Chapter 17

I don't own Lucy or Ian.

Here is the next chapter for the three impatient women who were telling me to get up and update right now rather than in a couple hours. Okay Hazan, Emmalee, and Ivana, enjoy. Love you three!

Ian's POV

Lying in bed I focus my attention on my beautiful wife, Lucy. I've been awake for the past half hour or so watching Luce as she sleeps peacefully. It's currently 2:26 in the morning. I'm unable to fall back asleep due to the fact that I'm too set on figuring out what on earth is going on with Lucy. It has to be in relation to something that took place while she was kidnapped; or the kidnapping itself.

When looking back I recollect how Lucy handled the situation after I had her in my arms and consoled her. Now that I think about it, she never really did handle it per say. Lucy never wanted to talk about it leading me to then assume she wasn't ready to discuss what happened when she was gone. Once we found out about Brea's existence all of Lucy's attention went into the baby. Meanwhile I had been encased with both our baby and Lucy's wellbeing. She had acted as if everything was fine and she hadn't been too affected from the kidnapping, only shaken by it a bit. Now though, now she has been suffering these horrid nightmares.

Scoffing to myself I run a ragged hand through my hair. She won't even talk to me about these nightmares. Hell she kicked me out of my own damn house in order to discuss said nightmares –well I can only assume that's what she was discussing—with Holly rather than her own husband. I just want to know why Lucy is clearly afraid to tell me about something that's distressing her. I wonder why she's just now experiencing nightmares rather than a few months ago.

My gaze falls down to Lucy once more as soon as I feel her squirm around. She buries her head deeper into my arm and clutches at my bare chest. Her forehead crinkles, her legs tighten in their place tangled up in mine and her body soon falls stiff. Lucy's lips twitch along with murmuring incoherently. Her squirming rapidly increases to clutching onto me; her murmurs morph into loud wails for help.

I quickly push myself up in the bed tugging on Lucy in attempt to wake her.

"Lucy. Baby wake up."

Much to my dismay it takes several minutes until Lucy is finally drawn from the deep nightmare that had clearly consumed her.

"Ian?" She whimpers in desperation.

"It's okay baby. Shhhhh, it's okay." I pull Lucy into my lap and caress her back soothingly.

Once her sobs cease I wipe away the tears from her cheeks. Repeatedly kissing her forehead I hold her small frame close to me whispering sweet nothings to her in a desperate attempt to calm her.

Leaning my head down I tuck her hair behind her ear in an attempt to expose her face. However Lucy buries her head in my neck deeper, also tightening her hand's grip around my neck. "Can I get you anything that'll help?"

"Just hold me, please."

"I can do that. I can always do that." I assure her whilst hiding my own worry at what just took place.

Closing my eyes I rest my head on the top of Lucy's, continuing to caress her delicate body with my left hand I relocate my right hand to place on her stomach. Between the motions on her back and stomach Lucy is lulled back to sleep in no time.

Even though Lucy clearly doesn't want to talk about what's going on, after what just took place, I have to make her talk to me about it. Tonight marked one too many times Lucy has woken up in a state of terror.

The lateness of the hour soon take its toll over me. Scooting back down on the mattress I keep Lucy cuddled close to my body.

Waking up for the second time today I once again glance down to Lucy, only this time she is already awake.

"Good morning." Lucy smiles shyly up at me. She pushes her body up a few extra inches to press her lips to mine. Although for the first time, I didn't reciprocate to the kiss. Pulling back, Lucy frowns and furrows her brow at me. "Ian? Why aren't you kissing back?"

Sighing I shake my head briefly. "Lucy we need to talk."

Shrugging in response, Lucy replies swiftly. "Talk about what?"

I quickly find myself growing agitated.

"You can't keep me in the dark any longer."

Nodding her head Lucy replies barely audibly, "I know. I'm sorry."

"What's been going on, Luce?"

Lucy gnaws on her bottom lip before hesitantly opening her mouth. "I can't Ian. I'm sorry. I want to tell you, I do, I just can't."

"Lucy! You can tell me anything and everything."

