Carrying the Flame Ch. 01

"I'm okay," Callia murmured, breathlessly. She lifted her hips tentatively and Cooper groaned.

"You're killing me Callie," he bit out.

"Coop," she said weakly as he began thrusting in and out of her slowly. "Oh my God Coop!" she wailed, her eyes wide.

"Are you okay?" Cooper asked, stopping, reached up a hand and cupped her face.

"Don't stop Coop, please," she whispered. Cooper groaned again and began thrusting, harder and faster with each thrust, loved the sounds that she was making, they were definitely good for his ego. He slid his hands under her hips, helped her meet him thrust for thrust, watched her eyes go blank as she screamed loudly; the muscles of her pussy clenched around him and Cooper cried out as his seed burst into her. Cooper pulled out of her and lay down next to her, brushed his thumb across her cheek.

"Are you alright?" he asked, seeing the tears stream down her face.

"I'm okay." Callia sat up and blushed as their fluids poured out of her.

"What's wrong?" Cooper wanted to know.

"It didn't hurt," she whispered. Cooper resisted the urge to laugh and hugged her gently.

"It isn't supposed to," Cooper reminded her. "Except the first time, it's supposed to hurt a little, but not as badly as he hurt you," he added.

"Thank you," Callia whispered.

"Any time," Cooper said, pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You should get some rest," he added. Callia glanced around the bed, blushed at the sight they made. "Don't be embarrassed Callie. Just lay down where you are, I'm going to go make sure the house is locked up, I'll be back in a few minutes," Cooper told her. Callia nodded and curled up on the bed, Cooper glanced at her once more before pulling on his boxers and padding out to the living room to make sure the door was locked.

Cooper smiled when he saw Callia asleep in the bed when he returned to the bedroom a few minutes later; she'd been under so much stress that she was constantly exhausted and was glad she was finally able to sleep.

To his surprise, not long after he closed his eyes, Callia started thrashing in the bed, whimpering and crying in her sleep. Cooper sighed, sat up and shook her awake, held in his anger when she screamed in fear and pushed away from him, until she realized who was trying to hold her. The nightmare was back and he'd been the cause. "Oh God," she whispered.

"What happened?" Cooper asked, as he rubbed her back.

"I could feel him." she looked up him for a second before practically jumping off of the bed, making a mad dash for the toilet; she barely made it. Cooper rubbed his hands over his face and sighed, slid off the bed as Callia returned to the bedroom, her face pale, her eyes red. "I'm sorry Coop, I didn't mean to ruin anything," she whispered.

"What are you sorry for? None of this is your fault. I never should have touched you," Cooper told her.

"I wanted you to. I wanted to know what it would be like without pain." Cooper looked at her carefully, relieved not to see any regret in her expression.

"I still should have given you more time," Cooper insisted. Callia said nothing, sighed and curled up in a ball beside him. Cooper slid down onto his back and was surprised when she laid her head on his shoulder. And before he fell back o sleep, Cooper was almost sure she said, "Thank you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Callia fiddled with her fork the next morning, pushed the pieces of French Toast around the plate and avoided Cooper's eyes.

"Callie, you should eat," Cooper told her, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I can't. My stomach is in knots," she admitted.

"Eat a little," Cooper insisted. Callie sighed, took a few bites to placate him before pushing the plate away. "What are you nervous about?" he wanted to know.

"Whatever the doctor is going to say," Callia answered.

"Are you worried that something is wrong?" Cooper asked.

"No." Cooper sighed and resisted the urge to shake her; in the two weeks that they'd been married, she'd hardly eaten a thing and had refused to set up a prenatal appointment until he'd insisted upon it and threatened to call her parents, which would have been a dead give away.

"Callie, you can't take your anger at Doug and your parents out on the baby, he or she is just as much of a victim as you are," Cooper pointed out.

"I don't want the baby!" Callia pointed out.

"Then put it up for adoption or have the abortion. But if you are going to put it up for adoption, then you need to stay as healthy as you can," Cooper told her.

They didn't speak the entire ride to the doctor's office, Callia just glared at him angrily when he held the door open for her. They both stared at the pregnant woman sitting in the chairs, waiting to be seen by one of the doctors in the practice and Callia swallowed hard and glanced at Cooper who looked as unnerved as she did. "I can't do this," she whispered, trying to back out of the office.

"Yes you can," Cooper told her firmly but gently as he steered her over to a chair. When they were called back into the office, Cooper followed Callia and sighed when he saw all of the machinery in the room. Turned his back when the nurse left them for Callia to change out of her clothes and into the gown.

