His girl

Chapter 18

Katie's POV

It's been a week since I surprised Adrian with my pregnancy. I didn't mean to lose control of my emotions the way I did the night I surprised him. It was like my demons overpowered me and I was obliged to surrender. That was a rough night for both of us. I could sense that seeing me in such a broken and vulnerable state broke his heart and I am well aware that he felt entirely helpless knowing there was nothing he could do to make it better. Frankly, nothing can ever make this kind of pain better. One has to learn to cope with it and move forward every day. The grief and pain that comes with losing my family will always be etched into the depths of my soul because when they left me, a colossal part of me was taken away from me as well.

Though my pregnancy and parenthood would be a bittersweet journey for me, I'm indebted to the people in my life who have been my rocks. Adrian, his family. No. Our family. Our friends, Stacey's brother, and his wife have been nothing but supportive and sensitive to every need of mine. After Adrian informed his family about the breakdown I went through the night of the surprise pregnancy reveal, his parents were insistent that I address them as Mom and Dad instead of Mr and Mrs Jones. I've been calling them Mom and Dad since then. 

I realized that I may have lost my family, but I've also gained a chosen family in Our family and our friends. They gave me the strength to push forward and not live my life drowning in grief and misery. With them by my side, I'm unbreakable and I will get through any obstacle that I have to maneuver because I'm surrounded by people who deeply care for me. 

I was walking hand in hand with Adrian in our favorite mall, he spoiled me rotten with the amount of things he bought for me. I never asked, but the way that I glanced at some of the jewelry, outfits, and heels, was a giveaway. Adrian, needless to say, can read me like a book, so he could tell whenever I laid my eyes on something I liked. This man has my whole heart.

All of a sudden, he froze in his tracks. The sight in front of me knocked me onto my knees. My adoptive family was standing right in front of us. But no. I'm not the timid, insecure, defenseless child that I was when they started abusing me. I quickly gained my composure. Adrian was observant, and watched us with a keen eye, prepared to intervene if he needed to take any measures to protect me. They hurled insults at me relentlessly.

I could see Adrian tensing up and his fists clenching from the corner of my eye. His face was completely red from all the rage he felt inside. I squeezed his hand in reassurance. I knew I could handle this. I will not give these toxic and sadistic people the pleasure of insulting me relentlessly without me giving them a fighting reply. 

They noticed that their insults did not elicit the reaction that they wanted so there was silence for a minute. 

I responded confidently, "I am not the timid, insecure, powerless girl that you kept breaking down with your insults, the girl that you would constantly guilt trip and manipulate, the girl who you would throw any insult her way and she wouldn't retaliate, the girl who you would physically abuse because she wasn't physically capable of protecting herself, the girl you would constantly pick on, the girl you would constantly have under your control like a puppet. I am now the woman who won't hesitate to put you in your place, the woman who will no longer be manipulated or guilt-tripped by any of your malicious attempts to get in my head, the woman who can easily block any physical attack that you attempt, the woman who knows her value in this world. Hear this, I'm no longer helpless and alone. I have an army of people by my side who support and love me unconditionally, something you should have done but failed miserably. You all are just awful people who know nothing better than to break others down, and I'm so delighted that I decided to move out and never look back so I no longer subject myself to your ruthless treatment of me. This is the last interaction I'll ever have with you. Don't come near me or the people I love ever again or I won't hesitate to take legal action against all the likes of you"

That ignited rage in my adoptive father, and he stepped forward raising his hand to slap me. Before I could react and defend myself, Adrian stepped in front of me protectively, catching his arm in mid-air and yanking his hand away. He shielded me as he kept me behind him protectively. The fire dancing in his dreamy eyes was enough to burn down a house. He easily towered over my adoptive father, with his height. He knew that he was no match for Adrian. Adrian could easily knock him out with a mere punch. Knowing what was best for him, he backed down. The family walked away, and this was the last time I ever heard from them.

The rage in Adrian's eyes was now replaced with admiration and love. He pulled me into a tight and protective embrace. He pulled away, looking deep into my eyes as if he were looking right through my soul, and spoke softly "Baby, I'm so proud of you for standing up for yourself in front of your abusers. Not everyone has that kind of courage. You are the strongest, most resilient, confident, and amazing woman I've ever met, and my love and respect for you hit a new threshold with every passing day. Despite everything that you've gone through, you've come out stronger and you're this amazing woman that I know you to be. I'm so lucky that you're my girl." I sighed in contentment as we continued on our shopping expedition.