Chapter 18 The Compromise
Daylan's POV
As I got dressed, I heard glass shatter somewhere inside the apartment and I hurried to see where Brie was. She can faint easily because of her condition as she is only getting treatment now for it. I got to the kitchen, and she was barely holding onto the edge of the sink before she would collapse onto the floor. I caught her just in time, she was in and out of it.
"Brie," I cupped the side of her face, and then I scooped her up into my arms and carried her into the lounge, placing her gently onto the sofa. She groaned.
I looked around for her bag, and then I spotted it on the floor close to the door. I shouldn't have had s^x with her knowing that her condition is at its peak. I got her bag from the floor, opening it, rummaging through her things, first taking out her notebook as I moved closer to the coffee table. I placed the notebook on it. As I got her medication, she stirred, and rested her arm over her forehead.
I placed her bag on the sofa before I went to the kitchen, stepping around the shattered glass on the ground and got her a glass of water. Returning to the lounge, I placed the glass of water on the coffee table, and then I moved her legs, sat down beside her and placed her feet gently on my lap. I watched her as she fluttered her eyes. I was worried about this. This is why I didn't want to leave her alone. But I made it worse with s^x. I chose my desires over her health.
"Brie," I said softly, as I stroked her leg, she groaned.
"Am I always going to feel this way?" she asked as she rubbed her face with her hand.
"As long as you take your meds, then it should improve. If not, then we have to take further measures because there could be a blood clot somewhere." I said as I continued to look at her.
She attempted to sit up, "I don't like feeling this way."
"I know, you need to take these," I reached for the medication on the coffee table and the glass of water and I gave it to her. I made sure that she took them. Once she was done, I took the half empty glass and put it on the table again. I got comfortable sitting beside her.
"You shouldn't be here," she said.
"I need to be here, you know what just happened to you. You are alone, you could've hit your head against something and then no one would be here. You would've been lucky if Rick had come around and found you. Please, understand that I cannot take that risk with you." I said as I watched her, but she didn't look at me.
"What we did, cannot happen again," she finally looked my way.
I could see the conflict in her eyes that she was having with this, but those words stung. I didn't want this to be a one-time thing. "I do want this."
"But not what I want." she let out a sigh.
"You're right, I don't want what you want, but we can compromise, I guess," I shrugged. I was not ready to have kids, and I'm really trying to be okay with having them, but it isn't sitting well with me. I want her without the kids.
"There is no compromising when it comes to me and my life. I wasted five years with a man that I thought I was going to marry and have a family with. We both wanted that and then things went wrong. I will not compromise anything for you," she held my gaze, and she was trembling. I struck a delicate nerve. "You just used me as the man that you are," She moved her legs off my lap and stood up.
"I'm not that man anymore," I said.
"That is bullsh^t," she turned to face me. "You got what you wanted and that was to f^ck me. I can't believe that I gave into you. Do you prey on vulnerable women?" she asked.
"You need to remain calm, for the sake of your health." I advised her.
"Don't tell me what I should do when you're the one who wants to f^ck a patient for selfish reasons. I want you to leave," she hissed.
"I am not going to leave," I held her gaze.
"I will call the police," she threatened.
"And say what? I am your doctor, and I am here to take care of you. Who will they believe when they end up taking you to the hospital and test you? The evidence is there that you have a condition...that I'm your doctor," I stood up.
"Your semen," she said, deadpanned.
I sucked in a breath, "You're not going to go there. I didn't do anything that you didn't want to do. You wanted it too," I glared at her. She was actually thinking of telling the police that I had....assaulted her.
"They won't believe you, so leave."
"I can't believe that you would stoop that low to accuse me of such a thing just to get me out. It would cause so much damage to my career for something that I didn't do. I am not leaving you alone because your health is important-you are important to me," I let out a breath as I held my gaze on her, realizing what I had just said. She just stood there, taking in that last part.
"Really?" she asked.
"I wouldn't be here if you weren't important to me," I replied.
She nodded, "This doesn't change anything, you can take the sofa," she said.
"As long as I can keep an eye on you, I'm happy to be here," I said as I shoved my hands into my pants pockets. Not sure what to do next. I was fighting with myself about the compromise, but she made it clear, and perhaps I need to think about it more.
She moved to sit on the recliner and I sat on the sofa. "Are you feeling okay?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm getting there." She was in thought as she stared at nothing. "Was Abby the only one that you f^cked? Were there other women? Did they want more with you too?" she asked as she finally looked at me.
I nodded, "Yes, there were more women and I made it clear to them that it was only fun. I made it clear what I didn't want. They wanted more with me, but Abby....she was the only one who... agreed to have fun with me after I divorced Tabitha. She wanted a family, and she agreed not to have more with me even at the cost of her dreams to have that family. I respected her for that and that was how things were ever since I have seen her, but now...things are different. I don't want you just for the fun of it, I want..." I stopped myself from saying more, because she might just get the wrong impression about the kids part that I still need to think about. "I never had to think about my future where kids were involved, until now. It is something that I'm not used to and I want you more than just a f^ck. I want to be settled down with a wife, have pets but..."
"You still don't want kids," she said.
I nodded, "I need time to think about it at least."
"If you're willing to think about it, then I guess we can try." she shrugged. "Just don't keep me waiting too long."
"Noted," I was happy that she was willing to give me some time to think.
The door knob rattled, and I sat up straight, my heart pounding at a possible intruder that might be breaking in. I stood up as the door opened and Rick appeared, his brows furrowed, as he looked between us.
"Dad?" he said with confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I dropped her off, she isn't well," I said.
He looked at Brie. "Was it from the fainting?" he asked her as he moved closer and crouched in front of her, his hand on her leg.
Seeing him the way that he was with her just stirred all the jealousy within me...he still cared about her. What if he had stayed here, and he was the one to take care of her? I don't think that I would like that. At least I would've had someone to take care of her, and now I stand here as awkward as I am, which isn't me, watching my son worry about her.
Will they ever get back together if Rick wants her back? Maybe she will take him back if I can't decide what I want. At least she knows with Rick she will have a happy family. One that I failed at giving Tabitha. Will I be good enough again to hold that decision true to Brie?