“That won’t be a problem, Doc. I am on leave, and we are going on vacation with our son for a few weeks.”
“Good, that will be good. Before you are discharged, there is a seminar for the blind that I would like you both to attend. The seminar is conducted by an outside company and offers assistance in learning how to cope when sudden blindness occurs. I know you are being discharged tomorrow morning, but the seminar is at 1:00 pm today and I will have Sally, your nurse, bring in the information.”
~Olivia~
“Vacation? What is going on Alexander?” I am so confused by all that has and is happening that his words do not make sense.
“I just thought you needed some time to relax with no stress, plus I need time to get to know my family. Derek has a beach house in the Bahamas that he is letting us use for two weeks. I haven’t taken a vacation since a year after I met you in Miami so I’m overdue, and we can relax, play on the beach and get reacquainted.”
I feel the tears spill over onto my cheeks. For two and a half years I have dreamed of a reunion with Alexander, but I never expected full acceptance of my son and I. I thought maybe he would doubt paternity and ask for proof.
“Hey, Beautiful Girl, don’t cry. This is supposed to be happy news.”
I really don’t know what to think. I am overwhelmed with so many emotions. I need to see my son, but I am blind, so that is impossible. Will I ever be able to see his sweet little face again? “I need to see you to know I am not dreaming. I am afraid that I’ll wake up and still be on the mountain.”
“We are going to get through this together. I will be by your side every step of the way. We will go to the seminar to help us cope with the loss of your eyesight and then spend weeks relaxing, with no stress, until your vision comes back.”
“Why? Why are you doing this for me? We only had one night and we were separated by a huge misunderstanding for years.” Tears are streaming down my face for the loss I have suffered. The reason I never slept with Jerry was, I held out hope that someday I would find Alexander again. I wanted to be able to say I had been true to my first and only love. I can’t say that now, even if it was not my choice. Will he think I’m dirty for what Jerry has done to me? Will he still want me? I am so ashamed that it is all I can think about. How do I tell this perfect man of my dreams everything that happened to me? Will he believe me? Will he be as understanding when he finds out that Jerry raped me?
“Livvy, I am doing this because that one night we had together changed me into a different man. For the first time in my life, I wanted a future with someone, a family. The years in between then and now are a blur to me and the only thing that stands out is searching for you. I grew up in the foster care system, never wanting anything because I was denied it at every turn. You are the first thing I allowed myself to want. I want to be with you, to see where this goes, all I’m asking for is a chance to be the man you need.”
“Jerry raped me,” I whisper so quietly that I hope he doesn’t hear me. At least I can say I said it and fool myself into thinking that it won’t matter to him. I can’t stop the flow of tears, but I know I should prepare myself for his rejection.
~Savage~
Placing my hands on her cheeks, I turn her face to mine and press our foreheads together. I speak just as quietly so as not to embarrass her for something she had no control over. “Livvy, my beautiful, beautiful girl, I know you can’t see the expression on my face to know the sincerity there, but I need you to feel me and hear my words. The fact that you were violated does not change how I see or feel about you. The last two and a half years have been hell for me. I searched every face in the crowds and every sweet voice I heard had me craning my head or following strangers in hopes that it was you. I know you are probably scared to trust anyone after what has happened to you, but I am begging you to trust me. Trust me that I will be here, holding your hand through any therapy you want to attend. What happened to you will affect me too, but we will get through this together.”
I lean forward and gently place my lips over hers. I will wait forever for her to make the next move. She tilts her head just barely, leans into me and takes me to heaven. It takes all my control not to make her bend to my will. I am like a starving man and my need to devour her is so great that I clench my fists into her hair and she moans. Holy shit! I need to break away before she thinks that I am taking advantage of her vulnerability.
“Knock, knock.”
Ren walks in holding Alex’s hand. When he sees Livvy, he runs to the bed holding up his chubby arms to get close to her. I pick him up and place him to her side, but he wastes no time in wrapping those little arms around her neck. She winces but makes no move to pull him away or ask him to be careful.
“Mommy. I miss ooo.”
“Oh, Baby, I missed you too. I