"I know. But this… I can't. I'm sorry Ian, please just not now?" Lucy whimpers in desperation. Lucy remains silent for a minutes, only snuggling closer to me.

"There is something else I should tell you though."

Oh God, what else could there be? I silently ask myself terrified of something worse bothering her.

"When Holly and I were talking yesterday I told her everything I was feeling and what the nightmares were about. Holly suggested I try seeing a psychologist to see if there is a way to make the nightmares end."

I can't believe I just folded. I have to know what is going on with her, but on the other hand the desperation in her voice and the look in her eyes snapped my mouth shut. As much as I don't want to, I need to let her open up to me rather than forcing her. It is just killing me to do so.

Rubbing my hands up and down her arm that's draped across my chest, I place a kiss to the top of her head. As our conversation has progressed I notice the change in her body. She has fallen much more relaxed compared to the previous tension and fear in her body. Not having a full grasp on her opinion of seeing someone about the issue at hand I approach the topic carefully.

"Is this suggestion something you're thinking about?"

Lucy nods her head briefly. "They're only getting worse. I'm terrified to sleep, Ian. If there is some sort of solution to ridding me of these nightmares, I'll do it."

"If you'd like we could—." My voice fades due to Lucy's phone ringing loudly on the nightstand.

"Go ahead and answer it, Honey." I nod toward the phone noticing Lucy planned to ignore it.

Shaking her head in negate Luce replies, "It's fine. We're talking; besides it's 10 in the morning it's probably not important."

The phone rolls to voicemail shortly after though her phone continues to ding with a new voicemail followed by many texts. Reaching across Lucy's body, which is still curled into my side, I pick up her phone handing it to her.

"Clearly it's something."

Furrowing her brow Lucy frowns in confusion at the small device in her hands when she sees a multitude of text messages from her friend Scotty, and they keep coming in. Listening to the voicemail first, Lucy puts the phone on speaker then presses the play button.

"Morning Goose! You need to wake up and call me ASAP! I'm at this photo shoot and something happened to the model. I talked with the photographer, showed him a few pictures, and they want you to come fill in! Call me back, babe!"

Lucy looks up at me with a humorous look on her face. "He does know I'm 5 months pregnant, doesn't he?" Lucy giggles to herself.

"Call him back and see."

Dialing his number Lucy doesn't even have to wait for it to ring because Scotty answers on the first ring. Lucy keeps the phone on speaker granting me the ability to hear what Scotty says.

"Luce! Are you up for a photo shoot and interview?" Scotty asks eagerly without waiting for Lucy to even say 'hello.'

"Scotty you know I'm 5 months pregnant, that isn't exactly the look some fancy photographer is looking for."

"Well actually that's where you're wrong. It's a pregnancy magazine. I showed them some pictures of you and they think you're gorgeous and exactly what they want. Come on Goose, please?"

Lucy turns to look at me, we both share a look of uncertainty. "Scotty I'm not sure. I haven't done any photo shoots since I've developed a true baby bump. What kind of photo shoot it is? What's the wardrobe?"

"Oh come on Goose! You are stunning and flat out gorgeous. It's nothing exposing or too risqué if that's what you're worried about. " Scotty pleas for her to desperately say yes.

"Hang on, I need to talk to Ian about it for a second."

She mutes the phone preventing Scotty from hearing our conversation.

"What do you think? We haven't talked about if I would continue doing photo shoots or other small things if they came up during the pregnancy."

I've never been one to tell Lucy she couldn't do any job she wished to take part in. It simply isn't my place to tell her whether she can or cannot do something. I have my opinions and I will give her my opinion if she asks for it. In the end it always comes down to Lucy's choice.

"Do you want to do the photo shoot?"

Lucy shrugs casually. "I feel like I want to do it for Scotty since he's done so much for me and he clearly wants me to do the shoot."

"Then tell him you'll be there as soon as you can."

Unmuting the phone Lucy tells Scotty she'll be there, giggling when his obvious excitement and gratitude takes over. After guaranteeing to text Lucy with the address they hang up so Lucy can get up. Lucy climbs out of bed to hurry into the bathroom getting ready rapidly—sans makeup. In under five minutes Lucy is dressed in a pair of denim shorts and an old, worn shirt of hers. I pull on some cargo shorts and a shirt before following Lucy downstairs.

