⚠️Warning: Mentions of [past] drug overdoses, trauma and death. If affected, read with caution.⚠️
~~~~~
*Mallory*
"Aah!" I gasped as Nikki drew back his hand with the pad.
"Sorry, i'm sorry," He said quickly and I sighed.
"Its okay," I said, my hand on his knee as I held my face.
A few days, almost a week, passed since the incident and thankfully I feel well enough to even work.
Nikki isn't so sure I should go back yet, but I can't exactly keep missing days, and he knows this, too.
Thankfully the swelling on my face and lip had gone down completely, but I still had a vicious black and purple bruise across my face, and i was still dealing with the subconjunctival hemorrhage (the bleeding in my eye).
Nikki and Heather managed to help me cover the bruise with make up, but its still pretty bad, and the hemorrage is still really noticeable.
On top of that, its still hurting and really sore, mostly when touched. I'm scared of it all not healing completely on time for the wedding, even if there's only 3 months left.
Word got out of what my mother did, though, and even though I wish it didn't get out, its honestly better than people jumping to conclusions and thinking Nikki hit me or something.
We managed to also get a restraining order against her, and with the additional charges, she's most likely even looking at some jail time.
However, just in case of anything, I've also asked Doug to hire some security for our wedding. Nothing but our guests and the people who are hired to help prepare it (catering, a few photographers, florists, the planner, seating, etc.) should enter. He's making a list already.
"God.... You know, my mother was terrible, too, but at least she occasionally on her good days pretended to like me," he said. "Your mother, though.... If she was going to be this way with kids, why even have them?"
"Baby, can... Can we not talk about her, please?" I sighed. "Anything else, just... Just not her..."
He nodded. "Right... Sorry...."
"Be honest... How bad is it?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Truth? Well.... Okay, look at it this way... The Bullwinkle laid a heavier punch," he bargained. "Remember that?"
I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head. I know he was only trying to cheer me up, and it actually means a lot.
"There we go, there's that smile I love," he chuckled with a sweet smile.
I chuckled softly. "Thanks, babe..."
"Anything for you," he smiled softly. "How's your hand feeling?"
I looked down at my hand, seeing the long gash across my palm that was now starting to scab over.
"Sore.... But not really painful anymore..." I assured. "I know it's gonna scar, unfortunately..."
"Okay..." he murmured, and I looked up to see him still worried.
I sighed. "Okay... Talk to me," I said, taking his hand in my good one. "What's on your mind?"
"It's just..... Are you sure you're okay to be working, Mal?" he asked.
I nodded reassuringly.
"I am, honest," I said. "Plus, you know I have to go back eventually, I can't just ask for more time off, or then I'll never be able to go on the next tour with you guys."
He sighed, knowing I was right.
Ever since the assault, Nikki's been pretty cautious and protective of me, watching over me as I slept at night and making sure I'm not suffering from any headaches or dizziness, just making sure I'm healthy and that nothing it off..
I'm really grateful for how he's been taking care of me, and I'm glad, but I never liked seeing him so worried. Even the slightest change of breath out of me scares him.
He's also juggled trying to focus on the wedding, since he decided to help take the rest of the planning for me so I wouldn't be stressed, and also writing music and rewriting each lyric 20 times until he feels its right.
Something tells me this is more than just all that's going on...
"Okay... But if you so much as feel even a little woozy, I'm coming right away to pick you up," he said sternly.
I nodded. "Okay... I'll have Dr. Watkins check my eye when I get there..." I said.
He nodded, then leaned over and gently kissed my cheek before pulling me into a hug.
"I promise, we're gonna make sure she pays for this," he said, rubbing my back.
I let out a deep breath and nodded.
"Alright, I think it looks fine," he said, examining my face of his work.
"Thanks, Nikki," I smiled, putting the make up. "If anything, I could always touch it up if it wears away a little. By the way, Vince is gonna stop by to bring me lunch on his way to pick up Skylar."
"Alright," he nodded as I got up, pulling on my sunglasses as we exited the house.
I was okay to drive myself, but Nikki didn't want to take any chances either, and the hospital's a 20 minute drive from home with traffic.
We climbed into the car and soon we were off.
I watched Nikki as he drove, a blank look in his face.
What could be on his mind...?
I reached over and placed my hand on his knee, and gave him a reassuring smile.
He smiled back and placed his hand over mine as he drove.
"You know if you're up for it tonight, we can go out to that drive-in theater you like," he suggested. "Or we can go out to dinner somewhere nice."
I thought about it and smiled.
"Sounds great. I'm fine with whatever you have in mind," I said.
He amiled as he took my hand in his, kissing the back of it.
God, what would I ever do without this man?
