Always You

Chapter Twenty-one (Ivy)

I can hear someone calling my name, but I can't tell if I am in a dream or if someone is calling my name. I heard it again. This time more clearly, which made me jump up in fright. ''Ivy. Love. Wake up. We have to go.'' I hear Roman, and based on his voice tone... Something has happened. I looked around and realized that I had slept on the couch. And my back is completely numb. Why is this couch so uncomfortable? I could see Roman walking back and forth with bags in his hands as he placed them at the main entrance.

''Roman?'' I say as I uncover myself and get up. I could feel one of my arms has fallen asleep, but I tried to get my mind off of it. No answer. ''Roman,'' I shout his name this time, but still no answer. I started going upstairs, where I heard things getting thrown. I could see the room light was on, and I got inside and almost gasped at the condition of the room. It was a complete mess. Everything was thrown all over the place. Clothes. Objects were now broken. The mirror was broken too. The bed was completely out of frame, and Roman was in his closet. He opened a suitcase and stuffed some clothes in it. I slowly approached him and heard him murmur something to himself. Sounding more like cursing.

''Roman. What is happening?'' I say in a quiet tone. His head turned in my direction. The anger in his eyes was the first thing I noticed. Bloodshot eyes, and his cheeks were a bit shiny. He looked like he was crying a few moments ago. ''Roman, what happened?'' I asked this time with a worried look. Something has happened.

''Just wait till I get some last things, and I will explain everything in the car. Go wear something warm," is all he says as he tries to close the suitcase. His hands were shaking, and curses were leaving his mouth. I got near him and set myself on my knees, just like he was. His eyes met mine once more. Tears of anger started to wet his cheeks again, but I could see that he was doing everything in his power to keep them inside. I placed my hand on his face. His eyes immediately met mine. There was pain in them. Pain mixed with disappointment and anger.

''He replaced her,'' he says, and I could hear his voice start to shake. I looked at him with a puzzled face. My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. '' He replaced her like she was nothing,'' he says in a loud, frustrated voice. '' Like she didn't even exist.'' his teeth clenching from anger. But then it hit me. His mom. He is talking about his mom. I hugged him. I soothed his hair with my hand as the other was on his back, pulling him closer to me. His head was on my chest, and I could hear him taking deep breaths to calm himself. His arms came around me as he hugged me. His head came to the crook of my neck as he took deep breaths. I could feel his tears wetting my shirt, and I hugged him tighter. Kissing the top of his head.

''Roman. Look at me.'' I say as I try to raise his head. He hugged me tighter, refusing to look at me. ''Baby. I know she was everything to you. And she still is. Even if your father has found someone else, that doesn't mean he has forgotten her. She was the love of his life. The mother of his son, and there is nothing that can replace that.'' I say, and his eyes met mine once more.

''You are the only thing that keeps me alive. Not him, not anyone else. You are the reason I am still breathing. The day she died, I thought I lost everything. But the moment my eyes met yours, I found a new purpose in my life. And I am not losing you too.'' I looked at him, and I could feel a lump forming in my stomach. He gets up. He was wiping his face as I extended my hand to help him get up too. ''Wear something and meet me in the car.'' he says, kissing my lips, taking the suitcase, and getting out of the room.