Runaway Love

*I glanced at the clock and felt the pressure of time passing too quickly as I hurriedly finished dinner. It was 6:00, he would be here in 15 minutes. I willed the steak to cook faster. I touched the steak with my finger, testing the cook. It fell like it was medium rare, his preference. I pulled it from the pan, and started plating for both of us. I set the completed plates on the table and adjust the crooked fork. I filled each glass with a red wine, and hung my apron up. I sat down just as I heard the door open and his keys jingle as they were hung. I took a deep breath and put a smile on my face.

"Good evening, how was work?" I asked as he set his briefcase on the floor by the couch.

"Fine." He spat at me as he turned to the table.

He sat down and let out a deep sigh, as he looked up to me. He put a smile on and took my appearance in.

"I'm sorry. We have a complex case, I shouldn't have snapped. Dinner smells amazing, and you look beautiful today." He took a big sip of wine, and set it down gently.

He grabbed his fork and knife and cut into his steak. I blanched when I saw the piece he cut. He stabbed it forcefully and held it in the air, before looking at me.

"What do you call this? Is this medium rare? I don't call this medium rare. I call this shit." He said, standing.

I looked at my plate and kept quiet. He threw down his fork, but I kept my gaze down. Suddenly, his arms flew out and he flung the food and dishes off the table. I flinched at the sound of glass breaking and splatting the food. "I've had a hard day at work, and I come home to more incompetence. I don't know why I try." He said pacing in front of his chair. "Why do I try, Joselyn? Huh? Why do I try?" He stopped pacing.

I wasn't sure if the question was meant to be answered so I stared at my lap. He pushed the table out of the way, and stomped in front of me, grabbing my hair and forcing me to look at him. I yelled in pain as my hair was pulled. "I asked you a question. Why do I even try?" He spat at me.

"I-I-I don't know, Josh. I'm sorry. I have more steak, I'll cook another one." I said, trying to stand.

"Don't bother. I'm leaving. This better be spotless when I get back." He stalked to the door, grabbing his keys and leaving.

I fell to my knees, cutting them on the broken glass. I sobbed into my hands and wondered how I had gotten here. Why couldn't things have been different, why had Oliver left me.*

"Wake up, Josie. Darling, wake up." Sean's voice pulled me from my sleep. "You had another nightmare. Are you ok?" He asked, cupping my cheek.

I nodded and sat up. Oliver was still asleep, facing the bathroom. Sean pulled me into his front and I laid back down, enjoying the heat from his chest against my back.

"Want to talk about it?" He asked, placing a kiss on the side of my head.

"No. Just a flashback. I'm fine." I said, turning my head to see him.

He stayed quiet, but nodded and laid down behind me, his hand rubbing my arm. He held me until sleep pulled me back in.

****

When I woke again the sun was streaming in the windows. I stretched and showered before heading down for coffee. I saw my list on the counter and walked over to look at it. It was basically a checklist with how much of an interest I had in each item. Some of the stuff I knew, others I wasn't sure about. I was going through the list filling it out, when I heard the basement door open.

"Good morning, darling." Sean was sweaty and had clearly been working out.

I let my eyes take him in as I slowly lowered them over his body. He chuckled, and turned for the bathroom. Disappointment filled me, as I watched him walk away.

"Want to join me?" I was on his heels before he could finish his question. He looked at me and smiled. "Thought so."

We went into the bathroom, and I watched him strip. His skin was shiny from sweat. His athletic build was a perfect balance of slim but muscular for me. He finished pulling his tank top over his head, and reached for his shorts. I bit my lip so I wouldn't reach out and touch him. He slowly dropped his drawers, then stood straight allowing me to study him.

"You going in your clothes, darling, might be a little uncomfortable in wet jeans." He laughed as he climbed in the shower.

I quickly stripped and threw my hair in a bun on my head. I didn't want to wet it again. I watched him finish washing his hair, and stepped in to take the soap to do his body. I started as his broad shoulders and worked down his torso. My wrist was dangerously close to touching his erection, when I moved the scrubby back up to his chest. I did this a few times, before pushing him back into the water to rinse and falling to my knees when he moved so his back was taking the spray. I wrapped my hand around his hardness and moved my fist down and back up it. I licked a drop of pre-cum from the tip, and then moved down the length of it. I slid my tongue back up, and took him in my mouth. He groaned and his hands found my hair. He didn't try to control the pace, just laid his hand on my head, slightly tugging my hair now and then as he drew closer to his release.

