TAYLOR
The shining sun through the picture window forced Taylor to roll to her side. She pulled the sheet over her head and tried to go back to sleep. Unfortunately, pregnancy didn’t allow for sleeping in. She had to pee. After flinging the sheet off of her head, she forced herself to sit up. She looked behind her and was grateful to discover that Victor had left already. She wasn’t prepared to face him after the way she’d behaved the night before. Sure, she was angry he’d set up an appointment with a psychologist after she’d told him not to, but she was embarrassed and appalled by her reaction. Taylor knew she owed him an apology, but she felt like shit and she wasn’t ready to face him.
She stood and padded to the bathroom. As she made her way to the toilet, she glanced in the mirror. What a horrifying sight she was. Her big hair was unruly and matted in the back. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying herself to sleep. She had dried tears and dark circles under her eyes. A mess was the best way to describe her appearance.
After doing her business, she flushed the toilet and walked over to the shower. She set the water to her desired temperature and pulled her nightgown over her head. She stepped in the shower and sighed as soon as the hot water sprayed her body.
It was about forty-five minutes later when she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She dried her freshly shampooed hair, entered her dressing room, and sat at the vanity.
“Good morning,” Victor said from the doorway.
Taylor looked at his reflection in the mirror. She exhaled and turned to face him. Horrible guilt washed over her when she looked in her beautiful husband’s eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Victor,” she said through a sigh. “I just…”
In two long strides, he was in front of her, lifting her to her feet. He clutched both sides of her face and looked at her with eyes filled with sadness and love. The guilt Taylor was feeling was overwhelming.
“No, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll do better.”
Taylor couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t understand why he was apologizing to her. She was the one acting a fool.
“What? No. Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for. You were only trying to help me, and I completely lost it.”
Victor pulled her against his warm body and held her tight. She melted against him, feeling safer than she’d felt since the shooting. It was the first time she’d actually allowed him to hold her without tensing. She wrapped her arms around his waist and caressed his muscular back. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought about how much she missed being safely cocooned in his arms.
“I love you, sweetheart,” he whispered into her thick hair.
“I know you do, and I love you.”
Victor took a step back and lifted her chin with his fingers. She warmed under his emerald gaze. With just a look, he was tearing down barriers that had formed the minute that animal killed her commander.
He leaned in, bringing his face close to hers. Shamefully, Taylor recalled the pain and anger in his eyes the last time they were that close.
“Victor, I—”
Victor cut off her words by pushing his soft lips against hers. She moaned against his lips and ignored the slight pain in her shoulder as she snaked her arms around his neck. For whatever reason, her husband's touch, his kiss, made everything all right in the world. At least, for that moment.
When their lips separated, she wanted so desperately for them to reunite. But Victor reached for her hand and led her into their bedroom. He walked her over to the sofa and gently pulled her to sit next to him. He caressed her hand, placing it to his mouth. After a soft kiss, he smiled.
“I’m worried, sweetheart. I don’t know how to help.”
In his solemn tone, Taylor could hear defeat. It was breaking her heart.
She squeezed his hand, hoping to give him some comfort. “Baby, please don’t worry so much. I’ve heard before, from other cops that have been involved in police shootings, that the way I’m feeling is normal. Now, my behavior,” she chuckled, “that shit I can’t explain.”
“Dr. Porter suggested that hormonal changes are a factor.”
“Oh, God.” Taylor sighed. “Dr. Porter must think I’m a nutcase.”
Victor laughed. “Yeah, probably.”
Taylor dropped her head in shame.
“No, babe, I’m kidding. Look, if you don’t want to see him anymore, you don’t have to.”
“No, no. I do. I mean…I think I need to,” Taylor admitted.
Victor smiled, and in his eyes, she saw relief. Plus, she was sure that what she was about to tell him would add to his sense of relief.
