Kayla and Ashley's Fan Fiction Challenge
June 1st 2007
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters they belong to Beth Sullivan and all the other TV channels that employ them. I also do not own the quotes taken from the feature film, Sleeping with the Enemy, which belong to Ronald Bass.
Chapter One
"Michaela!" his voice resonated deeply through the large foyer. "Michaela, where are you?" Looking back outside he shook his umbrella to get rid of the excess water that still clung to it. Giving it a few good shakes he turned back into the house, shut the door, set the alarm, and threw the umbrella into the stand. "Michaela!"
Quickly she stepped into the foyer placing the phone down on the table. Reaching up she kissed her husband on the cheek. "Where have you been? I expected you home hours ago."
"Who were you talking to?" he asked picking up the phone looking through the recent calls.
"My mother," her eyes lit up for a moment. "Maureen's having a baby! Isn't that wonderful? She and Robert have been trying for another for so long. I'm so happy for them. I'll have to call her tonight."
"Is dinner ready?" He briskly walked passed her making his way into the dining room. "I've had a long day and I'm hungry."
"Umm… almost, I got a little distracted when my mother called. But it's almost finished."
Sighing loudly he picked up the paper that was neatly planted next to his plate. "Is it so much to ask to have dinner ready when I get home?"
"No, it isn't I just got-"
"Yes, I know, you got distracted," he mocked her.
"Jack, I'm sorry." Looking down she hoped he would grant her one reprieve. "It won't happen again. I promise." Placing her hand on his shoulder she rubbed it a little. As much as it sickened her she knew when she showed affection he was less apt to become destructive.
Looking at the table Jack frowned. "Is everything as it should be?" he questioned.
Michaela followed his gaze and noticed his fork was on the right. "I don't know why I forgot." She picked up his fork moving it to the left side of his plate and putting his napkin on the right.
"Well, we all forget things. That's what reminding is for."
"Thank you," she whispered.
Taking her hand he pulled her into his lap. Looking into her eyes he kissed her hard and possessively on the mouth. Pushing back her hair he began to place wet lingering kisses to her neck. She could smell the scent of alcohol on his breath and she tried to hold her own.
"I love you so much," Jack breathed in the scent of her perfume. "I don't know what I would do if you weren't in my life." His hand began to roam and Michaela squirmed under his touch.
She placed her hand to his cheek. "I don't want dinner to burn. We'll finish this later." She smiled knowing she had no intention of doing so. Getting on her feet she felt him give her a slight tap on her bottom causing her to shudder.
Rounding the table Michaela made her way into the kitchen and grabbed the pot holders that were lying on top of the stove. Opening the oven she took out her dish and set it upon the stove. Taking the matches out of the cupboard she opened another drawer and pulled out two crystal candelabras. Walking into the dining room she set them on the table inserted two pearl white candles and lit them.
Jack set his paper down on the chair next to his own. He watched as his wife set the dishes down upon the table. "Chicken Puttanesca?" his jaw clenched.
"It's…it's your favorite."
"Rice Pilaf, Green Beans and Roasted Shallots."
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" his voice rose. "Did we not just have this same dinner last week?"
"But I though you'd-"
"Damn it, Michaela, I feel like I'm in some tacky side street restaurant that only has two dishes on the menu! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"You liked it so much last time I didn't think you mind having it again."
"Didn't mind?" he laughed. "You didn't think I'd mind." Rising from his chair he walked behind Michaela and whispered in her ear. "If you'd didn't think I'd mind, you're stupid!" He slammed his fist on the table and with one swoop he dragged his hand across the oak finish sending everything crashing to the ground.
Jumping back Michaela held onto the edges of the table scared at what he might do. Every outburst was different, but they all ended the same.
Grabbing her forcefully by the arm he pulled her to the ground. "Pick up this mess!" he hissed.
"Let go of my arm," she pulled.
Grabbing onto her arm even tighter he knelt eye level with her. "When I come back from eating a real dinner, this all better be cleaned." Taking his right hand he gripped Michaela around her neck. "You don't want to know what will happen if you don't." With that he pushed her back, her head almost hitting the floor.
Biting the inside of her cheeks to keep from crying she began the menial task of picking up the food and shattered glass.
Jack glared at her from the door. "Don't cut yourself; I don't want blood on the floor.
Chapter Two
Snuggling into bed Michaela glanced at the clock and it flashed nine o'clock. Picking up her phone she dialed her sisters' number. After three rings she picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mama," Michaela smiled.
"Who told you," Maureen laughed.
"Who do you think?"
"Mother…" Maureen sighed.
"Oh Maureen, I'm so happy for you and Robert." I know how much you both wanted this."
"We did," Maureen broke into a wide grin. "We though for sure Ethan would be our last. You should have seen Robert today. Michaela, he swears it's going to be a girl. And you know that darling little boutique on State Street? Jack and Jill? Well he just about bought out the entire store!"
Giggling Michaela imagined Robert buying bonnets and bibs. "He's so good with Ethan. I'm sure if you have a girl, she'll have her daddy wrapped around her little finger!"
"I'll bet!" Maureen giggled. But, what about you Michaela?" she asked.
"What about me?" Michaela knew what she meant.
"When are you and Jack going to have kids? It's been four years now."
"You know how Jack feels about children."
"Still? He hasn't gotten over that yet?"
"He doesn't want them, Maureen," Michaela pinched the bridge of her nose.
"But what about you? I know you want them. You used to talk about it all the time. Michaela, you'd be a fantastic mother."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Stop being so modest. You have that motherly instinct. I've seen you with little Ethan before. He adores you. If you'd just give up a little time at the hospital I'm sure it would wear on you. Besides doesn't Jack care how you feel? Have you told him you would like children?" Maureen pressed the side of the phone to her cheek picking up a magazine from her bedside table. "Surely he would do that for you."
