Escaping Grace

I awoke panicked, and I jerked up with a gasp, the sheet falling off me.
She was there, that awful woman kept haunting me.
I tried to calm my breathing, to stop the fear racing through me, but I couldn't, amd I whimpered, pulling my knees to my chest.
Stop, I thought, putting my hands over my face. Please. Please. Please. You're okay. You're not home. You're okay.
"Leah?" Andys sleepy voice came from my right, and I didn't answer, praying he would just go back to sleep, that he wouldn't see me like this.
"Babe, what's wrong?" he shuffled, and I felt him lay his hand on my bare shoulder. "Leah?"
"I'm fine," I whispered, and then cleared my throat. "I'm fine."
"Leah, you're shaking! What happened?"
"J-just a bad dream." I swallowed, glad the room was dark and he couldn't see my face, or my back, or any of me that matter.
It was like it was starting all over again, I realized. I could practically feel her hitting me, feeling so small and defenseless. Like I couldn't do anything.
I shuddered, amd Andy shifted until he was kneeling beside me, his face rapidly becoming more alarmed as the moonlight slipped into the bedroom, illuminating everything.
"Hey, it's okay," he said, pulling me to him. "It's okay, it's over, I'm here."
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to cry, to block out my dream. Andy wrapped his arms around me, and I jerked as his hand brushed my back.
"Leah?" he pressed his lips into my hair. "It's okay. You're safe with me. No one is going to hurt you ever again, okay?"
I knew he was right, but it was all I could do not to panic. I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face into his neck, fighting my tears. I wouldn't cry, I wouldn't.
"Shh, I got you, angel," he murmured, rubbing slow circles on my shoulder with his fingers, and I felt myself start to calm. "I got you."
I shuddered again, and opened my eyes.
"I was so afraid," I whispered, and his circles paused. "I don't want to go back there."
My voice was small, and I hated it.
"What were you afraid of?" he asked softly. The words stuck in my throat, but I forced them out. "Her."
"Her?"
"I don't... I'm sorry," I closed my eyes as they started to burn. "I didn't mean to wake you. I'm sorry."
"Leah... Who is her? Talk to me," he murmured, pulling away from me slightly. He slipped a finger under my chin and raised my face to his, his blue eyes glowing in the moonlight. "You can tell me. Trust me."
"I... I do trust you." And I did. Whole heartedly.
"Then tell me, Leah." his thumb caressed my cheek, and I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm down, to not freak out "My mother," I said after a moment. "I'm terrified of having to go back to her. That I'll have to go back. That I can't escape. She'll take all of it away from me," I felt like I was being squeezed, and my voice grew smaller each word I spoke.
"Leah... Angel, look at me. It's okay. Breathe. "
My eyes flew open, and met his. He cupped my face, brushing my hair out of my eyes. He was rubbing my shoulders in a soothing motion, and surprisingly it was working.
When I was with him, he always found a way to calm me down, making my meds last me so much longer then they used too.
I sniffled, feeling my nerves calm, and Andy pressed a gentle kiss against my forehead. "See? Everything's okay. You never have to go back there, Leah. You're safe with me. I will make sure nothing ever gets to you again, okay?"
I forced myself to nod, clutching at him. He was right, no need to freak out. Everything was okay when I was with him. I closed my eyes, and pressed my face into his shoulder.
I loved him so much, I had no idea what I would do without him. And he needed to know that. He needed to know how much I cared about him and how much he meant to me. I couldn't imagine losing him, not now that I had fallen face-first in better or for worse love with him.
The last person I'd fallen in love with, I'd had to run from, but now I knew that hadn't been love at all. I'd thought I was in love with him, but it was more desperation to get out of my home life then any real emotion toward him.
But it wasn't like that now.
"Andy?" I had to tell him.
"Yeah, love?" he had his warm arms wrapped around me, his chin on top of my head as he lightly rocked me, and he was humming softly, but I couldn't remember the name of the song.
I tightened my arms around him.
I had to tell him now, or I'd lose my nerve. I wished it wasn't so hard for me, and the words just seemed to bunch in my throat, choking me.
"Leah?"
TELL HIM, my mind was screaming at me.
"You mean so much to me," I finally murmured. "You know that, don't you? I love you, Andy. You have no idea how much I love you. I don't think I could even breathe without you now."
He stilled instantly, and pulled away from me. I raised my eyes to his, seeing the surprise on his face.
"Took you long enough," he finally said, and kissed me, holding my face between his hands.
"I love you, too." he murmured. "God do I adore you, Leah. YOU have no idea how badly I wanted to hear you say that."
I smiled, and wrapped My arms around his neck.
I'd said it, finally, and the world hadn't ended yet.
Maybe that was a good sign.
He kissed me again, pressing my back against the sheets, and my hands tangled in his hair; considering we'd gone to bed naked, it made everything so much easier for the rest of the night.

Notes

Finally, she spilled the love! Man this scene has been floating around my word document forever, and I finally got to post it! So leave a comment and tell me what you think, and I'll keep the updates coming!