Chapter 5

Grace-

I opened my eyes at the sound of my name and my blurry gaze meets eye to eye with Derek. I didn't know how close we were until my eyes came into focus and immediately I sit up to face a different direction from him.

What was he doing? Why was he so close to my face? Was he trying to kiss me?! It couldn't be right why would he want to do that? I quickly whipped the thought from my mind.

"What time is it now?" I asked without, detect, eye contact and the sudden feeling of nausea began in my stomach.

"It's now one in the morning. But are you alright you don't look so well?" He surprised me by touching my forehead unexpectedly. "You don't seem to have a fever?"

"I'm okay." I removed his hand away from my face and he showed sudden concern for me. "I'm fine really you don't need to worry about me?" I told but the sudden urge of wanting to vomit seemed to not agree with me.

"Let me take you to bed it's pretty late and we both need rest?"

If I moved from the sofa I would surely vomit? Would it be okay if I asked Derek to help me to my room? Or to just stay here for a little longer until the urge passes?

"Grace, are you feeling nauseous from your pregnancy?"

"No no I'm okay you can go and head to bed I'm just going to get some water?" I lied and while holding back the urge I stood and slowly walked in the direction of the kitchen. Taking another small step I stumble over my own foot.

Before I could smack the wall in front of me I was pulled in by the same strong arms that hugged me gently. My back rested up against his body with one of his hands over my shoulders and the other over my belly. And at that moment I felt my heart skip a beat for the first time.

"Are...you alright?" He asked with concern and confusion in his tone.

"Ye-yeah, I'm alright?"

"I'm going to let you go now?"

"Okay?" I wish it could last a bit longer just a little more. Why couldn't you be the one? Can't I just stay here forever would you allow me to stay that long even if you choose to marry the woman you had fallen in love with? Could you ever think or even imagine me being in your life In the future with a wife?

"Let's get you to bed you need to rest."

I agreed with a nod but the nausea was still there and every movement made it worsen. "I feel nauseous." I finally admitted.

"Let's walk slowly to your bedroom?"

When we gradually made it inside my bedroom Derek pulled back the covers and had me carefully sit down. "Thank you," I said then laid down on my back and covered up with the sheets and quilt.

I turn my head to the side from the faint sound of footsteps Derek walked to the door and turned around.

"Well good night?" He gave a faint smile.

"Good night…" He turned and walked out closing the door behind him. "Derek?" I finished.

Was he upset with me for some reason why did he walk out like that? Or maybe he was tired and just wanted to go to sleep? I continued in my thoughts until my eyes were too heavy to keep open.

When I awoke tears left my eyes and my breath was heavy. I felt panicked and scared though it was only a dream it felt like my past was restarting again and I yet had no control or choice but to obey my enemy whether it be a dream or real life.

"Derek?" I whispered. "Derek!" I quickly got out of bed and ran to the door ready to open it but dizziness slowed me down from getting up to quickly. "Derek!" I cried out loudly with tears flowing down my face.

When the dizziness stopped I pulled open the door and running out I ran into his arms. He held me so tightly in his arm and the feeling of his hand going through my hair as I cried gave me the littlest hope of safety.

"Please stay with me I feel frightened I don't want to be alone?" I didn't want to seem desperate but it was the truth. Seeing Logan in my dream was a nightmare the dream Logan still only cared for himself and only wished to torment my life by using my body for his own selfish needs.

"Okay, I'll stay with you." He said without question. And with a swift move, he picked me up off my feet and carried me bridal style back into my bedroom then laid me back in bed. "You okay?" He asked in a soft and concerned whisper whipping away the tears that filled my eyes away.

Without giving a reply he stood up and walked towards the door. I reached out my arm to stop him without a word then he shut the door and before he could face me I quickly put my outstretched arm over my belly.

"Rest I'll stay just until you fall asleep?" He told taking a seat on the other side of me on the bed.

I took a deep breath before turning to face him. He sat quietly with his back against the headboard with his eyes softly gazing over me. Those eyes held so much gentleness and kindness behind them something I could finally experience for the first time. Only if I could continue for the rest of my life and see those eyes until I grow old?

I closed my eyes and tried to make those unrealistic thoughts disappear from my mind and go to sleep instead.

