When both had finished breakfast they shared a goodbye kiss at the door
before getting in their own cars and leaving. Jerrica went through her day
as normal. She had two meetings and a conference call. Starlight Music
was slowly beginning to expand. She was researching offering a country
music label, and had just signed a new hard rock/rap band as well as a
heavy metal act. It was new territory for the company, who had mainly produced pop and rock, but one that she hoped would be profitable. She left the office around two thirty and arrived a few minutes early for her appointment. After filling out the new patient paperwork she was escorted into the doctor's office. She was greeted by a petite woman who had her brunette hair pulled back into a bun, her grey suit hugging her slim frame closely.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Zane." the woman said, holding out her hand.
"Jerrica Benton. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice." she said,
shaking the doctor's hand.
"Not a problem, we had a cancellation. Please have a seat. You can sit in
the chair or on the couch, whichever you prefer."
Jerrica took a seat in the chair across from the doctor.
"So, what brings you here today." Dr. Zane asked, jotting notes onto a
legal pad.
"Well, a little over a week ago I was taken hostage in my office. Since then I
haven't slept, I keep having nightmares."
"Did this person want money? Were they a disgruntled employee?"
"No, he and I ran rival music companies. I still run mine but he was fired
from his job and sent away to a mental institute when he attempted to kill
the lead singer for one of his bands. We have a very complicated history." Jerrica said with a nervous laugh.
"Why don't you tell me about it." Dr. Zane suggested. Over
the next hour Jerrica explained her entire history with Eric. Once she was
finished her time was up. She made an appointment to see the doctor the
following week. When she arrived home it was almost five. She made
roasted chicken and salad for dinner. When Rory arrived they sat down and
ate together, then cleaned up together. Once they were finished they sat
down on the sofa. He pulled her close.
"How did your first appointment go?" he asked.
"Alright I guess. Most of the time I told her about my past with Eric. I
don't know how much it helped though."
"Well, it was only your first visit. Give it some time. I have a feeling
it will help."
"I think this helps me more."
"What?" he asked.
"This, you being here with me every night. I mean I don't expect you to
stay home with me every night, I know that you have friends and other interests. I just mean you sleeping here at night or even me sleeping at your place makes me feel better. I feel worse when I'm alone."
"Well, it helps me too. It might sound corny but I love taking care of you
and this way I can. I can also be sure you're alright."
Jerrica sat up and turned to look at him.
"How do you mean?"
"As hard as that incident was on you, and goodness knows you took the brunt
of his anger, I was still faced with the possibility that he might kill you
and that would have destroyed me." he said, looking straight into her eyes.
"I'm so sorry you got dragged into this mess. I'll understand if you don't
want to marry me after all you've been put through."
"Hey, now wait a minute. I still want to marry you more than anything. If
you will still have me."
"Now you're just being silly." she said.
"Silly huh? I'll show you silly." he said, craning his neck down to nuzzle
her neck.
"Stop, that tickles." she laughed. She pulled away and stood up. Reaching
out her hands to him, he accepted and they went upstairs to sleep. Once
again she had a nightmare and once again he soothed her back to sleep. The
next week flew by. Jerrica had her second appointment and was beginning to
feel stronger. Her rib was almost completely healed. Another week passed
and Eric's trial began to loom closer. Soon it was time for her third
appointment. Again she sat in the same chair across from the doctor.
"So, how has your week been?" Dr. Zane asked.
"Pretty good. The nightmares are becoming fewer, though when I do have
them they're more intense."
"Why do you think that is?"
"I suppose because the trial is starting next week. Rory and I both have
been called to testify."
"Does that frighten you?"
"Yes. I'll have to see him face to face."
"You know that he can't hurt you right? There will be armed guards all
over the place."
"Rationally I know that's true, but that's been part of my nightmares this
week. I see him getting a gun from one of the guards and shooting me, or
worse, shooting Rory."
"That is natural considering what you've been through. Do you believe it
will help your progress once he is behind bars for good?"
"Is there such a thing as behind bars for good? I'm not fooling myself
that way. I know that there is a chance he will get a stay in a psychiatric
hospital or at the very least whatever jail time he gets he probably won't
serve the full sentence. I just hope that wherever he goes it will help me
stop having these nightmares."
When she was done her appointment, Jerrica went home and found a message from Rory that he would be in late. Jerrica went upstairs and soaked in a hot bath.
