secrets

nine

-ADELE-
______

I feel warm arms underneath me, and I open my eyes to see Simon's face. "What time is it?" I ask, realizing he's carrying me up the stairs.

"Midnight, baby. Which direction is your room?" He asks, reaching the top step.

I point to the right. "This room right here."

He carefully kicks open the door and sets me down on my bed. I stand up, grab my pajamas out of a drawer and say, "I'll be right back out."

He sits on the other side of my bed and nods. I avoid looking in the mirror, because every time I do, I just feel more and more ashamed.

When I step out, I see Simon looking out the window at the snowfall. He looks so cute when he's daydreaming. When he sees me, he says, "Let me help you. I have to put that stuff on your bruises, remember?"

I bite my bottom lip. I don't want him to see the rest of my bruises. I don't want him to judge me or think less of me when he sees them. Feeling insecure, I shake my head. "You don't want to see them, you'll judge me."

He pats my side of the bed, the cream already in his hand. I reluctantly lay down beside him as he leans down and kisses my lips for a short time. He pulls away and says, "I would never."

I nod, trying not to cry. He slowly pulls up my shirt, and I shut my eyes, not wanting to see the bruises or his reaction.

I feel his warm hand and the cold contrasting temperature of the cream as he softly massages each of my bruises. He then kisses every one. "My mum always kissed my bruises and it always worked." He says. I smile, my eyes still closed. He does the same to the bruises on my back, finishing each with a kiss. I open my eyes as he uncovers each of my shoulders, kissing each of them and then pulling my shirt back down.

I finally bring myself to look into his eyes. He looks sad.

"What is it?" I ask him.

"I just can't believe someone did that to you."

My eyes retreat the floor.

"I'll be back first thing tomorrow, baby. And I'm not going to leave until every one of your bruises disappears." He says, kissing me once more.

"Will you still stay with me even when they're gone?"

"I'll stay with you forever."

"Can I ask you one more thing?" I ask, meeting his eyes.

"Anything, my love." He answers.

"What is love to you?"

He ponders for a moment, then he leans down and kisses my neck. I feel the hair of his beard rub against my skin. Then he softly whispers, "I'm going to show you soon."

He stands up, squeezes my hand and then walks out of the room. Before he's completely gone, I say, "Simon?"

He turns and faces me. "Yes?"

"I love you."

The smile that forms across his face is bigger than I've ever seen it. "I love you too." He answers, and for the first time in my life, I believe him. I finally believe that someone loves me.