It was nearly 6 months ago that they defeated Astoroth. A night of celebrating led to a new intimacy in their friendship. A week later, there was an easy, should have been, open and shut case that turned into a nightmare, that changed Vicki's life forever. All the changes in her life leaving her more confused than she ever thought possible.
"Vicki, everything happens for a reason. Don't be so quick to throw away Gods work."
"Gods' work, Yeah, right. I was raped Henry, how does that have anything to do with God?"
"You were raped but now you are pregnant. A baby, any new life, is a gift from God. No matter how it happened. Don't throw this life away."
"How am I supposed to raise a baby? Huh? Tell me that Henry? I am barely able to support myself and I'm going blind. How am I supposed to do this?"
"I'll help you, all you have to do is say you'll come with me." He said, hopeful that this time she would take him up on his offer.
He watched her pace back and forth. He knew she was under a lot of stress. He'd managed to keep her from having an abortion so far. He was afraid that she'd still go through with it.
"Yeah right, how are you going to help, you are dead most of the day. Why do you want to help anyway? So you can pretend that everything is ok and you're some happy human husband and father to some kid that's not even yours?" she spat angrily at him. "I'm not your free ticket to play house."
Henry opened his mouth to say something, than closed it again and looked down at the floor not sure what he should say. As all words and thought failed him, he walked out the door and out of her life.
A few days later after finally figuring out what to say to his beloved warrior princess he sat down and wrote her a letter.
My dearest Victoria,
My intentions were to stand by your side during these difficult and confusing times. I wanted to be strong for you if there would ever be a day where you felt you couldn't be strong or didn't want to be. You mean the world to me and I would have gone to the ends of the earth and back again for you.
I would have loved the baby inside of you because it came from you. You are the most incredible person I have ever met. You are strong, smart and a beautiful person from the inside out. I know that when this child grows up, if he or she is the smallest fraction of the person you are then he or she will accomplish great things.
I'm will be leaving shortly; I had hoped you would come with me but every time I ask you turn me down. I will miss you Victoria, and want you to know that you will never be far from my thoughts or my heart. I wish you only the best.
He reread the letter a thousand times before signing his signature in his elaborate penmanship.
He snuck into her apartment late one night and left the letter on her nightstand. He stayed there watching her sleep as long as he could, trying to permanently burn the image of her into his memory. As he looked at her it really started to sink in, everything he knew he ever wanted but could never have was lying before him. Knowing the sun would soon be rising, he wiped the few tears from his eyes and risked waking her. He pulled back the covers exposing her beautiful changing body and slightly swollen belly and placed a gentle hand on it, saying a silent prayer for God to watch over these precious lives. While fighting to keep more tears from falling, he gently placed a kiss on her belly and replaced the covers. Then after whispering his goodbye and promise to love her forever he couldn't stop the tears any longer and slipped away into the darkness of the early morning hours.