"Hi mom and dad, I'm Doctor Carson," the doctor introduced herself cheerfully as she walked into the room. Cooper and Callia looked at each other, her eyes wide. "Callia and Cooper Lee?" Doctor Carson asked, checking the information sheet Callia had filled out. Callia nodded. "We'll do an ultrasound to check, but given by the date of your last period as you remember it, I'd say you're about seven weeks along," Doctor Carson said.

"Isn't that too early for an ultrasound?" Callia asked.

"An abdominal ultrasound yes, it'll be a vaginal ultrasound," Doctor Carson answered. She answered questions and wrote down the answers and didn't see Callia tense; Cooper slid his hand into hers and squeezed it gently. "I'm a little concerned by your weight Callia."

"I've been having a hard time keeping things down," Callia said.

"You still need to eat a full meal at each meal, morning sickness or not. You'll get some of the nutrients and you actually need more calories than normal; the baby takes a lot from your body," Doctor Carson told her. She pulled out a small machine. "This is a Doppler, I'm going to use it to listen for the baby's heart beat," she added. She squirted a little gel on Callia's belly, turned the machine on and pressed the wand to the gel and a wooshing noise filled the air. "150 beats a minute, that's good."

"It's so fast," Cooper commented.

"It's supposed to be." Doctor Carson glanced at Callia and was surprised to see very little emotion on her face. "Callia, are you alright?" Doctor Carson asked. Cooper looked at Callia and sighed.

"Callie, relax," he whispered as Doctor Carson pulled out the vaginal ultrasound.

"This will feel a little cold," Doctor Carson commented as she slid the wand up inside Callia. Callia closed her eyes as she fought the memory of what Doug had done.

"Callie, it's okay. Deep breath. You should see this," Cooper whispered in her ear. Callia took a deep breath and opened her mouth, looked at the monitor in front of her.

"You're exactly seven and a half weeks along, and everything looks great with the baby," Doctor Carson said, keeping her voice calm and cheerful, even though suspicions were flying through her mind. "Mr. Lee, could you step out into the hall for a minute please?" she asked. Cooper looked at her in surprise and glanced at Callia.

"I want him to stay," Callia protested.

"I need to ask you a few questions and I need for him to step out," Doctor Carson insisted.

"It's okay Callie. I'll be right outside," Cooper promised.

When Cooper left the room and Callia had sat up, Doctor Carson asked, "Did Cooper rape you?"

"What? No!" Callia explained.

"I have a hard time believing you after seeing your reactions today," Doctor Carson told her.

"Cooper has never touched me in anger!" Callia said loudly. Doctor Carson eyed her and sighed, not wanting to upset her patient even more than she already was.

"Alright Mrs. Lee, it's alright. Go ahead and get dressed. Here's a prescription for your prenatal vitamins, you need to take them. Make an appointment for next month," Doctor Carson said, walked out of the room and gave Cooper a dirty look on her way to her office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How are you doing?" Cooper asked when Callia walked into the living room after a nap.

"Better. I'm sorry about earlier Coop," Callia murmured.

"It's okay Callie. You're scared and you're unsure, but you aren't alone," Cooper promised. Callia smiled at that and sat on the couch next to him; he closed his text book and hugged her gently. "What are you thinking?" he wanted to know.

"Nothing seemed real until today," Callia admitted. "But hearing and seeing the baby ... now I really don't know what to do," she whispered, she was shaking, a bundle of nerves and uncertainty.

"Take it day by day Cal," Cooper advised. He inhaled the smell of her perfume when she laid her head on his shoulder and slid his arms around her, glad when she stopped shaking. "I won't go anywhere, I'm still here," he promised.

"Why? Why did you do all of this? You married me instead of telling my parents what happened, you've said you'll be a father to this baby if I keep it, why?" Callia wanted to know, moving so that she could look at him. Cooper sighed and faced her. "Why Coop?" she repeated.

"I care about you Cal. We grew up together. It drives me crazy knowing what happened to you and not be able to tell your parents what happened, but I've always kept my promises. I won't stop now," Cooper answered.

"But why marry me?" Callia asked.

"You needed me to. You need someone to protect you," Cooper said

-Two weeks later-

Cooper walked into the apartment exhausted from spending all day in class and dropped his bag just inside the door. "Long day?" Callie asked softly. Cooper looked up and groaned; Callie was wearing the same night gown she'd worn on their wedding night.

