Of Love and Sacrifices

Viggo brought his husband back to their home. It was not easy at first. Viggo’s mother did not want any public attention as to what has happened to avoid rumors from spreading. It was the doctor’s advice that it would be best for the two to undergo therapy sessions but Viggo’s would not allow it. For her, it would bring more shame to the family. At first, Orlando’s family does not want to abide by her demands but it was Orlando who asked them to be silent. He wants his relationship with Viggo to work. In the end, it was Viggo’s mother who won.

Viggo and Orlando never discussed about the progressing pregnancy. Though Orlando could feel that his husband still loves him despite of what has happened, he can also feel that Viggo does not want the child. If born, and the child would be that of one of his rapists, it would be a painful reminder of what has happened.

Four months had passed and still not one of the three men was apprehended. They suspected that the three men who helped Viggo and Orlando when their car broke down were the ones who raped Orlando. But these three men went into hiding.

Today was Viggo’s mother’s birthday and the couple were readying themselves to go to Viggo’s mother’s house for her birthday celebration. As usual, almost all the richest and wealthiest people in town were invited. Orlando’s family does not want to come to the party. Ever since that incident happened, Viggo and Orlando’s family did not do well together. Admittedly, Viggo’s family are far wealthier than Orlando’s and Orlando’s family knew very well that Viggo has always been his mother’s obedient puppy. But as long as Viggo’s mother does nothing that could hurt their son, Orlando’s parents would agree to Viggo’s mother’s whims and caprices. Orlando wants both families to be nice to each other so his family always try to understand Viggo’s mother. Only because of Orlando’s request to them.

“Baby, are you ready to go?” Viggo asked his husband who was sitting on the bed waiting for him.

“Y- Yeah….”

“You look gorgeous tonight….” Viggo said as he went near his husband and touched his hair.

“Thank you…” Orlando was nervous. Since the rape, this is the first time he will face other people. He does not want to come. He does not want to see other people. But he knew that Viggo would not be happy without him. And he is willing to do everything for his husband.

Viggo sensed Orlando’s nervousness. “Don’t worry … I will not leave your side… I promise… If you get uncomfortable, tell me… we will leave immediately. If you don’t want us to stay long… It would be fine with me… We just have to greet mother. “

“I’m going to be okay… Don’t worry about me.” Orlando smiled.
The house is jam packed with people. Viggo held his husband’s hand tightly as they entered. Orlando walked right beside him, not even looking at anybody.

Viggo immediately saw his mother and younger sister, Leila.

“Viggo, darling…” Rita said as she saw her second child. Her smile faded when she saw Orlando in tow. She did not expect Viggo to bring his husband. Pregnant at four months, it can’t be denied that Orlando’s stomach is already showing. She had other plans for the baby and she does not want it when people would notice that her son-in-law is pregnant. Only a few knew about what had happened. At least, that’s what she thought. And the last thing she wants is for the whole world to know about it. She does not want people to know that her son-in-law is damaged goods.

“Happy birthday, mother.” VViggo ignored his mother’s change of expression.

“Happy birthday…” Orlando greeted her as well, then went back to his husband’s side. Viggo held his husband on the waist.

“Orlando… I haven’t seen you for long… You’re more beautiful than I can even remember…” Leila said to her brother-in-law. She spoke the truth. She always liked Orlando. And Orlando adored her as well. Leila was like an older sister he never had.


“Thank you…” Orlando replied.

“Hey, Viggo… I’m glad to see you again… Is he your husband?.... Lovely… You really chose well… oh… you’ll be having a baby soon… My congratulations to you both…” One of Rita’s friends said as she saw the couple. “Rita… you’re going to have a grandchild pretty soon… aren’t you excited? It would be the nicest feeling! I….”

“Cecile… I’ll get back to you later… I’ll just talk to my son in private…” Rita interrupted. Obviously not satisfied with her friend’s remarks. “Viggo, let’s go inside. Now.”

Viggo held his husband’s hand tightly and followed his mother. Orlando was obviously not feeling okay.

Leila went with them.

“Son….I want to have a word with you… alone.” Rita said

“But…” Viggo protested. He can’t leave Orlando. Leila knew she had to do something. Her mother won’t be glad if she will not have her request. But she knew that Orlando is uncomfortable in this place.

“Orli… Would you like to go to my room first?.... I promise I won’t leave you alone… I- If its okay…” Leila suggested.

“Yeah…” Orlando replied.

“Are you sure, baby?” Viggo was hesitant to leave his husband. He is torn between his mother and his husband.

“Go on… I’ll be fine… I’ll wait for you…”

Viggo nodded and followed his mother in her room.

“Son…” Rita said as she closed the door. “I appreciate your presence… B- but… I don’t want everybody to talk about you…”

“Mother… what do you mean?”

“What if they found out about what happened?... What will people say? I suggest… I suggest you keep your husband at home in the mean time.”

