Graham woke up the next morning when Aubrey was still asleep. He snuggled closer to her and put his arm around her. Graham loved the feeling of being so close to her. He also wanted to make life hell for the boy who made her so broken. He felt so protective of her and an intense desire to make her happy and to make all her pain disappear. Graham's eyes widened as those thoughts swirled around his mind. He realIzed at that moment he was in love with Aubrey. As she slept by his side he whispered in a voice barely audible, "I love you Aubrey."
Graham thought he may have just imagined a slight smile settling on her face. He held her as she continued to sleep. After a while he drifted back to sleep and only woke when he felt her shifting next to him.
"Sorry if I woke you." Aubrey said.
"Morning beautiful. I've been drifting in and out so don't worry about it, I hope I didn't wake you." Graham replied.
"Morning handsome." Aubrey said.
Graham pulled her close and kissed her. After pulling away he asked if she wanted him to order breakfast to be sent up for them.
"Maybe in a bit, I'm enjoying this." Aubrey said.
Graham smiled pulled her close again. After a few minutes, Aubrey asked, "Can we try again?"
"Are you sure you're okay with it?"
"I've been thinking that if I could be in control it might help." Aubrey said tentatively.
Graham nodded. "I'm game, just tell me what to do."
Aubrey expressed gratitude to him for being willing to deal with her issues and he reassured her that he wanted to help.
As Aubrey directed him on how to make love to her, he realized just how arousing it was to be told what to do. To give control to someone else, he'd never imagined how it could be so sensual. As Aubrey directed and Graham followed the Union between them was better than any he had experienced before. He loved her and he was so grateful that this morning it had worked, that giving her control had helped. Graham also knew that this would probably be an uphill battle as he knew just one time wasn't going to fix all the hurt she had, but it was a good start.
All too soon the weekend was over and they were heading back. Graham was grateful that he'd scheduled the trip since he was sure it was easier for Aubrey to open up to him where they didn't have to worry about being overheard or interrupted. And while things weren't as comfortable between them as he'd hoped, they were able to find a compromise. Graham also knew he'd do anything to help her overcome the traumatic experiences of her past.
He pulled up by her apartment and turned to her, "I just wanted to thank you for coming this weekend and opening up to me. I know it wasn't easy for you."
"Graham, I should be the one thanking you. And I do. You were more than patient and understanding. I think I need to go to some more therapy because it's obvious I'm not healed completely."
"I think you're doing better than you think, but if it would be helpful I'd accompany you anytime you needed."
"Thanks babe. I'll let you know." Aubrey said and leaned over to kiss him.
Graham helped Aubrey out and then took his stuff home and then returned the car. As he walked back to his apartment, he couldn't help feel a range of emotions. Most of all he wondered how his relationship with Aubrey would change.
It turned out, not that much. School and recruitment for employment picked up that week and he felt lucky to see her for lunch or dinner almost every day. He didn't want to push her out of her so he told her that any intimacy was up to her but he was interested anytime she felt good. Aubrey had told him that she appreciated it and wanted to go to her therapy session the next week before that happened again. After she's seen his shoulders droop, she had reassured him that she really did want to but didn't want to make it harder for her if it made her relapse. Graham said he understood and tried to hope for the best.
A week after their trip was spent studying together, and Graham wished they were back on a mini vacation. All he wanted was to be close to her and not worry about school. However, he wasn't going to put the past 6 years of his life to waste by not working his hardest the last 6 weeks of school. He applied himself to school and enjoying his time with Aubrey.
Aubrey had her appointment on Wednesday, he walked her there after lunch, and worked on his laptop while she was in her appointment. When she came out, he asked how it went.
"I am doing a lot better than I had but she said I will have some steps back and will have to deal with negative memories, especially as I start being intimate again. It will trigger things, but she feels that if we are patient that I will be able to have it happen less until it goes away for the most part. Also, she asked if you could join me for a little bit during my next appointment."
"You know I'll be there." Graham said.
"Thank you Graham. I'm so glad to have you to help me through this."
"You shouldn't have had to go through this in the first place." Graham said. "Of course I'm going to help you overcome it as best as we can."
Aubrey smiled and leaned up to kiss him. Graham wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. After a long, passionate kiss Graham whispered, "I'm not trying to pressure you, but if you're up to it I'd love for you to stay the night with me this weekend. But if you think it would be best to wait until after I join you in therapy, let me know."
Aubrey sighed. "Is it too much to ask that I just sleep with you and see how that goes?"
Graham smiled, "I'd love to sleep next to you." He inwardly groaned knowing the struggle he'd have with his self control in order to fulfill her request. But he would do everything he could to help her.