Chapter 3: Only the Start

I clinch my jaw trying to stop the tears from rolling but they continue as the camera stops.

"Almost done sweetie." The older woman passes me a gown then guides me over to the bed. "At least we got the worst part over first. Did you scratch him?" I nod slowly, "Good then this will help a lot." She scrapes under my nails and when she's done she gives my hand a gentle pat, "Try to relax I'll be right back feel free to lay down."

I want to object but I can't speak up. Another woman in maybe her thirties comes in and sits next to the bed, "I'm Elisa Bryant I'm going to help you get through this every step of the way I'll be there."

I find myself gritting my teeth trying to hold the tears but they slowly creep as I pull my knees up to my chest.

"Where is she? I don't want to hear that bullshit where the fuck is my wife?" I stare at the door shaking my head.

"That must be your husband... Do you want to see him?" I shake my head even more crying harder. "Tiara it's okay calm down I'll go tell him."

It takes a second for her words to sink in. I grab her arm, "No! No. He can't know he can't know anything he can't know he can't know." My voice falls to a whisper until I'm talking to my inner thoughts.

"I won't tell him anything." With a gentle smile she walks out and I see my little boy look in my eyes through the slowly closing crack.

"Mommy! Mommy!" I can hear the tears in his voice and that's all it takes to finally push me to the edge causing me to cry so hard it hurts.

[x]

I wake up feeling heavy listening to the beep that matches my heart beat.

"I'll call you back she's awake now." Elisa walks over to her previous seat.

"How long have I been out?" I mumble surprised that she actually heard.

"About an hour. I know this is going to be difficult for you but I need you to tell me what happened exactly."

"I had to go to the bathroom and when I finished washing my hands I turned my back towards the door to get a paper towel. That's when I heard the door lock and Dylan was there."

"Last name? Did he say anything?"

"Beckford and he said he was surprised that Ian let me wear my shorts because they make my ass look even more fantastic. Um I pulled out my phone but Dylan threw it across the room then I went after it but he pulled me back. I ended up on my stomach under him and he pulled my hair making me look up at him. He said it would be so good for the both of us if I stopped fighting him. I told him to go to hell then spat in his face and he said I tried to play nice but you did this to yourself and he shoved my head forward."

"Towards?"

"The mirror... we were on the floor in front of the mirror."

She looks up at me from her notepad and phone then shakes her head with a sigh. "I need you to keep going for me."

"He pulled my panties and shorts down, lowered his pants and underwear then he entered me."

"Tiara I'm sorry but I need det-"

"He came twice once in my vagina and once in my asshole. He said that he could tell he was the first to be there. His hands were everywhere all over me I can still feel him on the inside and out I can still feel him." I hiccup through my tears curling up in a ball still feeling the cold tile after being left there all alone until a woman found me.

Before she can reply the older woman from earlier comes back in with a little cup with a pill in it. I take it from her with one hand but when I realize the shaking I use my other hand as well. "Morning after pill just in case."

I stare down at it rotating the cup with my fingers and after a moment of pure silence I hand it back. She looks at me as if I'm crazy then puts back up the impassive mask walking out but not before saying, "You can change your mind."

I turn towards Elisa wiping my tears away, "I want my son."

She walks out and within seconds Christian comes peeking in then timidly walks over looking at the monitor that shows my heartbeat. "Are you gonna die momma?"

I laugh a little then pick him up holding him tight, "No baby boy."

"Then what's wrong with you? Why are you here? Daddy is sad no one will tell him what's wrong with you." His eyes fill with worry giving me the same look as his father when he's worried.

"There's bad people in the world and sometimes they get angry and take it out on other people."

"A bad man hurt you?"

"Yeah but everything will be okay."

His crystal blue eyes begin to slowly overflow with tears. Christian wraps his arms around my neck, "Don't die mommy I'm not even five yet! You're the bestest mommy ever you can't leave don't leave me or daddy."

Tears boil to the surface as I rub his back up and down, "Shh baby it's okay I'll never leave I promise I'm not dying. I know you don't like seeing me like this with all these machines but they make me better so I can be with you and daddy sooner."

"But I don't want to leave you here."

"You can stay with me and I'm sure daddy will be out there too when you wake up."

He pulls back to look in my eyes, "Why can't he come in here?"

"Because I want you all to myself just a little longer."

"But you always told me to share."

I smile a bit, "I know but remember when you were sneezing and coughing and you wanted me to sleep with you?"

