Mine

Chapter Twenty Five

A word in your ear, from father to son. Hear the word that I say. I fought with you, fought on your side

Boran watches Miray go. She seems so small to him. He loves how her tiny body fits against his and brings out every protective instinct he has, but this is different. There's something in the way she's walking, a resolve, a steel as she moves. She's always been the strongest of the two of them, he knows. Kubilay is trying to go for him again but he's just an annoyance in Boran's ear as Kubilay's mother grabs him and insists that's enough and makes her son sit down. Boran can only focus on Miray as she disappears down the elevator with her mother and sister.

He suddenly knows exactly where she's going. Boran waits for the panic, the urge to stop her. It doesn't come. Anticipation, hope, moves through him instead and love, so much love he's breathless with it and he feels a little dizzy and his mother takes his arm, concern in his voice.

"Are you alright? Here. Sit. Sit, honey."

His vision goes a little blurry and his breath comes up short, sticking in his throat so he's gasping. Inwardly, he's fascinated by the reaction. It's not panic, yet...it's just too much, the emotions coming over him in waves. He doctor is in front of him, trying to get his attention.

"...too long without eating...no sleep..." The doctor pushes a cup of water into his hands. How is he supposed to eat while his son is fighting for his life? He wants to snap at the doctor. How was he supposed to sleep when all he sees is son's tiny body on the ground. His son...His. His son and his wife.

HissonHiswifeHissonHiswifeHissonHiswife...

Boran sees it so clearly. His future. A life with his little boy and the woman he loves. The old fears taunt him but like Kubilay they're mere irritants in his ear now.

What about the tabloids?

They can go fuck themselves. They'll be annoying and invasive but Boran and Miray won't hide and eventually they'll go bother someone else.

What about his career?

He'll miss it desperately but if someone won't hire him or watch him because of their some hypocritical sense of morality, his family will come first.

What if Miray won't have him anymore?

Boran swallows the water in one big gulp. He doesn't deserve another chance with her. She has a life, a marriage. But she has to know. He has to at least try. He has to go to her and prove to her he'd give it all up for her. He would put nothing before her and their little boy ever again. He wanted that life she had so freely offered him with her beautiful open heart. If it was too late...well, at least she'd know.

What if someday something happens like this again and neither Alihan or Miray survive?

At that an icy stab of fear slices through him and it almost threatens to overwhelm the certainty in his heart. Grampa? Grampa, wake up. It's time for breakfast, Grampa. Come downstairs... The memory of the scent of blood sticks in his throat, almost making him gag. He can see the blood on the pillow and the wall next to the bed, the terrifying black metal... Boran crunches the paper cup in his hand and gets to his feet. The past five years have been hell. He can't fathom enduring losing Miray or Alihan but, God help him, he wants a life with them for as long God gives him. He wants to grow old with her if God lets him have that. The fear is worth that. Miray is worth that. She is worth everything. Five days, five months, five years, five decades, however long he has her for, by God, he was going to love her and their son more than any man ever has.