A/N: I only own Erin.

PSNC100502, miamitravel, chelle, whit loves him, BellaValentina & xMyheartshine- thank you for the reviews & kind words as I deal with my surgery and recovery. I am not back yet, but I had time to post a chapter. I hope that you like it. Please review.

Stephen POV

I looked down at Erin as she sighed; I knew that this was not what we wanted to be discussing. I also knew that I never wanted this to happen to her. I hated my father more than anything; no one deserved to have this done to them.

I pulled her closer to me, wrapped my arms around her, and pushed my lips to hers. I kissed her softly because I knew that she was scared right now; I sighed when I felt her small hands grip onto my shirt. We finally pulled apart and I kissed her forehead.

"Ah really am sorry; Ah just want you to know that Ah won't let anything else happen to ya love." I said and she nodded.

"Erin, Ah did realize that Ah don't know anything about yeh. Ah wanted to know about yeh and I want this to work. Ma told me how yeh wouldn't let anyone tell me and ruin mah birthday." I said and she nodded as she looked out the window. I carefully pulled her face towards mine.

"Ah have never had anyone do that to me. Ah have never had anyone willing to protect me that much. Ah realized how strong and nice of a person that yeh are and Ah can't lose you love." I said as I kissed her forehead.

"I promise I won't hurt you, but you have to let this work for both of us." She whispered and I nodded.

"Ah promise and Ah want to know more about yeh. Ah also want yeh to spend time with yeh family." I said and she nodded.

"Thanks, Ste." She whispered and I smiled.

I wrapped my arm around her gently, but enough for her to know that I wasn't going to let anything pull her away from me. We walked out and joined Ma, Seamus, and Fiona in a booth. Erin say between Ma and me.

We had fun having a few pints and Erin seemed to relax more since I had come around. We finally left that night and went back to our house.

Erin POV

I walked in with Stephen and things looked different. I didn't see anymore traces of Gemma in the townhouse.

"Ah took down anything that was of her… she's my past and Erin, you are mah future." He said and I smiled.

"Thank you, Stephen." I said and he nodded.

He slowly lead me upstairs and put me on the bed.

"Ah will run ye a hot bath." He whispered and I nodded.

He came back out a few minutes later and I slipped into the bathroom. I still couldn't stand to look at the bruises and I really didn't want Stephen to see them. I came out and slipped into the bed next to him. He saw a bruise on my wrist and let out a low growl.

"Ah am gonna murder him." He whispered.

"No, Stephen, don't do that… he wants you to do that. He wants you to be upset. He told me to tell you that you weren't man enough to do anything about this." I said and he sighed.

"He's not getting near you." He said and I sighed.

I finally fell asleep early the next morning; I was glad that Stephen knew, but I just hoped that the moving process was just as easy.

Siobhan POV

I went over to Erin and Stephen's the next day around lunch. Stephen had wanted me to come over. I walked in and Erin hugged me.

"Thank you." She said and I smiled at her.

"Ah just want you two ta be ok." I said and she nodded.

I ate lunch with Stephen, Erin, Conner, and Stu. I couldn't believe that Dave had tried to ruin this for Stephen; Erin took care of him. I could tell that she really cared for him and I was glad to see that he had someone.

We were in the kitchen when Stu cut himself on a large knife. Erin grabbed his hand and stuck it under running hot water.

"Ah will get bandages." I said and grabbed them. I handed them to her as she patched up Stu's hand; Stephen was watching Erin. She finished and Conner was cleaning up.

"How did yah ta learn to do that?" Stephen asked Erin.

"I have a degree in nursing." She said and Stephen looked surprised.

"She did have a life before she married you." Stu said as Erin laughed at him. I knew that they were both learning stuff about them all the time.

Stephen POV

It had only been a week since Erin had been hurt by my father, but we already seemed closer. I didn't really let her out of my sight and I was enjoying learning new things about her.

"Let me see." Conner said as I walked out of the jeweler. I had gotten Erin something that I wanted her to have. I showed it to him and he liked it.

"Look, Ah know what father did and Ah want you ta know that Ah don't approve. I am here if ya need help." He said and I hugged him.

"Thanks." I said.

"Plus, Ah kind of like her as a sister." He said and we were laughing.

We got back to the house and Erin was still out with Fiona. She had gotten closer to her family and I knew that it made her happy. I was watching a football game when I heard her come in.

"Ste?" she called out.

"Yeah?" I answered as I looked over the railing at her.

"Fi and Seamus want us to eat with them tonight." She said.

"Fine, we will come over later. I need to talk to ya about a few things." I said and she nodded.

"See you in a few." She told Fiona before Fiona left.

Erin POV

I felt closer to Stephen and it was nice because it gave me more hope about this situation. I walked upstairs after Fiona left and sat beside Stephen on the recliner.

"Did yeh have fun?" Ihe asked me.

"Yeah, I am glad that I am getting to know them." I said and he nodded.

"Good, Ah got yeh something." He said and I looked at him; I didn't know what he would buy me.

"Close yer eyes." He said and I hesitantly closed them.

"Open them love." He said and I looked down at the necklace that was now around my neck, He had gotten me a Celtic cross necklace with emeralds and diamonds on it. I looked at it and realized that he had one similar to it.

"Ah wanted you to have on." He said and I smiled as I kissed him.

"Thank you." I said and he kissed me again.

"Anything fer yeh love." He said in a husky voice.

A/N: Please review and vote on the poll on my page as to who you want to see in my next story. Thanks!