"Because your hugs and kisses made me feel better."

"And your hugs and kisses make me feel better too."

A tiny V forms between his eyebrows before he places his hands on each side of my face, "I'll stay only if you stop crying momma I don't like seeing you cry unless they're happy tears."

I turn on my side still holding Christian as he lays on his side as well looking at me. "Let's sleep sweetheart."

He snuggles up closer to me pulling the sheet higher up on us before we slowly drift off.

[x]

Point of View: Ian Somerhalder

My heart sinks deeper into the ground as I watch my son walk into Tiara's room. I keep asking myself why she won't let me see her but I can't think of a good enough reason. Too deep in my own thoughts I don't even realize the woman next to me.

"I understand that you aren't in the mood to be questioned but I have to ask was there anything out of the ordinary?"

"Not that I can think of."

"Nothing that gave you a certain vibe?"

"No." She nods slowly about to say something but I cut her off. "What's wrong with my wife?"

"She asked me not to tell you."

"Who the hell are you anyway some detective?"

"I'm a case worker I help your wife along the way through struggles she could encounter."

"Isn't that what I'm here for?"

She takes a deep breath obviously searching for the right words, "I deal with these types of situations for a living I'm specialized in the care of the victim. I know what to do what to say and what not to do or say. You could go in there and say the most innocent thing but it could set Tiara off. She will need the one man she can trust wholeheartedly when she is ready. You of all people cannot be viewed as an enemy right now. The best thing for you to do is be patient and be there when Tiara is ready to face you. The husband can usually make or break the victim and I think both you and I know she can't handle much more."

We both look at the door when the nurse comes out and begins to walk over. "Your son and wife are asleep probably for the night. Mr. Somerhalder you need to rest as well so you will be fresh to deal with all the drama tomorrow. If any problems arise we will call you. We put some anxiety medicine in her IV so that she will be relaxed. I'd say come back at around ten she should be up by then."

"Is she hurt physically?"

"We will be able to give you a clear answer tomorrow morning." With a smile she's gone.

I get up without another word and head back to the hotel. When I get there all I want is to sleep to escape from all the anger and confusion.

"How is she?"

I lean up on my elbows just as Lacy sits down on the bed. "I don't know she didn't want to see me."

"Why?"

"I don't know I don't know a thing."

"Where's Christian?"

I lean up all the way, "He's with Tiara they fell asleep together."

"Now it's just you and me all alone."

"Did you see anything?"

"What?"

"Earlier today did you see anything weird Lacy?"

"Nothing that sticks out."

"I don't understand what could've possibly happened so bad to where she wouldn't want to see me. There's a fucking caseworker and unanswered or unexplained questions. After all the shit we have endured we swore to each other to always be honest to have open communication and here I am out of the loop."

Lacy places her hand in the middle of my thigh, "I'm sure everything will be fine in the end. Everything happens for a reason whether it's good or bad is up to us."

I let out a deep breath trying to make myself relax for the night. "I think I'm going to go to sleep I'll need all the rest I can get."

"Me too night." She gets up and heads out the door closing it behind her.

I finally get off my ass to take my clothes off then slip into some pajama pants. Just as I'm about to turn the light off there's a knock at the door.

"Um this is going to sound a little weird but can I sleep with you? With everything that happened today I'm a little on edge. My imagination thinks every little sound is a person coming after me."

"Uh sure."

She smiles at me and walks to the bed. I take in her attire, a tank top and panties, making a mental note to buy her some pajamas. I turn out the light and get in bed lying on my stomach. My mind drifts away and the last thing I remember is feeling smooth warm skin against me.

[x]

Point of View: Tiara Somerhalder

I keep scrubbing all over harder and harder trying to remove the filth. After awhile I give up settling on crying as I wrap my arms around myself. Once I finally close the floodgates as much as I can I dry off and get into another hospital gown.

I walk back out to the bed where Elisa sits next to it. "How are you feeling?"

"I'd tell you but then I might end up next to a shrink. Um can I wait to press charges?"

"Yes but why would you want that?"

"How long until I can't?"

"I wouldn't wait longer than a year if that. Tiara-"

"Then I want to wait to press charges against my rapist."

"But why?" I look down at my hands then wrap my arms around my torso. "Oh gosh. I don't think I could be as calm as you right now with that type of decision."

"I'm sure you know my past which makes the decision even easier to make but extremely hard to deal with especially all the repercussions that could happen."