Rushing the dogs to do their business out in the yard we get them taken care of before heading out to the garage where we climb into my car. Knowing Lucy might still be caught up mentally and emotionally with our conversation and her obvious troubling nightmare this morning, I felt it was best I drive her to the shoot. Well that, and I also wanted to spend the extra time with her this morning.

When we arrive to the location Scotty had sent Lucy, she texts Scotty to inform him she is here. His response tells her to stay put for a minute and he'd come find her in order to direct her wherever they need her for hair, makeup, and wardrobe. I take this extra time to kiss my lovely wife.

"While you're gone do you want me to look into the top psychologists in the area or do you want to look into it later on?"

As Lucy typically does when she is nervous and or contemplating something, she gnaws at her bottom lip.

"Will you look into it for me please? I'm afraid if I don't do it now then I might try to put it off which is exactly what I can't do. Besides, all I want is for the nightmares to end."

The look on Lucy's face right now damn near breaks my heart; she looks so vulnerable. I promise her to look into it for her just as Scotty came walking up to the car. With one final kiss Lucy reluctantly gets out of the car. Assuring I'd pick Lucy up as soon as she finishes up I back out of the parking lot and head home.

Lucy's POV

The photo shoot followed by the interview had been wonderful. Much to my delight the photo shoot had actually been extremely fun causing plenty of laughs and giggles amongst everyone there. I was also pleased the morning seemed to have flown by; it is currently 2 in the afternoon. We only have a few things to wrap up before we'll be finished.

Ian had called me earlier during the shoot to let me know he found a few psychologists he thought I might be interested in. Since I am pregnant, the photographer of the shoot was persistent in taking our time and letting me have a break here and there whenever I was craving a delicious Ho Ho or needed to relieve myself due to my now pea sized bladder. During those quick breaks I had checked my phone to read the different information Ian had sent me on the psychologists he found. There was one in particular that I felt drawn to, Kate Collins. Ian said he would see about making an appointment for me then get back to me. This is what led me to step outside in order to answer my phone.

"Hey babe." I greet cheerfully to Ian.

"I'm not interrupting the shoot am I?"

Despite the fact he can't see me, I shake my head. "No, no we actually just finished up. I just need to change back into my clothes then I'll be ready."

"That works out perfectly," Ian replies causing me to become momentarily confused. When questioning him on what he meant, Ian is quick to clarify. "Well I got ahold of the psychologist's office and got you an appointment. There was a last minute cancelation so they were able to squeeze you in this afternoon."

"This afternoon?" I squeak nervously.

"Yes," Ian confirms. "They can get you in at 3:30—giving us plenty of time for me to pick you up and drive to her office. Is that okay?" Ian asks upon sensing my worry.

"Yeah," I nervously run my hand through my hair. "It's just really soon."

"Lucy," Ian pauses for a moment. "You said you wanted to talk to someone about what's bothering you. If you don't want to go, I'll call them back and cancel. However, I don't want you to cancel just because you're scared to do this."

Staring down at my feet I sigh to myself. "I know. You're right. Will you come pick me up please?"

Without missing a beat he responds. "I'm already on my way. See you in twenty minutes, baby."

Hanging up the phone, I tap it against the palm of my hand, take a deep breath, and then will myself to walk back inside. It doesn't take me long to change into my own clothes. After saying my goodbyes to everyone involved in the shoot today I walk outside to wait for Ian who should be arriving any minute now. Unfortunately Scotty had to leave earlier leaving me to wait outside alone.

It isn't much longer until Ian arrives. Climbing into the front seat Ian greets me with a longing kiss.

"How was it?"

"The shoot went well. Really cute clothes and it was just all around fun. I am tired though."

Ian rubs his hand along my thigh as he pulls out onto the main road. "Why don't you take a little cat nap during the drive? It'll take a little over half an hour."

Nodding my head I recline my seat a bit to find a comfortable position. Curling up in the seat I allow myself to drift asleep. Ian's hand caressing my thigh aided in soothing me to sleep.

