This Love Was Out of Control
Sacrifice
*Vic's POV*
We've officially started touring and I'm very pleased to say that we're on the road with Sleeping with Sirens, All Time Low, and Tonight Alive. Kellin even agreed to watch Copeland when we perform on stage. I told him to just stay backstage with her because I won't know what's going on in the bus if I'm not there, so backstage would be appropriate. To be honest, my first choice was Tony, but then I remembered he's our guitarist and it just wouldn't work because he'll be on stage with us. I'm gonna say this though: the tour life is not suitable for a baby; let alone, being in a band and having a child to take care of.
Obviously Copeland was fussing. I already changed her diaper, fed her, and burped her. She clearly isn't tired and I can't think of anything else to give her or do for her.
"Jaime?" I said hoping he would appear from around the corner.
"Yeah?"
I pointed to Copeland. "Your turn."
"My turn? Since when did we start taking turns? I get that she's my baby as well, but what the hell? You're sitting there reading a magazine and I'm busy trying to tune my guitar for tomorrow."
I didn't answer him and continued to scroll through enormous paragraphs, scanning each picture, as if it were even placed in the right spot.
"You're an ass." He started towards Copeland and picked her up.
"You love me," I smirked.
He stuck his tongue out at me and picked up our baby. The pouting and sass ended. She shoved her finger in her mouth and forced her face in the crook of his neck.
"How come whenever I try to calm her down or make her laugh when she cries, she cries in my face and not yours?"
"I told you that she liked me more. Besides, you don't try to calm her down. You don't do anything."
Oh hell no. I've been the one getting my ass up at five in the morning to feed her and burp her. I've been the one changing her diaper and giving her baths. I've been the one to do everything. He's just there to do what I couldn't do - make her smile when she's sad, which is something I don‘t understand. I’m funny, right? Oh whatever, I pretty much do the hard job in the marriage.
"Oh really? Enlighten me. What do you do?" I hope this doesn't piss him off, but I'm trying to prove a point to him, that I've been the one taking care of her mostly.
"For one thing, you don't know how to make her formula."
That's because no one ever taught me, genius. But I can't be an ass about it; I can learn new things on my own. At least I feed her.
"Anything else?" I asked him, placing my magazine next to me and folding my arms.
"You don’t give her love,” he stated.
Love? What does he mean I don’t give her love? “I do too!”
“How?”
“My show of love for her is put into a different perspective than yours. I bathe her, feed her, burp her, change her diapers, and change her clothes. I may not do the things you do beause I don’t know how.”
“Try snuggling up to her sometimes.”
“What, you think I don’t wanna do these things with my daughter? You think it’s a piece of cake for everyone to adjust to having a baby with us in the bus?”
“You could at least try being sweet with her. Get closer to her when you put her to sleep.”
“She cries every time I come near her.”
“She’s a baby, Vic. She‘s supposed to cry. That‘s where she needs your love. She needs to know that someone is there for her; a sense of security, not backing away.”
“You’re making it sound like I’m the bad guy,” I put forth with frustration, raising my voice. I stood up and faced him. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t even want a fucking child in the first place. This baby was mistake.”
“There‘s no more room for complaining. You’re a dad now. If you can lay a girl down to make a baby, you best believe that you can stand the fuck up and be a father. You have no right to stand there and talk shit about what already happened. You don‘t even deserve the privilege to be a dad if you‘re gonna act this way.”
“I don’t need you to tell me what the hell I gotta do or how to raise my child! In fact, I don’t even need you anymore. You’re nothing but stress on my life.”
With that, he walked away from me, taking Copeland with him, and slammed the bedroom door behind him.
~~~
I thought extremely long and hard about what Jaime said to me. I’ve come to the conclusion that he was right. I don’t have room to talk shit and I for sure as hell don’t deserve the opportunity to be a dad, after what already happened. It happened, so I must deal with it.