***
I watched as the Dr. Watkins was examining my eye, waving the light around and having me follow.
Is some cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage, if caused by injury or trauma, there could sometimes be complications. Its unusual to go blind from it, but depending how bad, its not unheard of either, yet I can thankfully still see just fine with both eyes.
"Alright, well, so far aside from the hemorrhage, nothing to raise any red flags, movement looks fine and you can still be able to see," he said. "The bruises might heal first, however.... You'll have that eye for a couple more weeks, unfortunately."
I nodded. "Do you think it'll all be healed before the wedding?"
"Your wedding is going to be in March this upcoming new year, right?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Most definitely," He assured."I do still suggest you rest plenty, stay relaxed, and not overexert yourself. You took a pretty hard hit in the head, Mallory, and the brain injuries you sustained in '77 was very serious. I saw the report.... How you survived something like that and made a complete and total recovery, and without sustain any long term effects, its honestly a mystery, but still amazing..."
I frowned. "D-Did something come up in my scans?"
"Nothing at all. The two MRIs and the CT scan came back negative, and the EEG recordings came back negative as well for any spikes or abnormalities," he said. "Everything looks fine and nothing strange came up either, and I've had many of my best neurosurgeons even look at everything."
I sighed with relief.
"Either way, I rather you not take any risks. I'm gonna have you on desk duty for the next week, but will still be active if we get flooded," He said.
I nodded. "I understand, sir."
"I'm also aware of what your fiance had asked," he said. "If you happen to feel any sort of pain, dizziness or discomfort, you let me know immediately and we can call him."
I nodded. "I understand the concerns, Dr. Watkins... But really, I am fine. My only issue is the soreness from the bruise that's slowly fading, but its only when I touch it, and its not even a bother," I said. "Right now, I just want to go about things as normal as possible... I will let you know if I feel anything off."
He nodded as I took a deep breath and got down from the examination cot and thanked him before stepping out and then heading to the bathroom.
I examined my face, seeing the bruise was still showing a bit, and sighed, deciding to touch it up just a little bit.
The hemorrhage in my eye was still really prominent, and probably will be for a while....
I sighed and put a little bit more powder until it was covered well enough.
Nurse uniforms have also changed with the new decade. Now we all wear something called "scrubs," which are matching shirts and pants of a strange fabric, undershirts underneath are optional. Majority are cool colors, navy blue or sea foam green mostly, but they can come in different colors and fabric. Our hair also has to be up if its long, and must be neat.
The one I have on right now is a sky blue, and a cream colored shirt underneath, my hair in a ponytail, and my ID clipped to the pocket, along with some plain white sneakers to be comfortable.
Its a little strange, I guess since I'm more used to the skirts and aprons and caps, but I'm sure I'll be used to it.
I looked in the mirror as my mind wandered.
Nikki's been so antsy lately, and I have a feeling its not just about the charges against my mother, my injury, the wedding or even the holidays, anything else that's been taking up our minds.
What could it be?
What could be troubling him?
I sighed, deciding I would try to ask him later tonight.
I grabbed my bag and headed to the reception desk, seeing my co-worker, Brooke, there.
"Hey there, girl," she smiled. "What the boss say?"
"As healthy as an ox, bruising and hemorrhage will go away in a couple of weeks, all my tests came back negative," I shrugged. "But I'm on desk duty for a week, just to be safe."
"Well, its boring, but at least its not much to do," she shrugged. "Any pains?"
"Just when I touch it, and it isn't a lot of it," I said. "I am supposed to tell them that if I feel anything off then they call Nikki to pick me up."
"Okay," she nodded. "Well, the same with me or anyone else. You feel bad, just let us know."
I nodded as I put my bag in a nearby drawer and sat down, relaxing as then Brooke was called on her walkie for something.
"That's me," she sighed. "You good here?"
"Totally. Thanks," I smiled with a nod and decided to get to work, sorting out the files and filling out a few forms, taking phone calls, checking people in, etc.
I was checking in a kid who broke a finger while playing football, some nurses taking him in, when I spotted a familiar face walk in and smiled as Brooke was called to attend to some call.
"Hey, MJ!" He smiled.
"Hey Vinnie," I smiled, and then he held up a food bag.
"Lunch," he said in a sing-song voice, plottping the bag next to the sign-in sheet..
I scoffed and chuckled a bit as I looked at my watch. "My break isn't for another hour," I said.
"Microwaves are a thing," he shrugged, making me laugh. "Its your favorite from Dottie's... Connor even threw in some more avocados for you, extra fries and an apple pie... Dottie's recipe."
I smirked at his bargaining, then chuckled and rolled my eyes as I took the bag. "Thanks, Vin.... Actually, a chicken sandwich actually sounds pretty good right now."
