by Beth Rinyu
“No!” Becca sobbed.
I looked over at Lilly lying on the floor. Her breathing was labored and I could tell she was in pain. “Don’t even fuckin’ think about it!” Ashton said through clenched teeth as I took a step forward to check on Lilly. I wished that Becca could see me so I could send her some kind of signal. She looked so helpless standing there. He lifted her hair up and moved his mouth to her ear. “Tell Drew how you begged me to fuck you that night.” I watched as she cringed at his words, feeling my own stomach churning in the process. She bit her bottom lip and held back a cry. “Tell him, Becca!” He gripped her tighter.
“No! I won’t!” she shouted.
I could see the fury building in his eyes and I knew that I had no choice but to make my move now as he moved the gun up to her head. He looked down at her for one brief second and I knew that was my chance. I lunged at him, knocking the gun out of his hand as Becca broke free from his grip. “Becca, find the door and get out of here!” I shouted. As I went to grab the gun from the floor I felt the weight of him on top of me, tackling me down to the ground. His fist met the side of my face but not before I gave him a good right hook. I looked up at Becca, who was standing there frozen in fear. “Becca, go!” I shouted again as Ashton struggled to get the gun from my hand. I gave him another swift punch in the face with my free hand, still keeping my eye on Becca who was still in the same spot, looking terrified. I just wanted her out of there in case the gun went off, but I could tell she was paralyzed in fear. I held tightly to the gun, getting in jabs, trying to get him off me. He got in one good punch, knocking the gun from my hand as he quickly scooped it off the floor. I looked up at the barrel of his gun and his piercing eyes, which were showing no mercy, immediately feeling the burn of the bullet ripping into my flesh.
“No!” Becca screamed. “Mason! Mason!” she shouted.
I wanted to answer her, but I couldn’t. It hurt to breathe and all I wanted to do was close my eyes, but I couldn’t yet. I couldn’t leave her again until I knew that both she and my baby were safe. I was going in and out of consciousness as I watched Ashton inching toward her. I willed myself to find the strength to grab my gun. I painfully reached up on the table just as he cocked the trigger and aimed it at Becca. The last ounce of strength that I had was exhausted as I shot off two rounds, and watched Ashton fall to the ground. She was safe now….. I could finally close my eyes.
“Mason! Mason!” I could hear Becca’s faint screams.
She looked so beautiful as we danced under the star filled sky.
“That moon is beautiful tonight.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“I prefer half-moons, though.”
“And why is that?”
“There’s just something about it, you know… kind of like it’s looking for its other half to make it whole, but still beautiful just the same.”
Her beautiful eyes flashed in front of me. You’re safe, Becca; that’s all that matters. That’s all that ever mattered.
“Mason!” Becca cried.
I was just too tired. I couldn’t fight it anymore. Becca was safe and this time I was able to make sure of it before I left her. “I love you, Becca,” I whispered, not knowing if my words were even audible, but hoping that this time she heard them loud and clear. A sense of calmness overtook me as I finally gave in to the darkness.
Becca
“Mason! Please answer me!” I crawled around on the floor and followed his labored breathing. “No, no, no!” I cried as I moved my hand down his body, feeling the warm liquid seeping from his shoulder. “Somebody help me!” I screamed. “Mason, hang on, Baby. Please hang on! I’m going to get you help.”
I was so turned around that I didn’t know where to begin to look for the door. I moved over to the wall and felt around until I finally located the door knob and ran out into the hallway. “Somebody please!” I shouted at the top of my lungs just as I heard footsteps and Linda and Steve’s voices coming up the stairs. “Help me!” I screamed once again.
“Oh my God, Becca!” Linda exclaimed. I could hear the panic in her voice.
“Becca! What’s going on? You’re covered in blood,” Steve said.
I shook my head, trying my hardest to get the words out. “Call nine one one. Mason….” I broke down in tears and felt Linda’s arms around me while Steve rattled off the address to the person on the other end of the phone.
