Sanctuary

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Edge raised his arms over his head, folding his hands behind him as he settled into the mattress. He was so tired, yet at the same time, he couldn't see much sleep coming his way.

He turned his head to gaze over at Lita, worry coursing through him. The redhead was laying on her back on the opposite bed, her eyes still open and blinking. The lamp on the nightstand between them was still on, but he knew she had to be so very sleepy. She *should* sleep, since he knew pregnant women needed a lot more extra rest. However, she didn't seem about to drift off herself.

"You okay over there?" he asked in a soft voice.

The woman turned around slightly, her gaze fixing on him briefly until she blinked and looked down. She nodded, though to the blond man it looked so reluctant.

"I was just... thinking," she replied. She raised her head again, looking him in the eye and then looking away again. For some reason, Edge thought he detected something like shame in her lovely face.

"Well... penny for your thoughts," he said, a tiny smile coming to his lips.

Lita shook her head as she glanced his way again.

"It's just... everything is just so overwhelming."

"It's understandable. You've been through a lot - more than anyone ever should." Inside, he thought, 'Especially someone so beautiful and sweet like *you*.' But he kept his thoughts to himself. The last thing she would need or want right now was another man who had some tender feelings toward her. Lord knew, she already had a full plate. Yet... Edge suddenly remembered that Lita and Matt no longer had *that* kind of relationship. Regardless, he kept his thoughts to himself.

He gazed at her thoughtfully for long moments, wonder coursing through him as he recalled certain events from the previous week on RAW. Then, after a small debate with himself as to whether or not to voice what was on his mind, he gave up and spoke.

"Last week, on RAW... You came out during my match against Kane."

The redhead nodded.

"Yeah?"

"You stood in my corner," Edge continued, turning onto his side and leaning on his elbow as he stared at her. "I saw you grab Kane's ankle when he was motioning for the Chokeslam..."

"I did," Lita admitted. "I couldn't let him do that to you, Edge."

"You were cheering for me."

"Yes." She blinked and kept her gaze on his green eyes for a long moment, then seemed to wince as she looked away, down at her very slightly protruding stomach. Damn it, she didn't want the tears to break free yet again. Not now!

"Lita?"

The diva raised a hand up toward him and shook her head. She suddenly found herself at a loss for speech, although there were thousands of thoughts running through her head. Something had been nagging at her for awhile now, especially tonight, after Edge and Jericho had spared her the agony of marrying Kane. But if she confided in the handsome blond man in the other bed, how would he react? Would he hate her? She certainly *hoped* not. For some reason, his support and understanding would mean more to her than just about anyone else's.

"Li... talk to me, honey," Edge said gently. Despite the distance between their beds, he reached out toward her with one arm, his hand reaching for her. Due to the distance, he was nowhere near touching her, but the redhead looked up and actually took comfort in the gesture.

She sighed, then raked a hand through her long red hair.

"I feel so awful," she began, her voice shaky as she shook her head. "There is something that's been bothering me *so* much for so long now..."

The blond man didn't speak, as he suspected she was about to continue.

"I... I know this baby is mine," she went on, glancing down at her stomach again, her left hand coming to rub at it. "But I can't..." She winced again, by now terrified to even look at Edge. "... I can't have that monster's child... I *can't*, Edge!"

The tall Canadian winced for her. God, the poor woman was so torn, so filled with turmoil. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice. Her situation was tearing her apart. And his heart broke for her.

"Lita..." he said softly. "... do you want to have an... abortion?"

The redhead nodded, her head bowed, though he wasn't sure if it was from shame or something else. And then he suddenly realized her shoulders were shaking from silent sobs. In a hurry, he left his bed to go to her, sitting on the edge of it and gathered her into his embrace.

Edge stroked one of his large hands down the diva's soft long hair as he tried his best to soothe her. The woman clung to him as though he were a buoy.

"Shh... It's okay, Lita," he crooned. He held the redhead close against him, his nose close enough to her hair so that he was able to inhale deeply of the luscious scent of her shampoo. He moved his head somewhat so that his chin rested on the top of her head. "Everything is going to be fine... And I'm here for you. I swear it."

Part 6
 
 

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