"Doctor checked your eye? How is it?" he asked.
"Well, I'm not blind, or have any brain injury of some sort, pretty much everything looks fine despite the bruising and bloody eye, but that'll go away in a few weeks," I said. "I will be stuck here on desk duty for the time being, though, as a precaution."
"Well that seems fair," he said. "You still seemed troubled though..."
I looked over at him. "Is it that obvious?" I frowned.
"What's going on?" he asked curiously.
I sighed. "Nah, it's just.... Just everything with the case against my mother, the wedding, my injury, working on my residency at the same time....."
"Jeez," he said. "You gotta try and take things easy, MJ."
"I know, I thankfully have Nikki to help me, but recently... Something seems off...." I said. "He seems lost and he's writing and rewriting lyrics like crazy, more than usual. It's starting to worry me, but I don't want to freak him out anymore."
"Did he say anything?" he asked with a bit of a frown.
"No..." I said. "I'm guessing its with what happened and just juggling everything... He was fine for his birthday, and then 2 days later, just...."
He thought about it, then looked around before he stopped at something.
"Fuck... I may have an idea..." he murmured.
I frowned and turned to see what he was looking at and froze as my eyes fell on the small table calendar on the desk.
"December 19th...." I sighed. "Its almost that day.... How could I forget?"
"He always gets like this when the day is around the corner...." Vince sighed.
I carefully held my face in my hands, feeling Vince reach over and hold my shoulders.
"Hey.... Don't go blaming yourself on me, MJ.... You got so much on your mind, Christ's sake, you even got attacked by your own mother," he said. "You can't blame yourself for forgetting. Plus, you know when it comes to emotions and stuff, Nikki's a lead wall."
I looked up at him, holding back my tears.
"I need to see him..." I said, trying to keep it together.
"Do you want me to wait so I can take you home?" He asked.
"No, its okay," I assured. "You're probably busy, and I know Skylar gets out of school soon. Go, I'll be fine."
He sighed and nodded. "Yeah.... Just call me when you can, okay?"
I nodded. "Thank you, Vince," I said. "Send my love to Sharise and Skylar."
He nodded with a smile and waved as he walked out.
I sighed and looked at the calendar, and pursed my lips.
"How could I forget....?" I asked myself. "Four days away, how did I not notice?"
I tried to hold back my tears, then got an idea.
I looked around before I grabbed the phone, dialing the buttons that connect with Dr. Watkins's office.
"Watkins," he said.
"Doctor, its me," I sighed, making my voice shake a bit. "My head is hurting a little, and... And I'm actually starting to feel a little nauseous.... Its probably nerves, but I really don't feel so well...."
"Oh my... Do you need me to call Nikki?" he asked, sounding concerned.
"No, no, umm.... L-Let me do it," I said. "He'll probably panic if its not me calling..."
"As you wish. Let me know when he arrives, I'll have Jessica cover for you," he said. "You can take the day off tomorrow to rest."
I nodded. "Thank you, I'm sorry..." I said.
"Its nothing to worry about. Hope you feel better, Mallory. Take care," he said, then hung up.
I sighed as I put the phone back on the receiver then picked it back up and dialed the house number.
"Hello?" Nikki's voice asked.
"Babe? It's me...." I said.
***
"I knew it wasn't a good idea," he sighed with a grumble as he helped me inside while I stayed quiet.
I sighed quietly as he helped me with my coat and I kicked off my shoes.
"Okay," he said, hanging my sweater nearby. "I'll get you some tea or something to help you feel be-"
I didn't even let him finish before I quickly pulled him into a hug, surprising him as I buried my face into his shoulder, not caring about the pain it caused when I did.
"Mal..... Baby, what's going on?" he asked.
"I lied," I confessed looking up.
He looked at me, confused.
"I wasn't feeling any pain, it's just...." I said, then sighed. "I saw what day is coming up, Nikki.... I know its about to be three years since..."
His eyes widen and then he sighed and looked away.
"Look at me... Babe, look at me," I said, then tugged on his hand to lead him to the living room, sitting us down on the couch as I held his face in my hands.
"You're here.... You're a different, better person, yes, " I said. "You're here, you're alive, you're safe.... And so am I, we are both here-"
"No, no," he murmured, shaking his head as he pulled me into his arms.
I sighed as I settled into his arms, letting them engulf me as I clung to him.
"Every night.... Every night that I close my eyes... Every time I even look in the mirror.... I still see that same fucking demon from that night...." he said. "... The damn monster that held a gun to your head, that gave you bruises, that... That almost made you take your own life..... In my nightmares, he hurt you, and-and I couldn't save you..."
I frowned and hug him closer.
