Page 77 of Our Unexpected Beginning
“Fixable.” He didn’t give a fuck about the dress. His girl and his baby–his son–were hurt.
“I heard a noise in my room and when I went to check I not only stepped on glass because I’m clumsy, but I fell and cut my stomach.” She failed to hide the tears thatreturned. The magnitude of how much worse it could have been was not lost on either of them.
“Oh, baby.” Graham shifted her shirt to examine the four-by-four dotted with blood that covered the wound.
“It’s small, but they glued it because of where it is. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” He said bluntly, knowing she didn’t need to apologize.
“The baby’s okay, I h-ave to take it easy for a while. I think there’s stitches in my foot too.”
“Where did the glass come from?”
“I’ve been getting calls all week and I brushed them off as a client trying to get an appointment. Turns out it was that reporter looking for you, or this time me according to the police.” Julia looked up at him. “I guess they saw us together.”
“You filed a report? Did you get the fuckers name?” His blood was boiling and he did his best to stuff it down and hide it from her. She was upset enough and didn’t need to know the twenty-seven murderous ways he was going to handle this.
“I guess you’re not the only one that has ties to cut.” He kissed her temple. “This won’t happen again.”
Eleven
Julia
Buried in warm sheets, Julia woke to find Graham watching her in the darkness. The sheets felt smooth against her skin, though slightly wrinkled from their slumber. Graham’s hand rested lightly on Julia’s back, offering a sense of comfort and protection.
“Hey.” She smiled.
Graham bent down and kissed her softly. “G’morning.”
“I like waking up with you.” They’d enjoyed two weeks together since the accident and she was getting used to the idea that he was home for good.
“Me too.” He settled into the pillows and pulled her against his side. She picked up on his sullen mood.
“Hey,” Julia reached out and touched his cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothin’, couldn’t sleep.” He shrugged.
“You know it’s not your faulttoo right?”
“It sure as hell doesn’t feel that way.” He admitted, unable to look her in the eyes.
“Graham.” She whispered, leaning in and brushing her lips against his. “Look at me.”
His eyes were filled with guilt and hurt. It pained her to see it.
“We aren’t responsible for someone else’s actions. You were clear months ago that you wanted nothing to do with this and they ignored that. It’s on him.”
“But I got you hurt. Because of me. It’s what it comes down to. I’m scared, Jules.” His voice broke and he dug his hands into his hair. “I’m scared Jules, I’m so fucking scared that I’m going to fuck this kid up and then I’m going to hurt you. The thought of it, the mere fucking thought about hurting you or ruining this kid I can’t see straight. I can’t breathe, and I’m scared all the time.”
Julia sat up. “You’re scared ofme? Do you not want to do this?“ She looked everywhere but his eyes, not wanting to see the bitter truth. “My child won’t be raised as an obligation.” They should never feel as if they’re a burden. She knew that feeling too well.
She crossed her arms and cleared her throat. “I’m…I can do this on my own if this isn’t what you want. I can do this on my own if–.” Her vision blurred and Julia sniffled. “I don’t want someone who doesn’t want me–us–or what’s to come.”
“I know what I want.”
Julia swallowed thickly and whispered. “What do you want?”
“This. It makes me scared as hell.” Graham ruffled his hair again. “I don’t want to be like my parents. And I sure as fuck don’t want to be like my sister. I’m afraid that’s all I know is how to be a fuck up.”
