Melwood- Falling in Love Behind the Cameras

Trauma

Melissa POV

My heart was beating so fast as I walked into my room. The sounds from outside were all too familiar. I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes in attempts to calm myself, but the sounds from the construction just wouldn't stop. I took a deep breath- crash! I turned over away from the window, bang! I covered my ears, but the yelling, drilling, the hammers smashing at the wood, it all wouldn't stop.

I felt myself hyperventilating, tears started welling up in my eyes. The feeling of being trapped, the feeling of the wires, the falling,--it all came back at once. It was just too overwhelming. I was back in that harness once again, getting whipped around. I starting crying, sobbing, but I bit my tongue. I didn't want to alarm Chris. I had already caused him to worry so much, to have to be away from home for so long, sleeping at the hospital when he could have been out with friends or with Drift, but he was with me--his broken, pathetic girlfriend. I was just some burden that he was obligated to take care of.

My body felt like I was laying in my bed, but my mind was somewhere else. I turned back over, trying to get my mind to feel like I was in my room again, but I knocked over the flower vase on my nightstand. It shattered, and the sound triggered something in my brain, like a domino tipping over. I was engulfed in the fear. So vividly, I saw myself getting farther and farther away from the sky, watching as sparks flew and the support beams tower over me. I saw myself hit the ground, and I couldn't help it but I just screamed.

"NO! NO! GET ME DOWN! GET ME DOWN!" I shrieked. My body was filled with pins and needles. Hands covering my ears, I cried loudly, almost scream. I was blinded by tears, and I couldn't get a breath. I just rocked back and forth, shrieking "no!" in between each sob.

I heard the dow swing open. "Melissa!" Chris exclaimed. He rushed to me and just held me in his arms, rocking me back and forth. "It's okay, it's okay, Mel. I'm here, I'm right here. You're safe with me, I'll keep you safe." He said softly. I leaned my head up against his chest. I started to take real, deeper breaths. His warmth was comforting, and I was starting to relax. I looked around my bedroom, becoming fully aware of my surroundings. I focused on the rise and fall of Chris's chest, listened to each breath he took and each time he told me everything was okay. I wanted to feel fine at this moment, to feel like everything was better, but all I felt like was a burden to the man I loved.

Chris's POV

I spent the next twenty minutes just holding Melissa. I wanted to make her feel safe like I would be there no matter what. Once she was calm enough to just be with Farley I called Dr. Howard to explain what happened. He explained to me that she probably had a PTSD episode, her triggers were probably loud and sudden noises and that we should probably stay indoors for the next couple of days, maybe a week or so.

Melissa sat on the couch with Farley and Drift by her side. She was just staring into space, but she had this look on her face. She looked sad--absolutely and truly sad.

"What's wrong?" I said sitting down and putting my arm around her. To my surprise, she moved away from me, rejecting the cuddle. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I can't do this," she said, not looking at me. She was shifting her fingers, staring at the ground.

"Can't do what? Whatever it is I'll help. I can--"

"No! That's the point!" she cut me off. I looked at her confused. "That's the point! Don't you see? Stop helping me! You have a life to live! You shouldn't be stuck inside with an actual crazy person! I love you— more than I have loved anyone in my life, and that's what why need to leave." Melissa finished and she had tears lining the corners of her eye.

How could she be saying these things? How could she really think that I was worse off without her? "Hey, I love you, too, and I wouldn't have a life to live if not with you. I love being with you, being able to make sure your okay. You will never be a burden to me, Melissa."

She smiled and nodded. I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. I savored this moment because just being able to love her was more than I could ever ask for. I backed away from the kids and took the spare hey to my apartment out of my pocket.

"You know what, staying in the hospital made me realize something. Even though the circumstances were not great, I loved having you be the first thing I see when I wake up, and I want to be able to do that everyday." I held out the key and she looked at it and then into my eyes. 

"Chris, what are you saying?" She asked suspiciously.

"Melissa Benoist, will you move in with me?" I asked. I was so nervous, and I wanted so bad for her to say yes.

Her face brightened up just as I asked the question, "Chris Wood, I will move in with you."

She plucked the key out of my grasp, held my head in both her hands, and planted a kiss on my lips. I felt her smiling as her lips were touching mine, and that made me smile, too.

We lay there on the couch, snuggled together on the couch. I would help her through anything, and I couldn't wait for the life I could give her.

_________________

Author's note,

SORRY!!!! I publsihed this last part and soooo much didn't save, my bad! Also, I know the moving in part was a little sudden, but I felt like we were on the accident thing for too long, so I'm moving on! I will probably update in the next week or so.