One Week Later.
"How you doing Katie?" Walker asked as they were taking a walk around her family's property.
"Better." She said softly looking down at her hands as they continued to walk.
"Katie girl listen you don't have to lie me. I am here for you." Walker said.
"To be honest not the greatest. I haven't been sleeping much at all. The nights are the worst during the day I busy myself with the kids and they take my mind off things. They just love playing and having me here." Kate said.
"Have you been taking anything to sleep?" Walker asked as they reached the dock that over looked the pond.
"The doctor prescribed something for me. I take it if I need too. I do just want to thank you Walker for coming in when you did. I wasn't sure how much fight I had left in me." Kate said slowly sitting down on the bench looking over the water.
"Of course. I could say I was just doing my job but when I went into that house and I saw Trent on top of you." Walker said anger in his voice. "Only one thing was going through my mind getting him off you and sending him back to prison where he belonged. It makes me sick to think about what he did to you. You didn't deserve any of that."
"I tried to fight him off the best I could. But he would shoot me up with muscle relaxers and I remember crying out in pain and ..." Kate said tears swelling up in her eyes as she closed that.
Walker reached over and grabbed hand softly.
"Katie girl you don't have to tell me. I know you need time but just remember you are an amazing woman. Don't let this set back define you." Walker told her.
"Thanks. I just need time and I know I can get past this but I just feel damaged even more so than I already did." She admitted to her friend.
"You may feel that way but you've never been damaged. I promise things will get better." Walker said.
"Thanks for everything. Sorry I lost touch with you." Kate said looking at the water.
"No need to be sorry about that. I get it now more than ever. I admit I was pissed at first when you moved to Chicago and never came home. But I was trying to understand after the accident. I hung out with Trent for a few years and just couldn't understand how he could let you leave like that. But now I get it you had to. It was nothing personal when it came to me or your family it was all Trent. Is that a fair assumption?"
"Yes that's fair. After my accident and the recovery. I tried but I couldn't get past it. I always felt like it was Trent's fault. He was drunk that night. Looking back now it's my fault too I never should have gotten in that car with him. But after that night he changed. It was like he was scared to lose me. He started to control me more than he use to. He wouldn't let me do things on my own. I was suffocating being here and near him. I had to get out of here. So I moved to Chicago finished college and got a job. I should have kept in contact with friends here but I was barely doing that with my family."
Walker nodded listening to her.
"I never realized how bad it was for you here. For the most part it seemed to work out for you. I mean you leaving." Walker said.
"It did for a little bit. I made some bad choices when it came to men but in the end it lead me to the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. Then my world came crashing down once again and just when I think their maybe hope. My life was a nightmare one I am not sure I will ever escape from." Kate said in tears.
Walker softly took Kate's hand she flinched a little but soon relaxed knowing she was safe with Walker.
"So I take you are talking about Seth?" Walker asked.
"Yes. I fell in love with him. He never judged me for my bad choices. Seth loved me for all I was. But some where along the way he stopped loving me. He began to have a relationship with another co-worker of ours. When I found out we talked about it and I admit at first I didn't handle it the right way. But then I tried Walker I really tired to forgive him for sleeping with her and being in a relationship. When he told me he got her pregnant I couldn't look past that. A part of me was jealous knowing she was able to give him something I probably couldn't any more. The other part of me hated him for lying and continuing to sleep with her."
"Katie girl what do you mean probably couldn't give him more kids?" Walker asked.
"Both my babies are miracles. After my accident I was told I probably wouldn't be able to get pregnant. If I did it would be to much strain on my body and me or the baby wouldn't survive. Seth and I were so blessed with Ella. She is so amazing. Then talking with our amazing OB we tried again and then we had Jaxon. But I admit that pregnancy was a lot harder on me and my body. I was put on bed rest and was miserable the few months or the pregnancy. Long story short we decided it was to risky for my to even think about having any more kids. So I've been on birth control ever since."
"Damn. I can see why you'd be pissed at Seth he's basically starting another family with this woman."
"Exactly. I am trying but every time I see Seth, I see her and their future together. Just not sure how me and my kids fit into that." Kate admitted looking at the water.
"Now I wish I would have locked him in the hay loft." Walker chuckled he smiled when he heard Kate's giggle.
"We haven't done that in a long time." She smiled.
"Far to long. But now I have to ask where does this Jon guy fit in? Those two are somethin' else."
