It Takes Two (Katy Perry)

Part 5

After Christmas lunch, which went smoothly, the family consisting of Katy, Russell, Keith, Mary, Angela and David settled around the Christmas tree in the lounge room, ready to distribute presents to each other. Angela and Mary exchanged worried glances over Katy’s head when Katy wedged herself in the middle of the two women, leaving Russell no place to sit other than next to David on the other side of the room. Usually Katy didn’t want to be apart from Russell, and would cuddle up to his side on the two-seater love seat.

The family spent the rest of the afternoon exchanging gifts and stories, talking and laughing happily, for the most part. Everyone noticed that Katy was much quieter than usual however, and Angela promised herself she would try and speak to her younger sister when they got a chance to be alone. Russell, on the other hand, was being louder and more obnoxious than usual, telling jokes that caused Keith and David especially to remain in constant fits of laughter. Katy watched him unobtrusively, knowing that his behaviour was to make up for her unusual silence and reassure the rest of her family that nothing was wrong between them. To Katy, that much was obvious, but she knew it wasn’t working, as she hadn’t missed the occasional glances between her mother and older sister.

However, she felt safe snuggled between the two women, and did not have any inclination to move. As the evening wore on, she fell asleep on the couch, exhausted due to the emotional turmoil inside of her. While she slept, she dreamed of a time when she and Russell were completely and utterly in love, and blissfully unaware of the fact that their marriage would not end up going how they both expected.

Katy was gently shaken awake by Angela a little while later, and woke up to discover the wetness of tears on her cheeks, a telltale sign that she had been crying in her sleep. Embarrassed, she smiled at her family.

“Everything okay, Katheryn?” Keith asked concernedly.

Katy nodded tiredly. “I’m fine, just had a bad dream I guess…” she lied, hoping no one would pick up on her lie.

Russell spoke up then. “Katy, it’s time to go. Remember, we’re meeting my friends in LA tonight?”

Katy groaned internally, she had forgotten, and right now she had no intention of leaving. “I think I’m going to stay here tonight actually… If that’s okay, mom?” Mary nodded once, her eyes never leaving her daughter. “I don’t feel very well and don’t feel like going out and partying tonight.”

“Katy, you promised!” replied Russell, annoyed at his wife for not keeping her word.

“I know, but I don’t feel great, I’m sorry! I have to break my promise this time.” Katy then muttered under her breath, “You’d know all about that,” but unfortunately she wasn’t quiet enough.

‘”What’s that supposed to mean, Katy?”

Katy rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you Russell, you know what you did.”

“Well I don’t, maybe you can remind me,” Russell replied, gradually getting angrier.

Katy had had enough. She stood up from her couch, trembling with rage, and lost it at her husband. “You promised to always love and protect me, Russell, through the good times and bad times! Remember that promise?! I’m sure my family here can remind you, they all witnessed our marriage!”

“I do love you Katy, you know that!” yelled Russell.

“You have a funny way of showing it then! And I don’t think the definition of ‘loving and protecting’ me is by getting drunk and coming home and raping me on the floor!” She heard the collective gasp of her family behind her as she said that, but was too angry to care and just kept yelling. “You’re my fucking husband, Russell, start acting like it! Because I don’t feel fucking loved at all recently!” Katy cried, trembling as she stopped screaming.

Russell froze, and his face crumpled as he listened to his wife. He reached out to touch his wife, to comfort her, but his heart was shattered as she shook violently and yelled, “No! Don’t fucking touch me!”

Suddenly, Katy’s knees gave out from underneath her, and she collapsed. Her father reached his arms out and caught her just in time. He gently lowered her to the floor and knelt over his daughter. Russell took half a step towards Katy, and Keith whipped his head around, shooting a murderous glance at the man who broke his daughter’s heart. “I think it’s time for you to leave, Russell.”

Russell nodded meekly and turned around. “I’m sorry,” he whispered brokenly, before walking out of the house, leaving his wife on the floor yet again, for the third time in three days.

A/N: Please comment and/or vote!! I would love some more readers too!! :)