The next week was filled with chaos. Christian's doctor came by to look at both of us. He said that Christian's head would be fine and that there would be no permanent injuries with either one of us. He did prescribe both of us sleeping medication in case we suffered from PTSD from the traumatic events. I was thankful for that. For the past few days I haven't been able to sleep. I stay awake all night thinking about the fact that I killed a man. I took his life away. But I had to. He was going to hurt, possibly kill, both Christian and I. There was no other way.
"Ana?" Christian pulls my attention back to the present. His eyes are filled with worry and he looks like he hasn't been able to sleep just like I haven't. Some nights we'll stay up late together just giving each other company. I hate this.
"Yes, what is it?" I sit up on the couch and meet him.
He takes my hand, rubbing soft circles across my skin. "I said, that I have a question for you."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. What's up?"
He takes a deep breath and cups my face in his large hand. I lean into him, closing my eyes. With him I always know I'll be safe. I'll always know I'll be loved. "I want to take you away for a bit. Like on a vacation. Away from all of this shit right now." He kisses me softly, pulling back.
"A vacation? Right now?" I look around the media room. Christian had a team of decorators and cleaners come in and complexly rearrange the apartment and clean it spotless. He didn't have to say the reason for his actions. I already knew. "Do you think this is the best time for one?"
"This is the absolute best time for one. I feel so useless when I look at you, Anastasia." I flinch at his words. "I don't mean it like that, baby." He strokes my hair. "I know you refuse to talk to someone about what happened and I will never force you. I feel like I'm failing you though. For the past week I've been watching you become more distant and I can feel you pulling away from me."
My throat tightens with tears. The last think I wanted was for Christian to take the burden for everything. I never wanted any of this to happen. It feels like I'm being sucked into this black hole that I can't escape from. This entire thing was my fault. I caused all of this. I release a sob and burry my face in my hands. "I'm so sorry, Christian. I know this is just as hard for you."
I feel his arms wrap around me, pulling me into his warm, hard body. "Shh, sweetheart." He kisses my hair. "That's why I want us to go away for a bit. You've been through so much, we both have, and I want this to be the end of it. I want to help you, Ana. And I will always be here for you and do whatever it takes to heal you." I sit up and look at his beautiful face. He looks so tired, so worn out. "I have the plane on standby right now to take us to a private resort in the Caribbean. We both need to relax and regroup after this. We need to heal each other, baby." His eyes shine with emotion and his lips press against mine in a plea to give him what he wants.
I think about going away with just Christian for a while. I've never been to the Caribbean and the though of sitting on the hot beach with this gorgeous man is something that appeals to me. I want us to heal from this. I want to put Kevin and that chapter of my life behind me for good. I have a future with Christian. I'm here with him right now and I love him. "Okay." I reach up and pull him down to me, pressing our lips together. "Let's go. Take me away from all of this."