Their Loving Solitude

Chapter 15 Aftermath

Caleb's POV

I get back into my apartment, throwing my stuff around. I take my shirt off and chucking it at the wall before stripping my jeans off doing the same.. I know this isn't helping anything, but it's helping get my anger out. I storm into my room, putting on some basketball shorts as I come back out to the front room area.

I flop down on the couch, laying back and thinking about what a confusing day this was.. It started out so good being able to spend the morning into the afternoon with Mia.. dealing with work just to spend more time with her until her screams and r**e plagued my ears.. I can't stop thinking about it.. the way he looked doing that to her and what he said.. I feel my blood boiling at that thought. I don't know when it happened, but before I know it, I have fallen asleep.

Knock-Knock-Knock

I hear a rapid beating to my door but not with alarm it actually sounded slightly soft. I don't know if I would've heard it if I hadn't fallen asleep on the couch. I groan out, sitting up seeing it's 4 in the morning, according to my watch. I get off of my couch and walk to the door with only grogginess, filling my senses.

I look out the peep hole but don't see anything curiously enough.. maybe I didn't actually hear the knocks. Maybe it was in my dream. I decided to open up my door anyways just in case, and my eyes were glued to Mia. She is as beautiful as ever, looking like a dream until she looks directly at me, showing that she is upset, which is understandable after everything she has been through.

Her eyes are red and puffy as she is looking every which way. "Mia? Is everything alright?" I ask with concern as she lets out a defeated breath before shaking her head. "I... um.. I'm... just... ugh, never mind... I'm so sorry for bothering you." She flips around as I grab for hand with only instinct to blame for that action.

She stops moving so I can feel that her body is trembling through her hand. "You're never a bother, Mia.. what's going on?" I ask again, but in a calming tone, that shows no problem with waking up in this moment for her. She turns back around, not taking my hand off of hers. But when she turns to face me, her eyes are filled with tears, and they look like they will spill at any moment.

My hand drifts from her wrist to her hand as I feel the strong urge to bring her in to protect her, but I don't know if she even wants that. "Mia... would you want to come inside with me?" She nods without hesitation, walking past me and into my place, still holding my hand. I shut the door behind us, then locked it as I turned to face her.

"What going on? Are you hurt?" I am so concerned that I don't even think about my actions as I walk right up to her, cupping her face gently in my hands just to see the hurt in her eyes. I don't know what to do about this, but I will do anything to help.. I feel her hands gently touching over my bare chest from being halfway naked and not even thinking twice about it. She looks like her mind is a million miles away as if she is trying to figure out how to tell me what is going on.

"I... um.. I.. I can't sleep.. I keep dreaming of it.. and I don't feel safe.. but you.. you make me feel safe." She stutters out this answer as I just instantly wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly into my chest. "It's ok." She leans into me as she starts to shake and cry. I rub over her back as I try to coo her. "Mia.. it's ok.. you can come to me anytime.. it's understandable that you feel this way.. what you went through was horrific, and there are bound to be some side effects.. but don't be afraid of ever asking for help.. I will always help you if you want me to." her head nods as she lays her head on my chest, and her body starts to calm.

"Did..." I clear my throat, trying to get the confidence to do this. "Did you want to stay the night... here?" I ask her wearily, not trying to overwhelm her but just wanting to help.. and she just admitted that I make her feel safe. "I would hate to burden you like that.. you just make me feel so safe.. and.. I don't know." She states as I quickly retort. "It's not a burden at all.. and I could sleep out here on the couch.. and you could take my bed." I declare as she says into my chest.. can you sleep by me? but.. no.. I don't know.. I'm sorry." She apologizes again for absolutely no reason.

"I can.. sleep on the floor by the bed." I suggest since she wants me near but is probably freaked out about being in the bed with me. "No, that would be so uncomfortable for you.. I can't ask you to do that." She states, looking appalled. "I'm fine with that.. anything to help you feel better." I declare. She looks up at me with astonishment in her eyes. "You would do that.. for me?" She asks as I vigorously nod my head.

"You were put through something no one should ever experience, and I just want you to know not everyone is like that. You're safe with me, Mia.. and I'll make sure to do anything to ensure that safety." She keeps staring at me for a moment as she nods her head. I take her hand into mine and pull her behind me to my room. I show her my bed as her eyes widen.

"You have a king-sized bed?" I nod at her before grabbing an extra blanket and pillow, throwing it on the floor. "But this bed is huge and takes up most of the room?" she states as I look over at her, seeing that she is snuggling into my bed. I send her a small smirk as I state. "I know.. I ordered it online, and it came in the smallest box, so I never expected it to be this big.. but when I opened it up, it evolved into all of this like magic. but I didn't bring anything with me from my old place besides my personal belongings.. so I had to get a bed instantly... I didn't realize to take up the whole room I would be staying in." I explain in a light tone followed by a chuckle as I get down laying on the ground.

