to himself. She's breaking down. Soon, she will be so paranoid she won't be able to do anything. Chuckling lightly, he walked away from his hiding spot and went back home.