Forbidden Love - Segment 41

[itztigress3]

Segment 41 – If you’re comfortable…
POV:  Zac
Word Count: 3192
Warnings: None

I really wanted to know why she was acting this way, but if she found comfort in my arms then I was not going to deny her that. Her tray arrived at nine and she ate from my lap, without getting up. The doctor came in at 9:15, just before she was done. He checked her file while she finished the last few bites.

“I’m Dr. Franklin. I’ve been treating you while you have been here. Is it ok to speak to you with him in the room?”

“Yes, he’ll be told anyway.” She said.

He nodded. “The cat scan came back fine, no broken bones or even fractures of any kind. We didn’t suspect any but because you weren’t able to tell us we did anyway. Obviously there is deep bruising which will take time to heal and go away, the cuts to your wrist we assumed were from handcuffs, we treated and bandaged them, we’re giving you an antibiotic because of those and the bite marks, three were pretty red and broke skin, so we want to keep an eye on them.”

She and I both waited.

“We ran a full blood panel your blood work looks good, we also sent off for STD testing which should come back in a few weeks. You will be sore for a while because there were slight tears to the vaginal and anal area, we’re prescribing a cream for you and we don’t recommend any sexual activity or the use of tampons until you’ve been cleared by your regular OB. You should make an appointment with him as soon as you can for a complete check.”

She nodded and I wanted to kill someone.

“We are keeping you tonight, possibly tomorrow night depending on the results of the cultures from the bite marks.”

She wasn’t saying anything to him.

“Is there anything else?” I asked.

“No. I can recommend some really nice counselors if wanted, they work with rape victims all the time.”

She flinched when he said victim. “Thank you Doctor.”

“I’m calling the police now to let them know she is awake, they will probably send detectives out tonight.”

“Ok.” I said.

He left the room and she laid her head back down, I could tell by the way she was acting she was hurting, I kissed her forehead.

“You shouldn’t be here Zac, this is not how two people act when there just co-workers.”

“Shelly called the police and the lawyer; he sent me a text a few minutes before you woke up and said that Kate admitted she sent Gary to your apartment to scare you. He was not supposed to hurt you, just scare you. The police reminded her that even if you did tell Gary, it wouldn’t be admissible because you would have been under duress and forced.”

“So, you can be around me now?”

“Yes. He’s drafting up a paper for the judge because she tried to scare someone into telling them just to prove it. He said I should be fine as long as we don’t flaunt it.”

She nodded some, but there was something there and after ten minutes she rose up and looked at me.

“How come you never told me the drumstick hurt that badly?”

“Baby, you don’t hit that hard. It hurts, yes, but not this badly. You have deep bruising and not just something on the surface.”

“Are you saying I’m not hitting you hard enough?”

I laughed. “No, I am not saying that. It’s just Gary is stronger than you are so his hits will be stronger and harder. Even if you hit me as hard as you could, you will not leave bruises like you have Emily.”

She frowned. “So, I didn’t hurt you this badly?”

“No. Nothing that was not tolerable to me. What happen Emily? Craig hasn’t sent me any message, Christopher said he was with Craig but neither of them are saying anything.”

Her eyes moistened. “It wasn’t all Gary. Gary’s not the one that used the drumstick on me; he wasn’t there most of the week.”

“Then who was?”

I felt her shaking some. “Adam was. He was there Monday night when I got home Gary didn’t come back until Friday.”

“They were both there over the weekend?”

“Yes.”

I pulled her to me and kissed her forehead. “How about you wait until you tell the police, you can sit right here if you want.”

She nodded and laid her head down, the police did arrive about 10 and she shifted just so they could talk to her and she told them what happen. They had stills from the cameras already, and she identified Adam and Gary being there. She told them how Gary woke her up Monday and up until they sent her to work earlier today, warning her to stay away from me and to be home on time. Hearing what Adam said about her father though was new and she even said she believed that he was lying to get to her, knowing it was a sore subject. They verified some things before they left at 11:30. Craig called at 11:45

“Hey Zac, how is Emily? Did she wake up?”

“Hi, she’s ok. She woke up about eight and the police have been here already. There keeping her tonight and maybe tomorrow night too.”

“Ok. Christopher is staying with me tonight, we would come up but he’s really not in a mood to be around anyone right now and neither am I. I assume you know what happened by now?”

“Yes. I heard it when she told the police.”

Emily didn’t bother to ask to speak to him; she was curled back up with her head on my shoulder.

“Ok. Let her know that both of them were arrested about six, they were stupidly waiting in her apartment. I gave the police a key and they busted them, it helped with the cameras. I am so glad Isaac called me Monday.”

“How come your not here? You said you would be here.”

“Um, we will come up in the morning. Zac, we saw the tape and honestly I think you are what she needs right now. Christopher really just wants to kill someone and so do I, its better that we stay away from her for right now. He’s talking with her other brothers now and filling them in.”

