|57| allyway

Everyone has a chapter

they don't read out loud

~Unknown

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I have to tell Henry...

I have to,

He deserves to know,

Yet I find myself completely frozen as I stand at his doorstep, I stare in a daze at the dark grey color of the door, contemplating if I should just do this another day,

My hand goes up on its own accord and before I can process anything, it's already too late because the door is being opened and I'm met with the surprised yet happy gaze of henry,

The minute I meet his joyous gaze I feel a pit form in my stomach thinking about me ruining his happiness, this is one of the reasons I kept this from everyone, this is why I put on a happy façade, it's terrible to see someone's joy melt off there face from the words that were spoken by you,

The unmistakable feeling of regret pushes its way through my lungs, making it difficult to breathe,

"What a lovely surprise Vanessa" his smile is bright and his skin glowing in a healthy blissful way

"Hi henry, is it okay if we speak for a moment?" My tone of voice shows some tremble because his face instantly transforms into a slight shadow of concern

"Of course come on in" he opens the door wider for me, letting me inside his apartment,

It's sleek and pretty plain, I see a picture of him outside Aaron's building with a huge smile on his face, he has two thumbs up as he looks into the camera

He senses my gaze on the photo and stands at my side "that was a picture I had someone take my first day at that job...it was evidence of my life changing, it was so I could pass by this picture every day knowing that I was able to have a second chance at life"

I smile watching him talk, he gets so into it sometimes, like last week when he spoke at the homeless organization and he was so passionate about everything he spoke and everyone loved him,

Each time we speak the homeless seem to have a slight glow appear in their eyes...of hope, hope that they can overcome their lows and get back on their feet.

"I know that Aaron and you did everything...but I am still also proud of myself, that I never gave up on the streets and I held my head high" his voice cracks at his words

"You should be proud of yourself, you're working hard and you're proving to your wife and daughter that you're not a quitter and that you'll live your life for them" we move to his couch as I speak but his steps falter at the mention of his wife and daughter

"You really think they'd be proud?" His voice is so vulnerable and it breaks me to think he still blames himself for things that we're out of his control,

"Of course, they would be! You lived on the streets and still fought for a better life, you never gave up even when interviewers were putting you down and making you feel unwanted, you work your ass off at your new job proving to everyone including yourself that you are an amazing man" I don't even finish speaking before henry hugs me

"You are an incredible girl Vanessa, and I can say with complete certainty that your parents are looking down at you with big smiles on their faces knowing they raised one hell of a daughter, with the most wonderful heart" he whispers

I smile and hug him tighter

"Do you want any tea?" He asks after a moment

"I would love a cup, thank you" I nod

After he makes us some tea he sits back on the couch and I hold the cup tight in my hand knowing the conversation we're about to have,

"So what did you want to talk about?" He asks taking a sip

I take a deep breath in, and worry courses its way through my body "do you know how my mom had heart failure?" I whisper

He nods, his face is filled with sympathy

"I was a toddler when she found out about her heart, the doctors did everything they could to lessen the inevitable, but of course no matter how hard they tried to drag it, nothing would help at that point except a donation, and then my dad gave his to her and you know the rest of that story" I slightly smile as I speak

My next deep breath is shaky "well the chance of me having heart failure because of my mom was pretty high...and when my parents died I didn't ever go to any checkups because, to be honest, I was a little depressed and the realization that both my parents were gone was too much"

"But then about four years ago the doctors told me that I have it...I have heart failure" my words are barely above a whisper as I meet Henry's gaze, his eyes are filled with tears and a heart brown expression overtakes his features

"Dear God, but you're so young" he whispers clutching the cup of tea

I nod looking down at the lemon in my cup, "it sucks but I've been trying to see the positives in everything, and I knew in my heart that you had to know, and I'm sorry it took so long to confess, I was scared and I didn't want to put any stress on you"

He shakes his head as an endless stream of tears flows down his cheeks "you always think of others before yourself dear, and I think it's time you exhale that breath you've been holding in everyone's presence, you need to understand that your happiness should come before everyone else's, it's unfair for you to take on so much pain and fear for yourself to handle"

"I don't mean to be blunt but at times it feels like you are a daughter to me...like your family in some way, you're important to me Vanessa and I want you to know that you can let others' shoulder some of your pain, I'd be happy to take worry off your shoulders to ensure that you can have at least a moment of peace" he shakes his head as he speaks in between tears

It's difficult for me to wrap my head around the fact that someone cares for me...

That's two people now who care deeply for me,

Aaron,

And Henry,

My family, even if not by blood, still are. By choice.

I immediately hug henry, trying my best to keep myself together and not cry "I'm sorry I didn't tell you...Aaron found out not long ago as well... I just didn't want to burden anyone with my problems"

When we stop hugging I notice he's crying again, a sad laugh escapes him and he sighs "it's heartbreaking to think about the possibility of losing you... I hope you get a second chance as you gave me" he whispers

I smile through the tightness in my throat and take a deep breath in and out, "I'm just glad I was able to find you and help in time"

"You'll be okay I know it" he nods with a sad smile

"Are you going to be okay? Gosh maybe I shouldn't have told you, you shouldn't stress your body right now" I sigh covering my face with my hands

"I'll be fine, I'm glad you told me, I just hope you don't feel the need to keep things in for the sake of others, if that person loves you they will make sure you don't feel alone" he gives me a gentle smile, tears still streaming down his face

"Do you love me?" I mumble

He smiles bigger than before "yeah I do love you, you're an angel Vanessa, it's impossible to not"

A broke laugh escapes me "I love you too, and I don't care what the law or DNA says, you're my family" I hug him once more

He tightens the hug and I feel more tears on my shoulder "I finally have a family" I hear him whisper barely audible

It takes everything in me to not burst out sobbing at this moment,

We hug and hug, and I try to contain the emotions that dare to come out, its this moment where I realize I wasn't the only one who gained a family when henry came into my life,

"I'll head out now, I need to get some things done before going home, but I hope you can forgive me for telling you all of a sudden" I whisper

He nods "I'm glad you told me, and I know in my heart everything will work itself out in the end" he pats my shoulder with a sad smile

I leave his apartment exhaling the large breath that I was withholding, I walk to my car, and sit in it for a few moments trying to calm down before driving, I send a quick text to Aaron before I leave.

