Open Case File [COMPLETED]

First Day Back (Part 6)

He flipped open his leather folder.

"Now why don't we talk about how you're feeling today," he said.

He looked at Carter expectantly but Carter couldn't talk, couldn't move, couldn't blink. No longer the person she was. No longer...

Abruptly, she stood.

"Excuse me."

She darted out of the office, through the receptionist area, into the hall, and made it only down one flight of stairs to the next landing before she had to stop. She couldn't breathe. A crushing weight filled her chest and she struggled to suck in a single breath.

A gentle hand landed on her shoulder.

"Slowly, Owens, take in one breath slowly. Don't rush it."

Carter didn't turn around. She couldn't. She didn't want Mason to witness this. That almost made her laugh, witness a panic attack when he'd witnessed her catatonic. What was she trying to hide from him?

She did as he instructed, taking in a slow breath. The intense pressure in her chest eased a fraction.

"What are you doing here?" Carter asked.

"Donovan called me. He didn't want you to be on your own. Just in case."

Of course, because she was damaged beyond repair. Of course, she'd need a babysitter. She couldn't even sit through an entire session with a therapist. Pathetic.

She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her palms into her eyes.

"Come here," Mason said.

Tenderly, he turned her towards him and hugged her. Carter curled into herself and let Mason hold her. He'd already seen her at her worst, in comparison this was nothing.

"You know," he said. "I have the same reaction to therapists. I want to flee for my life at the sight of them."

A strange tinkling feeling filled Carter's stomach. Laughter. That feeling had been laughter.

Mason drew back and looked at her. He then nodded to the stairway.

"Come on, we're going to get something to eat."

"Why?"

"Because you are really thin and it's freaking me out. And I don't want to go back to work yet. You're my excuse."

Carter didn't argue and went with him. He directed them into the warm interior of Panera Bread, a cafe-type place that smelled like a blend of sweet and savory.

"What do you want?" Mason asked, staring up at the board.

Carter gazed over the metal baskets of bagels and the display of pastries.

"I don't know," she said.

"Okay, I'll order."

The result was Carter ending up with a bowl of steaming mac and cheese and Mason with a cinnamon toast bagel. Tucked away at a corner table, they sat across from each other, Carter taking small bites of her food.

"If you wanted to talk to me," Mason said, staring out at the other customers. "You could."

Carter looked at him and he met her gaze and shrugged.

"I've put up with your constant chatter before, I'm just giving you permission now."

She nodded. "Thank you, Mason."

"Yeah."

But they didn't talk, instead they ate in silence and Carter felt grateful for it.

When Carter returned to the apartment, she moved instantly to the closet. She left her clothes on the floor and changed into one of Donovan's hoodies and pair of sweatpants. She told herself that they always felt big on her and this bigness was no different than it was weeks ago.

In their bedroom, she climbed into the bed and crawled across to Donovan's side. She curled up and stared out the window to wait.

She tried not to think. She tried to not let weeks of losing herself close around her but they were there. There was no escaping how she'd disappeared into herself. No way to avoid how what Dr. Howard said was true: she was no longer the person she'd been.

Since that was the truth, who was she?

It was less than an hour when Carter heard the door to the apartment open. She had expected to spend the day laying there.

Donovan rounded the bed and knelt next to her, cupping her cheek.

"Mason texted me," he said in answer to her unspoken question. "I'm sorry, I should have been there. I shouldn't have left you."

Carter didn't respond to this, only one thought preying on her mind.

"Do you love me differently because I'm not the girl you fell in love with?" she asked.

Donovan froze, his whole body rigid as if she'd struck him. His eyes burned with fire and he moved closer, holding her face.

"Carter, you need to listen to me when I say this," he said, his voice fierce with conviction. "You are exactly the girl I fell in love with."

She started to shake her head but Donovan held firm.

"The girl I fell in love with was undeniably strong and a bit broken. But she overcame that brokenness with her strength. The woman I see before me has overcome a type of brokenness I could never imagine and she did it because she'd undeniably strong."

Carter swallowed hard, her vision blurring. Donovan scooped her into his arms and sat down, holding her tightly.

"I love you now," he said. "More than I ever have."

Cupping her cheek, he tilted her face up to him and stared at her with the same love and certainty he always had. In his eyes, she could remember who she'd always been to him and who she always would be.

"Never doubt who you are Carter," Donovan said. "You are the girl I fell in love with. You are my wife. My best friend. You are my world. That is who you are."

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What's up buttercup? 🧈☕️

And Donovan Keller once again steals my heart. You know, he really has a talent for that.

Thoughts? You can leave them here, there, or anywhere that I can read them. 💬🗯💭

I know, I know depressing chapter, the tears they won't stop coming, my heart has broken in my chest, Joy what have you done to me blah blah blah

*coughs* I mean 😔 yes, it's so very sad and heartbreaking. Only time will mend this wound.

*claps hands together and looks up* Well I'm glad we've cleared that up and can move on. Guess what?! Don't worry I'll tell you. For one shots I have a new motto.

My motto is: Where does Mason come in?

Yup, I ask myself this when I write a one shot now. I ask this because I'm in love, nay obsessed with him! He's my happy spot and so I must spread that happiness where ever I can, as often as I can.

If you oppose this new motto...well tough tater totes there's nothing you can do to stop me! 😁

Psssh like you would ever want to! He's Carter's bestie and we all know it!

Vote, comment, follow and tell me what's the motto with you!

Awwwwwwww