Page 16 of Protecting Faith
“Why Faith, haven't you figured it out by now? I'm the one who trashed your house and left you those flowers. Didn't you like my gifts?”
He's got this creepy-ass look on his face. It's like the lights on but nobody's home anymore. Has he always been this way and I'm just now seeing it? He's always been on the creepy side whenever I was around him but to go to these lengths that he has, this is next-level stuff. Okay, Faith. You've got this. Keep him talking and everything will be okay. Mason will come and save us and we can go home and forget any of this shit happened. Blowing out a breath. I try to sound like I've got my shit together and am not internally freaking the fuck out. “I don't understand Henry. Why would you do that to my house? What have I ever done to you?”
“No, you haven't done anything wrong. You're perfect. Don't you know that Faith? I would do anything for you. He wasn't supposed to be here for you. It was supposed to be me you turned to. See after I did that to the house, I was hiding out back waiting for you to come home. I stopped by to give my condolences and help you through all this. I would have taken you home with me and took care of you but that big fucker got in my way. I know that you feel the same and that you’re in love with me too. I can see it in the way you used to look at me.”
Holy shit. He's lost his damn mind if he thinks for one minute that this is true. I was trying to get rid of him for a while because he would watch me all the time. I can hear Mason cursing up a storm in my ear because he can hear every word Henry is saying to me. “Pulling onto the street now. I’m almost there.”
“I heard your mom talking to you that day and telling you to go after what you wanted. I know you guys were talking about me. I'm here now, and you no longer have to stay with him. I'm gonna take you away from that. I know it's what you want. He's not good for you. I see how he treats you. It's not right. Always so close to you, touching you. I know he forced you to move in with him but don't you worry. I know he's listening. I could hear him yelling in your ear. As soon as he comes in here, I'll take care of him.”
“What do you mean you'll take care of him, Henry?” Looking at his knife I know exactly what he means and I can't let that happen. I can hear cars pulling up but I don't think he notices anything. He's so far gone right now.
“With this!” He's holding up the knife with a smile on his face like this is something he does every day. I can see people rounding the back door. I'm just hoping they get in here quick and end this without anyone getting hurt. Obviously, Henry needs help.
“Henry, you don't have to do that. Why don't you just put the knife down and we can talk? You're right I have been unhappy staying with Mason. Thank you for coming to me, it means a lot.” Fuck even saying that I feel sick but I can see Mason at the back door with Victor, slowly opening it. Henry gets a big smile on his face like he won the lottery and to him, I gave him what he wanted. He places the knife down and starts to walk in my direction with his arms stretched as if he's waiting for a hug. That's when they tackle him to the ground. Backing up until I hit the wall, I slide down and start to cry. I was so damn scared for my unborn baby, for not seeing Mason again and thinking that Henry was going to follow through on his threat. I can hear Henry screaming my name-calling for me to help him. Mason wraps his arms around me holding me tight as if someone is going to rip me away from him.
“You're safe now Faith. Nothing will ever happen to you. I love you.” I can feel how bad he's shaking, just as scared as I was. He bends his head down and gives me a soft kiss as he wipes away my tears.
“I love you too Mason. I was so scared he was going to make good on his threat.”
“It's over now. You have nothing to worry about. He'll be going to jail for a long time and hopefully, he gets the help he needs. Let's get you up and get checked out. I want to take you to the hospital and don't argue about it. We need to check the baby.”
“Yeah, you're right. I'll feel better once we can see everything is alright.'' Mason helps me off the floor and as we walk towards the door. I could swear I can smell Mom’s perfume. It's as if she's standing right in this room. I stop and look around and I know she was watching over me protecting me and my baby.
“Everything okay Angel?” Mason’s giving me a look of worry and wondering why I stopped. I give him a big smile.
“Everything is perfect Mason. Let's go see our baby.” He holds his hand out to me with a soft look on his face and I know everything from here on out will be nothing but perfect. I have everything I could have ever wanted in life. I have a business with my best friend, the love of my life standing right beside me, a baby on the way, and friends who have become my family. I might not have Mom here with me but I know she's watching out for me. Walking outside with the sun shining down on me, I look up at the sky. “I love you to the moon and back Mom” I walk away towards the rest of my future.
Epilogue
Faith
Five years later
Walking into the living room because it's way too quiet. With two young children, that's never a good thing. Trust me I know. Just last week I walked into their room and both Ryan and Gracie were covered in markers. Instead of drawing on paper, Ryan decided he wanted to be like his Dad and uncles and have tattoos just like them, which prompted Gracie to follow her brother. What he does, she wants to follow. It took me forever to wash them off. I love how close they are. He's always there to help her when she needs it. After the whole Henry craziness, that weekend Mason and I got married much to Rhylie’s disgust that she couldn’t plan anything. It was just us and those we love in a small ceremony at the courthouse and dinner afterward. It was perfect and what we both wanted. We didn't want to waste any more time if that day taught us anything. Life is too short and you never know when your last day will be. As for Henry, his obsession with me ran deep when the police went to his house. It was covered in pictures of me, when he took them I didn't even want to think about it. He's now locked up in the psychiatric ward and won't be getting out. He still thinks we are getting married. Mason likes to keep tabs on him but I no longer want to hear about it. Business is going great. We are even thinking of buying the next-door store and expanding. Isabella took us up on our offer and she bakes most days now with orders of cupcakes and cakes coming in. Between us all we have seven kids now. We've been kept busy over the years with babies popping up. Walking into the living room I stop and my heart melts. Ryan has a pillow on his lap with Gracie sleeping. He looks up with his toothless smile that's so much like his daddy. Grabbing my phone, I snap a couple of pictures wanting to capture these moments. We were supposed to be leaving in a few minutes to meet everyone for dinner, which is always an adventure with all the kids. I feel the strong arms of my husband wrap around me. Every time he holds me, I feel a sense of peace. He kisses my neck and shivers race up my spine. Just that small act makes me want to go upstairs. Our sex life just gets better and better over the years. We still go at it as if it's the first time. I stopped taking my birth control this morning since the kids are older. We want to try for one more. We both miss having a baby around.
“Hey Angel, are you guys ready to go?”
“Ya, but you get to wake up sleeping beauty there. You know how she gets when you wake her from her nap.” He laughs because she's just like him, grumpy as hell when you wake them. He picks Gracie up from Ryan. She lays her little head on his shoulder, eyes wide open giving me a small smile. Ryan runs over to me and grabs my hand. “Come on Mom, I don't want to be late. Uncle Victor said he bought me the newest video game and was going to bring it today.”
“He did, did he?'' Giving Mason the evil eye because I know that's a load of shit. Ya, they say they buy the games for the kids but we all know it's for them to play. All of them are overgrown children sometimes. “Let's go guys.” Walking outside the house, we get the kids inside the truck and Mason helps me in and kisses me.
“I love you, Mason, thank you for giving me this amazing life.”
His face softens, and he smiles at me, looking at our kids and then back to me. “Our life wouldn't be what it is without you. I love you guys.”
Our life might not be perfect, but it's ours and nothing and no one will take that away from us. Looking up at the sky, I send a silent thank you to Mom. Without her push, none of this would have happened. I have the life I've always wanted, a family, a husband, and my wonderful kids. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