She stayed their until the water began to cool. She climbed out and went into the bedroom to change. Afterward she made herself something to eat and then watched tv until she was ready for bed. Just as she was making her way upstairs she heard Rory's key in the door. They both smiled when they saw the others face. Jerrica walked to the bottom of the stairs and greeted him with a kiss. "I missed you." she said.
"I missed you too. Some of the guys wanted to go out after work. I figured you could probably use some alone time anyway so I hope you didn't mind." he said, turning to lock up.
"Never. I'm just glad you're here now. It was kind of scary thinking of going to sleep alone."
Rory put his hand to her face and kissed her cheek. "I know. That's why I made sure to get back at a descent hour. Now, how about I clean up and we get some sleep?"
"Sounds good to me." Jerrica said.
Jerrica sat in bed reading while Rory took a quick shower. Afterward they both climbed under the covers and Jerrica fell asleep while Rory stayed awake, quietly watching her sleep. When she finally dozed off and didn't stir for an hour Rory drifted off to sleep as well. The next morning he woke to see Jerrica sitting on the edge of the bed tying her sneakers.
"Good morning." he said.
"Good morning to you too, handsome."
"Where are you off to so early?"
"I thought I'd go for a walk, burn off some of this energy I have. I slept
through the entire night."
"That's wonderful."
"Would you like to join me?"
"If you want me to. I don't want to intrude if you would like some private
time."
"No, I would love for you to join me."
"Then just give me a few minutes to change and we can go." he said,
climbing out of bed and getting dressed. They returned over an hour later.
After sharing a shower they ate breakfast together and left for work. Life
seemed to be getting back to normal. The next week came too quickly. Both
had taken the entire week off since they knew they would have to testify
and that it would take a toll. They were scheduled to testify on Tuesday
and afterward they were going to take a drive down the coast and stay at an
inn on the beach. Monday they simply relaxed around the house, deciding
not to attend the opening day of the trial. Tuesday arrived and they woke early. Jerrica dressed in a navy blue suit, Rory in a pair of black slacks and a grey
shirt with a black jacket. They arrived early and were told to wait
outside until they were called. Jerrica was called first.
"I don't know if I can do this. He's going to be in there." she nervously
whispered.
"You can do this. Just walk in there with your head held high and show him
you're not afraid. It will be the best revenge you can have on him." Rory
said with a smile.
They hugged and she was escorted into the courtroom. The room was packed
with news reporters. Cameras flashed as she passed. She tried to look
straight ahead but still saw him out of the corner of her eye. He glared
at her and Jerrica faltered for a moment before continuing on to the
witness stand. She was sworn in and then took a seat. The State's
attorney, an older, balding man in a black suit approached.
"Ms. Benton, can you please give us your version of what happened on the
day Mr. Raymond came to your office?" the man asked.
Jerrica detailed her ordeal, doing her best to keep her tears in check, not
wanting him to see her cry. When she was done Eric's lawyer, a tall, thin
man with full brown hair and a brown suit stood.
"No questions your honor." he said.
"You may step down." the judge said to Jerrica.
She left the courtroom and Rory was escorted in. As he walked past he
glared right back at Eric, causing him to turn back around and face front.
Rory also gave his account of what happened. When he was done they climbed
into Rory's truck and left for the inn.
"We did it." she cried happily.
"Yes, we did. Now, we celebrate."
They drove for about two hours, stopping once for lunch at a sidewalk café.
When they arrived they were shown to their room, it was on the second
floor. It was decorated in a country style with a home made quilt on the
bed and paintings of horses and fields on the walls. There was a bed,
dresser, bathroom, tv, and sofa. They unpacked and changed into jeans and
t-shirts to take a walk along the beach. As they walked hand in hand
Jerrica smiled.
"I hope this is it. I just want us to get married and live in peace and
quiet." she said.
"We will. Eric will get what's coming to him regardless but no matter, he
can't hurt us anymore. We've proven that."
"I know you're right, but now, I've got to run." she said, taking off down
the beach.
"You brat. I'm going to catch you, you know." he said, chasing after her.
He finally caught her and picked her up and spun her around. They fell to
the ground laughing.
"That's a good sound." Rory said.
"What sound?"
"Your laughter. I missed it."
"Me too. I haven't stopped since I met you. Not until Eric came along.
Now I'm going to take it back." she said.
"Good for you. So, what do you want to do now?" he asked.
"I'll tell you all about it, back at the inn." she said, standing up and
taking his hand.
"Well, I sometimes get bored easily, will it hold my attention?" he asked
playfully.