I wanna apologize big time to him for what I said. I would have to wait until later because no one is on the bus right now except me and Cope. I didn’t mean to say that I didn’t need him. Of course I need him; he’s the love of my life. I guess I kind of got a little jealous with his relationship with Copeland. I wanna be closer to her and I obviously wanna be all cute and cuddle up to her when she’s sad.
I walked into my room and noticed that Copeland was awake, just staring at the ceiling above her. She wasn’t crying nor did she look upset. I guess I can try to cheer her up. She looks super bored.
“Hey, Cope,” I said softly.
Her little green eyes beamed with happiness. I still don't know where the green eyes came from, but I'm not letting that bother me. She smiled that cute grin she does every time Jaime comes around.
I leaned against her crib and sighed. “Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I was being so rude and ungrateful towards you and I want you to know that I really care about you.” It was like she was really paying attention. I swear I caught her head nod, as if she were listening and understood me. She’s not even a year old and her facial expressions proved to me that she was actually understanding my sentences. I have a smart child. “I want to be near you, but sometimes you scream in Papa’s ear and he gets mad. If you let me into your world, maybe I’ll finally understand you when you cry.”
Her joyous smile gave it away. She understood me. Her hands were placed together, almost clapping.
I caressed her cheek and smiled. “I wish you would talk so I know exactly what you want. But those days are gonna come when you’re a snobby five year old and think you can have whatever you want. Not when you’re living with me, darlin’.”
Her hands prolonged towards me, reaching for my chest.
“You want out?”
She dittoed her action and stretched them higher.
“I’m gonna assume that means you wanna get out of the crib. Alright.” I cupped my hands on her little waist and pinned her to my chest. I angled her body to the side so I could stare at her. “You know you’re a real trip,” I giggled as-a-matter-of-factly. “Lets have a talk.” I walked around the room. Her hand linked to my finger, so I held onto her. “Just to let you know, when you turn two, there ain’t gonna be any of that crying bullshit anymore. I’m teaching you everything starting now. Since you clearly understand me and wanna be a little Miss Sassy Thing when you want, there’s gonna be rules.”
She stuck her bottom lip out at me. “Oh don’t you give me that face, Cope. I know what you’re doing and it’s not gonna work.” She pouted her lips even more. She had puppy dog eyes.
I heard the door to our bus open. I gave in to her plumpy lips and chubby cheeks. “Okay, you win. But just this once.” She giggled at me. Her small arms wrapped around my neck, planting her face in the crook of my neck. Her warm breath tickled my ear.
I started walking towards the living room, but didn’t hear anyone anymore. “Jaime, is that you?” I turned to Copeland when there was no answer. “You think daddy is still mad at me?” Not a single emotion left from her. I carried her into the living room where a set of muddy boot prints were left at the scene. The person even left the door open.
“Hmm,” I thought out loud. I walked over to shut the door, with Copeland still in my arms, when a black glove forcefully yanked me by the hair and veiled my mouth shut.
“Scream and I’ll shoot.”
Him yanking on my hair triggered my root follicles, causing me to tear up immediately. My heart began to beat out of my chest, hoping this was all a dream. I stared at the man wearing a black mask, with only his eyes, nose, and mouth visible for me to see. His gun pointed directly at my head. To be honest, I wasn’t afraid for my life; I was afraid for Copeland’s.
“Sit down,” he demanded, shoving me towards the couch. “You answer my questions by nodding yes, shaking your head no, or giving me a response. Each time you lie to me, the destruction will be worse, got it?”
I shook my head.
“Do you live here alone?” I shook my head no. “Do you have a cell phone on you?” I pointed to the table sitting in front of us, which held my phone in place. He grabbed my phone and shoved it in his pocket. “Who’s child is that?”
“M-Mine.”
“I don’t see your wife around?” he laughed. He picked up a picture frame laying on the table. “Hm, there’s four of you living here. You seem to be holding onto this guy,” he pointed at Jaime. “Who’s he?”
“What d-do you want fr-from me? Why are you holding m-me hostage?”
