Our Journey

Damage

Zac sat and watched Fatima slowly sip her third glass of water and he knew she was stalling. She was getting to the last few sips of her current glass and he wasn't going to let her get another one. He was being patient with her but she was prolonging their talk. She took the final gulp and avoided eye contact with him before standing to get a fourth glass but he stopped her and he pulled her into his lap

Zac. No more water Fatima he gently spoke
Its time to talk he said as he stroked her cheek
He got a glimpse of her eyes, before she lowered them he saw the fear that she fought internally. A recognizable distance between them, he knew all along there was a secret she was battling and now was the time to face it

Fatima. Baby I'm so scared right now, her voice trembled and tears flooded her eyes
Her leg wouldn't stop shaking she was scared what would happen next

Zac. Look at me, he said as he grabbed her face carefully...
I have never gave you a reason to be scared of me.
If we want this to work we need to be open and honest with each other no matter how big or how small it could be...
Not only do I need to hear this, I can see it all in your eyes that it's something you desperately want to release...  Fatima I know you baby, I've had time to study you, you can't be that naive to think I didn't notice.
Baby I notice everything about you. So I know you've been running from this for a while but now it's time to stop running it's your story it's your truth let it out and stop punishing yourself for it. The longer you hold this in the harder it will hurt you and hurt me.
I forgive you for the hospital situation, I forgive you for not telling me about Jaxson baby I forgive you. Now give me a chance to forgive you for this..

Fatima slowly nodded her head, he was right holding onto this would only hurt them both it was time for her to forgive herself and heal

Fatima. Can you hold me again please
Her words shuddered as he invited her back into his arms she rested her head back onto his chest to listen to the thud of his heartbeat the sound was soothing and comforting as always. Zac held her tight against his body he rubbed his fingers through her long brown hair. All the sudden she was calm again she felt okay... fatima looked up into his eyes with the same fearful glare

Zac. Baby I promise you it's okay just tell me.
He leaned down to peck her lips to encourage her.
I love you I will always love you and nothing you will say is going to change that
He said in a reassuring manner that gave her a definite sense of security

Fatima let out a breathless sigh to release the anxiety built into her chest she was ready to tell her truth...

Fatima. My mom and Liam's mom are like best friends I've known him my entire life. Before Lori, before Isaiah before journey Jaxson before you before everything there was me and him....
Fatima stopped to read Zac's expression but it was unrecognizable. Was he upset or disappointed in her she couldn't really tell..

Zac. So you both have a history, a history beyond me and Lori? Zac asked for clarity
Fatima shook her head yes and continued...

Fatima. He was my first crush, my first kiss, my first love and my first heartbreak...
We spent a lot of time together either he was at my house or I was at his. His mom was never home so sometimes we would hang out at his house for the whole day alone...

Zac stayed silent, not really sure if he wants to hear the next part of the story. It was obvious what happened next. His hold on Fatima loosened he wasn't holding her as tight as he was before. Fatima could tell by his body language he was tensing up. She knew hearing this would be hard for him because of how close him and Liam got over the last few months.

Fatima. one of those unsupervised days at his house resulted in us losing our virginities to one another and creating a baby, we were only 16 at the time. Liam was sure we would be okay he said he would be there every step of the way, he wanted the baby....
And honestly, I wanted the baby too she whispered...