Bailey's eyes flew open, blind in the darkness. She was pain-free for a fleeting moment before everything woke up. Ragged breaths irritated her wound more, serving to amp up her panic. She swore she saw something move at the foot of the bed. It was tall and lanky.

Tears leaked down her face as she shook violently, trying in vain to be quiet as possible. Bill snuggled closer to her and mumbled "It's okay." Then he fell back out.

"Bill." Bailey whispered, trying to wake him.

"Hmm?" He cracked his eye open, barely awake.

"There's something here." She whispered into his ear, poking his belly.

Bill groaned awake, "What is it?" He asked tiredly.

"There's something in here...at the foot of the bed." She whispered so quietly he could barely make out what she had said. He rolled over and turned on the lamp. "There's nothing in here." He mumbled tiredly.

"Check under the bed!" She said, on the verge of hyperventilating.

"Bailey, there's nothing in here, sweetheart. I'm right here, you're safe." He reassured her and turned off the lamp.

"Turn it back on! How the hell do you sleep in the dark like that?!" She demanded with a white knuckled grip on the comforter.

Bill yawned and turned the lamp back on. "Is this better?" He asked already waking up anyway.

"Could you look under the bed please!" She pleaded, tears threatening to fall.

"Bailey, there's nothing there." He said as he rubbed his face tiredly.

"Just check!" She demanded, fear evident in her voice.

Bill sighed and looked, as he expected, nothing was there. "There's nothing there. " He said as he cuddled up to her.

"Thanks." She mumbled, embarrassed.

"What is all this about?" He asked, searching her face intently.

"Just thought something was there." She muttered, averting her eyes.

"You're safe here, Bailey. There's nothing here that will hurt you." He said, placing a warm palm on her cheek. She leaned in to his touch, still unable to bring herself to look him in the eye. No one understood. Bill carefully kissed her. The warm softness of his lips on hers always got her. It was such a pleasurable feeling. She kind of liked his beard too, even if there were a few stray greys. Her lips lingered on his, melting from his warmth. His affection put her somewhat at ease.

Bill deepened the kiss. He couldn't get enough of her soft affection. Bill found himself climbing on top of her, careful to not put any weight on her chest. She welcomed the distraction, glad her pain medicine was still keeping the edge off for now. Bailey gasped when he bit down on a particularly sensitive spot. She could feel him pressing into her groin.

Bailey ran her hand down his hairy chest with her good arm. He flesh felt softer since he had lost some weight. She continued to explore his body as he kissed her and massage her breast. He hollered when he shifted wrong on his left hand.

"Are you okay?" Bailey asked in concern.

"Yeah, just moved wrong." He said through grit teeth. He took a moment before picking up where he left off. It took a few moments for Bailey to get back in the mood, trying to ignore her own pain.

Bill broke their kiss and sat up, kneeling between her legs. He slowly pulled her boxers off, staring at her lustfully as she kept her head turned to the side, blushing scarlet. He slid his own boxers down. Bailey's eyes widened as she gasped when he pressed himself against her entrance. Bill rubbed the head of his dick around her slit, lubing himself up. Bailey moaned, draping an arm over her breasts, her cheeks a deep scarlet. She gasped sharply when he slid his dick over her clit.

Bill eased himself into inside of her. Bailey bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. He gently slid all the way in. Bill held her legs up on his shoulders, he slid in and out slowly a few times before carefully leaning down over her. Bailey wiggled her toes, feeling very self conscious. A soft moan escaped her lips when he gently thrusted. "You feel so big." She said huskily, wrapping her hands around his forearms.

Bill pulls her into a passionate kiss as he carefully thrusted. He moaned in her mouth, when he got particularly deeper in her. She tightened her grip on his forearms. "Yeah, like that." She whispered lustfully. He felt himself getting close. "I love you." He panted. She moaned as he thrusted a little harder. "Sorry." He whispers when he saw her face twist up. "Its good." She gasped.

He gave two final thrusts as he emptied himself inside her. Bill rested on his elbows as he caught his breath. He kissed her lips tenderly and then rested his forehead on hers. "I love you, Bailey." He sighed. "I love you too." She whispered, through grit teeth, her wound throbbing.

"Bill...can you move some?" Bailey asked, trying to hide her pain.

"Oh yeah, sorry love." He apologized as he shifted his weight off her. Bill carefully pulled out. Bailey made a face when she felt warmth spill out of her. Bill took in the sight before him, getting a certain satisfaction from seeing his fluids leak out of her.

He grabbed the boxers Bailey was wearing and used them to clean himself up. "A-Are you forgetting about me?" She asked quietly, looking off to the side, too embarrassed to look at him directly.