There was something wrong with me how could I think like that he didn't even see me in that kind of way and I'm thinking about being with him?

I just need to sleep and I'll forget about what I've thought about that's all? I turned my back to him and closed my eyes and clear my filled mind then I gradually fell back asleep.

When the bright sun shined through the window and onto my face I slightly opened my eyes and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe and happy to wake up knowing no one was there to scream or hurt me.

I looked over at my phone that was on the stand charging to look at the time and realized it was two in the afternoon already. I got out of bed and walked out to go into the kitchen. Derek heard my faint footsteps and turned around.

"Oh hey, you're finally up, you hungry?"

"Yes very much." I giggled leaning up against the countertop.

"Alright, how do pancakes sound to you?" He asked.

"Delicious!"

"Good because I've already made them." He turned to point at the table behind us with a grin.

He's made me pancakes even though it was two in the afternoon without even asking? "Thank you!" I said with excitement and went to sit at the table then spread my pancakes with butter and drizzled syrup on top.

"So uh why didn't you wake me up earlier?" I asked cutting my pancakes.

"Well, I can't say I didn't try? You were in a peaceful deep sleep and didn't wake up so I just left you alone until you woke up yourself." He told.

"Really I'm not usually a deep sleeper that's odd?"

"You were this time." He chuckled. "Well I have to head to work will you be alright by yourself?" He asked.

"Don't you remember I lived on the streets for two months? I think I'll be okay I'll just hang out in the living room or something by myself?"

"Yeah of course I don't know what I'm thinking? See you at seven tonight then?" He told me before heading out of the apartment.

I continued to finish off my pancakes and then went out into the living room to read a book that caught my eye yesterday night I used to read it while living in the White family house since I really wasn't able to do anything myself without getting shouted at so reading was one of my ways of getting away from my three enemies.

I was surprised Derek even had such a girly taste in books. I giggled at the image of him sitting on the sofa reading The Ghost Bide while being so invested in the words.

I hurried to the sofa with the book in hand. When I got comfy enough I opened the book to chapter one and began to read.

When about three passed by like a cloud on a windy day I set the book aside to use the bathroom before I made an accident. Then when I was finished I went back to the living room and switched the tv on. The tv remote was pretty new to me when it came to using it I never really got to use a tv for myself since everyone else hogged it for themselves.

So I just came to the idea of just staying away from the tv remote and just watching whatever was on the tv instead. But now was different Derek was at work and given me the free will of doing what I'd like in his home.

There was no more screaming or needing to be afraid of being beaten. This was a free wholesome home.

Before I got to watching the tv my stomach growled loudly. "I think it's time to eat something?" I giggled to myself and went into the kitchen to open the fridge and pulled out the leftover spaghetti from last night.

I grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and a fork from the dishwasher. Putting the spaghetti I put, in the bowl into the microwave and set it for a minute. When it made that annoying beeping sound I pulled the hot bowl out and set it on the counter to evenly stir.

Then went back to watching the tv show that seemed interesting enough for me to watch for a couple of hours until Derek returned home.

Though it had only been three hours since he had left I oddly enough missed him? I only needed to wait four more hours and he would return but I didn't have that kind of patience I wanted to see him now and maybe watch a movie together until the moon and stars took over the dying sun for the day.

But would be want to do that with me? Was he the type of man who only kept to himself and had no interest in that kind of stuff? Or the type who was a romantic and would plan things himself before, hand to surprise the woman? But he could also be the type who was chill with anything and only wanted to be with the woman? What everyone called it clingy.

"Why am I thinking about what type of guy he is? All I know he, could end up being, nether?!" I told myself in a confused and loud voice. "Just lay down and close your eyes Grace and don't think about such things that are unnecessary?" I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled through my mouth.

And repeated a few more times until my mind became blank then eventually fell asleep from the silent boredom.

From the sound of a rattling doorknob, I was awakened I quickly checked the time on my phone and it was seven-thirty. Derek had returned home? I popped up resting my back against the back cushion of the sofa as I watched with a smile I was unable to hide as he walked in.

When he noticed me staring in his direction he smiled back. "What have you been up to?" He asked shutting the door behind him and without taking off his coat and shoes he sat down beside me on the sofa.