I was sobbing uncontrollably as Linda did her best to calm me down. “It’s okay, Sweetie. The ambulance is on their way. Steve has EMT experience. He’s with him now.” I could feel my entire body trembling. I moved my shaking hands down to my belly and all I could think about was our baby. Mason couldn’t leave me again. He couldn’t. I needed him too much and so did our baby.
“Becca, what happened?” Linda asked.
I tried my best to speak, but my sobs wouldn’t allow it. I took a deep breath, hoping that the sounds that I heard coming off the elevator were the paramedics.
“Right in there!” Linda shouted. I stood there, feeling so helpless. I wanted to go to him. I wanted to tell him that he had to pull through this. Linda grabbed my hand and led me into her apartment, guiding me over to the couch. “Just sit down and try and calm down. The ambulance is here and so are the police.”
“He can’t die on me, Linda. He can’t.” I broke down completely.
She pushed my hair from my face and I rested my head on her shoulder. “Just calm down and breathe, Becca.”
I jumped when I heard a knock on the door. “Come in,” Linda shouted.
“Hi, I’m Detective Reynolds. Are you Miss Keeton?” I tried my best to focus on the gruff male voice that was coming closer to me.
“My dog? Where’s my dog?”
“She’s fine. I’ll give you the information of the vet that they took her to. The EMT that tended to her seems to think she may have a broken rib, but that’s it,” Detective Reynolds said. I nodded and swallowed hard. “Miss Keeton, I’m going to need you to tell me exactly what happened. Do you think you can do that right now?”
I nodded. Linda placed a tissue in my hand and I wiped away my tears. “Detective Reynolds, she’s blind,” Linda interjected.
“Okay. Just please explain to me what happened.” The sound of police radios and voices filled the hallway as I took a deep breath and pulled it together, recounting every last detail as well as giving him the history that Mason had with Ashton Barrett. “Is Mason going to be okay?” I asked.
“I’m not aware of his medical condition. He’s at the hospital now, so he’s at the best possible place he could be,” Detective Reynolds said, trying to put my mind at ease but failing miserably.
“This can’t be happening. It just can’t!” I cried.
“Shh…” Linda consoled me, rubbing gentle circles on my back.
“Becca!” I lifted my head at the sound of Liz’s voice and began to cry even harder.
She took a seat on the other side of me and wrapped her arms around me. “Liz, don’t let him leave me again. Please tell him that he can’t. I love him. I love him so much and I never got to tell him.”
“Mason won’t go down without a fight; especially when he knows he’s got you and the baby to wake up to.” I moved my head from her shoulder and looked up in confusion. “I saw the prenatal vitamins on your table yesterday and all of your paperwork from your doctor and I kind of told Mason today. I’m sorry, but he had to make a decision about that promotion and I thought that maybe that was the push that he needed. That’s why he came to see you. He was so happy, Becca.”
I buried my face in my hands and began to sob uncontrollably. I had lost him once and lost my sight. I knew if I lost him this time so much more was at stake. I closed my eyes, hoping that this baby was enough to give him the will to pull through this.
After three long days, I didn’t think I had any more tears left inside of me. It hurt to breathe. Why did this have to happen? I rubbed my belly and the tears began to flow once again.
All I could think of was raising this baby alone and how he, or she, would never know what a wonderful man their dad was. I couldn’t do this without him.
“Becca, are you ready?” Mason’s mother asked. I nodded and wiped away the tears. She took my hand as I stood up and I walked beside her in a straight line for what seemed like eternity before turning off. She guided me over to the chair and I sat down. “Okay, I’ll give you your privacy. Talk to him. He’s here. He can hear you.”