“Shut up! You don’t get to ask the questions!”
I couldn’t contain my tears. They fled from my eyes. Copeland started to stare at me and her face went from happy to sad. She saw that I was crying and instantly cried into my shoulder. Now both of us were crying and it was my job to help her stay settle.
He pointed the gun at my face. “Please…take whatever you want, j-just don’t hurt my baby.”
“What if I don't want your baby? What if I want you?”
Me? As in, he’s gonna rape me and then kill me? Oh God no. “W-What?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” he licked his lips suggestively.
“Do whatever y-you want to me, just don’t h-hurt her, please. Hurt me.”
“Oh trust me, I will hurt you.”
*Jaime’s POV*
I can’t be mad at Vic forever. I just didn’t like the fact that he said he didn’t need me. I don’t care if he doesn’t need me, but I need him. He was probably just mad at me for what I said to him.
Mike and Tony were walking behind me talking when we arrived at the bus. I heard Copeland screaming and crying her eyes out. Why wasn’t Vic doing anything about it? I can practically hear her down the street. We all walked in and noticed Copeland sitting on the couch with tears streaming down her face.
“Oh my God,” I gasped pointing to the giant foot prints that stained our carpet. I can already tell that someone broke in while Vic and Copeland were still in the bus.
Mike quickly ran into the kitchen and pulled out his gun, aiming it all over the room. Tony picked up Copeland to quiet her, but she wasn’t calming down one bit. He checked to see if she was harmed and she wasn’t.
“Vic?” I called out, but there was no answer. Mike stood right behind me, just in case someone were to jump out at me while I searched for Vic. “Vic, you here?” I quickly halted, making Mike slam against my back from behind.
“Ow!”
“Shh,” I told him. I peeked my head into mine and Vic’s room.
There before me lies Vic, face down, all bloody with his body dented with cuts and bruises.
“Vic!” I ran to him and threw myself to the ground, praying that he wasn’t dead. I glanced up and down his body for movement, before I turned him over on his back. “No, please God, no. No no no no no no no! Mike, plug the tub and start the bath.”
“On it!” Mike ran into the bathroom, leaving me by myself with Vic.
I bit my lip and swooped the sticking hair out of his face. “Vic, please wake up. Please?” I held onto his hand. “Open your eyes, babe.” He wasn’t budging.
I could no longer hold it in. A tear trickled down my cheek and fell onto Vic’s face. That single tear cleaned away a streak of the blood on his face, as it slid down his cheek. My hands were all bloody and I didn’t care. If this man is dead, then I’m dead.
“H-H-Hi-m-me,” A soft voice sprouted.
I faced him. “Vic! Oh my God! Stay with me, babe. Stay with me.” I carried him wedding style into the bathroom and placed his weak body in the warm water. I stripped off all his clothing and placed him in the tub. I grabbed a piece of cloth and dunked it in the tub, wiping small sections of blood off his face. I bent down on my knees and craddled Vic's face with my hand, making him face me.
"I'm here, Vic," I cried. "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I never-" He pushed his trembling finger to my lips, hushing me up from saying another word. His head shook with an approving look.
"C-Copela-Cope..."
"Copeland is fine. She's safe," I assured him, stroking my fingers through his hair.
His breath was very shaky, even though he was awake. I finished wiping off the blood on his face, just staring at the droppings in the water. I took the head of the faucet and sprinkled it over Vic's face, examining a couple bruises; one beneath his jaw and one under his eye. His body was literally beaten to death by something vicious.
I just want to apologize so badly, but he won't let me. Does that mean he doesn't care what happened earlier and he forgives me?
The water was so bloody that I couldn't even see his body; however, the only thing I could see was where the water stopped which is mid way to his chest.
After draining the water and drying him off, I put sweats and a shirt on him before gently placing him on the bed. His look was terrible and I feel so bad. I wish I could do something or find the bastard that hurt him.
I heard a crying baby approach the door, along with heavy foot steps.
