From Russia, With Love...Part 2

Renae managed to get a bit of sleep that night, and she awoke still with her wrists bound. Vladimir was across the hall comforting Lennon, who was probably screaming because he was hungry for the milk from her breasts.
“Vladimir, I have to feed him…” she screamed. About a minute later, he walked back into the bedroom and quickly untied her.
“Go to him then…”
“I have to talk to you later. I’m serious.” She had decided last night was the last straw. He was either going to get himself help, or they were going to get a divorce. She fed Lennon, then put him in his swing for awhile to sleep. They sat together on the couch.
“What is it you need to say to me?” He tried to take her hand.
“You won’t win me over with your kind words and your romantic gestures anymore. I’ve had it. You need help. You need to do something about yourself. We have a family now. It’s one thing to hurt me, but I’ll be damned if you hurt my child.” He stared at her, stunned, but then shook his head as if he was brushing off some feeling of anger. He stayed silent for a moment, but then he spoke.
“I suppose you are right. I need help, but I do not know where I start?”
“First, we need to live apart for awhile. I can’t be around you until you have changed. I can’t put myself or our baby in that position.” He looked away.
“You really want me to go?”
“For awhile, yeah.” He stared back into her eyes and slowly wiped away a tear.
“Renae…”
“I’m not saying you can never come back. I’m saying you need to prove to me that you have changed before you do.”
“Can I still talk to you?” She placed her hand on his.
“You can call me when you’ve found a therapist. Then you can call me any time you want me to come to therapy with you, and then you can call me when you are 100% sure you are ready to come home. If you still want to.” He held her hand and stared so deeply into her eyes that it reminded her of the first day that they had seriously spoken, outside the convenience store…that first day he hinted that he wanted her.
“I will want to come home to you and to our son.”
“Alright, if you are sure.”
“Renae, I am sure.” They hugged tightly.
Vladimir packed his things the next morning. He had arranged to stay with his old roommate, who had offered to let him live there for as long as he needed as long as he paid rent. He took a long time to say goodbye to their son, and then he loaded his car up with his bags. She waited to see him off, but he walked back up to her before he left.
“I will make this alright. I have to.” She wrapped him in her arms.
“I don’t want you to go, but I can’t let this happen to me anymore.” He sat down on the hood of the car and stroked her arm.
“When I come back here, it will not happen anymore to you.” They kissed one last time before he walked towards the car door. He looked back at her, then walked back towards her. He started to cry as he held her close.
“I love you…”
“I love you too, Vladimir. I love you so much. Call me when you have your first appointment set up with your therapist.” He pulled away and looked at her. There was so much longing in his big brown eyes. He nodded and slowly walked off again. This time, he did not turn back; he got in the car, pulled out of the driveway and drove away.