"Lucy Goose… Wake up, we're here." Ian's soft voice murmurs into my ear.

I blink a couple times before truly taking in my surroundings.

"We better head on upstairs, your appointment is in fifteen minutes and they wanted you here early to fill out some paperwork."

Swiftly getting out of the car, Ian opens my door for me as well as offering me a hand. Ian leads me into the several story high building with sleek black windows across the front of the building. My hand reaches for his, tightly squeezing his large hand for comfort. Ian returns the gesture by rubbing his thumb across the top of my hand.

When we enter the elevator that was just inside the main doors of the rather large building I watch as Ian presses the button for the 17th floor. I can feel the anxiety rapidly increasing the higher we incline. The elevator dings with each floor we pass.

13…14…15…

Abruptly, I turn to face Ian. Lacing my hands around his neck I pull him down into an eager kiss desperately looking for a source to calm myself. Kissing Ian always puts me at ease—relaxing me tremendously. As does making love, though, that option is out of the question right now. Despite Ian clearly being shocked, he doesn't break the kiss. Instead his arms wrap around my lower back to press my body into his. As soon as the door opens I slowly remove my lips from his followed by taking a step back from him to prevent launching myself at him again.

"You ready?"

"Yes." I reply confidently.

Taking his hands once more he leads me out of the elevator to the right of this long hallway. Glancing around I note it's rather nice for being a simple hallway. The carpet is a random pattern of swirls varying in color; the walls are light shade of brown to compliment the carpet.

Ian stops in place at the third door from the end of the hall on the right. To the left side of the door I see Dr. Kate Collins on a silver plate noting this is the correct office. There are also three other Doctors' names below hers.

"You can do this Luce."

Biting the bullet I lean forward to grasp ahold of the silver door handle. The waiting room is quant with a welcoming feel to it. There is only four other people sitting in the black chairs waiting. A couple lift their head to glance at me and Ian only to return their gaze back to where it previously had been.

"Good afternoon my name is Samantha. What can I help you will today?" One of the receptionists asks politely. She has long brunette hair and black glasses with green eyes.

"Hi I'm Lucy Harding, I have an appointment with Dr. Collins at 3:30." I tell the woman as I nervously fiddle with my fingers.

"Ah yes I talked to your husband this afternoon. Let me get you a few things to fill out for me and I'll get you checked in." She smiles up at me while handing me a clipboard and pen.

"Thank you." I reply taking the clipboard and pen.

Turning on my heel I take a seat next to Ian on the double sized chair that doesn't have an arm in the middle providing me the ability to snuggle into his side. Ian drapes his arm around my lower waist, pulling me close to him.

Once I fill out the necessary paperwork I return it to Samantha. We finish getting everything in order within a few minutes. Returning to my seat next to Ian I close my eyes—forcing myself to relax. After what only feels like a few seconds, though it must have been longer, I hear my name being called. Glancing toward Ian I chew on my bottom lip.

"It will be fine baby, I promise. I'll be right here if you need me. I love you." Ian assures. He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead before releasing his arm from around me.

I stand up from the couch to walk across the room where, who I assume to be Dr. Collins, is waiting for me. She looks to be mid-thirties or so. She's very tall, at least 5'8. Her black shoulder length hair is in loose curls. Smiling politely to me she reaches her hand out to introduce herself. I return the action feeling more relaxed than I had been previously.

I follow Dr. Collins into the small hallway she exited from earlier. We walk about twenty feet before arriving in front of a door to my left. Opening the door for me she gestures for me to enter first. The room is rather large yet it doesn't feel too spacious. The main wall you see upon entering the room has floor to ceiling windows granting a beautiful view of the ocean. There is three window panels on the corners of the other two walls leaving the remaining part of the wall closed off. I have to say, the room is very well decorated. It's very comfortable in here. An involuntary grin spreads across my face when my eyes land on the black leather couch—Ian and I have had many pleasant moments on a black leather couch. I also note the white shag rug underneath the couch with a small, glass coffee table in front of it.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all?

Okay so thoughts on this? Surprised? The next chapter showcases her session with Dr. Collins.

Once I hit 427 I'll post the next chapter. :)