No More Pain...

(24)New Beginnings

I heard sniffling and weakly opened my eyes. Feeling pressure on my temples and my throat sore I finally opened my eyes fully. I was in the hospital, there sitting and holding a note while tears streamed down her face was Ma.

"Ma?" I croaked trying to wet my throat to sound more human. Her head dashed up quick and I'm almost sure she had whiplash.

"Jade! Oh my baby, I'm so sorry I failed you. How could've I not known?" She face was now fully wet from her tears.

I was so damn confused. What happened? How'd I get here?  All these questions swamping through my mind. She held my hand and continued to weep. Why do I feel so weak?

"What happened?" Was all I could manage to get out. She sniffed and looked down at me.

"Baby you had a panic attack and passed out. You were in and out for a few days." She gripped the letter in her hands, "Sugar, why didn't you tell me about these things that's been happening? Mara told me about the unknown text messages." She started to tear up again.

If anyone knew me, they would know that I hated to see Ma cry. She was the strongest woman I knew. She was my backbone. And to see her here, all defenseless and crying made my heart break.

I gathered all my strength to hold her hand. "Shh, it's okay. We're gonna get through this. We did it before and we'll do it again." I gave a little smile and she nodded. Dennis walked in the room with breakfast from the hospital cafeteria.

"Oh, you're up! Good. Time to get food in your system. I can imagine how weak you're feeling right about now." Was it weird to say that I was actually glad to see Dennis. He was the one holding my aunt together while I'm getting myself together.

"As soon as you're feeling better, we're going to the police. This has got to stop!" Dennis said sternly. And Ma nodded. He place the tray in front of me and went over to Ma and held her hand.

"Now you stop all this crying Ellen. You're a soldier. C'mon, let her eat. Let's go down to the cafeteria and get you something too." Ma was about to protest to Dennis' offer when he interrupted her, "Damien is right outside. She'll be fine." He gave me a reassuring smile and guided Ma outside.

As they walked out, Damien walked in with a strange look on his face, it was hard to read.

"Jade" he began and then sighed. He knew, he knows about my past. "Babe, why didn't you tell me?" His voice cracked and my eyes darted to find his. He licked his lips and took a deep breath.

"You could have told me anything, you hid everything so well. Why didn't you tell me love?" He search in my eyes for answers I didn't have. I looked away and stared off at the wall.

"I'm sorry." was all that came out. I reverted my eyes back to him, waiting for his response.

"Tell me about it. All of it, I'm right here, I won't leave." he said sincerely and my eyes started to water, but I nodded and took a deep breath and told him everything. Well, not everything, but things about Cobi.

After it all he just got in the hospital bed and held me as  I wept, consoling me. I don't remember what happened after that, because sleep came and carried me away.

* * *

It's been 2 months since Christmas drama happened and I can honestly say things are looking better. We went to the police soon after my discharge at the hospital. I filed a report on stalking and showed them every letter and text message. Although they said that it was nothing they could really do since we don't know for sure that its Cobi sending these things, they said they would keep an eye out.