Avenging Laura (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

Laura waited in the car for Highlander to arrive on Monday afternoon. She was a sweaty hot mess after having done her physical therapy and she was sore. Everything in her body hurt like a bitch and a part of her was both excited yet scared about this appointment.

She didn’t know why the doctor wanted him at this appointment, and that scared her. Friday night had been perfect. Well, as perfect as could be. Unfortunately, he and the kids went back to her grandmothers. As much as she wanted them to stay, she understood that he wanted her to be ready for them to be a real family again.

Saturday, they had taken the kids to the zoo and did things together as a family. They had an amazing time. It broke her heart when it was time for them to separate though. Aurora wanted her mommy and Cody wanted to come home. All she could do was say soon.

At night, she cried herself to sleep wearing one of Joe’s shirts he had left behind that she’d yet to wear. She curled up with his pillow, Cody’s blanket, Ryleigh’s teddy, and Willie’s stuffed Captain America bear. She also had Aurora’s baby blanket with her too. It was the only way she knew to have them all with her when they weren’t physically there.

She jumped when she heard the knock on her vehicle window. Shit! She’d zoned out there for a moment.

Getting out of the vehicle once she realized it was Highlander, she gave him a big smile. Once she was out, he pulled her into his arms and held her for several minutes.

“Ye ok, lass?” Highlander murmured into her hair.

“Yeah. Sore as hell from physical therapy. Shouldn’t be hugging me right now. I’m sweaty and icky.” Laura chuckled as she started to pull away.

“I like you sweaty and icky!” Highlander whispered in her ear as he held onto her tightly.

Laura looked up at Highlander, debating if she should tell him what she wanted even though she feared rejection. Should she wait and see how this appointment went like the doctor wanted her to?

“We should get inside.” Laura’s voice croaked as she hugged Highlander tightly for a few more seconds.

They walked into the psychologist’s office together and let the receptionist know they were there. Before they could sit down, Dr. Hancock came out and got them both.

“Joe, thank you for joining us. I didn’t tell Laura why I wanted you here. Laura, can you let me speak with Joe alone for a few moments, then I’ll come to get you.”

“Sure.” Laura smiled as she backed away and turned to go sit on the couch in the waiting room.

Highlander walked into the room and sat on the couch that was gestured for him to sit on. He wasn’t sure what to think about this visit.

“Thank you, Joe for joining me. I know you’re probably curious on why I asked you in here first,” Dr. Hancock started as she sat down in her chair across from him.

“Aye. I have to admit I am. “

“How are you doing with everything that has been going on?”

“Right to the point. I’m surviving. I miss my wife. Our kids miss their mother. We want to go home and be a family again,” Highlander admitted, rubbing his hands up and down his thigh.

“Why aren’t you? You are the one that walked out of the family home. You took the kids with you. Do you blame Laura? And before you ask, no she didn’t say you did. She admits it’s her fault. I’m asking you about your train of thought.”

“No. I don’t blame Laura for everything. I honestly didn’t know how else to get through to her that I loved her. Her! She is who I want to spend the rest of my life with. Apparently telling her I loved her multiple times a day, every day, didn’t sink in that she was it for me. I get it, she has a lot of traumas she has to work through, but I wanted to be a part of that journey. I thought we had gotten past that until now. I admit I don’t know what happened during those four days she was held captive. She wouldn’t talk to me. I know the injuries she suffered. The rape. The loss of our unborn child. She shut me out and that hurt.”

“You feel like she doesn’t trust you?”

Damn this doctor was hitting the buttons early on. All he could do was be glad she was good at her job.

“Aye. She didn’t tell me or anyone about the photos she had received of me and others. I can understand that. She questioned the validity of them. It was the photos of our children that hurt the most. Those were real and recent. It put them in danger. It made me feel like she didn’t trust me to protect her or our children.”

“You know what a defense mechanism is, Lt.?”

“Aye. I do.”

“For Laura, that was it. She thought she was protecting you and the children. She felt that no response was the best response to it all. She felt if she reacted, then that would feed their crazy schemes. Do I agree with what she did, no. I’m just explaining her train of thought. The thing is, there are traumas she’s working through that you, her brother, her team, her grandmother, no one but her, her mother, her stepfather, and ex-husband know about. Things that she may never be comfortable sharing with you guys. You have to decide if you’re ok with her not doing that and move on and still love her unconditionally. If it’s a problem, then you need to walk away now instead of giving her false hope that things might work out.”

Well shite! This doctor really knew how to cut to the quick of things. Could he be ok with his wife having secrets about her past?

“As long as she’s working with ye or another professional that will help her get through all of it and be healthy, then yes, I will love her and support her no matter what. That’s what matters to me,” Highlander admitted firmly. “She is my world. She is the air I breathe. Is that healthy, maybe not, but she is it for me. These last two months have been a living hell. Not only for me, but my children. We want to go home.”

“Go get your wife, Lt. Let’s work out a plan of action. I believe before you officially move back into the home a few things need to happen first.”