Second Chance at Forever

by Mary Wasowski

  “Get out of my way.”

  “Did you fuck him?”

  “Yes, I did! And it was amazing! I never came so hard in my life. I loved every bit of him inside of me.”

  “You fucking whore!” Samuel shouted as he pushed me against the wall and caged me in.

  “I didn’t want this, Samuel.” I cried as he continued to press up against me. “Our marriage is over. Please let me go. It can’t end this way. Please don’t be that guy.”

  “What guy is that, Reese? I’m the same man that has loved you all these years. I always loved you more than you loved me. I knew it, and yet I stayed with you. You made your choice to be with me. I didn’t hold a gun to your head and force you to marry me. You did that all on your own. You chose to leave your precious Walker all those years ago. No matter what led you to leave him, it was your decision to go.”

  He looked crazed as he continued his rant. “I have devoted my life to you, and our daughter. How can you possibly think I would so easily let go without a fight? You want me gone, so you can go back to him? I don’t think so, my love. You are my wife, and you need a reminder on who you belong to.”

  “Please don’t do this, Samuel. I’m begging you…please don’t do this.”

  “Take off your clothes…now.”

  I shook my head no, and sunk to the floor. I cringed at the thought of him hate-fucking me to prove he loved me.

  “Reese, please don’t fight me on this. I love you, and we can make this work. I can’t let you leave me. I’ll forget about your infidelity, but the one thing I won’t do is allow you to walk out on our family.”

  In my defining moment, I heard my grandmother’s voice reach out to me. She told me not to be afraid and to fight. I wrapped her words around me like a protective cloak. I found my courage and tried with all my strength and determination to get away from him. Samuel reached me before I could make my escape. He roughly pulled me back into his arms.

  “Let me go!” I screamed and clawed at him.

  “Never! So you can go back to him? No fucking way, Reese. I’m done playing this game with you. Take off your clothes…now! Or I’ll do it for you.”

  “Fuck you, Samuel. Fuck you and your threats. Go ahead, take my body. You will never be the man Walker Reed is, and I will not stay in this marriage for one more goddamned day!”

  Push…

  Smack…

  …Darkness.

  WHEN OUR PLANE finally touched down, my patience was wearing thin. I had just received a text message from Reese, and I needed off this plane and to find her immediately.

  Stephen met us down on the tarmac with his report. “How was your flight sir?”

  “It was fine. Where are they?”

  “We are about a half hour from the resort, and then we have to travel another ten minutes to their villa. Sir, there is no way to conceal your presence once you arrive at the villa. They have no neighbors on either side of them, and they have their own stretch of beach. The sound of the boat will undoubtedly alert them of our arrival.”

  “Stephen, I don’t care at this point. Reese has texted me, and from what I gather, she is there against her will. All bets are off. I’ll have the driver drive as fast as he can to the boat launch. I need to get to her. Jackson is climbing out of his seat and is clearly anxious to see Riley.”

  “Dad, I finally got a message from Riley. She said that her father took her phone from her yesterday and didn’t give it back to her until this morning. Why would he do that? The way Riley describes her father, he is like her idol. Now he just sounds like an asshole.”

  “Jackson, I fear that Reese may be in danger. I told you that she asked her husband for a divorce back in Maryland; this was before seeing me again. She said her husband didn’t react to the news well. If he knows about me, then I don’t know what he will do.”

  “You don’t think Mr. Briggs will hurt Riley or her mom? Do you, dad?”

  “I’m not sure, Jackson. I only know that Reese didn’t want to come here. Being here, isolated from the rest of the resort, she is trapped where she is. You also have to take into account that once Riley’s father figures out who you are, your relationship with his daughter may get complicated.”

  “Why is that, dad? We have nothing to do with what’s going on between the both of you. Our relationship is off limits, dad. I’m not going to let anyone come between us.”

  “Jackson, he is still her father no matter what, and I’m just saying that he may present a problem for you because of who your father is. Listen to me. Try not to worry about this right now. The only thing I want to do now is get to Reese. Are you okay, son? Why are you holding your head?”

  “I’m fine, dad. It’s just a little headache, nothing like I had yesterday.”

  “Did you take your medicine?”

  “Yes I did, while I was on the plane.”

  “Jackson, I have told you repeatedly that if you’re ever in pain, you must tell me right away. Why don’t you understand this simple request?”

  “Dad, it’s only a headache. Will you relax?”

  I looked my son in the eyes and said, “Jackson, I will never relax when it comes to your health. Your mother just had a ‘headache,’ and then she died. Jackson, I will never forget the pain I went through when I watched your mother slip away from me, and then to almost lose you in the process was the most frightening moment of my life. It was the one and only time that I had zero control. I was left with only my desperate pleas to God to save you, son. The doctors only had a small window to get you delivered. They said the cord was wrapped around your neck, and your oxygen level was low.”

  I went on, “I have never been so scared in all of my life. When they finally had you in their arms, you let out the loudest piercing cry. It was the best sound I ever heard. I knew then that you would be alright, but the sad reality was that your mother was gone. I had to be the one to be your everything. I will always be grateful for Elizabeth and what she gave me. So please, son, I’m asking you to promise me, if you’re ever in pain, you must tell me immediately.”

