The Love I Give

Chapter Eight

I couldn't believe that he was here, how was he here? Flashes filled my mind as I stared up at the man who r***d me, Harry slowly stood up. But I shook my head and ran out of the room crying, people around me watched and tried getting James off the stage.

How could he even be here? I heard footsteps behind me and I tensed up only to hear Gemma's voice.

"Melissa, hey," she whispered.

I stopped and turned around facing her, Gemma stepped closer and gently touched my shoulder.

"Melissa... what ever is going through your mind ignore it. I'm so sorry you had to see him, we had no idea. We asked for one of the best children doctors who deals with this and he came. We should have looked into it."

I whimpered as I stared at her, she gently wrapped her arms around me, allowing me to cry into her hold. She gently rubbed my back and held me loosely not too tight.

"I didn't think he would be here? I didn't want to see him again," I whispered.

"I know, Melissa. But one of the things that helped me was believing in myself. Believing that I was strong and an amazing women, that he couldn't bring me down again," Gemma replied.

I heard two other footsteps and looked up to see Harry and Ann walking over, they gently circled around me while James was being escorted out by security. I looked at him but before I could do anything Harry's fist collided with his face.

Making the three of us gasp, James groaned, "Sir you need to step away or you'll be arrested too."

Harry stepped back and gently rubbed my back. Once James was gone, we made it into the ballroom again, Harry had gotten me a new glass of water which I took with a shaky hand.

"I'm very proud of you Melissa, it is hard facing your r****t and you did it," Gemma replied.

"I couldn't have done it without you. There is also one more thing you both should know," I spoke making Ann and Gemma each raise an eyebrow.

Now I see where Harry gets that from, I took a deep breath and looked at Harry who nodded letting me know it was alright.

I cleared my throat, but it didn’t stop a few tears spring to my eyes, "I haven't told a lot of people this only my parents, Aunty and Harry know about this, I got pregnant by James from the rape." I closed my eyes thinking they were going to yell at me for keeping the child.

Just like I did when I told Harry.

Gemma took a deep breath, gently grasping my hand, "Melissa, you don't need to worry. I too got pregnant when I was r***d by my college boyfriend. I didn't tell anyone, I was scared to tell my mum and Harry thinking the same thing. But once I told my mum, she was very understanding and understood that abortion is a hard thing to go through. She stood by me and once Harry found out, he didn't know what to do but the one thing he did was be a good uncle to his nephew."

Melissa took a deep breath, "Oh, the doctor told me that is a 1 in 1000 chance to become pregnant due to a rape."

"That's what I was told but it can happen, just know Melissa if you need anything we are here for you. If you want any of us to come to any appointments we are here," Ann replied gently earning a nod from Gemma.

"Thank you guys, that's really reliving to hear, I haven't told many people this, and I'm only telling those whom I can trust," I replied.

Ann smiled gently, "You can trust us, are you ready to get back in?" She asked gently.

I took a deep breath and nodded, "yeah let's go."

We slowly entered the ballroom again and took our seats, throughout the night I watched as people came up and talked about their experiences and how they want to help others like them.

I wasn't ready to speak to anyone else about my experience, Gemma and Ann understood but I knew there were a few who wished I had spoken especially after the outburst with James.

But I couldn't allow him to stand there and talk about it when he did it to me. Harry noticed my mood and gently rubbed my arm.

"Do you want to leave?" He asked.

I shook my head and gently smiled at him, “No thank you Harry.”

“For what?” He asked.

“For everything, you’ve been an amazing person, you and your family are great,” I smiled.

Harry chuckled, “It’s the way I was raised, when I found out Gemma was r***d, I wanted to beat Thomas up, I wanted to hurt him. I ended up taking boxing lessons to get my anger out. I felt so ashamed and so angry that I failed in protecting my sister.”

I frowned at his words, “Harry, you aren’t a failure at all. My dad thinks the same way too, he never thought his best mate of 20 years would do something like that to me. How could you have known Harry?”

“But it’s my job to protect her,” he whispered.

I gently grasped his hand, “Which you’ve done since then, look what both you and your mum have done. You come here to support everyone whose been through this, you supporting your sister is all she needs. Trust me.”

Harry smiled through the tears shining in his eyes, he looked away to wipe them.

✖️✖️✖️✖️

Harry drove me home once the fundraiser had finished, his mum ended up making over £1.5 million. Which she will donate to women, children and men shelters around the world.

“I know this is really stupid to ask Harry, but can your mum come with me to my next appointment. I wish my mum was here but she’s a thousand miles away?” I asked.

Harry slowly looked over at me as he stopped at a red light, “Yes, of course. You heard what she said before, if you need them. They will be there, I’ll message her later tonight. When’s your next appointment?”

“I have another appointment next month on the 16th of January, it’s just to make sure I’m adjusting once again and stuff,” I replied.

Harry nodded and smiled, “I’ll ask her for you.”

The rest of the car ride, was great. Melissa didn’t feel as nervous to be alone with Harry. After tonight he has shown her that not all men hurt women, that some could be compassionate and understanding.

When she arrived home, she thanked him once again before heading inside.