Just got done talking with henry, I'm going to go run some errands, I'll see you at home.

My everything: I'm proud of you, I know that was hard for you to do, I love you, I'll see you home.

I smile reading his text once, then twice, and a third time before responding with an I love you.

I drive to target...the most dangerous store of all stores, can I just go to another store for a couple of things? Yes yes, I can, but who says no to a target trip? Certainly not me,

After parking, I enter and immediately stray to different isles that certainly don't hold the items on my list,

"Shit that's a cute plant" I whisper

"Only $5!" I laugh to myself as I put it in the cart,

After getting a few things on the list I end up in the book section, I decided to pick up some cute little rom-coms since they're having a buy three get one free sale,

A fast two hours and a whopping $212 later I'm loading up everything into the car, the minute I close my door and get behind the wheel I look blankly out in front of me,

"Are you kidding me? I forgot the damn vanilla extract" I groan dropping my head on the steering wheel.

I decide to go into another grocery store where I won't get distracted and get the vanilla, along with some groceries for food I'll make this week,

After heading out of the grocery store I make my way to the dry cleaners to pick up Aaron's suits, he was going to go tomorrow but I'm already in the area so why not let him not worry about one simple task

"Hi welcome how may I help you?" The older woman greets me when I enter

"Hi, I'm here to pick up Aaron Huxley's dry cleaning" I smile at the woman

She nods "do you have his dry cleaners card?"

"Oh yes, sorry about that here you go" I hand it to her, and she checks it, nods then goes to the back

After grabbing the suits I put them in the car and decide to walk to a nearby coffee shop in the area,

I take deep breathes and frequent breaks since my heart makes me grow tired even on short walks, walking inside the coffee shop I immediately feel rewarded from the walk at the smell of caffeine and sugary sweet goodness,

"Hi what can I get for you today?" The barista asks with a smirk, he watches me closely making me awkwardly smile back,

"Can I have a cold brew, with extra sweet cream, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle?"

"Sweet drink for a sweet girl" the guy continues to smirk

I clear my throat and give him another awkward smile,

"Umm...how much is it?" I ask clearing my throat

"On the house for you gorgeous" he smiles

"Oh well thank you," I say then move to the side

"Maybe you can give me your number?" He asks

"Oh I'm married" I blurt out

No, I'm not! Why did I say that?

"Where's your ring?" He tilts his head

"Well I'm not legally married to him...but my heart is his forever, so I think that's more than marriage" I shrug

The guy's lips are set in a thin line as he gives me a nod with his brows going up and then down, I awkwardly ignore him as I wait for my drink,

My fingers instinctively go to my moon tattoo by my collarbone, it brings a smile to my face, even though I can't feel it, I know it's there and it's my man inked on my skin.

My protector in the night.

"Order for Vanessa," the barista says taking me out of my thoughts

"Thank you" I smile taking my coffee and walking out, the breeze makes me temporarily close my eyes when I let the door close behind me,

I take a sip of the coffee and begin to walk back to my car, I see a sign that says road closed and I frown seeing no one here,

Damn it I was so focused on my breathing I took a wrong turn again.

I turn around and cut through to a side street to go around to the Main Street where my car is, everything slows as I feel my head hurt, throbbing in pain

"What in the-?" But before I can even finish my sentence the world around me turns dark.

_____________

I groan in pain as I bring my hand up to put over my head, but I'm taken back by the chains around my wrists that prevent me from moving, my legs are tied up with rope against wired bars,

It's freezing in here, and cold, the smell of blood and something musty and old makes me scrunch my nose in disgust, taking a closer look at my surroundings I realize I'm in some weird cellar, the floors are cement and stained in blood in some spots, there's chains in the corner as well as a chair,

My head throbs in pain, I feel so dizzy that I'm sure I have a concussion,

And my coffee is nowhere to be found...great.

Moving my arms harshly around I try breaking free but nothing works, it just rubs against my wrist making them feel sore and blood drips from off the sharp chains,

I don't bother yelling for help since this is a hidden room, and judging by how cold it is, its either some warehouse, or it's underground,

I feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier by the minute, I know that if I have a concussion I shouldn't fall asleep, but my body is tired,

My mind drifts to Aaron...

My Aaron.

He'll think I'm ignoring him...oh God he might even think my heart gave out on me,

Shit, my heart beats rapidly in my chest as I start to hyperventilate, the world grows dizzy around me as I feel myself lose consciousness once again,

Memories of Aaron are all my mind grasps as the world is dark and cold around me.

---notes---

Sorry about the short chapter today I got sick and feel like shit, but I needed to get something out so this was all I could write at the moment!

And yes yes I did do a cliffhanger...sorry not sorry!

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