"Just give me a moment, love." He said sheepishly. Bill dabbed some of the semen away and lowered himself into a somewhat comfortable position. He gave a teasing lick, enjoying the gasp she made. Bill pulled away and swallowed thickly, making a face, he hated the taste of his semen. He carefully cleaned her up more before getting back down to business.

Bill savored every moan, gasp and sigh she made. He gripped her hips tightly when she finally came, holding her down as she squirmed. He kept going, making her cry out. "Its too much, stop!" She whined, trying to push him away. He kept going for another moment before pulling away. Bailey laid back and caught her breath.

Bill wiped his mouth off with the soiled boxers and crawled up beside her. He pulled her into his chest and cradled her in his arms. Bailey blushed when she could smell the sex on his beard. She kissed him anyway.

Her chest began to ache more. It was getting close to when she could take more pain medicine. She settled in for now and enjoyed his warmth. It was going to be a long day.

"When is Hank picking up us?" She broke the comfortable silence, excited about seeing her apartment again.

Bill took a sharp inhale, waking back up. He grunted as he craned his neck to look at the alarm clock. "About an hour from now." He said with a groan, wanting to just lay in bed all day with his love.

"Sick, I can't wait to show you my room!" She said excitedly, pressing herself closer.

Her enthusiasm was contagious. Bill kissed her forehead before reluctantly forcing himself out of bed. He needed to clean himself up before Hank got there. Bailey watched him get dressed as she laid there, sprawled out, this was actually happening.

"Uhh, what am I going to wear?" She asked shyly as she watched him fumble with his belt buckle.

"I'll get you something, just give me a second, dear." He said with a smile.

Bailey pulled the blanket over her chest, suddenly feeling her nakedness, she blushed. She watched as Bill dug around in his closet. He pulled out a wad of clothes and dropped them on the bed. Bailey stared at them for a moment, not wanting to wear his ex-wife's shit. She reluctantly combed through the pile with her good arm. She picked up one of the bras with her nails and examined it with a sour expression. It would be a close enough fit. She sat it back down and pulled out a dated looking floral dress. It looked like it would be a tight fit...

"I don't want to wear this stuff, Bill..." She said sullenly, a sour expression on her face.

"It's just til you get to you apartment." He said cautiously.

"None of it will even fit and I don't want to squeeze into something with my chest like it is...Can't I just wear something of yours?" She asked with a long sigh, feeling self-conscious.

Bill nodded in understanding and grabbed a t-shirt and pair of sweat pants. "Thank you." She whispered when he handed them to her. Bailey pulled the blanket away and sat up. Bill helped her put the shirt on. He pulled her into a soft kiss as he pulled her shirt down. He helped with the pants as well, pulling them up and tying the drawstring for her. She was cute in his clothes.

He noticed his own clothes fit a little more relaxed now. It would only be a matter of time before he gained it all back he thought sadly. He noticed she had lost some weight too. That Amy. He clenched his fists and then let out a yowl of pain since that irritated his wound. Bailey jumped, "Are you okay?" She asked quickly, looking over him in concern.

"Yeah...just my hand..." He said, it was so strange seeing his hand with one less finger. He was glad Bailey didn't cut one off of his dominant hand. Bailey looked away in guilt. She reached for a hug but just put her arms back by her sides. Bill pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry." She cried into his shoulder. He held her, stroking her back with his right hand. "It's okay." He said softly, trying to comfort her. She shook her head. "Bailey, it's okay my love." He whispered.

She went to protest when he gently lifted her chin and kissed her. Her cheeks were soaked with tears. Bailey couldn't understand why he would want to be with her after all of this, it was her fault after all. Shouldn't he hate her? Bailey pulled away, shaking her head. "Why? Why do you want to be with me? Clearly I'm a monster." She said with a quiet rage, glaring in his eye.

Bill stared at her in confusion. Where did this come from? "What?" Was all he managed to say.

"Look what I did to you! I-"

Bill cut her off, "Stop blaming yourself, it was that bitch, Amy. I don't want to hear you call yourself that again." He said sternly. She began to protest when he gave her a look. Bailey sighed and looked at the floor. "I want to be with you because I love you. You're such a caring woman...I...I've never had that before." He said, closing the distance she made. Bailey averting her eyes again, unable to handle the intestity of his gaze. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He whispered against her lips. She closed her eyes, causing more tears to spill out. She didn't deserve this.

"Okay..." Her voice cracked as she dried her eyes.

Bill's new phone rang. It was Hank. Bill answered and said they would be heading over in a few minutes. He pocketed his smartphone and smoothed his shirt down. "Ready?" He asked, taking her her red puffy eyes. She didn't meet his eye and barely nodded.

Bill slid on his shoes and helped Bailey put hers on. "God, I can't even put on my own fucking shoes." She huffed.