"Jaime, she won't stop crying. I don't know what to do," Tony said helplessly.
"Give me her," I said extending my arms out, ready to grab her. I patted her back gently, assuring her everything was okay, but she wasn't letting up. I turned her around, placing her in my lap while she faced Vic. Her arms signaled that she didn't want me to hold her.
For a second, I didn't pick up the fact that she wanted Vic to hold her. She stretched her body out towards him and cried louder, until I finally handed her over. Vic smiled, simply placing her on his hip. She quickly nuzzled her nose into his neck and stopped weeping.
"And you told me she didn't like you."
"No," He corrected me. "You told me that she liked you more."
I ignored what he said. "Please let me apologize to you? What I said was wrong."
He gave me the look of okay, fine. Explain.
I breathed in softly. "You do deserve to be a dad. You risked your life to save our baby. I don't know what happened when we weren't home, but I could've lost you. You may not want to be a father, but you're doing a damn good job. I'll give it to you; it's not easy and I understand that. But what you did...I don't even know what you did. What happened? Please tell me?"
"I was attacked, isn't it obvious?"
"I can see that. But by whom?"
"I don't know." He looked upset. "He was wearing a mask. He said he was going to hurt me either way. I thought he was going to rape me, but I guess not. I think...this beating was probably worse than rape."
"How come when we argue and get mad with each other, something like that had to happen?"
Vic could only shrug his shoulders at me, barely. He was all bruised from the incident and I have no clue how long the healing process will take. We have a show to put on tomorrow and with the way Vic is holding himself, I don't think he can do it. But all he's doing is just singing. He can totally sit in a chair on the stage, right? It's an option. Everyone paid money for this show and we can't let our fans down.
~~~
It was about that time where I put Copeland to sleep, but she was clinging onto Vic since the incident. I feel like they bonded together or something while I was gone, but can that really happen in a couple hours?
I walked into the bedroom and I stared at the most precious thing I’ve ever seen. Copeland was sleeping on her belly atop Vic’s chest, while he was also asleep. He had his hand placed protectively on her back.
Just watching them sleep melted my heart. Both my babies look so peaceful. I was always the one to put her to sleep, but I guess since Vic already took care of it, my part was done for me. Although she can technically sleep on Vic, he’s gonna have to turn on his side or stomach at some point, so I had to remove her.
I quietly tip-toed over to Vic and cupped my hands under Copeland’s stomach. I felt a quick smack on my hand, turning out to be Vic, scaring me a little.
“It’s just me, don’t worry,” I said to Vic who was slowly opening up his eyes. “It’s late and Cope needs to be in her crib.” I carried her small body over to the crib and placed her gently in it.
Vic scooted himself up to lay against the head board. He didn’t say a single word to me. He just stared me down like I was a piece of meat.
“It’s really late, Vic. Go back to sleep.”
“I can’t now.”
I hopped into bed and threw the cover over myself. “Something on your mind?”
“My back hurts.”
Seriously, if I ever find the son of a bitch who did this to him, I will personally kill them myself. “Maybe I can help.” I pulled his waist into me so he would turn around. Since I am experienced with massages, I used my techniques to put immense pressure on his shoulders and lower back. Vic breathed out deeply from the pain.
“You okay?”
“What are we gonna do about tomorrow?”
“What do you mean?” I asked nervously.
“Our fans are counting on us to do a show, and I’m up for it. It’s just…what if it’s not as good as the other ones? My back is killing me and I can’t jump around like I normally do.”
“They’ll understand how you feel because they love us. The fans will completely know what you’re going through.”
“But what if the show just really sucks? I don’t want them thinking they wasted their money on a boring show.”
“None of our shows are boring, okay? They’re energetic and fun all the time. Trust me?”
“Ummm…”
“Have I ever done you wrong?” I smiled at him.
“Well…”
“You totally hesitated. Don’t even answer that question. Answer this one: Have I ever stopped loving you?”
“No,” he giggled.
“Exactly. Everything will be just fine.”