He pushed me back gently and helped me to my feet, turning to face me toward the wall. He leaned me forward slightly so my hands propped myself up on the wall, and reached between my legs.

"You're so wet." He said as he lined his dick up with my core.

He thrust into me hard and set a grueling rhythm and pace. I moaned as his fingers found my clit and started circling. I pushed back into him and ground my hips on him.

"I'm so close, darling. Come for me, little one." He moaned and stiffened as his fingers pushed me over the edge.

He pulled out of me, but kept his hands steadying me as I found my balance on my shaky legs. He pulled us both into the water and grabbed the scrubby and soap, lathering it before starting to wash my body. When he was finished, I returned the favor, and leaned into him once he was rinsed. We stood in the warm water for a few minutes, enjoying the warmth and each other. He tapped my ass and shut the water off.

We dried off, dressed and walked to the kitchen. Oliver was standing at the counter, with his phone in his hand. His expression was tense, and he clenched his jaw.

"They have video of the person who destroyed your car at the bar last night." He said.

"Who?"

"There's no facial recognition, he wore a ball cap and his head looking down. He was smart. But it definitely wasn't Josh. Completely different build, but Josh has been released on bail to his father." He said, looking me in the eye. "He can't leave the area, he still has to face his court date." Sean said.

I nodded, but didn't say anything. I felt slight cramping my lower belly, I rubbed it trying to relieve the sensation, figuring one of the twins kicked just right.

"Do we know when his court date is?"

Oliver shook his head. I felt my shoulders droop in disappointment. My belly clenched again in another cramp, this one strong enough to make me wince. Oliver was instantly at my side.

"What's wrong?" He asked, placing his hands on my belly. I shook my head, and brushed him off.

"Just some cramping. It's probably mad because we had sex earlier. Sometimes I get a little crampy after that." I said.

"Yea, but it's never been bad enough for you to show your discomfort." Sean tossed back at me.

"I'll just drink some water, and lay down for a bit. Maybe hydrating and changing my position will help." I said. Before I could move myself, Oliver was grabbing a tall glass of water and Sean was moving me toward the couch.

"Sounds like a good day for a movie, then." He said with a smile, while he sat down and pulled me next to him so I was leaning on him with my feet up.

Oliver handed me my water and sat at my feet, moving so he was next to Sean and under my legs. Sean put on a movie, and I relaxed into my men. The cramping got better, but then I started feeling it again. I nudged Oliver, so I could have my legs to stand. As I stood I felt a small gush. I froze, not moving.

"What?" Oliver said.

"I have to use the bathroom, excuse me." I said as I made my way to the bathroom.

"Josie, what happened?" Oliver asked as he followed me.

"This is a private matter, Oliver." I said as I shut the door.

I took a deep breath before checking myself. As I looked at panties, a quiet sob escaped at the sight of the blood. I could hear Oliver pounding on the door. Gathering myself, I told myself to not freak out until I saw a doctor. Maybe it was nothing. Sometimes spotting can happen after intercourse. I took a deep breath, and put myself back together. I wiped my cheeks, and went to the door.

Oliver pulled the door open quickly as soon as I cracked it. His eyes frantically searched my body for injury. He brought his gaze back to mine.

"I'll have Sean start the SUV, while I call the OB." He said turning and calling for Sean.

I heard them moving, but couldn't bring myself to move yet. I rested my hands on my belly. I made a silent plea for their safety and health. Oliver reappeared in the door, thanking the OB and telling her we would be there in a few. "It could be something small, sugar. Don't lose hope, now. Don't compare this to your other pregnancy. This is completely different. No pregnancy is the same." He said, wrapping me in a hug.

I nodded, but gripped his shirt, crying into his chest. He rubbed my back, and murmured comforts. I pulled away when I heard steps in the hall. Sean took us in, and his face filled with concern, before he schooled his expression. "It's running and warm." He said, his voice calm and detached.

I nodded and Oliver held my hand as we made it to the SUV. He climbed in the back with me and held me. I silently rubbed my belly, super aware of every movement my girls made and where it was. We all stayed silent during the drive, each of us pleading for good news.