Caroline woke up in an unfamiliar ceiling. She found herself lying on a bed covered with thick sheets in attempt to keep her warm. Looking at the large, cozy room she's been resting, it's noticeably quiet and quite exquisite for it's size. She tried to fight the pain lingering in her whole body as she also tried to remember what happened yesterday.
That's right.
Her step father drove her out of the house after learning she's pregnant.
The man who should be responsible with her ran away and was nowhere to be found. Her life is a mess, she is a mess.
After her Mother died, everything went wrong. Her Step Dad would regularly beat her up and abuse her both mentally and physically. You can see the scars and bruises in her face and body as a sign of physical abuse. She just can't fight back for she has nowhere to go. Until she met her lover, the father of the Child she's been carrying for a month inside her. She ran with him and the live quite happy in her perspective, not until he learned she was pregnant. He got very mad, and ran away from her. She was devastated. She felt depressed and frustrated. She even thought of aborting the baby, but she couldn't do it. If she knew that things will turn out like this, she could've just stay put with her abusive Father. She tried to go back to their house, but it's useless. Her Father doesn't want her back.
After being thrown out, she has nowhere to go. She wandered through the streets hoping someone God would send someone to help her. She tried to fight the cold, and all the pain lingering though her body. She tried to walk, walk and walk away from the house full of memories and sufferings. And when she thought she was near to death, a man appeared in her sight and helped her. That's the last thing she remember.
She was in middle of her thoughts when someone knocked through the door.
"Caro," the man said as he entered the room she's been resting.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as he sat on the chair beside the bed. He handed Caroline a cup of warm tea.
"I'm fine. Thank you very much for what you did." she lowered her head as a sign of her gratitude.
The man's name is Daniel. She knew Daniel for more than eighteen years. They've been neighbors and very good friends. She's 3 years older than him, making him call her "Sis" in the past. They were close, really close when they were Kids. Daniel would occasionally come into their house and either play with her or study with her. Daniel was with her side when her Father died too. He lent his arms to her on those dark days. As they move into different place due to her Mother re-marrying, she left him in despair and sorrow. They did met when he was in the college only seeing how well and good he was.
"You can stay here anytime you'd like to" he assured her with a smile. He wanted to make her feel welcome.
She didn't know whether she will feel thankful for Daniel helping her or embarrassed for having her nowhere to go.
He later then asked
"What are you doing outside yesterday?" he paused
"I'm very glad I found you before you passed out, because I'm afraid you could've died out there." Daniel stated in a very concerned tone.
Caro didn't know what to answer. She felt not to tell him everything for she fear it might affect that friendship between the two of them. She think of an excuse.
"I'm just passing by"
Daniel laughed.
"Can you consider a woman roaming around the streets in the middle of the might with plenty of baggage on her a passer by?"
"Tell me what happened" this time he was serious
There was a hesitation on her for a moment. But she did let go of that and eventually told him everything, from her Step Dad's abuses to her lover abandoning her. After they've done talking, there was an awkward silence between the two of them. Daniel broke the awkward atmosphere by asking her a question.
"Well, what are you going to do now?" he asked in a very serious tone.
Caro remained silent, still lowering her head.
"I don't know" she said.
And she was being honest. She didn't know what to do next at all. She just can't impose on Daniel's kindness towards her. She must find a way soon to survive. She can work until the baby is due to support the two of them, but her place of living would be the key problem. She can rent a small room for her, but where can she get the job? She'd be lucky if she found a workplace that accepts pregnant women.
"Caro?" Daniel spoke out of nowhere.
"You know, I've been thinking.."
Caro felt little nervous as she answered back. "What is it Daniel?"
"How about you marry me?"
Her mouth fell open. She couldn't process what he said.
"Marry... you? What?"
Daniel isn't the type of person who would joke like what he just said. Caro looked him straight in the face only finding out how serious and determined he was. Caro couldn't speak, so Daniel used this chance to explain everything to her.
"You must be joking, you should stop it" Caroline tried to hide her confusion by smiling.
"I know you might disagree, but I know enough you need my help."
Caroline remained silent.
"I know.." he paused as drew a deep breath
"I.. Know you don't feel anything about me for the past 18 years we've been together. Ever since we were kids, I know you only see me as your brother, nothing else, but I don't care about that. Right now, I wanted to help you."
She was stunned hearing those words from Daniel. She didn't know what to answer.
"And I'm willing to give my name for you and your little one." Daniel said as he hold Caro's hand. Warmth zinged up on his touch. But Caroline was still silent, throwing a heavy gaze on Daniel's eyes.
"Why..? Just why are you doing this?" she asked
"Your pity on me took you far enough"
"This is not pity" he answered back.
"Think of it as a token of gratitude?" he said
Gratitude for what? She haven't done anything to him to be thankful of.
Looking at Daniel, an attractive, strong and successful person, there's probably no woman in this world who would refuse his invitation of marriage. For the eighteen years the two of them are together, Caroline knew him more than anyone else. He's kind, trustworthy, and would make a good husband for anyone. But, Daniel is right. Caroline never thought of him as a love interest. Caro is three years older than him and only see him as a brother, a younger brother to be exact.
Daniel is a kind man. She knew it all along. But after what happened with her lover, the man whom supposed to be responsible to her, she just can't trust men, for now that is.
"Stop joking around"
"I'm pregnant, and… and I…"
"I'm not worthy of your marriage." she blurted out
Tears finally flowed into her eyes. Daniel has done enough for her. Daniel saved her when she was in verge of death, even provided her comfort, security and a temporary place of living. She was grateful enough. But she didn't expected him to go this far.
"You don't need to do this"
"This is just.. not right" she added
Daniel noticed the tears flowing through her eyes. Daniel sat beside her and wrapped his hands into hers.
"I know I can't replace your husband, and I know the trauma you've been all this time. I hate that I'm not there to help and support you when you need to. I may not be the man you prefer, But you can trust me Caroline."
"But-"
Caroline doesn't have any excuse to say. Her choices are limited. She has nowhere to go. Her Father took her out, her lover abandoned her, and worst, she's to give life to a child. She can't just abort the life inside her. That would be the last thing she'd do.
"Is there.. something about me that you don't like?" he asked in an nervous manner
She quickly shook her head implying her disagreement. Daniel doesn't have flaws. He's perfect. And that's what's she was worried all about. Daniel would tire of her quick just like what her lover does. Specially for the fact that she's pregnant. He would quickly have the burden of supporting the two of them.
"So... What do you say?" Daniel asked once again
"Will you marry me Caro?" he whispered
She looked at him once again. She has a lot of questions and hesitations in her mind, but she could clearly see those eyes full of determination. She felt like she needs to believe in him even if it hurts her. She just needs to believe in him. She needs to believe in them.
Caroline whispered back, "Yes. Gladly."