Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 65

***TRIGGER WARNING- Violence mentions***

Arriving back at Becca's, Nate grabbed his bags and they headed inside.

"You know where the spare room is, make yourself at home. Towels and toiletries are in the closet beside the guest bathroom, if you need anything else, let me know."

Nate gently took her into his arms and hugged her as best as he could without hurting her with his cast on. "I just need this right now. Just to know you are safe."

She wrapped her arms around him. She loved this feeling. She sighed.

"I'd better put these in the bedroom." He kissed the top of her head.

Once he closed the door, Nate put his bags down. This would certainly be an adjustment, but he'd make do. Looking around to get himself acquainted with everything in the room, he sighed. He wouldn't mind being here on better circumstances, but he would make the best of what is happening. He was staying with an amazing woman, who happened to be his girlfriend now. He smiled.

He opened his laptop bag and set his laptop on the desk. He got into it and set up the wifi. He logged into some websites and software he would need, then closed his laptop. He would work later.

Placing his other bag near the empty dresser, he opened it up and started putting his clothes away.

After everything was situated, he went back out to the living room and saw Becca on the couch. Sitting down beside her, he grabbed her hand, laced their fingers together, and kissed her hand.

"Hello there." She smiled at him.

"Hi." He smiled in return.

"Are you all situated? Or did you want some help?"

"No, I'm all done for now." He gently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. "Are you getting hungry?"

Becca thought a moment. "Mmm, yeah, a bit. Are you?"

"Yeah. Did you want to stay in or go out?"

"Let's stay in. I know you've had a long few days. You deserve to just rest."

He kissed her cheek. "I'll be fine. I'm with you." He smiled shyly at her.

Becca blushed. "What sounds good?"

"I'm not too picky. What sounds good to you?"

"Why don't I make some chicken? We can have some mashed potatoes and some baked veggies with it."

"Okay, sounds good. Let me help."

They worked easily beside each other in the kitchen. Once the meal was done, they sat and ate.

"I'll say, that was wonderful. Thank you for the help."  Becca smiled at Nate.

"It was my pleasure." He returned her smile. "I do need to get a bit of work done after I clean up though." Nate kissed her cheek and took the dishes to the sink. After rinsing everything off, he placed them in the dishwasher, along with the pans used. Starting the dishwasher, he went into the room and sat at the desk.

This feels so right, being here with her. I never have felt this comfortable around anyone else I've dated.

Nate worked for about an hour. He looked away when his phone started to ring. Checking it, he furrowed his brow. It was from an unknown number. He answered.

"Hello?"

"Is this Nate?"

"This is he. What can I do for you?"

"I have a message for you. From a friend. He says he'll still get her in the end, no matter what."

"I'm sorry, what? Get who? Who is this?" The line went dead.

Nate looked at his phone horrified. He had no clue who the caller was, what they were referring to, or what would happen in the end. All he could hope is they were wrong.

Gwen and AJ were cuddled on the couch watching a movie. They both were nearly asleep. Gwen's phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. "Huh. Unknown number."

"Just let it go to voicemail. If it's important they'll leave a voicemail or call back," AJ said tiredly.

"No, I don't want to be rude." She got up as not to disturb AJ. Walking into the den, she answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Is this Gwen?"

"This is she. Who is calling?"

"I have a message from a friend. They said 'You can run, but you can't hide. I will always find you."

Gwen's face went pale. "What?"

"You heard me. He will get you in the end, no matter what." The line went dead.

She walked back into the living room, still pale. "B—baby?"

AJ paused the movie and stood to face her. "Honey? What's wrong?"

Gwen recounted the phone call. "Baby, what do we do?" Tears rolled down her cheeks.

AJ wrapped her up in his arms. Cradling her head, he closed his eyes. "We'll think of something, my love."

They sat on the couch. He held her in his arms, stroking her back while she shed silent tears.

AJ's phone signified a text. He looked at it and saw it was from Nate. He called his best friend.

"Hey, man. Whats up?"

"Hey, I wanted to let you know I just got a really weird call." Nate advised what was said during the call. "Are you guys okay?"

"Not really. We got one too." AJ then told Nate about Gwen's phone call.

"Oh gosh. Well, if you guys do want to come here, you still can."

"No. He's just trying to scare us. It won't work on me."  AJ had a stern look on his face.

Gwen looked to AJ. She was scared. She knew with AJ by her side, all would be fine. He would protect her and keep her safe.

"Okay. If you do change your mind, let us know. We'll gladly make room here."

"Thanks. I think we'll be okay for now."

"Alright. You guys have a good night. Don't work too hard."

"We won't. There isn't much left to do for the video now anyway."

"Okay. See you later!"

"Bye."

AJ hung up, stood, and looked around.

Gwen stood as well. "Baby? Are you okay?"

"Honestly? No. This jerk keeps harassing us, even while he's in jail, and I'm not going to tolerate it. I'm going to call Officer Mobus and update her on this. Maybe she'll have some suggestions."

Gwen sighed. "Okay." She looked down.

AJ wrapped his arms around her. "It will all be okay, my love." He kissed her on the head. "We will be sure to keep this maniac away from us." He pulled her close again, closed his eyes, and said a silent prayer of protection over them.