I reached down and felt around for his hand and wrapped my fingers around it. “Mason, there are so many things I need to tell you, but most of all; I love you. I fell in love with you all those years ago and you made me fall in love with you again. You and I, we’re that perfect full moon that shines among the stars. I will not let you leave me this time. You have too much to live for. We still have so many sunsets together, and I can only see them with you, through your eyes, with your heart. I leaned my head on his chest and listened to his heart beating. As I stood back up, I took his hand and placed it on my belly. “Do you see what I do, Mason? Can you see our unborn baby? I can see him so clearly. Call me crazy, but I just know it’s a boy.” I bit my bottom lip and smiled, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. “He has your boyish charm and good looks. He’s the most beautiful little boy in the world, Mason, and he needs you. He needs his Daddy. Don’t leave us. I’m begging you.” I gasped when I felt his hand move up my stomach. “Mason? Are you awake? Can you hear me?” I grabbed onto his hand and he gripped it tighter. Leaning over, I whispered in his ear. “We need you, Mason. Please wake up.” He grasped my hand tighter and I felt a smile rush across my face. “Wake up, Baby. Wake up.” I kissed him over and over again on the top of his head.
“Becca?” His voice sounded so weak.
“Yes?” I couldn’t wipe the teardrops quick enough as they spilled from my eyes.
“Who needs me?” he asked.
“I need you, and our baby needs you.”
I swept my hand across the scruff of his face. “Say it again, Becca.”
“Our baby, Mason; our beautiful little baby needs you.”
“I love you, Becca.”
“I love you, too. More than you will ever know.” I ran my hand through his hair and rested my lips on his forehead. He came back to me after six long years and now he had come back again after the three longest days of my life and I would never let him leave me again. He was here and he was mine—this time forever.
Mason
After two long weeks of being in the hospital, I was finally home. I knew that I wouldn’t have been doing as well if it weren’t for Becca. She gave me a reason to wake up that day. Having her love was enough, but knowing that she was going to have my baby only added to my reason to survive.
From what I had heard from Liz, Ashton was released from the hospital last week and was now facing a slew of charges. My mother and father had just gone back to Louisiana and I was climbing the walls to get back to work. I had made my decision and took the promotion and I knew now that it was the best decision ever. I had called Becca’s father earlier in the week and asked if I could meet with him. Since I was still unable to drive, he agreed to come into the city and meet me for a drink. I was surprised by his willingness to do so and was hoping he was as amiable to what I had to say. As I walked into the restaurant, I spotted him right away sitting at the mostly empty bar.
I took a deep breath as I approached him. “Dr. Keeton.”
He looked from his drink and stood up to shake my hand.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Pretty good,” I responded.
He nodded as he looked me up and down the same way he always did when Becca and I were first together. “I—umm… I wanted to tell you thank you for saving her.” I could see the emotion building in his eyes.
“No need to thank me, Dr. Keeton. I love Becca with all my heart and I would have gladly died for her that day.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “I’m not just talking about what happened a few weeks ago. I’m talking about six years ago, too.” I stared into his eyes and nodded. “I spoke with one of the agents on that case. When I found out how Barrett had intended to use my daughter, I swear to God I wanted to kill him and I realized if it weren’t for you, something much worse could have happened to Becca.”
“You never told her about the case or about me? Why?”
“Because I gave you my word that I wouldn’t and I did realize how much you truly did care for her.”
“She means everything to me and that’s the reason I asked you to meet me, sir. I want to ask her to marry me and I would like to have your blessing.” His eyes widened in surprise. “I know it may be a little old fashioned, but that’s the way I was raised.”
He stared straight ahead like he was deep in thought. “You weren’t lying when you told me that you really did love her all those years ago.”
“No, sir, I wasn’t. And I promise to be the best husband and father–” I stopped myself, knowing that I had just said too much. Becca and I hadn’t told anyone that news yet.
His eyes filled with emotion and I knew right away that he caught on to my slip up. “Becca’s pregnant?” I hesitantly nodded. He formed the slightest of smiles. “My little girl is going to have a baby? I’m going to be a grandpa?” His smile broadened.