“B- but mother?!.... I… can’t do that…”

“It would only be temporary, Viggo… As soon as he gets rid of the baby… you can bring him anywhere you want… But right now… it’s not the wisest thing to do.”

“I… I don’t know… He… he’s been through a lot… and he’s trying to be strong for me… I… just want to give him all the support he can get…”

“Son… You should not be sorry… He should be lucky you’re still there for him. Any other man in your shoes would have dumped him. You have every reason to divorce your husband, Viggo… He… he does not deserve you... If people would know what happened… they would pity you… ridicule you…And I don’t want that to happen. Son… you don’t deserve any of these…”

“I… don’t know anymore… I love him still….”

“It will fade in time, Viggo… I am certain of that. You’re a man… and you have your needs… Which I am sure your husband could not provide right now… Just think about everything that I’ve said Viggo… and remember that I’m only doing all these for your own good.”

Viggo could not think right. He does not want to pressure Orlando into anything. But his mom is right. If the baby is not his, it would bring more shame to him and his family. People would find out sooner or later. And he can’t even imagine having a bastard son or daughter of a rapist in his own home. But he would never ask his husband to have an abortion. He respects his husband’s decision. And he promised Orlando he would take care of him no matter what.

He was silent on their way home. Orlando sensed that it has something to with the conversation with his mother earlier. Orlando does not want to ask his husband about it. Actually, he was afraid to ask.

Two days after, Viggo was at work when Rita and Dax, Viggo’s older brother, visited Orlando in their home.

“Orlando… honey…. I need to talk to you about something…” Rita said. The three were in the living room.

“What is it? Viggo’s not here… I.. I can call him if…”

“No… we really went here to talk to you…You see… about your pregnancy…. Viggo… Viggo would really want you to have an abortion… B- but he does not want to pressure you or anything….”

Orlando was surprised to hear this. Viggo never mentioned anything to him about it.
“He.. he wants me to…”

“Yeah… honey… we want to help the two of you… I mean… this could… this could very well save your marriage… My son love you… b- but he might not be the father of that child… and I don’t think… I don’t think it would be good for you both to be parents to another’s baby. I mean… you could still conceive… You could give Viggo another baby… maybe not now… not sooner… but when you’re ready… and that baby would be surely his….”

“But… but I’m afraid to have an abortion…”

“Honey… I will be there…. And Dax as well. I’ve already talked to this doctor. You don’t have to tell Viggo… You can tell him when this is over…”

Orlando hesitated. But he wants to save his marriage. And if this is what Viggo truly wants, he will give it to him.

“Okay… Please…stay here… I’ll just change.” Orlando said as he stood up.

“I’m so proud of you… honey…” Rita said as she smiled broadly. It wasn’t that hard at all to convince her son-in-law. Another success for her. Poor Orlando… he will do anything just to make Viggo happy. Viggo need not know. He would thank her later for what she had done. But first things first. The child must go. No matter what the cost.

Viggo did not understand it but he was feeling restless in the office. Loads of work were assigned to him. He wanted to call and check on his husband but he also needs to finish everything. And besides, he can’t find his phone anywhere! The landline in their home is also not working. Orlando might have left the phone hanging for long and he failed to notice it.

“Hey, Vig… how’s everything doing?” Sean asked as he entered his friend’s office. They were working in the same company owned by Viggo’s family.

“Busy….” Viggo replied and went back to his work.

“How’s Orlando?”

“He’s fine… anyway, Sean… talk to you later… Have to finish this first… So that I can go home early. I haven’t checked on my husband since this morning.”

“Okay, catch you later.” Sean replied and went back to his office.

Rita brought Orlando to a small clinic. She can sense that her son-in-law is getting nervous every minute.

The doctor still attended to another patient so they waited.

“Orlando… honey… here’s some water…To calm you…” Rita gave Orlando a bottled water.

Orlando took it and thanked her then drank the water.

Orlando heard some muffled sobs and he became tense.

“It’s okay… it could be a bit painful… but you can do it… Just think about Viggo and your future.” Rita told him.


“Viggo!” Sean bashed into Viggo’s office again.

“Sean… I told you to…” Viggo said somewhat irritated.

“It’s your sister… I think its… important.” Sean rushed to Viggo with his cellphone.

Viggo clearly saw the worried look on Sean’s face. “Hello?”

“Viggo?! Where the hell are you?! I’ve been trying to contact you! I’ve been calling your phone!” Leila shouted.

“Hey… I don’t know what happened to my phone but I lost it somewhere… I…”

“You have to go to this clinic now…”
“Hey, Leila… calm down…”

“No, Viggo! Mother took Orlando to this clinic… I’m sure the were already there now… She wants the baby aborted at any cost!”

“What?!!’ Viggo’s eyes widened.

“She’s with Dax… Viggo, you must go there before it’s too late!”

