I was tapping my hands together repeatedly, staring into the red carpet with the hideous pattern Marthe had bought me. "Michael. Son. Listen closely."I awaited an answer. None came.Only a frown by the furious 30-year-old was the silent answer.I continued."Come up with a plan that you can quickly put into motion. Act before you are being threatened. Catch the stalker as quickly as possible for her safety. The beating and this can't be coincidence. They were too close to each other for it to be that way. See if anybody acts weirdly around her. Ask people around who hate her and would do such thing. Why they would do such thing. Come up with a plan that includes a safe place to stay or hide. Have important documents in hand if you need to leave the country suddenly. Have emergency codes with peoples. Have a simple phrase be a SOS sign. Call her. Get her. Save her. Inform your nearest family and friends. Us. Her parents."Michael was tapping his foot nervously or angrily - for the fir
Michael's POVI stared at her, flabbergasted."What?", I flat-out asked, not believing my ears."Let's take a break", she whispered, avoiding my eyes.As I stayed quiet, she finally looked up.My girlfriend with red, swollen eyes and shaking lips was staring back at me.Blank fear turned into sheer anger within a split-second."Are you fucking dumb?"It escaped my mouth without a second thought. I had never felt this angry. Not even Victor could tick me off that badly."No wait I didn't mean it that way", I said as she was visibly surprised by my words. "No, not wait. No hold the fuck up", sheer frustration washed through me. My voice was getting louder now. I put my hands off her. "Why the fuck would you suggest a break!? I was about to say something completely different!""I-""This is not, in some Sara worried way, a way to doubt me right?", I tapped her forehead repeatedly."No, of course not!", she protested. Her angry-furrowed face went sad again and she lowered her head. "I don
"Don't feel guilty", Michael interrupted me. "You know how much I make. I know how much you make. A phone won't tear me into ruin.""Me neither!", I pointed out."It's a gift from me", Michael insisted. "And if you deny my gift, I'll go into silent treatment."I shut up in defeat. Dammit Michael.Michael's finger drummed into my back. Was he nervous?Was my Michael really nervous?It made my heart melt as I saw a slight hint of redness on his cheeks. I was glad to not be the only one whose heart was hammering like crazy when we talked about this topic.My head nuzzled up to his chest and I heard his heart beat heavily."I was thinking about us and when it would be appropriate to pop the question. I know that I want to marry you. I want to have kids with you immediately as well. I just knew if I asked too early you would say no. I'm still not sure if you would accept my proposal even now." He sounded hurt."I-""Don't defend yourself", Michael shook his head. "I can understand it. I un
Sara's POVMichael assumed that Leon and Rebecca would be awaiting us in the kitchen, opened the back door that had led to the garden and put down both his nephew and niece.The kids instantly stormed into the living room, where moments later I heard Victor make a huffing sound as two children jumped on top of him. Adrien and Estelle giggled joyfully.Michael chuckled at that, walking in front of me to the kitchen where Rebecca and Leon awaited us.Before I could talk to them however, I had to reveal my burden to him. One last thing he should know, I owed him that.I took his hand, wanting him to stop for a moment, but he continued walking. He thought I wanted to hold his hand like usually and nothing more. Intertwined our fingers.I already felt bad for what I was about to tell him.Michael only turned around as I didn't budge. My face must have spoken volumes. "What's wrong? Does anything hurt? Is it your rib?""No ... I'm fine", I assured him, sighing as he closed the distance betw
"Even when I'm an asshole?", he grimaced. "You are my handsome asshole", I reminded him, softly hitting his arm. "And we are not naming our oldest Baldwin."Michael's face changed and made him look 5 years younger. "You truly are a gift - I haven't completely lost you?""You can never lose me - not when you told me you would propose."Michael raised my hands to his lips and kissed my fingers. "Tonight. Let's go to another city." His face lost it's beaming happiness for a second. "I will tell you how it was at home during the divorce.""Not after such an argument!", I protested."If this has shown me one thing, then it's that we both are suffering from my past. I hate talking about it. I dread it. I would rather run away right now then actually tell you anything - but dammit I'll fucking hate myself if I lose you over my own foolishness. So I'll talk for you.""How can you love me so much?", I whispered, wrapping my arms around him. "Not that I love you any less.""How do you make me s
We think you'll love these stories, too.♡Michael's POVMarseille20th of June1 pmAfter some talking to the hotel staff, getting the last room and moving into it, Sara and I plopped down on the bed with a tired sigh.I turned to her instantly, took her hand and propped myself up. "Nap time?""Nap time", she agreed.We were out like lights, only came to ourselves hours later and decided it still wasn't too late to eat some lunch.3 pmI moved to the travel bag Victor had packed and drew out a few nice pieces, happy at his choices. While I chose my outfit, Sara slipped into the shower and moments later, I heard the water running. I contemplated on taking my chance, listened to the running water and imagined it running down her naked skin ...Jokingly I checked if the door was unlocked.It was.Heat arose in my body and I got excited at the thought what awaited me.Well, might as well.I quickly stripped myself of my clothes and slowly opened the door. Sara was still singing, not noti