We've officially started touring and I'm very pleased to say that we're on the road with Sleeping with Sirens, All Time Low, and Tonight Alive. Kellin even agreed to watch Copeland when we perform on stage. I told him to just stay backstage with her because I won't know what's going on in the bus if I'm not there, so backstage would be appropriate. To be honest, my first choice was Tony, but then I remembered he's our guitarist and it just wouldn't work because he'll be on stage with us. I'm gonna say this though: the tour life is not suitable for a baby; let alone, being in a band and having a child to take care of.
Obviously Copeland was fussing. I already changed her diaper, fed her, and burped her. She clearly isn't tired and I can't think of anything else to give her or do for her.
"Jaime?" I said hoping he would appear from around the corner.
"Yeah?"
I pointed to Copeland. "Your turn."
"My turn? Since when did we start taking turns? I get that she's my baby as well, but what the hell? You're sitting there reading a magazine and I'm busy trying to tune my guitar for tomorrow."
I didn't answer him and continued to scroll through enormous paragraphs, scanning each picture, as if it were even placed in the right spot.
"You're an ass." He started towards Copeland and picked her up.
"You love me," I smirked.
He stuck his tongue out at me and picked up our baby. The pouting and sass ended. She shoved her finger in her mouth and forced her face in the crook of his neck.
"How come whenever I try to calm her down or make her laugh when she cries, she cries in my face and not yours?"
"I told you that she liked me more. Besides, you don't try to calm her down. You don't do anything."
Oh hell no. I've been the one getting my ass up at five in the morning to feed her and burp her. I've been the one changing her diaper and giving her baths. I've been the one to do everything. He's just there to do what I couldn't do - make her smile when she's sad, which is something I don‘t understand. I’m funny, right? Oh whatever, I pretty much do the hard job in the marriage.
"Oh really? Enlighten me. What do you do?" I hope this doesn't piss him off, but I'm trying to prove a point to him, that I've been the one taking care of her mostly.
"For one thing, you don't know how to make her formula."
That's because no one ever taught me, genius. But I can't be an ass about it; I can learn new things on my own. At least I feed her.
"Anything else?" I asked him, placing my magazine next to me and folding my arms.
"You don’t give her love,” he stated.
Love? What does he mean I don’t give her love? “I do too!”
“How?”
“My show of love for her is put into a different perspective than yours. I bathe her, feed her, burp her, change her diapers, and change her clothes. I may not do the things you do beause I don’t know how.”
“Try snuggling up to her sometimes.”
“What, you think I don’t wanna do these things with my daughter? You think it’s a piece of cake for everyone to adjust to having a baby with us in the bus?”
“You could at least try being sweet with her. Get closer to her when you put her to sleep.”
“She cries every time I come near her.”
“She’s a baby, Vic. She‘s supposed to cry. That‘s where she needs your love. She needs to know that someone is there for her; a sense of security, not backing away.”
“You’re making it sound like I’m the bad guy,” I put forth with frustration, raising my voice. I stood up and faced him. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t even want a fucking child in the first place. This baby was mistake.”
“There‘s no more room for complaining. You’re a dad now. If you can lay a girl down to make a baby, you best believe that you can stand the fuck up and be a father. You have no right to stand there and talk shit about what already happened. You don‘t even deserve the privilege to be a dad if you‘re gonna act this way.”
“I don’t need you to tell me what the hell I gotta do or how to raise my child! In fact, I don’t even need you anymore. You’re nothing but stress on my life.”
With that, he walked away from me, taking Copeland with him, and slammed the bedroom door behind him.
~~~
I thought extremely long and hard about what Jaime said to me. I’ve come to the conclusion that he was right. I don’t have room to talk shit and I for sure as hell don’t deserve the opportunity to be a dad, after what already happened. It happened, so I must deal with it.