“How can he? He has not asked about her condition.”

“Zac, he doesn’t need to ask her. He called the hospital about nine and asked; once they verified his identity they told him everything.”

“I’ll let her know.”

“Thank you.”

I hung-up. “Craig and your brother will be up tomorrow. Apparently there really mad.”

“They hate Adam.”

I laid my chin on top of her head. “I love you Emily, I should have been there. You didn’t have to deny it just to help me.”

“I couldn’t compromise your divorce, I wouldn’t let her win. It also wouldn’t have mattered, Adam was going to hurt me even if I told him everything, even if I provided the pictures and proof, he was still going to hurt me.”

“How about you and I lay down? I know you haven’t slept well and you’re still shaking some, we can sleep and then you’ll feel better.”

She simply nodded but moved so I could adjust myself. She curled up beside me with her IV hand on my waist and she fell asleep pretty quickly. I laid there and held her, wishing I could take everything away because I would have gladly let them hit me instead.



February 12, 2008; Tuesday

Hunger woke me up so I sent Taylor a message at 7 and begged for breakfast for us both. She was awake and sitting up slightly when Taylor and Isaac arrived.

They brought their own breakfast and we ate together sitting there.
“I really wish you would have told one of us.” Taylor said.

Emily smiled at him. “I should have, but I didn’t.”

“We have to work on this whole communication thing. Natalie sends her best wishes and speedy recovery.”

“Nikki sent her regards from the bathroom, as she was sick when I left.”

Emily giggled slightly but then I saw the grimace. “Are you going to be ok?” Taylor asked.

“Yes, it’s just some deep bruises and minor cuts. I’ll be fine. I guess it was a good thing I didn’t take the paper to either of you.”

They smiled and stayed until ten, then they left and went back home. Isaac promised to bring dinner if she was being kept for the night, because I didn’t plan to leave. Taylor also brought me clean cloths and I changed before her brother and Craig arrived at one.

Christopher still looked pissed to me, Emily was back in my lap when they arrived but both of their faces softened when they saw her. Craig looked downright guilt ridden.

“It’s not your fault Craig.” Emily said.

“If you hadn’t met me for drinks Thursday…”

“He would have done it anyway Craig, he wanted too. He felt I deserved it.”

“Son of a bitch.” Christopher mumbled.

She moved out of my lap only to hug them both before they sat down.

Christopher looked at me. “Zac I owe you an apology for automatically assuming you was the cause. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have over reacted or blamed you for anything. Craig and I both are very thankful that you were there and that you have stayed here.”

“Accepted, I told you I would never hurt her. Not like this.”

He asked Emily how she felt and she told him pretty horrible, given that movements hurt. He asked to see the worst of it.

“I am not baring my ass for you.”

“Seriously? You’re ok wearing thong bikinis around me but not showing me the extent of what he did? Emmy, dear, we watched the video.”

I looked at Craig disapprovingly. “Don’t get mad at me dude, I’ve seen her without cloths before.”

Christopher looked at him. “You have? That’s news to me.”

Emily cleared her throat and looked at me. “It’s your body Emily, if you want them to see that’s your decision not mine.”

She carefully got out of my lap. “How the hell was she even sitting there?” Craig asked.

“Carefully?” Emily asked. She stood between them and only pulled the side down some. The criss-crossing bruises of various shades extended across her outer thighs.

“Is it like that all the way across?” Craig asked.

“Yes. It goes down to about mid thigh on the back.”

“Adam was the one who bite you?” Christopher asked.

“Yeah. How did you know to even ask?”

“It’s what he does.”

She fixed the pants and climbed right back where she was, it wasn’t uncomfortable to have her that close, if it helped her I didn’t care if I was unable to move. Christopher went to the bathroom about two and she moved, making me stretch out and sitting right between my thighs.

“I’m not sure which one of you is more comfortable at this point. I am sure Zac has lost feeling to his feet long ago and Emily you just look…comfortable.” Craig said.

“I am.” She said.

It was about three when the door opened and four men walked in together, it didn’t take me long to connect these were the four brothers’ I had yet to meet. It was remarkable how she looked like them so much though. She didn’t get up to greet them but each one came over and hugged her where she was. I got four pretty strange looks considering where I was sitting.

Christopher introduced us all and I would have shaken their hands but Emily wasn’t letting me get up. They asked her how she was, what happened, what was being done about it, and then why.

“You know why Adam was there, all of you know that.”

“What about this other guy? What was his reason for being there?” he asked.

“It’s complicated.” She said.

“No it’s not Emmy; he kept asking you about the two of you.” Christopher said.

Her shoulders sagged some and I wondered if I was truly safe where I was, I mean there were five of them surely they could move her quite easily.

“He asked because Zac filed for a divorce from his wife, Kate. She has been sleeping with Gary for who knows how long really, she was going to take everything from Zac and I couldn’t allow that so with Craig’s help we wiped phones and other devices and we basically have acted like co-workers. Gary wanted me to admit on tape that Zac and I were together.”

