Bring The Rain

Chapter 22

Ara's POV

"Zahir, I've let you watch TV long enough. It's 8:30 and it's your bedtime". He let out an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes, something I'm sure he'd seen his adoptive mother do plenty of times. I had to laugh at him. He was such a dramatic toddler but I found his stubbornness and fierce attitude to be a challenge. At least I knew that no one would be pushing him around once he began school. Even without speaking Zahir knew how to take up for himself and I was sure he could handle his own.
I scooped him up in my arms and tickled him into submission. "Come on sleepy head, I know you're tired and you'll see daddy in the morning". He wrapped his small arms around my neck and held on as I carried him upstairs to bed. I wasn't sure what his bedtime routine was but I'd already fed and bathed him and I helped him brush his teeth after dinner. I wanted to do whatever his dad does so that he would feel more comfortable going to bed without seeing him.
I tucked him in and wrapped him up like a burrito which he found very funny. "Are you nice and comfy"? He shook his little head yes while I grabbed one of the story books from a shelf above his bed and began reading to him. It only took about ten minutes before he passed out and snored softly. I left him in his room and returned to the family room. I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone in this big house so I decided not to return to the pool house until Mike got home.
When I thought about Mike I started to worry. I know he often worked late but when he dropped us off at my car he said he would meet us at home soon. That was over five hours ago and I haven't heard from him since then. That company worked him like a dog and on multiple occasions he stated that he was ready for a change of pace. I know losing that promotion was a blow to his ego but he rightfully earned that spot and his colleagues knew it.
My mind began to wander to Natalie and Daniel and I couldn't help but be afraid of what may be happening to her, especially if she agreed to marry that man for the sake of his career. I said a small prayer asking that Natalie was alright and that she would be given the strength to make the best decision for her safety.
Daniel was just like Javier, the only difference was the expensive suits and the method of physical abuse; he used hair pulling and threats instead of smacks and punches. But I refused to believe that he would stop there, if Natalie married him his abuse would only increase just as mine did once I moved in with Javier. I wished that I had asked for her number instead of just giving her mine. I know I left my abusive relationship on my own but Natalie seemed like she needed a little push to do so and I wasn't sure if our talk was enough to make it happen.
The silence of the family room gave me the peace I needed to let my mind roam free and think over everything that happened during the day. The loud beep of the home security system made me jump, bringing my mind back to reality. Even though Heather hadn't been home in weeks she had a not so pleasant conversation with Mike yesterday about her spending habits and warned that she'd be back soon to "straighten things out". I got up from the couch and headed to the front door hoping to see Mike and not his wife.
I rounded the corner quickly walking right into Mike's chest. I stumbled back but his arms wrapped around my waist pulling me in tightly, "you have a habit of not watching where you're going don't you" he teased. I wiggled out of his embrace apologizing. This man just couldn't keep his hands to himself, I already had one slip up and kissed Mike but I couldn't let that happen again.
"I put Zahir to sleep an hour ago, he ate baked chicken and green beans for dinner and I left you some in the microwave in case you were hungry. I'll see you in the morning". I really didn't want to be around Mike, as much as I loved talking to him and just spending time together I felt it best to keep our distance right now.
I tried to walk away and head to the guest house but he stopped me. "I know you're probably tired but can we talk please"? I did feel a little worn out from the day but Mike was almost pleading with me to stay so I agreed to talk with him. He led me back to the family room, dropping his briefcase on the floor and throwing his suit jacket on a side table. He sat on the couch and gently pulled me down to sit beside him.
"Ara I got some great news today. The Florida position is mine"! Mike's eyes lit up as he told about today's events and his fight for better treatment and more pay. I was so proud of him I wrapped my arms around his neck and my intentions were to give him a friendly congratulatory hug. He held me closely, his strong arms swallowing my small frame. We stayed like this for only a second. Our lips were so close I could kiss him if I wanted…and God knows I wanted to.
I almost thought that Mike may have felt the same but he quickly pulled away making more space between us and cleared his throat. "Ara I know your roots are here in Virginia but there are so many colleges in Florida that you could apply to. I'll help you in any way that I can and you won't have to worry about a thing. I'll take care of the move and where we'll stay, I'll even help you with tuition if you find a school that you like. I'm sure we can find a great preschool for Zahir down there and with the money I'll be making we can afford the best for him and that'll give you plenty of time to focus on your studies. Please consider coming with us. Zahir needs you especially once we're in a new unknown place. You know I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of him".
Mike's sentences were all jumbled together. He spoke quickly as if searching for whatever reason he could think of to entice me into moving out of state. He was practically begging me to say yes but he didn't have to. I hated the thought of never seeing Zahir and Michael again and I would have agreed to go anywhere with them.