"You have no idea," Cooper groaned. "What are you doing?" he wanted to know, aching to touch her.

"I need your help with something," Callie said.

"Help with what?" Cooper asked. Callie walked over to him, took his hand and set it against a breast. "Cal, you're playing with fire," he warned.

"It didn't hurt with you, I even liked it. Please help me feel that way again," Callie pleaded.

"Callie, the last time gave you a nightmare," Cooper pointed out.

"Please Coop. I need you," her voice was breathless and he groaned when her nipple hardened beneath his hand.

"Are you sure?" Cooper asked, his voice strained. Callie took a step back and Cooper felt a pang of disappointment until he watched Callie pull the night gown over her head.

"I'm sure Coop. Please," Callie said softly. Cooper groaned, lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, laid her gently on the bed, laid down next to her and kissed her hard. She pushed him away and laughed lightly. "You're over dressed," she murmured, reaching for the buttons on his jeans. Cooper watched, expected her to unbutton his pants, but instead, she slid her hand past the waist band of his jeans and boxers, cupped his straining cock in her hand.

"Jesus Cal," he groaned. Cooper pushed up and away from her and quickly pulled his clothes off, let them drop to the floor. He kissed her hard as he rejoined her on the bed.

"I need you Coop," Callie whimpered when his hand slid between her legs. His fingers dipped inside her and she shuddered against him as he began easing her clit.

"Now Coop, please," she gasped, squirming against him. Cooper closed his eyes as he fought for control. It would be easy for him to take her hard and fast, but he didn't want to hurt or scare her and he gently spread her legs apart, lowered his head between her thighs and licked at her clit,sending her hips off of the bed. "Cooper!" she wailed as he placed his hands gently on her hips. Using just his fingers and his mouth, Cooper took her right to the edge of her orgasm then stopped. "What are you doing?" she whimpered.

"I'm taking you to the stars," Cooper promised as he slid his cock deep within her drenched pussy. The sensation of his cock sliding past her clit made Callie moan, her arms went around his back and her nails dug into his shoulders as his hands slid under her hips and they thrust together, hard, fast and furious. The sounds Callie was making deep in her throat were making him harder.

"Oh Coop, this feels amazing," Callie moaned, her eyes widened when he brushed against her g-spot.

"So do you," he grunted, pounding into her. He grinned when she cried out, pressed her mouth against his shoulder to muffle her scream as his cum shot into her. "Are you alright?" Cooper asked, rolling off of her. He gathered Callie into his arms and kissed the top of her head.

"I feel amazing, I'm all tingly," Callie breathed. Cooper laughed.

"Good. And I must say that made my day a hell of a lot better," Cooper said, nuzzling her neck. Callie giggled. "Hey Coop?" Callie murmured sleepily.

"Yeah babe?" Cooper asked.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," Callie whispered. Cooper looked over at her and opened his mouth to say something, but she had already fallen asleep.

-Two weeks later-

A pounding on the door shook Cooper from his sleep; he slid out of bed, pulled on his sweat pants and headed for the front door. Two uniformed officers stood there. "May I help you officers?" Cooper asked.

"Are you Cooper Lee?" one of the officers asked.

"Yes. Is my father alright? My mom?" Cooper's mind filled with possibilities he didn't want to think about.

"We have no idea, we aren't here about your parents, we're here for you." Cooper looked at them blankly.

"Coop, what's going on?" Callia asked groggily from behind him.

"I don't know Cal, it's okay, go back to sleep," Cooper told her.

"You're under arrest for spousal abuse and rape," one of the officers announced, pulling out his handcuffs.

"What? That's insane!" Cooper shouted, but he didn't struggle as the handcuffs were slapped on him..

"He didn't do anything!" Callia exclaimed.

"Callie, it's alright. Call my dad or yours. And breathe," Cooper instructed before they led him away. Callia watched as the officers led Cooper away and grabbed her phone.

"Daddy, it's Callie." She was unable to keep the panic from her voice and Lucas frowned.

"What's wrong Callie? Is the baby okay?" Lucas asked.

"Coop was arrested," Callie said.

"Arrested? For what?" Lucas wanted to know.

"Spousal abuse and ..." Callie closed her eyes and fought the nausea that was rising within her.

"And what?" Lucas asked. "Callie, I can't help if you don't talk to me," he added.

"Rape," Callia said finally.

"I'll call Blythe and we'll get to the station. Your mother will come pick you up," Lucas told her before hanging up the phone.

