The Cop and The Teenager

“Hey Maddie. I’m so happy to see you awake.” He whispered.
Maddie grabbed her whiteboard and nodded. She reached hand out to touch him but instantly pulled back as if she was nervous.
     “It’s okay…you don’t have to be afraid. I’ve been so worried about you.”
      “I’m so glad you are okay. I thought Master Stevens killed you.”
Dre read that and just nodded. He set the flowers down beside her and took her free hand into his. He tried holding back his own tears as he looked down at the blanket.
      “You saved my life when I was supposed to be saving yours.” Dre took a deep breath before looking back up at her. “Thank you, for saving me Madison. You were very brave for doing that even though, you were dying yourself.”
      “You don’t have to thank me, Dre. I should be thanking you and Kyle and Joc.”
      “If it weren’t for you, Madison I would have died on that roof.”
      “If it weren’t for you and your partners, Molly and I would be dead right now. We all saved each other.”
Dre nodded before tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Madison cringed at his touch but, looked up at him apologetically.
      “I’m not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you. Madison, I love you. I don’t want to go through life without you.” He whispered.
      “How are we supposed to be together? People with find it disgusting. It will be wrong.”
      “It doesn’t matter what others think. I don’t care if others think it’s disgusting or think it’s wrong. Love doesn’t have restrictions Madison. Age is just a number and I know you love me too. Please, please don’t reject me.”
Madison wiped the tears from her cheeks before grabbing the whiteboard and writing down another message. Dre’s stomach was tied up in a knot as he looked at his hands waiting for her to show him.
      “You’re right Dre, I do love you. I just I don’t understand why you want to be in a relationship with me. I’m nine years younger than you…and I’m damaged. I have nightmares. I have anxiety and flashbacks. I’m scared of my own shadow. Why would you want to take a chance on someone like me?”
      “Your Mom said that you are struggling with night terrors. Listen, I have friend who is a physiatrist. Perhaps, it will help you to go talk to him and just face these fears you have. I want to help you and like I said age is just a number. I want to take a chance on you because I know what you had to go through. I know the hell you went through in that place. I love you Maddie…please try to understand…remember what I told you the night we slept together?”
      “You said a lot of things that night Dre.”
      “You’re right I did, but one thing I said was that I would never toy with your emotions. If you don’t love me, I will understand. I told you that night I wouldn’t toy with you and I wouldn’t force you to do anything you weren’t comfortable…I meant what I said, Madison. I just want you to know, I’ll stand by your side and I’ll be there for you. I will help you with the trauma. If you want me to be there. If you don’t, then I’ll leave. I’ll say goodbye and leave you alone.”
Madison nodded and let out a sob as her head dropped into her hands. Dre bite his lip trying to hold back his own tears. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her tight against his chest. Madison buried her face into his chest and laced her arms around his neck as she continued to cry. Breathing in his scent once more, she remembered how much she liked his cologne. Dre stroked the back of her head softly as her sobs started to fade away. Joseph and Melody watched from the window as Madison let go of him and wrote something on the whiteboard again.
      “I don’t want you to leave. Please, don’t leave me now. I love you.” Tears slide down her face as she showed him the message.
Dre smiled and cupped her face before leaning in and pressing his lips to her forehead hugging her tight. Madison looked up to see her mom and dad and smiled. She closed her eyes before whispering a prayer in her head. Thank you, Lord, for sending me my parents and for blessing me with someone like Dre in my life.
      “Madison…I’m not leaving you. I promise you that.” Dre whispered as he rubbed her back.
Madison smiled and rested her head on his shoulder as she grew tired. Dre laid back and wrapped his arm around her as they drifted off to sleep together. Joseph and Melody smiled as the two of them walked in and closed the curtain.
      “I told you, they would find their way back to each other.” Joe smiled before shutting of the light.
      “I couldn’t be happier and prouder of our daughter to be honest.” Melody whispered as they closed the door behind them.

Later that night Dre woke up and looked to see Madison still sleeping. He smiled as he got up from the bed and stretched. Staring at the heart monitor for a long period time, as he remembered the night that they had bathed together. I shouldn’t have done that either. He thought as he shook his head.
      “I may not be the perfect lover for you but, I love you with all my heart.” Dre whispered before kissing her forehead once more.