Chim - Traffic

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Cheryl's POV

"So you felt the need to bring today's appointment forward, Cheryl. What was the reason for this?" Deborah asks, perching her glasses on her nose.

"I'm worried about me relationship with Kimberley. Last year, I was going to propose on New Year's Eve, and obviously that didn't happen. I have the ring now, at home, hidden, but I'm not ready to give it to her. I want to, but I just can't."

"Ok, what do you think has caused this change in you?"

"I don't know. I thought that I would be better after the sentencing, but I feel worse. I tried being more intimate with her too, but I couldn't, all I could keep picturing was the stuff that they did to us." I try and fail not to cry, grabbing a tissue from the familiar box in front of us.

"Cheryl, you're putting too much pressure on yourself. This doesn't end with the sentencing. You need to give yourself time to become comfortable again with Kimberley. It's true that you've come on in leaps and bounds so far, given the trauma you went through, but you still have boundaries to overcome, especially when it comes to physical contact. You've been doing great with this so far, taking it slow, so keep doing that. There's no rush."

"I'm scared that Kimberley will get tired of waiting, and leave us."

"I doubt that very much. It's obvious what the both of you mean to each other." I nod, trying to make meself believe her words but struggling. The rest of the session passes quickly and before I know it I'm sat in the waiting room while Kimberley's session is in progress. The girls had all been busy, so I'm alone, and even though I'm nervous about it, part of us is happy. I hate needing to be babysat, feeling like a burden to those around us. I pull out me mobile, which I had started to carry with us more often, and open me emails, typing one out and pressing send before I can stop myself. Within minutes I receive a reply, me boss confirming that he's free in two days' time to meet and discuss me return to work. As we're on the way home, I inform Kimberley of me decision, and she looks as worried as I feel.

"Are you sure you're ok with going back now?" She asks, glancing quickly from the road at us.

"I don't know." I answer honestly. "But I know if I don't try now, I'll never go back."

"Well, if everything goes well, I think I might call the school to see if there's still any options for me there. If you're ok with that, of course." I take her hand, raising it to me lips to plant a quick kiss there.

"Of course it is babe. Oh, one more thing too, I'd like to go out for dinner on Saturday. For our anniversary." She smiles before opening her mouth to speak, and I already know what she's going to say. "I'm sure, Kimba."

***

I stand in front of our bedroom mirror wearing only a towel, holding two tops in front on me body, one white, one black, debating between the two. Finally settling on the white one I finish getting ready, eventually slipping on the shoes me mam bought us for Christmas. I pick up me bag, tracing the LVs carefully, taking deep breaths. Finally I muster the courage to descend the stairs, the object still in me hands.

"I'm ready, babe." Kimberley emerges from the living room, dressed in a simple green dress, her accessories matching.

"You don't need to use that, love." She states, pointing at the tote.

"I know, but I want to. You spent so much money on it, I don't want it to become a dust collector. Besides, me mam was right, it goes great with the shoes." I smile, taking her hand as we go out to the car.