My Victorian Valentine #dreamewritingacademy

Understanding Trauma

“ANNABELLE! ANNABELLE! It’s me Roman it’s just me sweetheart it’s only me there is no Earl there is no prison or torture it’s just me.” Roman tried explaining in hopes her screaming would cease. “NO! NO! Please STOP! STOP! DWIGHT LET ME GO LET ME GO!!! I WON’T TELL I PROMISE I WON’T TELL!” Annabelle sobbed loud and fluently, matching her screams, her tears began to fall just as fast as her pleading. “Anna it’s me Roman I am here now nothing will EVER happen to you while I am around, I won’t let ANYTHING happen to you again, do you hear me Annabelle, It’s Roman I’m here.” In her sheer panic and pain enthralled flash back, Anna stared up at the man she had just now thought was the Earl, “Oh dear God, I am so soo sorry Roman I didn’t realize it was you I kept seeing his eyes his face and hearing him taunt me over and over and over again, I can’t help this I know I asked you to stay I was having a flashback.” Anna began to explain herself in the midst of more tears because now she felt idiotic to believe Roman was Dwight. “Baby girl, no need to explain I know what was happening and I understand trauma doesn’t just go away I have accepted that but know that you are completely safe and secure in my arms.” Roman replied softly and like silk. Roman kissed her forehead as he still held on to her broken body, as his lips left Anna’s forehead he felt a temperature change from cool to extreme heat. Annabelle was running a fever and that could be the illusion she began to experience, with great extremities. With a swift jester Roman and Annabelle became closer more intimate he just wanted to lay there beside her and make her feel comfortable as much as he possibly could.

‘Annabelle what are you thinking, Roman was here on your request and yet you laid there screaming at him like he really truly was Dwight, how could I be so ignorant how could I have forgotten Roman was beside me! Roman will never look at me the same, I know he said he understood but, Damn it! How could I possibly think in the slightest that Dwight had gotten me for Christ sakes he didn’t even go in the same direction as me, Roman never ever hurt me it has only been one day with him and already I feel as if I could lay in his arms for a lifetime. Annabelle get a grip man, he is just one man how I could possibly love this man already…. It’s impossible no no no no Annabelle Rose Hellson, you haven’t experienced men how could the second man you meet be the one already…. There is no way possible—but he is so handsome he has gorgeous blue eyes, he speaks so softly and he treats me like I need protecting. Get a grip Anna it’s because Dwight just kidnapped me and tortured me if only for a night, it was a night that I will always remember but, that can’t possibly force me to love the first kind gentleman that shows me slight affection. Just look at Roman blue eyes just staring down at me, holding me as if I’m going to just poof disappear, what his eyes tell me is that he has grown something a passion—no he only cares about what happened to me there is no way and I know I can’t possibly find out in just a short few days, if only I could find out, but how? '

As Annabelle was staring into Romans blue eyes she noticed his lips—how smooth they are, how perfectly pink and symmetrical his lips are with the rest of his facial features. Studying his face as if she was never going to see this man again, she realized the more she looked the more she needed him. Annabelle needed Roman like the earth needs the sun; her heart began to throb for his love. Anna needed him to approve of her she needed to know that somehow Roman cared for her as she began to care for him. It was in that very moment of clarity she realized she would do anything for Roman even if it took five years to completely be his, wholly and completely Roman’s one and only Valentine.

Roman was staring at this woman who had just fallen into his family by chance and since Roman was a gambling man he didn’t want to waste this chance. “Annabelle.” Roman spoke with passion and gentleness. “What are you thinking about? Your face is intriguing and I must know what it is you are thinking so intensely upon.” Roman spoke with a hint of question in his voice. “I am just simply admiring your features, and wondering to myself why you are so protective of me we have but only met this morning.” Anna replied softly. “There is something about you that makes me feel protective over you especially because of your current tragedy.” Roman answered. “Do you not feel anything else more than just protective?” Anna responded almost in a whisper, embarrassed by what she was asking Roman. “Feel like what emotions for you? I’m beginning to feel something else I just don’t know what to call it yet, we have just met.” In a shy tone Roman replies. “So you let every woman who has been kidnapped and beaten lay in your arms for hours without feeling something for her?” Anna asks innocently. “No, you are the only one I have allowed to be within my arms. I have no intentions on allowing any other to lay in the midst of my arms as much as I have allowed for you to lay.” Roman said hinting at the fact that he too indeed had felt something for Annabelle. “I know one day isn’t nearly long enough to know a person—or me but I can’t help the feelings emerging for you. Maybe it’s because you are the first man to treat me with such kindness, maybe quite possibly what I perceive as love is really just appreciation for you Roman.” Annabelle admits to Roman. “Maybe indeed, but we have all the time in the world to become acquainted as long as you are true to your words and do not lie or hide important things from me and I the same for you.” Roman also admitted to Annabelle. In the midst of the conversation they both began to stare unknowingly at one another almost in the same thought trance as the other. With the immense electricity filling the room from their energy bouncing off each other and colliding together into both Anna and Roman the thought of love remained strong. Forever bound is the hearts—souls of two whom single is the soul mate of the other—but together they become bonded—connected stronger becoming something supernatural. The bond of two lovers is a bond that cannot be broken, distorted or used against one another. With the thoughts flying from one to the other love no longer becomes a thought it becomes alive, Anna could feel the connection she and Roman had made and there was no more questioning feelings nor questioning of Romans feelings. Anna knew that even without speaking the words Roman had not only been familiar with what she had said but, he had felt at least empathetic towards her. Roman also questioned her as she herself had questioned Roman. Roman sought something from Annabelle; he glanced towards her face just to see if she had been thinking the same. In the exact moment he had seen Annabelle’s facial expression Roman instantaneously knew Annabelle had felt something sparking between them as well. With that evidence of freshly ignited sympathy, Roman grabbed Annabelle and held her closer to his chest just to feel her heart beating and her breathing. Inside Roman knew this woman—his to be woman, was the one he would always be thinking about, no matter where thier paths in life would take them. Annabelle felt Roman’s grip tighten and become soft at the same time, she felt how close he had held her to his heart and she knew instantly that she could live in this moment forever. Her Victorian Valentine had shown his face to her and she had nothing but admiration for him. Annabelle reached up and just cuddled with Roman she knew that even though they haven’t experienced any love or life altering intimacy, that he was her Victorian Valentine, even if the sick and twisted threads of fate forced them apart. Roman would always be her happy place and that she would always be in his heart. Sixteen is a young age to know and see your soul mate, which is why both Roman and Annabelle wouldn’t let go not in that moment they wouldn’t. All they wanted to do was lay there together in silence exploring each other’s souls—hearts and minds as true Soul mates would.