"What? Somebody has to discipline them, and I don't see you spanking them."Sara grew thoughtful. "Well, ... that's true but still.""We won't beat them. Surely you were spanked too as a child."She nodded. "See? That's the maximum we'll do", I promised her."When do you want to start?", Sara asked. "We are both getting older after all.""If you don't mind, I'd like to have our first child before I turn 32. I don't want to be too old for when the children need me the most.""And when do you want the last one?", Sara, who was 4 years younger than me, making her 26, had all the time in the world still. I, however, did not."Before I turn 40, it that's alright with you.""9 years. 5 children", she did some calculating in her head. "31 first child. 33 second. 35 third. 37 fourth. 39 or 40 fifth?""Two year age gaps?""I need to rest after birth. We need to raise them. I'm not doing a six month break between each child", she adamantly refused."No, I thought maybe you wanted more breaks be
Michael's POVWe arrived back at the hotel, her face going from sad to normal again, and as I sighed she wrapped her free arm around me and squeezed my hand. "I'm here", she assured me gently.She raised my hand and kissed it, just like I did, which caused me to smile.Once we were in our room, I got changed into something more comfortable, while Sara changed into the pink shorts she had bought and into a loose grey shirt.I eyed her silently, which she caught, resulting in her twirling to demonstrate them to me again. I had to smirk at her. "Trying to soothe me?""Doing my best", she danced to me and wrapped herself around me, rested her chin on my chest and peered up. "Let's get comfortable." She nudged her head to the bed.I shook my head. I didn't want to discuss bad topics in bed with her. "I'd rather sit on the balcony with you and watch the sunset while we talk.""Alright", she raised her head. "I'll get us something to drink. You set up the balcony.""Deal", I let go of her an
I took a deep breath, catching his eyes. I knew the text by heart, so I just looked at him and forgot the paper in my hands."You were there when I needed you the most, at the hospital, as I recovered, and that twice. You tried your hardest to make me happy, you nearly broke your back in exhaustion but kept going. You stuck around and loved me with the same intensity. Just thinking about you makes me smile, seeing you happy makes me happy, seeing you sad makes me sad. And when you smile at me as if I were the only woman on this world, the best thing that could have happened to you, as if I were the biggest achievement of it all, one corner of your mouth always higher than the other, it's always the right one, with your dimples showing - my heart swells up with love and feels like it could explode. Even now, so many memories later."Michael cried silently with a smile. I wiped his tears away, continuing to speak."Life with you seems so much more intriguing and promising." My own voice
I mouthed and mouthed compliments to her, until she was beaming again and walking with a raised head.I heard dad laugh, but I couldn't stop staring at Sara - the rest of the room and people were pale, grey, boring compared to her. It disappeared in a blur, while all of my senses sharpened on her.And as she stood in front of me, I whispered: "Beautiful. Perfect." I took her hands. I needed to hold her, or else I would go insane. I leaned forward to this angel, almost not daring to move as if she could vanish suddenly, holding my breath at this perfect being that was really my wife! "I wish I could kiss you already", I whispered.Sara's cheeks and ear flushed and she leaned forward, making our foreheads touch. Her eyes were full of an expression that said 'do it'. And I nearly did, hadn't the woman spoken.And then - long minutes and many tears later, we were proclaimed as husband and wife - and I could finally, finally! kiss her.And I did. I poured all of my love into the kiss - an
Michael's POVDecemberNew York, the Rink at Rockefeller CenterMy old Sara was almost back. She was bubbly again, happy and talk-active, but non-stop or constantly clutched to me.I wanted that - so I could protect her.It's December, 4 months later after mon amour had been kidnapped.Sara parked the car and we both got out. I waited until she circled the car, then intertwined our hands as we went to the ice skating center.Our wedding was planned. Everything was organized, ready for the big day, waiting for us.We both had finished seeing our therapist, Sara just a few minutes ago. I had picked her up and let her drive us here, to surprise her. The dogs were looked after by Jess and Philipp for the few hours we would be gone.Now we were waiting for January 23rd, our unofficial one year anniversary and wedding date.With Sara in tow, her hands wrapped around my arm, while I had my arm propped up in a 90 degree angle, we went onto the ice.Sara giggled."What is it honey?", I turned