I pull the blanket over me as I let out a deep breath. I close my eyes for only a moment. but when I open them, I see Mia looking down at me. "Is everything alright? Is it not comfortable enough?" I am worried I did something wrong, but she just smirks down at me before shaking her head. "No.. it's great.. for me.. but for you.. it looks so uncomfortable." She states, causing me to shake my head. "I'll be fine.. thanks for your concern." I reply as she shakes her head.

"You can.. lay up here.. There would be plenty of room between us.. so there is no need for you to not get any sleep, especially if you have to work today." I sit up on my elbows ad I clarify. "You would be ok with me laying in the bed with you?" She slowly nods her head at me before playfully saying. "I guess you can lay in your own bed." I chuckle at that but staying in place, wanting to make sure it's fine, and I think she sees this.

"I would be fine with you laying in the bed with me as long as you give me some space." She puts down her rules, and I'm fine with that. "Well, the good thing about a king-sized bed is that we will both have plenty of room." She smiles and nods before scooting back over to the side she already had snuggled in. I get on the other end of the bed, snuggling in before clapping my hands and shutting the lights off with the sound.

"Caleb?" She squeaks out as I turn over and look at her from across the bed. "Yeah?" she clears her throat before stating. "I just wanted to say thank you.. this means a lot to me... Everything you have done for me without hesitation.. is mind-blowing."

I smirk to myself as I quickly reply. "Anything to make sure you know you're safe with me." She nods as she snuggles into the blanket, so I can't even see her face anymore. "Your blanket is so comfy." she states in a muffled tone, making me chuckle even louder than before. "Yeah, that's why I bought it.. I could resist once I felt it." It gets silent in the room once more as I let out a deep breath, closing my eyes and relaxing enough to fall back to sleep.

----hours later----

Whimpering ensues beside me, pulling me out of my deep sleep. I pry my eyes open and look to my side, seeing Mia crying as she shakes. I jump up with worry scooting across the bed and to her side. "Mia? Mia?" she whimpers and continuously says, "Stop." I think she is having a night terror. I touch gently over her shoulder, than her back, trying to help sooth her nerves. "Mia?" trying to wake her up, but she just shakes her head, saying that same word over and over again.

"Mia, you're safe.. I promise.. You're ok." I say to her as her eyes shoot open as she still shakes. Her eyes pan around the room until they look up at me, pleading. I would love to stop this for her, but that is nothing I can do. "Mia.. You're ok.. I promise." She sucks in a sharp breath as she nods but scoots across the bed until she is able to wrap her arms around me.

"I'm so scared he is going to find me again." She says into my chest as I drift my arms around her frame, securing her to me. "I would never let that happen." I declare as she nuzzles her face into the side of my neck. "I don't know how to feel ok.. I feel so defiled.. and disgusting." She states as I retort without hesitation. "You're the furthest thing from disgusting Mia."

"I don't feel like it.. that man took the only thing I had in myself, and that was my comfort and safety in my life.. I have never felt more abused and defiled than I did there.. I feel like his eyes are on me, and I can feel his disgusting hands touching me. I can't get it out of my head.. I'm so broken and I don't know if I could ever be the same." She cries into my neck as I shake my head.

"You can't let him win.. that's what he wants.. he wants to make you feel that way.. that's what he gets out of this.. but you can't let him win Mia.. You're stronger than this. I know that and I have only known you for a short period of time so there is no way you don't know this.. you will have this trauma with you for the rest of your life, and I don't think there is any way to get rid of this trauma.. it's a wound now.. but like any wound, it can heal but might scar, and that's ok.. that will only make you stronger.. because you made it through this." I declare as she sits her head back, looking up at me.

"You really think I can be ok? What if no one wants me after this? I'm mentally f*cked up now.. I don't know if I can ever be alone after this." She states with a desperation in her eyes. "If someone can't see past the trauma to the amazing woman you are, then they don't deserve you.. but I promise there is someone who will be more than willing to be with you.. at any cost. Maybe that person is much closer than you know." I declare as she stares up at me for a long silent moment.

"I hope you're right." she softly replies as she lays her head back down on my exposed chest. She doesn't move a muscle from me, so I just lay back getting comfortable as she does the same, staying glued to my side. I can feel her leg intertwine with mine as I can feel her body relaxing on top of me. I lay my chin on the top of her head, letting my body relax as she has done.. until the sleep consumes me once again.