  Jackson smiled reassuringly. “Okay, dad, when you explain it that way, I promise. After all these years, you’ve never talked about mom in that way before. I never knew how scared you really are. I’m sorry that I worry you so much.”

  “For your benefit, I never wanted you know how badly your mother’s death affected me. I wanted to shield you from any sadness or feeling of loss. You need to know, Jackson, I will always worry about you. You’re my son, and that’s what parents do.”

  Arriving at the boat launch, we both walked as fast as we could to set out for the villa. Only ten more minutes Reese. Hold on baby, I’m on my way. I looked to Stephen, who was clearly packing his service revolver. I hated the fact that he always carried his weapon, but he was my head of security and knew best.

  “Stephen, I want you to stand down until we assess the situation. I don’t know what is happening there and how her husband will react to my presence.”

  “Sir, I have everything under control, I have several of my men surrounding the villa.”

  “I thought you told me that they would know if someone was there?”

  “My men are very discreet, sir. They know how to stay hidden and are waiting on my instruction.”

  “Stephen, this is not a covert mission. As much as I want to make sure Reese and her daughter are safe, I also don’t want to scare them.”

  “Sir, I have the safeguards in place shall the need arise where we need them.”

  We pulled up to the dock and tied off the boat. Jackson leaped out and began running toward the villa. I tugged him back.

  “Jackson, you’re to remain here and wait for me, do you understand?”

  “Dad, why can’t I come with you?”

  “I don’t know what is waiting for me on the other side of that door, and I don’t want you in the crossfire. You stay here. Please wait for me to come for you.”

  “Please, dad? I can’t sit here and
do nothing.”

  “You will wait! Am I clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Stephen and I knocked on the door, but no one answered. We decided to split up and look around the beach for any signs of Reese and Riley. I made my way around the side deck, where I heard Riley crying

  “Daddy, why did you hurt mom? She’s not waking up. We need to call for help.”

  “Riley, she slipped and hit her head. You need to calm down and stop crying. I’m a doctor…remember? And I’m telling you she will be fine.”

  “Mommy, please wake up…Wake up!”

  That’s all I needed to hear, as I kicked in the door to find Reese lying on the floor unconscious with Riley crying over her.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Samuel shouted as he began to lunge toward me. I struck back, knocking him to the ground. Stephen heard the commotion and came barreling in with his weapon drawn, aimed right at Samuel.

  “Oh my god, what’s happening?” Riley cried out and protectively hovered over her mom.

  “Stephen! Stand down…Now! Riley, everything’s okay now. Please don’t be scared. This man works for me, and we’re going to get you out of here.”

  “What about my father? What’s going to happen to him?”

  “Don’t worry about your dad. Jackson is waiting for you by the boat. Go to him now, and I will join you both in a minute.”

  “What about my mom? She’s hurt, Mr. Reed. Please help my mom.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, I will. She’s safe now, and so are you.” I got down on my knees, hovering over my beautiful Reese. My punch to her husband wasn’t nearly hard enough as it should have been. The bastard hit my angel. I gently caressed her cheek and softly talked to her. “Reese, can you hear me baby?”

  She stirred as her eyes began to slowly open. “Walker, is that you?”

  “Yes, baby it is. I’m getting you out of here. How’s your head? Are you dizzy or feeling sick?”

  “I’m a little dizzy, but not sick.”

  “Okay, baby, I’m going to pick you up now. Just wrap your arms around my neck and hold on.”

  I carefully lifted Reese up into my arms, and I carried her to the boat. I saw Riley in Jackson’s comforting arms. He was consoling her, as she cried into his chest.

  “Where’s my dad?” She asked while hiccupping between her sobs.

  “Riley, your dad is fine, and he will be brought back on another boat. Right now I want to get your mom to a hospital to be examined.”

  “Walker, I’m fine. I slipped, and when I did, I hit my head.”

  “Reese, please don’t lie to me. I see the mark on your cheek, and judging from the shape of the mark, it’s a man’s hand print. You have a sizeable bump on your head. Clearly this was no accident. Please, baby, don’t fight me on this, and let me get you examined by a doctor.”

  “What about Samuel? Where is he?”

  “Reese, don’t worry about him right now. He’s with Stephen and will be transported and taken to the local police station for assaulting you.”

  “No, Walker, you can’t do that! Please call Stephen right now and tell him not to take Samuel to the police station. He can’t be arrested. I told you I slipped and fell.”

  “Why the hell are you protecting him, Reese? He kidnapped you and took you to this island against your will. He assaulted you, and from what I can see from your torn clothing, he almost succeeded in raping you. After all that, here you sit and try to deny it to me. Your own daughter is a witness to the abuse he has inflicted on you.”

  Wincing in pain, Reese was holding her head and trying to defend Samuel. The sight of her right now made me want to kill that bastard.

  I held her in my arms and said, “You’re in pain, baby. Please let me get you to the hospital, and then we will deal with your husband. It’s killing me to see you hurt.”

  “Walker, you don’t know everything that has happened. I need to speak with Samuel. I’m begging you to please not have him arrested.”

