Chapter 9

Just pulling up to her flat made fear bubble in the pit of Anna's stomach. She had learned to deal with her feelings with her flat while being there, but being away had made that fear come back. John seemed to sense her fear and reached across the console to take her hand.

"Are you alright?" He asked. Anna turned to face him and gave him a tight nod.

"I just….it's been a while. The week away from it, was nice," she told him. Anna climbed out of the car and was grateful that John decided to follow her in while she got her things. She unlocked the front door and refused to look in the direction on her guest room. It was placed right next to the entrance of her flat. It had made it easy for him to push her into the room and pin her down. Her back shuddered.

"Anna?"

"I'm just going to run to my room and gather some new clothes. Feel free to sit on the couch. You can turn on the television if you'd like."

John watched as Anna disappeared into her bedroom. A small stick by the door caught John's attention. He realized it was one of those types of sticks used to put under the doorknob to keep the door from being opened. John wondered if Anna had bought it after the attack.

He hated the bastard that had done this to Anna. If it were up to him, he would find him and kill him. But he couldn't. No, there was the baby. John had to keep that secret for Anna. It wasn't his to tell or act on. And Anna meant the world to him.

Now that they had shared their true feelings, they were finally together. It had been a dream of his for years. He hated that the snake's actions had unintentionally brought their feelings to the surface, but he was also glad they had both finally been truthful with one another.

John decided to turn on the television. He had no idea how long it would take Anna to pack for staying at his place. They hadn't spoken of a timeline. She was welcome to stay with him as long as she wanted even if that was forever.

Sitting down, he searched for something to watch. He found a random comedy and sat back into the couch. Every few moments, he could hear as Anna opened or closed a drawer. About half an hour later, Anna stepped out with two large bags.

"I panicked," Anna explained. "I wasn't sure what to pack." John just chuckled.

"We can always come back and pick up more things as you need them."

"You have a washer and dryer, right?"

"Yes," John replied, grabbing each bag from her hands. "You remembered your toothbrush? All your toiletries?"

"Yes," Anna stated. "I probably packed too much, but I didn't know what I would need, exactly. On Monday, I go back to work and tomorrow I'm supposed to go over to Mary's to visit her and the baby. I….I'll probably tell her then about the baby."

John's jaw clinched slightly. "And what will you tell her?"

Anna sighed, biting down on the side of her lip. "I….I guess that you and I had been going on dates for a while and that I am now pregnant. She'll be livid that I didn't tell her about dating you before, she knew I had a crush on you."

"She did, did she?" John playfully asked, making Anna laugh.

"Yes. She'll wonder why I didn't tell her, but I'll just use George as my excuse. With her being pregnant and having a baby, we haven't been able to speak as much."

"And do you think she'll accept it?" Anna chuckled and shook her head.

"God no, it's Mary. But she doesn't have much of a choice. She'll get over it," Anna replied. Then she sighed, "I….I actually called Mary right after he….." Anna's words faded, unable to say the words. "But she didn't answer. Turns out she was in labor. I had planned on telling her, but….once she didn't answer, I lost my nerve to call anyone else." Anna glanced up and met John's eyes and she could see pity and concern staring back at her. So she forced a smile and shook her head. "It worked out, though. I….I'm fine," she forced out. "You know and you….."

John paused her words by taking both of her hands within his and rubbing the tops of them with his thumbs. His movements helped to calm Anna and her breaths slowed to match his. She wasn't sure how he did it, how he knew when she was about to have a panic attack, but he did. And he calmed her before it had even had a chance to begin.

Anna gave him a soft smile.

"Thank you," she said.

"Of course."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

When they reached John's flat, John unloaded Anna's bags and told her just to go on inside. While she had been to his flat several times, it was different now. She was staying here and they were a….couple? She wasn't quite sure what term to use to describe them.

John stepped in behind her and set her bags right next to the door. He offered her a smile and then took a few more steps inside.

"I….The guest room is down that hallway. That can be your room. But if you'd rather…." He got caught on his words. His lips twisted and Anna could tell he was uncomfortable. She knew he wanted to offer that she could stay in his bed because of the night before, but that he was also unsure if that was appropriate.

"Thank you," Anna answered. "Which way to the guest room?"

While staying in the same room with John sounded comforting, she worried that would be moving too quickly. Having her own space was probably best, for now.

John pointed down the hall and then grabbed the bags to take them to the room. It was directly across the hall from John's bedroom. It had a bed, television, and small dresser. There wasn't much to it, but it looked comfortable enough.

