A little over four weeks had passed since a bullet ripped through the body of the petite, sandy-blonde young woman. The aftermath of that night was nightmares, phantom pains, and anxiety attacks. Dr. Kevin Collins found ways to help Ally overcome some of the traumatic events in her life. It was a slow process, but with every session, Ally felt like there was light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
"How have you been sleeping?" the doctor inquired, glancing up from the notepad on his lap.
"Okay, I guess. I have good nights and bad nights," she answered.
"Have you noticed things that may trigger you to have a bad night?" the man questioned.
Ally placed her hands on her lap, her fingers intertwined. "I have noticed a lot of it has to do with Jason's work. When he either has to work all night, or he comes home late. If Jason is not home when it is dark, my anxiety takes over."
"What are your dreams usually about on a bad night?"
"Johnny, Anthony, even Luis," she informed.
"So you haven't found peace in knowing that Anthony and Johnny can't hurt you anymore?" Dr. Collins asked, cocking his head to the side.
"No...and I don't understand why. I mean, I know they are gone. I watched them both die," she explained, eyes glued to the doctor.
Three times a week, since her breakdown in Jason's penthouse, Ally and Dr. Collins met up. She was able to discuss with the man about matters that she couldn't speak to anyone else. She could be open and honest with him, and there was this nonjudgemental demeanor about the great doctor. She had a lot to process, and the doctor created a relaxed environment where she could trust him and open up.
"I want you to take a minute. Think back to the moments you watched those two men die. Those were two men that you once loved," he pointed out. Ally closed her eyes, placing her head against the couch. "I know you despised them the day their lives ended, but you did care for them at one point." Tears fell down Ally's face as Dr. Collins spoke. "Witnessing their deaths effected you more than you realize."
"But..." she protested, sitting up straight on the sofa. "I use to kill people without flinching."
"But you didn't know the people, right?" The woman agreed. "And you said, eventually it took a toll on you." She agreed once again, her eyes dropping to her lap. "I believe you are still carrying around the weight of those deaths," Dr. Collins stated.
"I always imagined my life completely different once I got free of Anthony and Johnny. Even from the grave, I'm still in their clutches," she responded with sadness in her voice.
"We will work on releasing you from these emotions. You have done an astounding job in being honest about everything that has happened in your life," he complimented her. "Let's get back to what triggers your nightmares."
"Okay..." she whispered.
"Have you told Jason about how his work at night effects you?"
"Oh no," she responded.
"And why not?"
"Dr. Collins...Jason's work is his life. I don't want him to give that up over some nightmares," she revealed.
"I get Jason's work is important. I would say that his work defines who he is. But..." The man leaned towards his patient. "If he loves you like you say he does, then he needs to know what is going on with you."
Ally sat in silence as Dr. Collins explained what could happen if she didn't share things with him. Not talking could cause them problems in the future.
"Look you are making amazing progress. And I know the trial is right around the corner, so I want to give you my cellphone number. If you feel overwhelmed in any way, I want you to call me. Day or night," he offered, handing her his card.
"Are you sure?" she asked, slowly taking the card.
"Yes. You have a lot going on. Plus, Jason pays me very well," he joked.
Ally giggled, "He does want the very best for me, and he believes you are just that." The doctor grinned. "Thanks again for everything. It means a lot to me."
"You are welcome, young lady," he stated, escorting her to the door. "I'll see you in a couple of days."
"Okay," she mumbled, leaving the office.
Leaning against the far wall, Ally recalled today's session. She had kept so much to herself, not wanting to worry anyone, now she had to share everything with Jason. The enforcer never made her feel like she couldn't talk to him. It was just the subject matter that was going to be hard for her.
Taking a huge breath in, Ally shuffled towards the nearby elevator. Her next stop before heading back to the penthouse was to see Patrick Drake. It was her final checkup with him as long as everything healed properly.
"Ally," a voice greeted her as she stepped out of the elevator.
A smile spread across Ally's face upon seeing the woman before her. "Emily! How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you?" she questioned as they slowly strolled down the hall.
"I'm okay," she answered honestly.
Emily placed her hand on Ally's shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I would, I just need to talk to your brother first," she said, eyes falling to the floor.
"Oh..." Emily answered quickly.
"Emily...I would talk to you about this, but it's just something I have to talk with Jason first." Emily smiled. "You were amazing to me while I was here and Jason is lucky to have you. Maybe sometime soon we can get together for coffee or something," Ally suggested.
"I would love that," she whispered, hugging her.
The girls exchanged a few words, numbers, and good-byes before Ally left the nurse and headed to Patrick's office. The second she graced the door of his office, a smile spread across the young doctor's face.
"Miss Lynn. How is my favorite patient?" he asked, walking towards her.
She laughed, "Favorite patient, huh?"
"Oh, yeah," he smiled, leading her to an examination room.
"Well, glad to hear that, after all the time we spent together the last month," she commented.
"Yeah. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after you're released from my care today," he stated, taking a seat on the chair next to the table.
"You really believe I'm going to be cleared today?"
"Ally, you have come along way. Your wound healed amazingly. Unless you can tell me any other reason why you shouldn't be released," he expressed as he began taking her vitals.
"No," she answered.
Patrick smirked, continuing his examination. Ally communicated the pain she experienced once in a while near the scar. The doctor informed her that is was just nerve endings trying to reconnect. Every issue she brought up, the man answered, assuring her she was fine.
"So I'm good?"
"Yes, you're fine. Better than fine," he expressed.
"I can return to normal activities, like yoga and exercising?"
He nodded, "Yes, ma'am. You can go back to a normal life."
Ally smiled, "Thank you, Patrick. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty."
"Well, you have a lot of people that care about you, including my girlfriend," he smiled. "Makes me obligated."
Ally laughed, "Thank you."
The two exchanged greetings before Ally headed towards the penthouse. A smile showed on her face the entire drive home. She hadn't been this scared and excited since Jason took her out on his bike.
"Max, it's such a beautiful day," she greeted the guard when he opened the door to the Towers.
"Um, sure," he agreed, peering up at the cloudy sky.
She grabbed the man's face. "Find the good in every day, Max."
The guard laughed, walking her into the building. "Good day, Miss Ally."
She winked as the doors closed. Today was a great day for the woman, and it was going to just get better.
Upon opening the front door, Ally was welcomed with silence. She frowned, scanning the cluttered room.
"Hello," she called out, closing the door behind her.
When no one answered, she let it go. Maxie and Spinelli were in the middle of planning their wedding, and she could care less about Brenda. She pitched her coat on the deck, bouncing quickly up the stairs to her room. Walking in, she pulled out her phone, sending a quick message to Jason.
"Clear to return to normal activities."
Smiling, she pressed send, before throwing the device on the bed. She pulled a few things out of her dresser, disappearing into the bathroom. Tonight was going to be her first night with the man she loved, and everything had to be perfect.
Author's Note: The next chapter is still in the works. I am trying hard to get it done. I have been getting a few people asking who the mystery person is and I am going to give a hint. The person is definitely OLD SCHOOL. I hope when I say that it might help. And no it's NOT FRANCO. That is who my son wanted the bad guy to be. LOL Enjoy. Don't know when I will post again. I'm also slowly working my way through old chapters, rewriting some things and making corrections. LOVE YA ALL
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