Reena - Back at Home

Dr. Wallace, my uncle, demanded that he drove me home. This idea came about after both me and my mom refused that I go and live with him. It's not that I don't want to but I have a lot to take care of, my mom being the most important.

While I was in the hospital in induced coma the police arrested Samual but released him because my mother decided not to press charges. My uncle was furious because it just wasn't her life that was at risk but mine too. She keeps doing this and that's why he continues to do whatever the hell he likes because there aren't any repercussions for his actions.

I really was going to say yes the offer but I have to help my mom, she wouldn't come with us. She said she would remain at her house, but I know if she does with how her mind is set right now, I might never see her again. So after I help her, then maybe I won't even have to leave because it'll be just like when I was a kid.

Then there's the baby, I have enough time before my stomach starts showing. When I made it clear I was going to keep it, my mom shook her head and began sobbing. She didn't say anything when her brother informed her, she just looked at me and my stomach. I told her who the father is and she got up and left the room. My uncle smiled sadly at me and told me not to worry about it, she just needs time to process everything.

I hope he's right because I'm going to need her strength and wisdom.

As we drive up to the house, I feel my heart beginning to beat more rapidly. I try to calm myself by closing my eyes and telling myself to calm down. I've lived here since forever, and there's no way I can be afraid of our house.

When the car stops, it takes me a few seconds before I make my way out, then up to the door. I take a few deep breaths before I go inside, when I look behind me I notice my mom and uncle watching me.

I turn back around and move further into the house, and when I come to the stairs that lead up to my room, my head grows heavy and my throat closes up. All I can see is him holding me by the throat and me fighting for air. Suddenly I can't breathe and before I know it I'm running to get outside because I literally can't breathe. Once I reach the doorway, I fall to the hard ground and gasp as I fight to get air in my lungs. I hear my uncle and when I open my eyes, he's kneeling beside me.

"I'm sorry, I just need a minute." I wipe the tears away and try to stop the sobbing.

"I was afraid of this." He says as he continues to stare. When I look at him I know exactly what he's talking about.

"You knew?" My breathing is slowing and I can feel my head coming back online.

"I thought it might happen but I wasn't sure."

"So that's why you came along, to test your theory?" I stand and grimace when a slight pain runs from one side to the next.

He stands, sighing. "I care about you, Reena."

The anger disappears because I know this to be true. "I can't leave her here."

"I know."

"So what'll I do?" I bite my lip when I start remembering falling down the stairs and how it felt like it wouldn't end. Cold bumps form on my arms and I run my bands over them.

"Well, since you're already aware I think you now have the upper hand. You were just caught off guard."

"Okay..."

"And as I said before I have a therapist you can visit any time you're ready. But for now, if you can't manage here, come with me."

I give him a look and he sighs.

"Try talking about it, what you're feeling and don't keep this locked up to yourself. Promise me."

"I promise."

"Good. Now if you even get a glimpse of Samual, you call me and the police. Okay?"

I nod. And he moves to leave, then stops.

"Remember, you're pregnant now. You're gonna have to be extra mindful of what you're doing." His face turns hard and he narrows his eyes. "When are you going to tell him about the baby?"

My eyes fall to the ground. "Soon."

"Make sure. You both made a child, so you two are both responsible."

I nod and look up as he's walking to his car. Before he gets in he looks at me and smiles, I wave and he gets in and drives off.

I stay there for a long time before turning to make my way back into the house and when I get to the stairs I tell my mind it's nothing, take long deep breaths and make my way up. When I get to my room, the pressure eases off a bit and I fall on the bed.

I stare up at the ceiling and try to think about what I'm going to do about my mom and Reed. Thinking about him makes my chest ache but it's not entirely in a bad way. I get up and decide to take a shower. I still smell like the hospital and I just want to put that behind me.

While looking for a clean towel, my room door opens and my mom walks in.

"I didn't have any time to wash those." She sighs. "I'm sorry."

Without looking around I say, "It's fine."

"That boy Reed, he's downstairs."

I turn slowly to look at her. "You want me to send him away?"

"No." I move pass her and stop as I remember the stairs. "Send him up, please." I go back into my room and start throwing all the dirty clothes in the wash basket.

Before I'm finished there's a knock at the door and he enters. His eyes roam over me and then they comes to stop at my face. He stretches out his hand and when I look at it I see that it holds a box of chocolate and a bath and body works set.

A small smile comes on my lips and I look up at his face. When he sees me smiling, he relaxes a bit.

"Do I smell that bad?" I take the gifts and place them on the bed. I sit and motion for him to join me.

His face turns red and he begins scratching the back of his head. "No, of course not. Actually, it's my mom that said I was to give you those. The chocolate's my idea though."

My head drops and I stare at him. "Your mom?"

"Yeah. My mom."

"She knows about us?"

He comes over and sits beside me, all the time my eyes follow him.

"Well since you haven't decided to let me be your boyfriend, then there isn't anything for her to know about."

"But you," I bite my lip and look to the door, and then I lower my voice. "But we had..."

"Yes, we did. And that's our business. Why would I even tell my mom?"

I watch him as I ask the next question. "So you haven't told anyone?"

He looks down at my hand and wraps his around it. "Reena I wouldn't betray your trust like that. I haven't even told Sheldon, he only knows I'm crazy about you."

My chest swells and my eyes widen. "You are?"

"Yes and I'm serious."

I shake my head and try not to laugh. "Not that, about being crazy about me?"

He looks at me quizzically. "I believe I've already said this."

"Not like that."

He stares then before bringing his hand up to cup my face. He pulls me closer and before I know it, his lips are on mine and my hand is running through his hair.

"I. Want. You. Reena." He says between kisses and they suddenly feel like more than just kisses, because I want him too and for him to say it like the way he just did makes me feel so alive.

His hands travel down my back and then he touches my stomach and I'm jolted back to reality.

The baby!

I break from the kiss and move away. My hand is wrapped around my stomach while the other is over my mouth.

"Reena, you okay?"

I should tell him.

"Reena?"

But what if he leaves?

I look at him then and apart of says he won't while another says I don't know because I don't even know him.

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

He stares at me with disbelief but doesn't press it.

His phone beeps and he pulls it out, answering it. "Sheldon....yeah man...I can't....I'm busy...I'm with Reena, she just came home...yeah...Okay, I'll let her know...Thanks, man I owe you."

He hangs up and looks at me while he places the phone on the bed. "Sheldon says hi."

"Oh okay. Tell him I said thanks, for everything."

He nods. "I'm gonna head over there."

At the thought of him leaving, my chest deflates a little and I drop my head. "Okay."

"You want me to stay?"

I look up and even though I want to say yes, I don't. "You should go see your friends. I'll be okay."

His face saddens at my answer and I try to act like I don't notice. "Call me if anything okay?"

"Okay."

He gets up but before leaving he kisses me on my lip then forehead. "See you soon."

I nod and he pulls away and walks to the door. The entire time a part of me is screaming to tell him to stay but I don't say anything.

I watch through the window as he drives off and with that I empty the contents of the bag and take the shower gel, hoping it'll remove the hospital smell.