"I don't have much to eat. I can order us in something for dinner or make us some omelets," John offered.

"No eggs," Anna reminded him.

"Right," John quickly replied. "Order in it is then. I'll go to the store tomorrow while you are visiting with Mary. Make me a list of things you'd like to have here."

"I can pick up stuff after I meet with Mary. I'd hate for you to…"

"It's not a bother. I'm going to go and get the menus for the places that deliver and you can set yourself things up. Make yourself at home."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"This was nice," Anna said, as he opened the car door for her to step out. "It's a shame you have to go back to London. But we'll keep in touch?"

"Absolutely," he replied. He walked with her back up to her flat and Anna pulled out her key to unlock the door.

"Thank you," she said. She bit down on her lower lip and then bent over, giving him a quick chaste kiss on his cheek. While she had enjoyed his company, there wasn't any spark there. She wasn't that disappointed that he had to head back to London. She would be okay with them being friends, however.

Unlocking the door, she felt as Alex's hand came to rest on her hip. She shifted slightly and turned back to face him.

"Goodnight," she told him, forcing a smile on her lips. She stepped back slightly, prepared to close the door on him. But he placed his foot against the door to hold it open and his eyes scanned her frame, making her suddenly very uncomfortable.

"You look like you could use some fun, Anna," he said, stepping forward.

"I….I don't know what you're talking about Alex. I…..I had a good evening, but I need to get to bed. I have work tomorrow."

Next thing Anna knew, he had pushed himself into the flat and closed the door behind her. Then he grabbed her hips, pulled her to him, and kissed her. Anna brought her hands up and attempted to push him away, but he had prepared for that. He grabbed her wrists and pushed her into the guest bedroom.

"Alex, what…..please, don't do this," She begged, tears prickling behind her eyes, as fear consumed her.

"We're just going to have some fun," he murmured into her ear, before shoving her onto the bed.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna shot up in her bed and brought her knees up to her chest. It was the most graphic dream she had of the attack in a while. Her body was shaking. It was as though it had just happened and not two months ago.

A sigh passed through her lips and she ran her hand through her hair. Slowly, she tried to lay back down and calm herself. It was just a dream. He couldn't hurt her again, not right now. She placed her hand on the minute bump of her belly and closed her eyes.

"I won't let him hurt you," she promised. But as her eyes were closed, she saw his face again. His eyes were dark, full of lust and want. Her eyes jerked back open and she turned to her other side.

For nearly an hour, she tried to go back to sleep, but nothing would work. She finally decided to go to the kitchen and get herself a glass of water. Perhaps that would help calm her nerves and let her sleep.

As she stepped out of her bedroom, her eyes lingered on John's door. No, she told herself, she couldn't just go into his room in the middle of the night. She swallowed hard. He had been one of the few things that calmed her when she was afraid.

She lifted her hand to knock on his door, but stopped herself. Her lips twisted and she found herself rocking on her feet, unsure of what to do.

Without much thought, she found herself slowly turning the knob to John's bedroom. She stepped into his room and saw him sleeping, turned away from the door. She took a few steps closer, reaching her hand out to touch his shoulder. But then she chickened out and pulled her hand to her and took a step back. Her eyes glanced around the room and she wondered why she was so afraid to try and wake him.

Sighing, Anna turned and decided to head back to her room. She would just watch television and hopefully fall back asleep.

"Anna?" John's hazy voice questioned. Anna turned back to face him, giving him a sheepish smile.

"Sorry," she quietly said. "I….I couldn't sleep, but I shouldn't have woken you up. I….."

"It's okay," John sincerely replied, sitting up slightly. He reached out his hand and Anna stepped forward, giving him hers. "Do you want to lay down with me?" He offered.

Anna slowly nodded. "I…I'm sorry. I just…."

"Don't apologize. Come on," he gently pulled her closer to him and Anna sat down on the bed next to John. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"Y..yes," Anna said. John's hand tightened around Anna's.

"Let's lay down," he offered. Anna fell against John's embrace and happily allowed him to spoon her on the bed. She pressed her back closer to his chest and contently sighed.

"Thank you," Anna murmured into the air.

"Is this alright?" John asked, worried it was too much for her. But Anna nodded against his skin and shifted so she could be even closer to him. "Goodnight," John said into her ear, but as he glanced down at her, he saw she was already asleep. He chuckled to himself and pressed a small kiss to the side of her cheek. Then he fell into his own slumber.

To be continued...

Mary will finally make her first appearance in the next chapter. Charles and Elsie will be away for a few chapters, but don't worry, they will be back soon. Thank you for reading!