I wanna apologize big time to him for what I said. I would have to wait until later because no one is on the bus right now except me and Cope. I didn’t mean to say that I didn’t need him. Of course I need him; he’s the love of my life. I guess I kind of got a little jealous with his relationship with Copeland. I wanna be closer to her and I obviously wanna be all cute and cuddle up to her when she’s sad.
I walked into my room and noticed that Copeland was awake, just staring at the ceiling above her. She wasn’t crying nor did she look upset. I guess I can try to cheer her up. She looks super bored.
“Hey, Cope,” I said softly.
Her little green eyes beamed with happiness. I still don't know where the green eyes came from, but I'm not letting that bother me. She smiled that cute grin she does every time Jaime comes around.
I leaned against her crib and sighed. “Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I was being so rude and ungrateful towards you and I want you to know that I really care about you.” It was like she was really paying attention. I swear I caught her head nod, as if she were listening and understood me. She’s not even a year old and her facial expressions proved to me that she was actually understanding my sentences. I have a smart child. “I want to be near you, but sometimes you scream in Papa’s ear and he gets mad. If you let me into your world, maybe I’ll finally understand you when you cry.”
Her joyous smile gave it away. She understood me. Her hands were placed together, almost clapping.
I caressed her cheek and smiled. “I wish you would talk so I know exactly what you want. But those days are gonna come when you’re a snobby five year old and think you can have whatever you want. Not when you’re living with me, darlin’.”
Her hands prolonged towards me, reaching for my chest.
“You want out?”
She dittoed her action and stretched them higher.
“I’m gonna assume that means you wanna get out of the crib. Alright.” I cupped my hands on her little waist and pinned her to my chest. I angled her body to the side so I could stare at her. “You know you’re a real trip,” I giggled as-a-matter-of-factly. “Lets have a talk.” I walked around the room. Her hand linked to my finger, so I held onto her. “Just to let you know, when you turn two, there ain’t gonna be any of that crying bullshit anymore. I’m teaching you everything starting now. Since you clearly understand me and wanna be a little Miss Sassy Thing when you want, there’s gonna be rules.”
She stuck her bottom lip out at me. “Oh don’t you give me that face, Cope. I know what you’re doing and it’s not gonna work.” She pouted her lips even more. She had puppy dog eyes.
I heard the door to our bus open. I gave in to her plumpy lips and chubby cheeks. “Okay, you win. But just this once.” She giggled at me. Her small arms wrapped around my neck, planting her face in the crook of my neck. Her warm breath tickled my ear.
I started walking towards the living room, but didn’t hear anyone anymore. “Jaime, is that you?” I turned to Copeland when there was no answer. “You think daddy is still mad at me?” Not a single emotion left from her. I carried her into the living room where a set of muddy boot prints were left at the scene. The person even left the door open.
“Hmm,” I thought out loud. I walked over to shut the door, with Copeland still in my arms, when a black glove forcefully yanked me by the hair and veiled my mouth shut.
“Scream and I’ll shoot.”
Him yanking on my hair triggered my root follicles, causing me to tear up immediately. My heart began to beat out of my chest, hoping this was all a dream. I stared at the man wearing a black mask, with only his eyes, nose, and mouth visible for me to see. His gun pointed directly at my head. To be honest, I wasn’t afraid for my life; I was afraid for Copeland’s.
“Sit down,” he demanded, shoving me towards the couch. “You answer my questions by nodding yes, shaking your head no, or giving me a response. Each time you lie to me, the destruction will be worse, got it?”
I shook my head.
“Do you live here alone?” I shook my head no. “Do you have a cell phone on you?” I pointed to the table sitting in front of us, which held my phone in place. He grabbed my phone and shoved it in his pocket. “Who’s child is that?”
“M-Mine.”
“I don’t see your wife around?” he laughed. He picked up a picture frame laying on the table. “Hm, there’s four of you living here. You seem to be holding onto this guy,” he pointed at Jaime. “Who’s he?”
“What d-do you want fr-from me? Why are you holding m-me hostage?”
“Shut up! You don’t get to ask the questions!”