“You being together is really not bad.” Joshua said, at least I think that was Joshua.

She looked his direction. “It is when we’re sleeping together Joshua. Kate wanted me to admit to that so she could counter sue his claim against her which he has proof of.”

I really wished I was shorter; I could have hidden behind her well and hid from the five sets of eyes staring at me.

“If you are married, why are you here?”

“Because I love Emily and she’s the one that I want to be with. I should have kept looking, found her, and moved forward. My soon to be ex-wife screwed all that up, otherwise I would have been with her for four years instead of just 11 months.”

“Eleven months?” George asked.

Emily stopped me and gave a very quick rundown of what has occurred it was obvious she had it prepared and ready. She touched upon the highlights leaving out how we got together in March. I noticed Craig gave her a weird look when she said it was a simple kiss that made us realized we needed to be together. She finished with where we were now.

They were all quite, still I felt the daggers. Craig finally sat up and giggled.

“You all want what is best for her right?” he asked.

“Duh.” Aaron said.

“What more could you ask for in him? He sees her one time at a meet and greet across the room and then spent the next year trying to find her, searching everywhere. Four years later he chooses her resume without even seeing her. He was willing to give up everything he has worked for since he was six just to be with her. Yes, he was a bastard for hurting her in October; yes he was a dumb ass for not getting the divorce first. But, really, I love Emily just like she was my own sister and I cannot think of a better man for her than him. He loves her that is what counts.”

“Besides, it doesn’t matter what any of you think. I’ll be with whoever I want to be with.” Emily said.

That got all of them to laugh. “Now that’s the sister I remember.” George said.

When Taylor and Isaac showed up at 5 they both paused at the door.

“I think we have the wrong room.” Taylor said.

“Its right, come in.” Emily said. They carefully brought the bags over and sat them down.

They even seemed nervous. “I’m going to assume these are your brothers?” Taylor asked.

“Georgia, Jason, Joshua, Aaron and Christopher. You know Craig already.”

Taylor and Isaac were able to shake hands and greet them properly.

“I think Christina would have passed out if she had come.” Emily said.

“She’s at the hotel actually, did you honestly think I was getting out of Georgia and flying here without her?” George asked.

“Why is she at the hotel then?”

“Well, I honestly didn’t think my sister was seeing any of the band members and thus there would be no reason for any of them, let along all three, be in the same room as you.”

“I assume she kept you in the dark too?” Isaac asked.

“Naturally. My fiancé is a very big fan of the band. I believe poor Emily got interrogated at Christmas.”

“You believe? Two hours she asked me questions, although a lot of them I couldn’t comment on.”

“Damn those privacy documents.” Taylor mocked.

“It was weird to walk into his house hearing Zac sing Christmas songs. As the last time I heard George despised the music.”

“Sorry guys, I was more Twisted Sister and Metallica. I wouldn’t have even know who you were if she hadn’t mentioned it.” George said.

“No...See you three escaped it. Poor Christopher and I had to deal with the obsessed sister daily. Do you seriously want to know how many times I heard Mmmbop a day? I memorized the song, heard it in my sleep.”

“I can get them to sing it if you miss it so much Aaron.” Emily said.

“I will jump out the window, no lie.” He said.

I giggled. “Emily, quite using us to torture your brothers.”

“Torture them? Why do you think I know the lyrics to that Metallica song? That Slipknot CD, Aaron’s fault.  Poison, blame Christopher. I was dying from metal overload. Dad played Aerosmith all day, every day.”

“You loved that music though.” Craig said.

“Yet you wondered why I tripped over my shoes the first time they came on? Light hearted non-head banging music. Christina is good for you, round you out a bit.”

“I do have to admit that the last CD was pretty good.”

The next hour was just banter back and forth, before Taylor and Isaac headed back home. The doctor was keeping her again; one of the marks had a pretty bad infection. When the nurse came in at seven she kicked everyone out, including me. It was ok though because I needed to walk some and it gave me a chance to talk to them without her. They had said their byes before they left the room, so I waited the last ten minutes alone before the nurse let me back in. She had removed the IV completely, changed the bed, and given her face cleaned one of the marks. I didn’t even bother to ask, just sat down beside her.

“You’ll be ok Emily. There in jail now and they’re not going to hurt you anymore.”

She looked at me. “They didn’t say anything about Dad. Do you think Craig and Christopher even heard that part?”

“I don’t know, you could call and ask Craig if they did. I am sure he won’t lie to you.”

She used my phone to text him and ask, they had heard it, and it was before the police made them fast forward.

“I think you should focus on getting out of here first, then if you want to ask you can.”

She lay down and curled up beside me. Fell asleep. I sent Craig a message and told him to clear her apartment of anything that could remind her of them. That I wanted the bed sheets, comforters, everything removed before she came home. He said that was already done, so I was glad.