Teacher/ Harvey mills

Coping

"Looks like my work here is done" Alex said before walking out. How can he just leave?! I pulled and pulled at the rope that tied my hand to the bed, finally it came loose. I rushed over to Harvey and untied him. I checked his pulse, nothing. I cried and took his hand in mine. "Harvey mills I'm so sorry. It's all my fault none of this would have happened if I weren't here. It would have been best if I had just never told you I liked you. You're gone now because of me Harvey" I cried. "I'm so sorry baby I love you and I should have told you so" I cried again. I pulled myself together. Then, I called Max.
Max- hello
Me- Maxie I need you here now
Max-I'm on my way
A few minutes later he arrived. "Hey hey are you okay" he asked when he saw me crying. I hugged him. "Max one of my old boyfriends came last night with a gun, he knocked me out and when I woke up me and Harvey were tied up. He talked and talked and knew Harvey didn't like him so he- he" I trailed off and couldn't finish. "He what" max asked. He took my hands in his and looked me in the eye. "He's dead max" I said. His face changed, he went from curious to mad and sad. He let go of my hands and walked upstairs. I followed behind and watched as he kneeled down beside his brother. I covered my mouth and squeezed my eyes. A minute later he stood and turned to me. "I'm so sorry max, it's my fault" I said. "No, it's not please don't be sorry" he said. He hugged me and I cried. Then, we called the police and they sorted everything out.
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You know how in those sad movies the person who's loved one just died is watching them being rolled out on a stretcher in a body bag and the scene is slow and quiet. That was my life. I couldn't hear anything and I couldn't feel anything but sadness and hatred. I watched Harvey leave my world slowly. Max came up behind me and put his arm around me. A crack of thunder pulled me from my saddening thoughts. "We should go" max said as the ambulance pulled away. "I think a storm is coming" he added. I nodded and we walked back inside. I picked up Ella and max picked up Teagan. I imagined back to the time when me and Harvey did this. I watched how max bonded with Ella, making her giggle and smile. I didn't know it but I was smiling like an idiot. Max looked up at me and smiled. "I love her so much" he said. I smiled.
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Max has been staying with me for a few weeks now. I still haven't fully gotten over Harvey. Max walked in after a long day at work. "Hey Maxie how was work" I asked. "Exhausting" he replied. I stood up and adjusted my shorts. "Wow" max said. "What" I asked as I walked to the kitchen. I heard him get up and walked behind me. "It's just, I just realized that I'm totally in love with you" he said. I stopped and turned. "You are" I asked. "I sure am" he said taking my hand. This is wrong, I know. My husband recently died and now I'm okay with his brother coming on to me? "Max I-" he cut me off. "I know it's wrong of me but ever since I met you I couldn't stop thinking about you. You and Harvey were together and honestly it killed me. I've always wanted to be with you" he said. Then he slowly leaned in and kissed me. I wanted to cry because it was so wrong but I did like him. I pulled away and walked upstairs. I sat on my bed and stared at the wall. Then max came in. "I'm so sorry" he said. I sighed. "Maybe I should go" he said. "No max please don't" I said. "I just need time" I said. "Okay" he replied.
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Over the next few months Max and I grew closer. I wasn't ready so I couldn't start a relationship with him.
About 3 years later it happened. "Mommy daddy look what I drew" Ella said. I've thought about telling her that max isn't her dad but she wouldn't understand. "Wow honey that's amazing" I said picking her up. "Yeah it really is" max said kissing her forehead. Teagan came running in too.
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I layed the girls down for bed and went into the living room. I picked up a photo album and looked through it. Pictures of me and Harvey, pictures of us and the girls. Whenever I heard about Harvey I didn't cry anymore. I accepted everything that happened. I decided I wouldn't tell the girls about Harvey for a very long time. "Wow I thought I'd never see you looking at that album" max said sitting next to me. I smiled and closed it. I felt the space between us get smaller. Then before I knew, we were kissing. "Now can we be together" he asked. I smiled and nodded.