“Becca is probably going to be really pissed at me for letting that slip because I’m sure she wanted to be the one to tell you, but yeah, she is.”
He shook his head and tapped his hand on the bar. “Bartender, get my future son-in-law a drink. He’s going to be a dad!” He looked into my eyes and extended his hand to me. “You have my blessing, Mason.”
Lilly and I took a walk to Becca’s office to pick her up from work, stopping along the way to pick her up some roses. Tomorrow was her birthday and I wanted to start celebrating tonight. She was deep in thought as she sat there listening to a recording. I stood in the doorway just smiling at her. She was glowing and just knowing that in seven months she would be having my baby made my grin grow even wider. Lilly began to whine, causing Becca to take out her earplugs. I walked over quietly to her and stuck the roses under her nose.
She smiled. “Roses!”
“But can you guess what color?”
“Hmm….I’m thinking red.”
“Nope.” She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Oh…. pink!” She inhaled their fragrance once again and smiled.
“Early birthday present for the birthday girl.”
“Wow, beautiful roses!” Stephanie, Becca’s assistant, said as she walked in the door.
“Thank you. They’re a present from this guy here.” She giggled.
“Want me to get them in some water for you?” Stephanie asked.
“Yeah, that’d be great,” Becca replied. I waited for Stephanie to exit before bending down by the side of Becca’s desk, kissing her on the lips and then her belly.
“How are you feeling today?” I asked.
“Great, actually. Didn’t throw up once, so I’m hoping that the worst of it is over.”
“It is, Becca, and it will only get better going forward.” She placed her hands on my face and smiled, clearly knowing that I wasn’t just referring to her pregnancy.
“What about you? You haven’t been overdoing it today, have you?”
“Nope!”
“Mason, don’t lie. You know the doctor said he wants you taking it easy until you go back to see him for your follow up visit.”
How could I forget? Taking it easy meant no sex, and Becca wasn’t caving on bending the doctor’s orders. “Cross my heart. Lilly and I had an uneventful day.” She didn’t need to know that this afternoon consisted of meeting up with her Dad and picking up her ring from the jewelers.
“Here you go, Becca!” Stephanie said as she brought the vase full of roses back in and placed them on Becca’s desk.
“I’m going to leav
e them here. That way when I’m sitting at my desk, I can smell them and think of you.”
“Sounds good to me.”
She reached around for her bag on the floor and stood up. I took her arm in mine and we were on our way.
We went back to my place and ordered Chinese takeout. Becca had been staying with me since my parents left to go back home. She said that it was because she wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing anything that the doctor told me not to do, but I knew part of it was because she was freaked out about staying in her apartment after everything that happened. Ashton was being held in prison without bail, which put my mind at ease a little bit. And I was hoping with any luck that he would be staying there for a very long time. I hated the fact that Becca was going to have to be put through the stress of testifying and I hoped that wouldn’t happen until after she had the baby.
“I’m so excited that you are coming to my parents’ with me this weekend for my birthday!” Becca beamed. “Having you there and my brother, it’s just gonna be great!”
“Hey, I wanted to give you another early birthday present.”
“Mason, you’re spoiling me…..but I’ll allow it.” She laughed.
“Well, this is actually something old.” I grabbed her wrist and clasped the bracelet that I had given her all those years ago for her birthday.
She reached down with her other hand and felt around. “My bracelet,” she whispered. “You kept it all this time?”
“I did.”
She threw her arms around me and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. “This means more to me than anything. Thank you so much.”
“Well, you mean more to me than anything, so thank you, Becca.” She placed her head on my shoulder and let out a deep breath. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I just never thought that I’d be this happy again. When I lost my sight, I thought my life was over. I never imagined that I would find someone to love me and actually have a baby some day. They were all dreams that I let fade away because I thought they were impossible. But you made those dreams a reality for me.”