By the time Olivia and Callia arrived at the police station, Callia felt awful; if it hadn't been for her, Cooper wouldn't be in this mess. "What happened Callie?" Blythe demanded to know.

"Two uniforms showed up and told Coop he was under arrest for spousal abuse and for rape," she whispered, unable to meet his eyes.

"Did Coop ever hit or rape you?" Blythe asked. Callie's wide eyes met his.

"You know Coop better than that Blythe, you tell me if Coop ever hit or raped me!" Callia hissed.

"I have to ask Callie. I'm his father, but I'm also a cop," Blythe said.

"No, Coop never hit me and he has never raped me," Callia answered. She glared at the two uniformed cops that came out of the interrogation room.

"If I had known he was your son Blythe, I would have given you the heads up," one of them said.

"My son isn't capable of hurting anyone Gary," Blythe commented dryly.

"We were called by Callia's doctor, a Doctor Carson about an abnormal bruise," Gary said.

"What bruise?" Olivia asked, looking at her daughter in concern.

"I'd like to know the answer to that myself," Cooper said from the doorway.

"Sit your ass down!" Gary shouted.

"I ran into Doug yesterday," Callie admitted.

"What did he do to you?" Cooper asked, his eyes flashing with anger. "I told him not to come near you!"

"Step back," Gary warned. Callie walked up to Cooper, her eyes full of regret.

"He wanted to talk to me. When I tried to walk away, he pushed me into the door; the door knob pushed into my chest and abdomen. He held me there and felt me up a little," Callia admitted.

"That son of a bitch!" Cooper shouted.

"Coop, I'm okay," Callia said softly.

"That explains the flannel pajamas," Cooper commented and Callia blushed, glanced at her parents.

"Are you satisfied Gary?" Blythe asked the younger man.

"No," Gary said. Callia spun on the officer.

"My husband did NOT abuse me or rape me and I will not fill out a police report and if you do not release him RIGHT NOW, I will have a lawyer breathing down your neck so fast that you'll be working a desk for the next of your career!" Callia shouted.

"Callie, calm down," Cooper warned, placed his hands on her shoulders.

Let him go," Callia repeated.

"Callie, you need to take a breath and take it easy," Cooper said as her face turned from red to white. "Cal? What's wrong?" Cooper asked, easing her into a chair.

"I don't feel so good," Callia admitted.

"Suzie, call the paramedics please," Lucas said, taking charge of the situation. He turned to Gary. "My daughter is correct, you do not have suitable evidence to hold my son in law and you will release him now," Lucas told the younger officer.

"The hell I will!" Gary exclaimed. Blythe turned on his heel and walked into the lieutenant's office; they both returned a moment later.

"Get the burr out of your ass Gary and let the boy go," the lieutenant instructed.

"Coop, I feel really strange," Callia whispered.

"Talk to me Callie," Cooper said, kneeling down in front of her. "Callie!" he shouted when her eyes rolled back and she slumped forward into his arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Cooper, what happened? How's Callie?" Olivia asked when he walked into the waiting room.

"Callie will be okay. Her blood pressure spiked. The doctors want to keep visitors to a minimum; would you guys mind waiting until tomorrow to talk to her? Callie's going to be here at least over night," Cooper answered.

"Of course. Please call us if anything changes," Olivia said, looking at Lucas in concern.

Cooper waited for his parents and in laws to leave the waiting room before he returned to Callia's room where she was just waking up.

"Coop?" Callia asked groggily.

"Hey beautiful. You're going to be okay," Cooper murmured.

"What happened?" Callia wanted to know.

"Your blood pressure spiked." He hesitated and looked away.

"What?" Callia asked.

"Something happened with the baby Callie. His heart isn't beating. He's dead," Cooper said gently. Callia didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She was finally free of the last physical reminder of Doug's abuse, but it was also the only thing that kept her and Cooper together, if they didn't have the baby, would they be over or did they still have a chance? "Callie?" Cooper asked.

"I don't know if I should be happy or sad about that," she whispered.

"What do you mean?" Cooper asked.

"The baby was the only reason we're together, but I didn't want to have his baby," Callia whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere Callie, not unless you want me to," Cooper promised. Callia looked up at him.

"Do you mean it?" she asked.

"I'm not going anywhere Callie. I promised to be here for you, to help you no matter what. I don't go back on my promises Callie, which is the only reason why your parents and mine don't know you were raped," Cooper said gently.