Retribution

Chapter 19 - Accepting Help

I stared at this handsome angel, floundering in the reality of his words. "What?" I shook my head. "No way. I can't let you do that. We've known each other for a week, and let's face it, hardly the ideal first week for any two people, let alone two strangers from totally different worlds."

"I. Don't. Care." He stood up and sat himself on the side of my bed. "First and foremost, I'm not having you in danger. If getting an injunction means it keeps you safe, I'm doing it. Secondly, you're in trouble and you need help, but you don't have the means to help yourself. I can afford to help you and not only that, I want to help you." He pursed his lips. "I don't want to see that little lad without a mum."

I stared straight ahead, the magnolia walls blurring into a blank canvas in front of me. What was I supposed to say or do? Part of me wanted to jump for joy at his offer, but the other part of me refused to accept it. It wasn't just the independence thing but the whole moral part of it. Then there was the fact I was feeling suffocated by all these positive options he was laying at my feet all of a sudden.

With how stubborn he'd been about even paying for dinner, I knew arguing on this was pointless. "You're starting to make me feel like a charity case," I said, trying to blink back tears. Memories of his documentaries on saving animals, supporting animal charities, and donating millions to aid their work switched on a light bulb in my head. "Is that what I am? Some sort of rescue case?"

His face morphed into a picture of horror. His eyes widened and he leaned backwards as if I'd just slapped him. The tight grip around my hand loosened, making me feel like I'd just lost the sturdiness of my new rock.

"No," he whispered, running a hand over his face. "Not at all. I...I don't know what to do, but I do know I want to make all of this go away if I can. Why won't you let me help you?"

"I'm not saying that," I said, shaking my head. "I'm just...I feel overcrowded, I need room to breathe, to take everything in bit by bit. You've come into my life, and in a matter of days turned it upside down, shown me care and kindness I never thought I'd see again, made me feel things I'd forgotten. Then you shower me with all these options, which I know are to help me, but I'm just in a crazy spin from everything else, and Adam on top of that, and being in here, and I don't know—

"Whoa," he said, patting my leg. "Take a breath. I'm sorry if I'm making you feel like that. It's definitely not what I intended."

I closed my eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and counted to ten. "I know," I said, opening my eyes. "I'm sorry. It's just a lot to process all at once. I feel like Bruce Bogtrotter with his huge chocolate cake. It's so good, but there's only so much I can handle."

He chuckled. "Nice analogy. I understand what you're saying though. Tell me what you want me to do." He clasped my hand in his again, making my heart jump. "The last thing I want to do is push you away or cause you more stress."

"I know. I'm sorry. This can't be easy for you when I'm constantly up and down like this. I really do get it if you want to run."

"Not a chance," he said, grinning. He leaned forwards and gave me a kiss. "I'm going to make a couple of phone calls. I'll be back in a few minutes."

I smiled and nodded, letting out a deep breath when he closed the door behind him. I thought over the conversation for a few minutes, chewing my lip as I did so. The burning need to talk this over with someone had me reaching for my phone. Surprisingly, it wasn't Dr Strawson I turned to for advice this time. Was that a good thing? A sign of progression?

"Hey, chick," Charlie said, sounding as chirpy as ever. "How you feeling?"

"Yeah, I'm doing well. Doctor said I might be home over the weekend. How's things with you?"