"Oh, I can pretty much guarantee you won't get bored." she replied, smiling
slyly.
before getting in their own cars and leaving. Jerrica went through her day
as normal. She had two meetings and a conference call. Starlight Music
was slowly beginning to expand. She was researching offering a country
music label, and had just signed a new hard rock/rap band as well as a
heavy metal act. It was new territory for the company, who had mainly produced pop and rock, but one that she hoped would be profitable. She left the office around two thirty and arrived a few minutes early for her appointment. After filling out the new patient paperwork she was escorted into the doctor's office. She was greeted by a petite woman who had her brunette hair pulled back into a bun, her grey suit hugging her slim frame closely.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Zane." the woman said, holding out her hand.
"Jerrica Benton. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice." she said,
shaking the doctor's hand.
"Not a problem, we had a cancellation. Please have a seat. You can sit in
the chair or on the couch, whichever you prefer."
Jerrica took a seat in the chair across from the doctor.
"So, what brings you here today." Dr. Zane asked, jotting notes onto a
legal pad.
"Well, a little over a week ago I was taken hostage in my office. Since then I
haven't slept, I keep having nightmares."
"Did this person want money? Were they a disgruntled employee?"
"No, he and I ran rival music companies. I still run mine but he was fired
from his job and sent away to a mental institute when he attempted to kill
the lead singer for one of his bands. We have a very complicated history." Jerrica said with a nervous laugh.
"Why don't you tell me about it." Dr. Zane suggested. Over
the next hour Jerrica explained her entire history with Eric. Once she was
finished her time was up. She made an appointment to see the doctor the
following week. When she arrived home it was almost five. She made
roasted chicken and salad for dinner. When Rory arrived they sat down and
ate together, then cleaned up together. Once they were finished they sat
down on the sofa. He pulled her close.
"How did your first appointment go?" he asked.
"Alright I guess. Most of the time I told her about my past with Eric. I
don't know how much it helped though."
"Well, it was only your first visit. Give it some time. I have a feeling
it will help."
"I think this helps me more."
"What?" he asked.
"This, you being here with me every night. I mean I don't expect you to
stay home with me every night, I know that you have friends and other interests. I just mean you sleeping here at night or even me sleeping at your place makes me feel better. I feel worse when I'm alone."
"Well, it helps me too. It might sound corny but I love taking care of you
and this way I can. I can also be sure you're alright."
Jerrica sat up and turned to look at him.
"How do you mean?"
"As hard as that incident was on you, and goodness knows you took the brunt
of his anger, I was still faced with the possibility that he might kill you
and that would have destroyed me." he said, looking straight into her eyes.
"I'm so sorry you got dragged into this mess. I'll understand if you don't
want to marry me after all you've been put through."
"Hey, now wait a minute. I still want to marry you more than anything. If
you will still have me."
"Now you're just being silly." she said.
"Silly huh? I'll show you silly." he said, craning his neck down to nuzzle
her neck.
"Stop, that tickles." she laughed. She pulled away and stood up. Reaching
out her hands to him, he accepted and they went upstairs to sleep. Once
again she had a nightmare and once again he soothed her back to sleep. The
next week flew by. Jerrica had her second appointment and was beginning to
feel stronger. Her rib was almost completely healed. Another week passed
and Eric's trial began to loom closer. Soon it was time for her third
appointment. Again she sat in the same chair across from the doctor.
"So, how has your week been?" Dr. Zane asked.
"Pretty good. The nightmares are becoming fewer, though when I do have
them they're more intense."
"Why do you think that is?"
"I suppose because the trial is starting next week. Rory and I both have
been called to testify."
"Does that frighten you?"
"Yes. I'll have to see him face to face."
"You know that he can't hurt you right? There will be armed guards all
over the place."
"Rationally I know that's true, but that's been part of my nightmares this
week. I see him getting a gun from one of the guards and shooting me, or
worse, shooting Rory."
"That is natural considering what you've been through. Do you believe it
will help your progress once he is behind bars for good?"
"Is there such a thing as behind bars for good? I'm not fooling myself
that way. I know that there is a chance he will get a stay in a psychiatric
hospital or at the very least whatever jail time he gets he probably won't
serve the full sentence. I just hope that wherever he goes it will help me
stop having these nightmares."
When she was done her appointment, Jerrica went home and found a message from Rory that he would be in late. Jerrica went upstairs and soaked in a hot bath.