I couldn’t contain my tears. They fled from my eyes. Copeland started to stare at me and her face went from happy to sad. She saw that I was crying and instantly cried into my shoulder. Now both of us were crying and it was my job to help her stay settle.
He pointed the gun at my face. “Please…take whatever you want, j-just don’t hurt my baby.”
“What if I don't want your baby? What if I want you?”
Me? As in, he’s gonna rape me and then kill me? Oh God no. “W-What?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” he licked his lips suggestively.
“Do whatever y-you want to me, just don’t h-hurt her, please. Hurt me.”
“Oh trust me, I will hurt you.”
*Jaime’s POV*
I can’t be mad at Vic forever. I just didn’t like the fact that he said he didn’t need me. I don’t care if he doesn’t need me, but I need him. He was probably just mad at me for what I said to him.
Mike and Tony were walking behind me talking when we arrived at the bus. I heard Copeland screaming and crying her eyes out. Why wasn’t Vic doing anything about it? I can practically hear her down the street. We all walked in and noticed Copeland sitting on the couch with tears streaming down her face.
“Oh my God,” I gasped pointing to the giant foot prints that stained our carpet. I can already tell that someone broke in while Vic and Copeland were still in the bus.
Mike quickly ran into the kitchen and pulled out his gun, aiming it all over the room. Tony picked up Copeland to quiet her, but she wasn’t calming down one bit. He checked to see if she was harmed and she wasn’t.
“Vic?” I called out, but there was no answer. Mike stood right behind me, just in case someone were to jump out at me while I searched for Vic. “Vic, you here?” I quickly halted, making Mike slam against my back from behind.
“Ow!”
“Shh,” I told him. I peeked my head into mine and Vic’s room.
There before me lies Vic, face down, all bloody with his body dented with cuts and bruises.
“Vic!” I ran to him and threw myself to the ground, praying that he wasn’t dead. I glanced up and down his body for movement, before I turned him over on his back. “No, please God, no. No no no no no no no! Mike, plug the tub and start the bath.”
“On it!” Mike ran into the bathroom, leaving me by myself with Vic.
I bit my lip and swooped the sticking hair out of his face. “Vic, please wake up. Please?” I held onto his hand. “Open your eyes, babe.” He wasn’t budging.
I could no longer hold it in. A tear trickled down my cheek and fell onto Vic’s face. That single tear cleaned away a streak of the blood on his face, as it slid down his cheek. My hands were all bloody and I didn’t care. If this man is dead, then I’m dead.
“H-H-Hi-m-me,” A soft voice sprouted.
I faced him. “Vic! Oh my God! Stay with me, babe. Stay with me.” I carried him wedding style into the bathroom and placed his weak body in the warm water. I stripped off all his clothing and placed him in the tub. I grabbed a piece of cloth and dunked it in the tub, wiping small sections of blood off his face. I bent down on my knees and craddled Vic's face with my hand, making him face me.
"I'm here, Vic," I cried. "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I never-" He pushed his trembling finger to my lips, hushing me up from saying another word. His head shook with an approving look.
"C-Copela-Cope..."
"Copeland is fine. She's safe," I assured him, stroking my fingers through his hair.
His breath was very shaky, even though he was awake. I finished wiping off the blood on his face, just staring at the droppings in the water. I took the head of the faucet and sprinkled it over Vic's face, examining a couple bruises; one beneath his jaw and one under his eye. His body was literally beaten to death by something vicious.
I just want to apologize so badly, but he won't let me. Does that mean he doesn't care what happened earlier and he forgives me?
The water was so bloody that I couldn't even see his body; however, the only thing I could see was where the water stopped which is mid way to his chest.
After draining the water and drying him off, I put sweats and a shirt on him before gently placing him on the bed. His look was terrible and I feel so bad. I wish I could do something or find the bastard that hurt him.
I heard a crying baby approach the door, along with heavy foot steps.
"Jaime, she won't stop crying. I don't know what to do," Tony said helplessly.
