WHAT IF

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next day, Charlie decided to surprise their friends with the good news. He called the team in a group call, his voice laced with urgency. "Guys, you need to come quick," he said, the distress in his tone making everyone worry. Without hesitation, they dropped everything and rushed over.

When they arrived, they found Charlie at the door, greeting them with a broad smile. "What happened?" North asked, still bracing himself for bad news.

"Come in," Charlie said, ushering them inside.

As they entered, they saw Babe sitting on the couch, looking more relaxed than he had in weeks. "Is everything okay?" North asked, his concern evident.

"Yes," Babe answered calmly.

"Thank Go..." North began, but then he abruptly stopped, turning back to look at Babe with wide eyes. He glanced at the rest of the group, who were equally stunned. "Did y'all...did you just...?"

"Surprise!" Charlie said, grinning from ear to ear.

The room erupted into joyous chaos as everyone rushed to hug Babe, tears of relief and happiness streaming down their faces. Sonic and North were practically bouncing with excitement, while Alan and Jeff looked visibly moved.

"How long have you been able to talk again?" Jeff asked, his voice thick with emotion.

"Since last night," Babe replied, his smile growing wider. "It just...happened."

"That's incredible," Alan said, pulling Babe into a tight hug. "We've missed your voice so much."

Babe laughed, a sound that warmed everyone's hearts. "I've missed talking to you all, too. Thank you for being there for me, for us."

Charlie watched the scene with a sense of fulfillment, his heart swelling with love and gratitude.

Though Babe had regained his speech, the therapy sessions continued. This was, in fact, just the beginning of his journey to full recovery. At their next appointment, Dr. Marisa greeted them with a warm smile, genuinely happy for Babe's progress.

"Congratulations on this big step, Babe," she said warmly, her eyes reflecting her pride in his achievement. "Regaining your voice is a significant milestone."

Babe nodded, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, Dr. Marisa. I couldn't have done it without everyone's support."

Dr. Marisa's expression turned serious but remained gentle. "Now that we've reached this point, it's time to start addressing the events that led to your trauma. We'll go step by step, ensuring we handle each part with the care it deserves."

Charlie sat beside Babe, holding his hand as a gesture of support. He had informed Dr. Marisa about the sexual assault by Babe's close friend, understanding the importance of her being fully aware of the situation to provide the best possible care.

"We'll start by talking about the trauma," Dr. Marisa continued. "I know this isn't an easy topic, but it's crucial for your healing process. We'll take it slowly, and you can share as much or as little as you're comfortable with."

Babe took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the session ahead. "I understand," he said softly. "I want to heal and move forward."

Dr. Marisa nodded. "That's a brave and important step, Babe. Remember, you're in control of this process. We're here to support you every step of the way."

Charlie squeezed Babe's hand reassuringly. " I'm right here babe."

As the session progressed, Dr. Marisa took a compassionate yet methodical approach in advising and counseling Babe. She began by ensuring that Babe felt comfortable and understood the importance of their next steps.

"Babe," she said gently, "the journey you're embarking on is about reclaiming your life and your sense of self. It's important to acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to heal at your own pace."

Babe nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination.

"Let's talk about some strategies that might help you," Dr. Marisa continued. "Firstly, grounding techniques can be very beneficial when you're feeling overwhelmed. These techniques help anchor you in the present moment and reduce anxiety."

She demonstrated a simple grounding exercise, asking Babe to focus on his senses-what he could see, hear, feel, smell, and taste at that moment. Babe followed her lead, finding a small measure of calm in the process.

"Another important aspect is self-compassion," Dr. Marisa said. "It's essential to be kind to yourself. Understand that what happened is not your fault, and your feelings are valid. It's okay to have good days and bad days. Healing isn't linear."

Babe listened intently, absorbing her words. Charlie squeezed his hand in support, reinforcing the message of self-kindness.

"We'll also work on processing the trauma itself," Dr. Marisa explained. "This will involve discussing the event in a safe and controlled manner. It's crucial to approach this gradually to avoid retraumatization."

She paused, giving Babe a moment to digest the information. "Charlie mentioned that the assault was by a close friend. This adds another layer of complexity, as it can shake your trust in people. We need to address this betrayal and its impact on your relationships."

Babe's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I just want to feel normal again," he admitted quietly.

Dr. Marisa offered a reassuring smile. "Feeling normal will take time, but it's entirely possible. Building a support network, like the one you have with Charlie and your friends, is vital. Their love and support can be a source of immense strength."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone gentle yet firm. "Remember, Babe, every step you take, no matter how small, is progress. Celebrate those victories. Therapy is a safe space for you to explore your emotions and heal."

Babe nodded, feeling a bit more hopeful. "Thank you, Dr. Marisa. I'll try my best."

"That's all I ask," Dr. Marisa replied. "We'll work through this together. I'm here to guide you, but you're the one with the strength to heal."

As the session concluded, Babe felt a renewed sense of determination. The road ahead might be challenging, but with Dr. Marisa's guidance and Charlie's unwavering support, he believed he could navigate through the pain and find a path to healing.

On their way out, Charlie turned to Babe, his voice filled with love and reassurance. "We're taking it one day at a time, Babe. You've got this."

Babe looked at Charlie, his eyes reflecting a mixture of vulnerability and resolve. "I know, Charlie. Thank you for being here with me."

Although emotionally exhausted, Babe felt a sense of relief. He knew the road to recovery would be long and challenging, but he was ready to face it with the help of his loved ones and the guidance of Dr. Marisa.