The familiar stinging of tears came to Michaela's eyes when she heard Maureen mention the hospital. And thinking of never having children was one of the few things that would actually make her cry.
"Michaela? Michaela are you alright? What is it?"
"I'm fine," Michaela brushed away her tears. "It's just late. I had a long day."
"Michaela is everything alright with you and Jack? You hardly ever call anymore, and you cancelled your trip last spring to the cabin. Michaela I know that Jack has a strong…personality."
Hearing the front door unlock Michaela quickly turned off the lamp. "Maureen I have to go. I'll call you in the morning all right?"
"Michaela? What? Michaela are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I have to go. Bye."
Putting the phone on the receiver Michaela got back under the covers and closed her eyes. She heard Jack in the foyer fumbling with his shoes. Knowing he was probably drunk she prayed that he would just fall into bed and go to sleep.
Stumbling into the room Michaela could make out Jack removing his shirt and throwing it on top of the empty chair by the window. She heard him unbuckle his pants and also throw them aside. He slithered into bed beside her and soon felt his rough hand working his way up her leg. "M-michaela…" he whispered into her ear trying to turn her over. "Are you asleep?"
Keeping her eyes closed she feigned sleep when she felt Jack unbuttoning her pajama top and fondling her breast. Wincing she held her breath.
"I know you're awake. I saw the light on when I drove up."
"Jack I'm too tired for this," she moved his hand from under her shirt.
"Honey, I'm sorry about earlier. It won't happen again. Let me make it up to you," he kissed her neck.
Sickness started to fester in her stomach. It was always like this. Tonight was nothing compared to the fights they've been in the past. He would always come home and apologize for his earlier actions then act like nothing ever happened and have his way with her.
"No, Jack."
"Come on," he clawed at the drawstring of her pants, trying to bring them down. "And don't even try and tell me it's that time of the month again."
"Jack I'm tried, let's go to sleep. You have to get up for work in the morning." She continued to put him off holding her pants to her waist.
Crawling on top of her he began to kiss her neck, working his hands up her shirt once more. "Come on Michaela. Remember how good we were together? You told me it felt so good."
Remembering when they were first married Michaela couldn't think of anything more than being with her husband. He was a wonderful man, caring, gentle, and always tended to her needs and wants first. But after a couple of months something changed within him. He grew angry, his whole personality changed. Never would she forget the first time he hit her. It was over something as small as dropping a vase they had gotten for their wedding. He pounced on her like a caged animal. Soon after that nothing was ever the same.
"Jack," she touched his arm.
"Umm..." he nestled her ear.
"I was just thinking how wonderful it'd be if Maureen's child had someone its own age to play with. Ethan is going to be a good seven years older than the baby. And Marjorie's children are already four and five."
"So?" he said between kisses to her neck. "Not our problem."
"Well I was thinking," she rubbed her leg against his. "How wonderful it would be if he had another child his own age to play with."
Jack began to respond to Michaela's overtures. "Perhaps they'll have twins." Pulling her pajama top over her head Jack's hands immediately found their way to Michaela's breasts, his mouth soon following.
Squeezing her eyes shut Michaela let out an impatient moan. She didn't know if it was because she was tired or because of Maureen's good news but she started to cry. Not just tears that fell from her eyes, but tears that started in her heart and worked their way out. She remembered back to when she stopped taking birth control and Jack found out. That was the first time he ever struck her on the face. He said that he was sorry about a million times but everyday after that he watched her take her pill every morning before he went to work.
"What the hells wrong with you?" Jack looked up sighing because his mood was broken.
"Why can't we have a baby, Jack?"
"A baby! Damn it, Michaela, not this again."
"But Jack," Michaela reached for him. "When we were first engaged you said you wanted them. What changed your mind?"
Rolling back on her he continued to kiss her neck. "I just changed my mind. I don't want to share you."
"Is that why you don't let me go to the hospital anymore?" she snorted.
"That's it," he was disgusted. Get out!"
"What?"
"Get the hell out of my bed!" He screamed and pushed her till she fell to a pile on the floor.
Landing on her arm Michaela let out a gasp of pain. She hit her elbow on the night stand, and a stinging sensation coursed through her body. She sat there for a moment till she collected herself and stood. She grabbed her shirt pulling it over her head then reached for her pillow and a blanket and walked out of the room.
"Shut the door on your way out," Jack said as he rolled over and fell asleep.
Walking into the cold living room Michaela curled up on the couch and let her tears fall. How in the world had she ended up in this marriage? How had she last for four years? Four years without seeing her parents daily, four years without being happy. Four years not being a doctor. "Oh father you'd be so disappointed. I've lied to you for so long. I'm so sorry, dad. God, I'm so sorry!" Pulling the blanket tightly around her, Michaela turned to her side and a flash of light caught the corner of her eye. Brushing the tears away she looked out the open window. Sitting up a little she noticed a man in the house next to hers. The house had been for sale for quite some time now and finally sold just a week ago. This was the first time she noticed anyone in the house.
Suddenly a man with no shirt on emerged from the hallway carrying a large picture with both hands. Setting it down on the couch he began to hammer a nail in the wall. Michaela watched in interest. He seemed to be very handy with his tools and set the frame on the wall. After taking out his level and making sure it was straight he picked up his hammer again and began to put another nail in the wall. A woman carrying a child walked into the room. The little girl couldn't have been more than three years old and wearing her pajama's. Reaching up the little girl kissed the man on the cheek and he gave her a hug.
Sighing Michaela turned from the window and buried herself deeper into the couch. Praying for sleep to claim her, she pulled the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes.