The Fic Lab Prompt 29: I wanted him. He wanted me too. We both wanted each other. But—

Possible trigger warning

It's stunning how quickly life can change. One minute you have everything you've ever dreamed of, the next you know nothing will ever be the same.

Edward and I were so happy together. Life hadn't always been perfect for us growing up, but we found what we were missing when we found each other. I felt protected, loved, and cherished by him and I know he felt the same way with me.

But then it all came crumbling down with the ill-timed explosion at the construction site he was visiting that day. A new employee of the contracting firm miscalculated and the explosion occurred too soon; Edward was too close. Our happy life imploded along with that old building.

Traumatic brain injury. It was devastating, but at least Edward was alive. That's all that mattered. We could get through anything as long as we had each other.

I saw his determination as he worked so hard in rehab to get back to where he had been before the accident. And then I saw his frustration - and anger I had never seen from him before the accident - at how difficult his recovery was. At his realization that he would never be the same as he was before. A little bit of the light left his eyes forever.

But I didn't lose faith. He was alive and I thanked God every day that He didn't take my heart away from me. I was determined to forge a new normal in our life together. Our life would be harder, but I knew it could be just as beautiful.

The first time he hit me, the look of horror on his face was reflected in my own. I don't even remember exactly what preceded it. He was frustrated, I was in the way. Edward cried, I cried, he promised it would never happen again.

But it did happen again. The kind and gentle man I married has been replaced by a man who can't control the rages that overtake him. He is broken and no matter how much we want it to be otherwise, the pieces will never fit back together again. The trauma to his brain is too severe.

Each time it happens, he holds me and cries and swears it's the last time. I know it's not his fault. This isn't the person he wants to be but this is the person he has become.

And because I love him, I would stay with him regardless. In sickness and in health. If it was just me.

But this life growing inside of me deserves better. She deserves my protection, even from her own father.

I want him, but I can't stay with him.