He had styled his hair how I loved it - with the curl falling onto his handsome face, the rest of his waves brushed back loosely. He looked as always proper and delicious in his suit - he had chosen a dark grey colour, a grey tie and a blush pink handkerchief to fit our theme; of course he thought of everything, my clever man!I spotted how he swallowed, how he beamed, how he bobbed his feet up and down in his excitement, how he wiped his eyes once again.Faster, faster, faster!Why was this aisle so damn long?Michael winked at me as he spotted how impatient I got. 'Love you', he mouthed.My heart was melting with love.Finally - finally we reached him. Dad hugged me, kissed my cheek.Then Michael and dad patted each other on the shoulder, then hugged. "Take care of her", dad said to him, making tears well up in my eyes. He handed me over, making me take Michael's hand. Dad squeezed our holding hands."Always", Michael whispered back to my father, then turned to me. "Beautiful. Perfe
Mum spotted my reaction and leaned over, whispering sweetly into my ear. "I think it was worth going out today."I nodded as she kissed my hair, tears blurring my vision.Maybe this was a sign that I would be awarded if I stepped out. Maybe this was a sign that not everything was cruel.I thought of Michael. I thought of how I sat close to him at work with another two friends close to me, friends I could trust and I knew had visited me during my unconscious time in the hospital.My lips trembled. I wanted to show Michael this dress. I wanted to show him what had made this day so special, besides waking up next to him.Betty and Olive, the two more than helpful female employees, helped me yet again in this dress and as Betty buttoned it up, Olive's eyes shone. "This is your dress, isn't it?"I looked at the small mirror in the changing room, my bottom lip shaking heavily.Who was this woman in the mirror? She was breathing taking with her big eyes and square face, with the hourglass bo
He talked to me about the wedding to cheer me up. He talked to me about our nephew and nieces, showed me videos of Adrien, Estelle and Sara. He talked to me about our babies and how the incident had only made his protective manner grow, and he showed that without a doubt.His hand quickly laid over my body when Hector got too close. When someone came in unannounced, he sent a death glare towards the door.The way he talked to me though, with this softness and this new-found love, only made me suspect more that he wanted a baby even more quickly.It was a nice technique to make me forget about my aching body, I must admit. And I let myself be endorsed in the baby talk, in the name choosing, in how the baby would change our lives - because honestly? After what had happened, I wanted to make the most out of my life. I wanted to have a baby with him.I wanted to live. I wanted to make the world a happy and safe place for my babies. I want to have all of Michael's babies and put more 'us'
Sara's POVAt first, I blinked.Then, unfamiliar faces appeared in a silhouette above me.The harsh light made me close my eyes again.Had the policemen turned on the light once they had found me?Was I free again?"Ms Basic?", the male voice asked, shaking my shoulder. "Are you awake Ms Basic?"I nodded, my head gradually starting to hurt.I weakly raised my arm, still disorientated where I was, who I was, what day and time it was?With my hand, I shielded my eyes from the harsh light and slowly opened them.Wait, I could move my hands?"Where ... am I?", I coughed, my throat dry."In the hospital, Ms Basic. Your fiancé brought you here after you were held hostage", the man explained. I turned my head slightly to see his coat.This was my doctor?Another hand moved around my body. I turned to see the light rose outfit of the nurse.I was in a hospital room ...?But that means - I had been rescued! I had really seen Michael!I jumped up; immediately their hands caught me.It all came
Sara's POVI panted and cried and whaled as Noah repeatedly stabbed my legs. In and out, always in a new spot. The wet sound echoed in my ear.My body had grown numb and cold to the pain once he stopped stabbing me.My vision only got worse.The corners turned black.I had trouble staying conscious.I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep."Why would you call him!?", Noah yelled. He grabbed my head. Everything was spinning. "Why why why? Why do keep on clinging onto him!? Is it because he has more money? Is it because he is a shameless flirt!? Is it because both of you are divorced!?"Noah grabbed a good chunk of my hair and with a swift swipe, cut off half my hair.He let my own hair fall onto me."I'll derange so much he won't love you anymore!", Noah yelled, his voice breaking. "And then I'll kill you - because you know what? A whore like you isn't worth this pain! If I can't have you, nobody can have you!"Noah cut off the other half of my hair."The more I look at you, the more
Sara's POVNoah's tongue slipped out of my mouth, causing blood and saliva to drip out my mouth, running down my chin.My ex-husband, my abductor, stepped back with a fond smile. His eyes ... they were filled with love. With love?Every core of my body grew disgusted at this realization. What a sick fucker! Did he enjoy torturing me? How could he like something so grotesque?!With every second he kept me here, the more the man I had loved disappeared from my memories. As if the old Noah distanced himself or was being replaced with this abusive psycho.Whatever I had once felt to him - those feelings and memories felt foreign right now, unfamiliar, disgusting, vile. Why had I wasted over four years with you? Why hadn't it been Michael who I could have met at my university? Why couldn't I be happy from the start?"Did you feel anything?", Noah purred, tracing the side of my face with his knuckles.With angry tears, I heavily shook my head.Noah didn't hesitate - his slap left my face nu