"Mike, of course I'll go. I would never let Zahir be around a complete stranger during a big move like this, you're going to need all the help you can get and I'm here for you". His face lit up and thanked me over and over for agreeing to go, he probably suspected that I would put up a fight or have excuses as to why I shouldn't go. The truth was that I no longer had any ties to this state, I still hadn't faced my family and the further I got away from Javier the better.
After his small celebration and sigh of relief his face became serious. "Ara there is something else we need to discuss". His demeanor was calm but I could feel that he was uneasy, I worried about what he was going to say.
"The day after tomorrow will be our ten day hearing. Remember I told you we would have to see a judge, and you will have to prove to the courts that you need a longer time frame for your restraining order against Javier".
The atmosphere of the room had shifted and our happiness turned tense. I sat there staring off into space. I heard every word of what he said but I couldn't process it. I never wanted to see Javier again but I knew that he had the legal right to be there to defend himself. He could call me a liar in front of the judge or twist anything I say and make the judge believe that I was crazy or overreacting; something he'd done to me multiple times before. I wasn't sure if I could tolerate seeing him or hear him lie about our past. I was angry but I was even more scared.
Mike slid closer to me, placing his arm around my shoulders and held my hand in his. "Ara I want you to know I'll be right by your side the entire hearing. He won't be able to touch you, I won't even let him near you".
I hated the thought of telling a complete stranger the things that occurred in that apartment. "How much do I have to tell them"? I questioned Mike hoping that I would only have to describe how afraid I was and not go into detail of our past. Mike reached across the arm of the couch grabbing his briefcase from the floor. "I know it may be hard for you to actually say what has happened to you, but that's ok because a judge will always rely on facts and not so much as what the complainant says".
He opened his briefcase and pulled out a small stack of papers. "I did some searching and found some info that we can present to the judge. I think he'll agree to extend the restraining order by a year and it will cross over all state lines making it easier for him to be arrested even if he were able to find us in Florida; which he won't be able to. I'll keep you safe as long as you're with me".
He handed me the items to read over. The first set of papers was a copy of a police report from six months ago. While Javier and I were out grocery shopping he made a huge scene when he thought that I was flirting with one of the workers. Javier blew up on me in front of everyone in the store. He didn't stop there and we argued over it in the car while he shoved me and pushed my face into the passenger seat window. I guess some of the workers who witnessed the incident called the police but I refused to say anything bad about Javier. I was terrified he'd kill me if I were the reason he went to jail and I hoped that if I didn't say anything that he would forgive me and let the whole situation die.
We spoke with police for over an hour before we were allowed to leave the scene. Javier was so upset with me as if it were my fault. He left me that night and didn't come back for three days. I knew he was with another woman. It didn't matter to me, I was glad that he was someone else's problem for a while.
The report detailed that I had slight bruising to my forehead and arm. In the report the responding officers stated that they 'feared for my safety' but my refusal to cooperate left them no choice but to release Javier.
The next set of papers was a detailed medical report; it described my miscarriage. It concluded that all though the cause of my miscarriage was unknown I was clearly a victim of an assault.
I hated reading those words. If I had a child with Javier I would have done everything I could to protect him or her from their father but I didn't try hard enough. I should have fought him harder or at least tried to shield my stomach during the fight. I didn't know for sure that I was pregnant then but I knew that I had missed my period and that I was feeling sick for days. I should have known better, I shouldn't have let him take my child from me! For a long time I've tried to bury those thoughts but I had to face those facts; Javier took my child from me and reading those words brought all that hurt right back.
I felt a sharp pain run through my stomach. I slumped over, tears streaming down my face. Mike ripped the papers from my hands but the damage was done. I constantly tried to forget about that night or push my feelings away, but I couldn't forget what Javier had done to me.
Mike rubbed my back trying his best to comfort me. When I couldn't control the tears he scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing. He pulled me onto his lap and hugged me tightly. I felt him caressing me and whispering to me repeatedly that everything was going to be ok. It felt incredibly comforting to be held like this. As I started to calm down he continued to massage his hand down my spine and began to place soft gentle kisses along my neck and shoulders.
"Shhh", he whispered to me. "He'll never do this to you again". Mike was the complete opposite of Javier. He made me feel so safe, I believed him when he said that he would not allow Javier to hurt me. Mike was a man true to his word and if Javier did try anything at all I knew that I would be protected. I couldn't understand why Mike cared so much about me or why he was going to such great lengths to protect and defend me but, having Michael as a part of my life was something I never wanted to let go of.