"I still feel him inside me... Just haunting me, itching to come back and hurt people... He hurts you in my worst nightmares already...." he admitted, his voice shaking. "You're right, I am different now... But that was still me... He's still there, I know it...."
"Nikki," I murmured feeling tears in my eyes.
"I know we said our apologies and moved on and stuff, but.... Mal.... I-I'm still scared.... Scared that I'll end up hurting you somehow.... Seeing you when I woke up from...." he said.
I frowned and pulled back.
"Mal... Why do you love me?" he asked, his eyes all watery.
My eyes widen. "Nikki, you... You saved me.... You made me believe someone our there really did care about me, that I wasn't alone," I said. "When I left Arizona, it wasn't just because I was running away from my folks or my ex or anything like that. It was to start a new life.... To find true happiness, actual love in any way, find the missing piece I needed for a better life."
He looked down at me.
"Nikki... You were that piece. Meeting you in that diner was the greatest thing that could happen to me," I said, feeling a tear fall down my eyes.
He sighed and looked down, but I kept his head up.
"I know what we went through was traumatic, and it was so god awful and full of fear and denial and pain.... But we survived...." I said. "You survived... You came back.... You're here..."
"Listen to me..... You are not that monster who threatened me in that night with a gun..... That monster died on December 23rd, 1987, at the Franklin Plaza Hotel...." I said sternly. "He almost took you down with him, but he didn't... He lost.... You won...."
He sighed and hid behind his hair a little, but I moved it away from his face.
"He may have been a part of you, but you are not that same monster...." I said. "You are the love of my life, the man I'm about to spend the rest of my natural fucking days with.... Who I can't live without....."
He sniffled, a single tear falling down his cheek, which I wipe away.
"What if I do something?" he asked in a hushed voice. "What if I relapse and I hurt you again?"
I shook my head. "You won't.... I know you won't....."
He grunted. "Mal, damn it, how can you be so sure?"
I looked right into his eyes.
"Because you and I aren't alone....." I said. "You have me....."
His eyes widen.
"You had asked me to trust you once.... Well this is me trusting you," I said. "And now I am asking you to trust me when I say that everything is going to be okay, you especially...."
He pursed his lips before I leaned up and softly kissed them, and he sighed softly and wrapped his arms around me, kissing me back passionately.
I pull us closer into the kiss, and I feel him laying me back carefully on the couch before pulling back, his body hovering over mine, and that's when I felt something wet drip on my cheek. I gasped softly and looked up, seeing tears streaming down his face.
"What the hell did I even fucking do to have you in my life?" he mumbled.
"Nikki...." I said softly.
"You're the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.... And I'm so glad it was you that bought me back to life...." he mumbled.
I looked at him curiously with wide eyes.
There were very, very few instances where I've seen Nikki this vulnerable. He's always been someone who suffered in silence, and barely talked about things. He would express things to me, but for him to be completely clear and transparent outside his music sheets and journals is so rare. Not even when he was high off his mind on heroin was he this expressive. Emotional, yes... But not like this....
He'll never admit it, but he's actually really sensitive.
"That void I was in.... I was fading, and.... I heard your voice, Mal...." he said. "Your voice... Your face.... I let you down.... Yet here you are, and I'm yours... And your mine...." he said. "I don't wanna fuck up a second chance like that.... I don't want to lose you again..."
I frowned before wrapped my arms around his neck and then pulled him down, hugging him close and letting him lay on top of me.
His head rested on my chest as he hugged me in his arms and I softly pet his hair, combing and untangling it softly with my fingers.
"I'm here.... I'm not gonna leave...." I murmured. "I promise..."
I feel his arms tightened a little around me, but not enough to hurt me.
"I love you... Don't ever doubt that... Okay?" I said, then kissed the top of his head. "And I am so, so glad you are still here.... Okay?"
He sniffled and nodded, looking up. " I love you, too...."
I then pulled him up a little bit to peck his lips.
"Mal.... Can we stay like this for a bit?" he asked quietly.
I smiled and nodded. "Of course..." I said, tracing soft fingers on his back as he adjusted his head back on my chest, listening to my heart. That's when I felt him relax and I sighed and played a bit more with his hair, and before we both knew it we had both dozed off to sleep.
Come Hell or high water, I know in the end, we're going to make it through whatever gets thrown our way...
~~~~~
I feel like soon I'm eventually gonna be thrown off by the timeline lengths and time, since I'm realizing in the movie The Dirt was a little bit off with its timeline towards the end, according to what I researched.... I'm gonna try and figure it out a bit as I go, though.... 🤔🤷🏻♀️
Hope you're all enjoying the story and hope you are all staying safe. 🌻❤
🎧 Currently in Sapph's playlist:
Deuce "America"
♡~ sapphire.