"Give me her," I said extending my arms out, ready to grab her. I patted her back gently, assuring her everything was okay, but she wasn't letting up. I turned her around, placing her in my lap while she faced Vic. Her arms signaled that she didn't want me to hold her.
For a second, I didn't pick up the fact that she wanted Vic to hold her. She stretched her body out towards him and cried louder, until I finally handed her over. Vic smiled, simply placing her on his hip. She quickly nuzzled her nose into his neck and stopped weeping.
"And you told me she didn't like you."
"No," He corrected me. "You told me that she liked you more."
I ignored what he said. "Please let me apologize to you? What I said was wrong."
He gave me the look of okay, fine. Explain.
I breathed in softly. "You do deserve to be a dad. You risked your life to save our baby. I don't know what happened when we weren't home, but I could've lost you. You may not want to be a father, but you're doing a damn good job. I'll give it to you; it's not easy and I understand that. But what you did...I don't even know what you did. What happened? Please tell me?"
"I was attacked, isn't it obvious?"
"I can see that. But by whom?"
"I don't know." He looked upset. "He was wearing a mask. He said he was going to hurt me either way. I thought he was going to rape me, but I guess not. I think...this beating was probably worse than rape."
"How come when we argue and get mad with each other, something like that had to happen?"
Vic could only shrug his shoulders at me, barely. He was all bruised from the incident and I have no clue how long the healing process will take. We have a show to put on tomorrow and with the way Vic is holding himself, I don't think he can do it. But all he's doing is just singing. He can totally sit in a chair on the stage, right? It's an option. Everyone paid money for this show and we can't let our fans down.
~~~
It was about that time where I put Copeland to sleep, but she was clinging onto Vic since the incident. I feel like they bonded together or something while I was gone, but can that really happen in a couple hours?
I walked into the bedroom and I stared at the most precious thing I’ve ever seen. Copeland was sleeping on her belly atop Vic’s chest, while he was also asleep. He had his hand placed protectively on her back.
Just watching them sleep melted my heart. Both my babies look so peaceful. I was always the one to put her to sleep, but I guess since Vic already took care of it, my part was done for me. Although she can technically sleep on Vic, he’s gonna have to turn on his side or stomach at some point, so I had to remove her.
I quietly tip-toed over to Vic and cupped my hands under Copeland’s stomach. I felt a quick smack on my hand, turning out to be Vic, scaring me a little.
“It’s just me, don’t worry,” I said to Vic who was slowly opening up his eyes. “It’s late and Cope needs to be in her crib.” I carried her small body over to the crib and placed her gently in it.
Vic scooted himself up to lay against the head board. He didn’t say a single word to me. He just stared me down like I was a piece of meat.
“It’s really late, Vic. Go back to sleep.”
“I can’t now.”
I hopped into bed and threw the cover over myself. “Something on your mind?”
“My back hurts.”
Seriously, if I ever find the son of a bitch who did this to him, I will personally kill them myself. “Maybe I can help.” I pulled his waist into me so he would turn around. Since I am experienced with massages, I used my techniques to put immense pressure on his shoulders and lower back. Vic breathed out deeply from the pain.
“You okay?”
“What are we gonna do about tomorrow?”
“What do you mean?” I asked nervously.
“Our fans are counting on us to do a show, and I’m up for it. It’s just…what if it’s not as good as the other ones? My back is killing me and I can’t jump around like I normally do.”
“They’ll understand how you feel because they love us. The fans will completely know what you’re going through.”
“But what if the show just really sucks? I don’t want them thinking they wasted their money on a boring show.”
“None of our shows are boring, okay? They’re energetic and fun all the time. Trust me?”
“Ummm…”
“Have I ever done you wrong?” I smiled at him.
“Well…”
“You totally hesitated. Don’t even answer that question. Answer this one: Have I ever stopped loving you?”
“No,” he giggled.
“Exactly. Everything will be just fine.”
Would really like to see a sequel :)
7/4/15