Before she can reply Dr. Smith walks in with some file that I'm sure is about me. "Good morning ladies sorry to keep you waiting. Let's get to it shall we?"

I nod as she looks over the papers, "There was a little bit of bruising to the cervix which explains the pain while urinating. You also have a small anal fissure, which is a tear in the skin around the anus. With soaking in a hot bath three times a day you should be fine in four weeks. I must warn you bowel movements will cause extreme discomfort but I will give you some medicine for the pain. We will set up an appointment with your physician at home in four weeks to run some more tests. If you need any help of any sort don't be afraid to ask."

I nod and with a gentle smile she is gone. I take a deep breath thinking of everything but still try to remain calm.

Elisa places a bag in front of me, "These are some clothes that Ian brought for you." She gives me her card, "When you're ready to pursue your case call me day or night I'll answer."

"Thank you."

I'm soon alone pulling on jeans, Nikes, and a t-shirt that I remember buying in London. I take a deep breath again then open the door. Dr. Smith and Elisa walk away leaving Ian to stare at me.

"How are you feeling?" He asks with fists by his sides.

"Uh sore and tired nothing I can't handle."

He crosses his arms acting a little fidgety and I can tell that they told him not to touch me which I'm grateful for.

"What happened no one told me anything really?"

"I'm not sure I don't remember Dr. Smith told me my memory should come back slowly to not push it. All I know is that I'm a little bruised here and there but nothing permanent."

"Good did you tell Christian anything?"

"The bare minimum he's so sensitive when it comes to our health so I gave him a very little explanation."

"I figured since he wasn't crying or anything. Before you ask he's downstairs with some nurses waiting for us."

I laugh a little, "He's already a charmer like his father."

Ian smiles a little as we walk off to the elevator in silence. Somehow we end up in there alone consumed with silence. I glance up at him as I feel the weird connection invade me but it's somewhat comforting.

"I won't lie I really want to touch you... hold you in arms to make up for the first night we've spent apart before two years ago."

"Take me slow."

He slowly reaches over and hooks his finger around mine making me smile.

I walk into the bedroom alone as Ian gets Christian situated to leave. I plop down on my side of the bed and instantly start crying. Never did I expect for my world to crash down the last time I left this room. I soon calm myself down looking around on where to start packing my stuff when I see a long line on the pillow. I manage to pick it up and see it's a long blonde hair... on my pillow. I get up and practically storm into the living room where Lacy just walked in.

I push her to the ground and pin her down wrapping my hands around her neck. "What were you doing in my bed?"

She smiles as I start to clench harder, "He was so good gosh now I know what all the fuss is about."

I laugh, "What was that?"

"It was even better when I was on top of him there's nothing that isn't perfect on that body of his. Sorry that your husband could resist me."

I clench tighter and lift her head before banging it on the ground "I'm not stupid! You have it fucking straight when you say he's my husband he wouldn't dare touch you! Do not speak to me about Ian trust and believe bitch that is all mine and the day you try anything with him I will make sure to end your life you got that?"

"I'd love to see you try!" She rolls over on top of me and I see her pull her hand back in a fist but I kick her off.

"Stronger than I thought."

"You're even more stupid than I thought. I guess we underestimated each other." Before Lacy can lunge at me I go after her. I see blood appear after I lift my fist from her face a couple times as she scratches at mine.

Out of nowhere I'm pulled off of her, "What the fuck are you doing?"

I push Ian off me, "Did you fuck her?"

"God no!"

"I thought so well I guess you need to sort some things out because she doesn't remember last night that way." I throw back her extension at her that I managed to pull out. "Use that to wipe the blood off your face you might need ice for that too."

I fling my hair over my shoulder and walk back to the bedroom. I head towards the bathroom but stop when the carpet turns into white tile. I push the memory out of my head as I turn around but still feel the chill. I run my hands over my face sitting in the floor against the wall with my legs to my chest.

I shut my eyes trying to escape from the world but end up revisiting my nightmare. Every time I close my eyes I see his face and feel his hand grasping my hip as the other hold my hands behind my back.

I hear the door open and close then Ian is sitting in front of me looking so lost. "I don't know what to do."

"There's nothing you can do the damage has already been done."

His hand goes to wipe away my tears but he lowers it back to his side. I grab his hand holding it with both of mine as my finger runs back and forth over his wedding band.

"I want you to hold me but it would be too much to handle," I murmur.

"I know baby doll but I love you just the same that will never change."

"Tell me that a month from now."

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