  “God, Reese, you’re so obstinate at times. Why do you try my patience like this?”

  “Walker, he’s Riley’s father, and I will not press charges and see him in jail. I spent the last seventeen plus years with this man, and he never laid a hand on me until today. You must understand that me leaving him has altered his thinking. When we arrived here, things between us were tense and strained. Samuel knew something was off, but he pretended that we were okay and wanted me to focus on repairing our marriage. Then he made me…”

  “What, Reese, what happened next?”

  “I CAN’T TALK about it now, Walker, not in front of Riley. Just know that when we talked this morning, he accepted my decision to divorce him. We came to an understanding, and then he just snapped when he found about you.”

  It was then that I realized I was talking louder than I should have, and my daughter just heard everything that I said.

  Riley looked at me and said, “I’m so sorry, mom. I had no idea what I was telling daddy; I still don’t. Why did he get so upset and attack you the way he did?”

  “Riley, you’re making it sound worse than it is. My head is throbbing, and I can’t explain it all to you right now. Please be patient with me and give me time. I promise to tell you everything eventually.”

  Riley just nodded, as Jackson continued to hold her. He was silent. Judging how Jackson was looking at me, then to Walker, he must have known our story. You could see how much Jackson cared for Riley. The sight of them entwined with each other was heartwarming and sad all at the same time. Here was my daughter, so confused right now, and waiting for me to turn her world upside down with my complicated past.

  After leaving the hospital, I was cleared to fly. I didn’t have a concussion, just a bump on my head that would give me quite the headache. I was given some pain medicine, and we all left for the airport. Stephen had all our luggage already on Walker’s plane. Riley and Jackson were settled in one of the back rooms of the plane, and Samuel was in another one. I had to face him, but Walker held me back.

  “Reese, my god, if anything would have happened to you, your husband would be dead right now. I love you so much, and I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

  “Walker, would you please let me talk with him? He is not going to try anything, especially with armed guards on the plane. He’s hurt and confused. I never thought he would discover Jackson’s true identity especially on the day I was leaving him. Everything happened so fast, he didn’t have time to even process it all. At one point he accepted the divorce, and then he came back in clearly angry after finding out about you. He believes that I’m leaving him for you and that we’ve been planning this all along.”

  “He’s partially right, Reese. You’re leaving him and returning back to me.”

  I smiled up at Walker, and I just let myself breathe him in and feel his warmth radiating all over me. I said, “I missed you, Walker. I hated leaving you the way I did. You must have been out of your mind with worry.”

  “I was, but I worked it out quickly. I knew after the time we spent together, you would never walk away from me again. We later found out that Samuel had arrived in New York.”

  “Were you having me watched? How do you know all of this?”

  “Reese, I’m a very powerful man, and I have many resources available to me. I wanted to make sure you were okay, but by the time I received my status report, you already left your hotel. I tracked you here. Thank god I reached you in time.”

  “I’m fine, Walker…Believe me. I need to go speak with Samuel now. I promise everything will be okay.”

  “I don’t like this, Reese. I can’t believe how calm you’re being right now?”

  “That’s because I’m in love with a raging bull, and someone has to be calm in this relationship.”

  “Relationship? Is this what you want, Reese? To be with me and begin again?”

  “More than anything in the world, Walker. You’re all that I want.”

  I knew he needed
more assurance than just my words, so I did the next best thing. I gently brushed my lips against his, slowly entering his mouth and circling his tongue with my own. Walker began to become aroused with my teasing. I could make love with him right now, but he sensed my hesitation and halted our kiss.

  Walker pressed his forehead to mine and asked me again, “Are you sure you want to talk to him now? If he attempts to lay his hands on you again, I will lose all reasoning and beat him within an inch of his life.”

  “Walker, trust me to know what I’m doing. I owe him this much.”

  Walker withdrew from me with a horrified expression on his face. He said, “You owe him? Reese, this man assaulted you today, and more than once. Don’t sit here and lie to me. Riley told me that he slapped you earlier this morning, but you brushed it off. You don’t owe Samuel Briggs anything. The good doctor should be grateful he’s not sitting in a jail cell right now with two broken surgical hands.”

  I kissed Walker quickly on his lips and turned away from him. I could see that I wouldn’t be able to change his mind and put him at ease. I knew Samuel better than anyone, so I ignored Walker’s wishes and went to talk to him anyway.

  When I opened the cabin door, Samuel was sitting in a chair with his head down in his hands. He’d been crying and looked lost. In all my years that I had spent with Samuel, I had only seen him cry once, and that was when Riley was born.

  To see him now broke my heart. Walker would never understand why I could so easily forgive Samuel for hitting me. I think if Elizabeth had lived, and he made the choice to leave her, he would know exactly how I was feeling.

  Samuel and Elizabeth chose to love us beyond our abilities to love them back. They were extraordinary people who loved us, despite who remained in our hearts. That alone has to count for something, and deep down maybe Walker knew this.

  “Samuel, are you okay?” I asked.

  Samuel lifted his head and answered me in a tone just higher than a whisper. “How can you ask me that, Reese? When it’s I who should be asking you if you’re okay.”