“No… She has no right! She has no right to decide for us!” Viggo was already angry. “Sean, come with me now!” Sean follwed Viggo who was rushing to go somewhere else.


Orlando saw a young man being carried by another man from the operating room. The young man was still crying and the other man was comforting him. There were traces of blood from the young man’s pants and he looked very pale.

It was then that he realized that he could not do it. Especially not without Viggo… and the child… the child is already four months in his womb… It is already a human being… even if the child isn’t Viggo’s… he can’t stomach killing a helpless creature like this. If the child isn’t Viggo’s, they can still give the child to another… but not like this… he can’t let the child die like this… and the pain… the doctor will have to insert something inside him… it would be no different from the rape!

“No… I…. I can’t do this…. I’m sorry…” Orlando said as he stood up. But when he tried to stand, everything around him started to spin.

“Orlando… honey…. Sit down…” Rita pulled Orlando back to the couch.

“W- what’s… going on…” Orlando asked as he felt himself weaken.

“It will be over soon… I promise… It will hurt a little… but after this… everything will be fine…” Rita whispered to her son-in-law.

Tears started to fall when realization hit him. The bottled water was drugged. Now he is helpless to stop this from happening.

“No… I.. I don’t want….” Orlando was not able to finish when Dax lifted him and carried him to the operating room.

“It’s okay… Honey… Just think that you’re doing this for Viggo…” Orlando heard Rita say as he was laid into the operating table. He felt his pants and underwear being removed and his legs spread open raised and placed into a cold steel where the doctor gently tied his ankles. His arms were also raised above his head and tied. Something was also tied across his stomach to prevent him from moving.

“I’m here honey… I won’t leave you…” Rita said as she combed Orlando’s hair with all gentleness. She sat near the operating table while Dax stayed outside.

“No… No please…. Don’t do this… Rita….” Orlando begged his mother-in-law.

“Ma’am… Everything’s ready…” The doctor said.

“Go ahead… make it fast…”

Orlando felt something entered him. It hurt like hell… “Stop… please…. it hurts!”

“It’s okay… It will be over soon….”

The doctor was about to continue when the door opened loudly.

“Stop it!”

“Viggo….” Rita did not expect her son to be there.

“Stay away from him!” Sean shouted at the doctor. The doctor backed off. Viggo and Sean immediately ran towards Orlando and started taking off the bindings.

“Vig….”

“I’m here baby…. I’m here…” Viggo said as he cradled his husband. He noticed some blood in his thighs. “N... No!...”

“Let’s go, Viggo! We have to take him to the hospital!” Sean shouted at Viggo.

“I swear mother… If anything happens to my husband… or the child… I will never forgive you!” Viggo shouted before leaving the room.

Rita stood there in disbelief and shock.

Viggo impatiently waited in the waiting area.


“Calm down, Viggo… nothing will happen… Everything’s going to be okay….The doctor is here….”

“Mr. Mortensen…”

“It’s me…”
“Your husband is safe…”

“H- how about the baby?”

“Don’t worry… the baby is safe… You can see him right now. If you were late for a few minutes… you could have lost your baby… and your husband….”

“W- what do you mean… doctor?” Viggo was confused.

“Your husband, unlike other pregnant men, is not in a very healthy condition… he seems so weak for the pregnancy. He might not be eating the right food, or is getting enough rest…he could not have survived abortion. It’s a good thing you changed your mind. You might have lost them both.”

Lose Orlando?! He might have lost Orlando?! Viggo felt his knees trembling. “T- This is all my fault… Sean.... How did I let my own mother manipulate me?! How could I be so blind in not seeing the truth that she is destroying me and Orlando?! Oh my God… Sean… I can’t imagine life without Orlando…. I just can’t….”

“Viggo… you’re not going to lose him. But please…. take this advice from a friend… Don’t let anyone… or anything go between the two of you…. Love your husband… and show him what he’s worth… He tried to have an abortion for you… he is trying so hard to be worthy to you… You should also do the same…. What has happened in the past… was not his fault… Please don’t let him believe that it was his fault…”

“Y- you’re right, Sean…. It was not his fault…. My mother is wrong… and I was wrong to even consider what she would think.”

“Go to Orlando… he needs you…”

Orlando is awake when Viggo entered.

“Viggo…” He tried to sit.

“N… no….Don’t sit… you’re not well yet… Baby… I… I love you….” Viggo said as he hugged his husband. Orlando was surprised… but he relaxed and hugged back. “I don’t want to lose you… I will die if I lose you… baby… I love you so much…. Please forgive me….Please give me another chance..”

“Viggo… There’s nothing to forgive…. I love you too…”

“I promise I will make it up to you… I’m sorry if I allowed my mother to hurt you… or the baby… ”

The two just hugged and cried together. They knew deep inside that after what has happened, there is still hope for their future.

TBC