Chapter 75
"Sweetheart, it's alright to cry when you're hurting for someone you love. I've cried many times. Don't hold it in and make yourself sick. Come here and let me hold you, I love you Krista," AJ encouraged her as he glanced and saw how stiff she sat and how tight her mouth was.
"Thank you, Albert, but I am fine, please take me home now."
"Alright, sweetheart, if that's what you want. Do you still want me to spend the night with you like we talked about?" AJ asked glancing her way but having a pretty good idea of the answer.
"If you like, Albert," was all she would say as she sat there with her arms wrapped around herself and rocking back and forth slightly.
"Krista, do you want me there with you?" he asked calmly. "I'll only stay if you want me to."
She could only nod.
'Damn she's lost in the past again. These girls needed help and they needed it bad. I'll just hold her tonight and let her cry in my arms, telling her I love her the whole time,' AJ thought as he drove her home.
As soon as they reached Krista's apartment she hurried up the stairs not really caring if AJ followed her or not, she opened the door and made a quick dash for the bathroom. Turning on the water in the sink full force she sunk down on the bathroom floor and sobbed out all the fear and anxiety that she had been building up all night long.
AJ waited and listened, but Krista didn't come out. Going to the door he knocked, "Krista, Darlin', are you alright?"
She didn't hear him over the sounds of her own sobs and the running water.
Turning the knob and finding the door unlocked he went inside. There on the floor sat Krista sobbing and rocking. Hurrying over he knelt down by her and took her in his arms, "Sweetheart, are you alright? Please show me where you're hurt? Krista, look at me, Darlin'."
Jumping quickly to her feet and wiping her face she begged, "Please, don't be mad at me! I'll stop crying now!"
Holding her tightly, "I'm not mad at you, sweetheart. I love you and would never be mad at you for crying. You deserved a good cry, so go ahead if you're not finished and I'll just hold you in my arms."
"NO! You say that and then you'll punish me if I believe you!" she shouted and ran into the bedroom throwing herself down on the bed burying her head in the pillow.
Frowning AJ followed climbing onto bed with her and gently taking her in his arms, he told her, "It's alright, Krista. It's me, AJ. I'm not going to punish you ever. I love you and would never hurt you, I promise."
"Daddy said that too, he always told me how much he loved me when he was beating me!"
"Krista, I'm not your father and I'd never beat you. The man was sick and needed to be locked up somewhere away from you girls," AJ growled holding her close. "He'll never hurt you again and neither will anyone else."
"Promise?" she questioned looking up at him with hope and doubt in her eyes. Hope that he was telling her the truth and doubt that he could keep his word.
Caressing her cheek and staring deeply into her eyes he said, "I promise to protect you with my life, sweetheart. They'd have to come through me to hurt you and that'll never happen."
"I love you, Albert," she whispered as she snuggled into his arms.
"I love you to, Krista, always remember that," he whispered holding and rocking her gently in his arms.
"Okay," she told him, and was soon asleep in his strong arms. It had been such an emotionally draining day she was simply exhausted.
To be continued…