She stayed their until the water began to cool. She climbed out and went into the bedroom to change. Afterward she made herself something to eat and then watched tv until she was ready for bed. Just as she was making her way upstairs she heard Rory's key in the door. They both smiled when they saw the others face. Jerrica walked to the bottom of the stairs and greeted him with a kiss. "I missed you." she said.
"I missed you too. Some of the guys wanted to go out after work. I figured you could probably use some alone time anyway so I hope you didn't mind." he said, turning to lock up.
"Never. I'm just glad you're here now. It was kind of scary thinking of going to sleep alone."
Rory put his hand to her face and kissed her cheek. "I know. That's why I made sure to get back at a descent hour. Now, how about I clean up and we get some sleep?"
"Sounds good to me." Jerrica said.
Jerrica sat in bed reading while Rory took a quick shower. Afterward they both climbed under the covers and Jerrica fell asleep while Rory stayed awake, quietly watching her sleep. When she finally dozed off and didn't stir for an hour Rory drifted off to sleep as well. The next morning he woke to see Jerrica sitting on the edge of the bed tying her sneakers.
"Good morning." he said.
"Good morning to you too, handsome."
"Where are you off to so early?"
"I thought I'd go for a walk, burn off some of this energy I have. I slept
through the entire night."
"That's wonderful."
"Would you like to join me?"
"If you want me to. I don't want to intrude if you would like some private
time."
"No, I would love for you to join me."
"Then just give me a few minutes to change and we can go." he said,
climbing out of bed and getting dressed. They returned over an hour later.
After sharing a shower they ate breakfast together and left for work. Life
seemed to be getting back to normal. The next week came too quickly. Both
had taken the entire week off since they knew they would have to testify
and that it would take a toll. They were scheduled to testify on Tuesday
and afterward they were going to take a drive down the coast and stay at an
inn on the beach. Monday they simply relaxed around the house, deciding
not to attend the opening day of the trial. Tuesday arrived and they woke early. Jerrica dressed in a navy blue suit, Rory in a pair of black slacks and a grey
shirt with a black jacket. They arrived early and were told to wait
outside until they were called. Jerrica was called first.
"I don't know if I can do this. He's going to be in there." she nervously
whispered.
"You can do this. Just walk in there with your head held high and show him
you're not afraid. It will be the best revenge you can have on him." Rory
said with a smile.
They hugged and she was escorted into the courtroom. The room was packed
with news reporters. Cameras flashed as she passed. She tried to look
straight ahead but still saw him out of the corner of her eye. He glared
at her and Jerrica faltered for a moment before continuing on to the
witness stand. She was sworn in and then took a seat. The State's
attorney, an older, balding man in a black suit approached.
"Ms. Benton, can you please give us your version of what happened on the
day Mr. Raymond came to your office?" the man asked.
Jerrica detailed her ordeal, doing her best to keep her tears in check, not
wanting him to see her cry. When she was done Eric's lawyer, a tall, thin
man with full brown hair and a brown suit stood.
"No questions your honor." he said.
"You may step down." the judge said to Jerrica.
She left the courtroom and Rory was escorted in. As he walked past he
glared right back at Eric, causing him to turn back around and face front.
Rory also gave his account of what happened. When he was done they climbed
into Rory's truck and left for the inn.
"We did it." she cried happily.
"Yes, we did. Now, we celebrate."
They drove for about two hours, stopping once for lunch at a sidewalk café.
When they arrived they were shown to their room, it was on the second
floor. It was decorated in a country style with a home made quilt on the
bed and paintings of horses and fields on the walls. There was a bed,
dresser, bathroom, tv, and sofa. They unpacked and changed into jeans and
t-shirts to take a walk along the beach. As they walked hand in hand
Jerrica smiled.
"I hope this is it. I just want us to get married and live in peace and
quiet." she said.
"We will. Eric will get what's coming to him regardless but no matter, he
can't hurt us anymore. We've proven that."
"I know you're right, but now, I've got to run." she said, taking off down
the beach.
"You brat. I'm going to catch you, you know." he said, chasing after her.
He finally caught her and picked her up and spun her around. They fell to
the ground laughing.
"That's a good sound." Rory said.
"What sound?"
"Your laughter. I missed it."
"Me too. I haven't stopped since I met you. Not until Eric came along.
Now I'm going to take it back." she said.
"Good for you. So, what do you want to do now?" he asked.
"I'll tell you all about it, back at the inn." she said, standing up and
taking his hand.
"Well, I sometimes get bored easily, will it hold my attention?" he asked
playfully.
"Oh, I can pretty much guarantee you won't get bored." she replied, smiling
slyly.