"Jon is an amazing friend. I would be lying if I said I didn't find him attractive. We've made out but that's it. Nothing more. I had to stop it so I could work on my marriage. Jon loves the kids so much and he's so sweet and kind." Kate said.
"Do you love him?" Walker asked.
"A part of me still loves Seth. I care about Jon so much but right now I can't even think about being with either of them. I don't think they get what I've been through. No fault of their own. I just don't even understand it myself. I just feel ill all the time." She said.
"Kate listen you've been through hell and it will take time but I know you will get through this. The best advice I can give is don't shut them out. Be open and honest with how you are feeling. Just know that you aren't alone. I am here too." Walker smiled.
"Thanks." Kate said.
"Where is dumb and dumber now?" Walker asked.
"Seth went to Orlando for work. He didn't want to but I told him we needed to get back to some kind of normal. He'll be back in a few days."
"And Jon?"
"He's at the house. I just needed a break. I know everyone is being nice but sometimes I just need a minute so thank you for the distraction. Also the sour patch kids." Kate smiled.
"Oh I know the way to Katie girls heart. Sour patch kids and Pringles."
"Original or honey mustard." Kate and Walker said at the same time.
Later that night.
Kate spent the evening with the kiddos. They played in the yard and spent some much needed time together. After dinner Kate gave the kids a bath then they cuddled on the couch and watched a movie. It was Ella's turn to pick. So they watched "Tangled". Kate was taking in this moment feeling safe and loved holding her children close to her.
The last week was difficult for her both physically and more so emotionally. But spending time with her kids and resting was just what she needed. When the movie ended she put the kids to bed with the help of her Mom. She soon went to bed herself.
Jon was down stairs talking with Ridge.
"I just wish I knew how to help? I know she's pushing me away. Seth said he feels she's doing the same." Jon admitted.
"This can't be easy for her. We just have to take her lead. I know she told you to go to work tomorrow." Ridge said.
"She did but unlike Seth I wont leave her for work." Jon stated.
"Seth didn't want to leave either. But I think he made the right choice. Getting back to some kind of normal is good. So Jon go to Jacksonville tomorrow. Kate will be fine we've all got her."
Jon hesitated he wasn't sure it was a good idea for him to go to work. He wasn't like Seth he couldn't just up and leave her after what she's been through. He was trying to understand why Seth went to Florida then to Iowa but he just couldn't wrap his head around it. The only conclusion he could come up with was that Seth really was selfish.
Jon and Ridge were sitting in the living room when all of a sudden they heard screaming. Jon shot up the stairs and went into Kate's room. She was once again having a nightmare it had sadly become a norm over the last several nights.
"Katie! Katie baby wake up it's just a dream." Jon said sitting on the bed with her trying to wake her up.
"NO no! STOP Owe!" She screamed still sleeping.
"Baby please wake up. You are safe I am here." Jon said hugging her.
As she started to wake up she looked around the room taking a few deep breathes.
"I am safe." She whispered.
"You're safe Katie. I am here." Jon said touching her face softly.
As she looked at him but flinched at his touch.
"You were just having a bad dream. I am here and you are safe. I promise." Jon told her.
Kate nodded looking around her room avoiding eye contact with Jon.
"Want me to stay with you tonight? I don't have to head out tomorrow I can stay." Jon offered.
"Jon you have to go to work. You have a match to promote so go."
"If you're sure?"
"I am Jon." Kate said.
"Want me to stay with you tonight at least until you fall asleep?"
"I'll be alright. Thanks." She said as Jon pulled her into a hug.
Kate took several deep breathes as she felt her chest get tight at his touch. She knew he would never hurt her but she was didn't feel safe any more. Once Jon left the room Kate tried to get comfortable in her bed. When her phone went off she saw that it was a message from Seth.
"Hope you can get some sleep. Taking the first flight to South Carolina tomorrow. I have a surprise for you. I love you Kate."
Thank you WWEbat85, jjd022980, Heather, HB, Torrance, Hazel, Swaylow, CooLow, Ant-I95, Eric, Jan, Blaze, Washington, Philadelphia, labinnacslove, peace486, Debwood-1999, jessica619, Guest, Guest and Guest for your amazing comments and reviews. I love hearing all your thoughts and ideas on this story.
Thank you to all who continue to read and follow this story. You are all amazing.