"This is nothing compared to what you've done for me. Let me help you." He said gently as he finished up tying her shoe. He didn't know if he would ever get used to missing a finger. He stood and opened the door for her. He locked the door behind himself.

Bailey took a good look around. She hadn't gotten to really see it yet. It was nice to get some fresh air finally. She made a mental note to air out the house later. The neighborhood was nice if not a bit plain and too manicured. Could they be in an HOA?

Bill slid his hand into hers and led her over to Hank's driveway where he was waiting. With each step closer, she felt the dread mount in the pit of her stomach.

"Morning Bill." Hank greeted Bill cheerfully, trying not to stare at his face too long. "Bailey." He said with a polite nod. Hank opened the passenger door for them and pulled the seat forward. Bailey climbed into the back, clenching her jaw when she slipped slightly. She settled in the back. Bill helped her buckle up before pushing the seat back in place and getting in himself.

Hank got in and adjusted the air conditioning, his glasses fogged up immediately. He sighed as he waited for them to clear. "Okay, where are we going?" Hank asked, turned in his seat.

Bailey stared at him like a deer caught in headlights. She had no idea where they were. "Can I see your phone Bill?" She asked shyly.

Bill pulled out his phone and handed it to her. To her surprise it was unlocked. She typed in her apartment address into google and handed it back to Bill. The gps began to give directions. Bailey stared out the window, wringing her hands together. Bill and Hank got to talking as Hank drove out of the neighborhood.

It was fine with her, she wasn't in the mood for a conversation anyway. It all so awkward. She wasn't even sure what they were going to do once there. Bailey wondered if she should just start packing or what.

As the commute dragged on, she made herself smaller, hoping no one would notice and talk to her or ask her anything. After a while they were cruising through familiar streets. Bailey felt her stomach tighten the closer they got. This would be the last time she would be here. It was bittersweet, more bitter. Thankfully since Amy was a control freak, only her name was on the lease.

Bailey wasn't sure what to do with Amy's stuff. She had no idea how any of this worked. Amy had to help her fill out her job application even. Her shoulders slumped forward. It felt wrong to just let everything go to shit...but could she even do anything? She didn't want to make things worse. Would Amy get out of jail? Tears threatened to fall, she didn't even have her own bank account, it was all under Amy. She made the decision to just get her stuff and leave the rest up to the complex.

She directed Hank on where to park. Bailey was glad they could just follow someone in since she didn't have her gate fob.

She felt helpless, going from relying on Amy completely to Bill now. She didn't feel grown, that's for certain. Bailey pushed Amy's words out of her head. "Her little parasite." Amy would say.

She was forced out of her thoughts when Bill got out and pulled the seat forward so she could as well. She felt giddy and sick. It had been too long since she had been home. She took his hand and got out carefully. "Okay." She said quietly as she led them up the stairs. Everything felt so wrong. She wasn't sure if this was even real.

Bailey stopped in front of the door and dug around in the dirt of the potted plant right there. She finally fished a key out of the dirt and unlocked the door. She coughed when she swung open the door, the smell hit her immediately.

Bailey stared at the mess in shock. She stepped inside, it was dark in there without all the lights she would have on. There were dirty dishes everywhere, and rotting food. She walked hollowly around the Livingroom. Amy wasn't the most tidy person but this was uncharacteristic of her. Bailey felt pity for her. Something was definitely wrong and she didn't even see it until it was too late. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her heart ached for her friend. Bailey hoped she could get the help she obviously so desperately needed.

Bill making a noise behind her broke her out of her thoughts. Bailey pushed him back towards the door. It felt too intimate for him to be there at that moment. He looked at her in concern and rooted himself there. "What's wrong?" He asked, trying to see passed her. She gave up immediately and crossed her arms carefully. "She really let the place go..." Was all she managed to say.

"I don't care about that." Bill said, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"Yeah but I don't want your friend to see and-"

Bill hushed her, "We're here to help pack your stuff up."

"I'm afraid...of moving..." She said with a flinch.

Bill gave her a confused look. "Aren't you moving in with me?" He asked, pushing down the hurt bubbling up in his chest.

"Yeah...I'm just scared I guess. It's all so much." She said nervously, seeing the hurt in his eye.

"You have nothing to be afraid of..." He said quietly, the wind left him.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Don't you want to be with me?" He asked, tears threatening to fall, his lower lip quivered.

"Of course! I'm just overwhelmed right now." Bailey said, trying to reassure him.

He wiped his eye with the back of his hand and offered her a smile. She gave him an awkward smile before looking at Hank in sheer panic as he walked in the door. She could see his judging eyes scanning the living room. His face didn't betray his thoughts and remained stoic.

"Okay, let's get this over with." She said with a sigh and tugged Bill's hand, leading him to her room. She was about to say something when she opened the door and saw a bunch of newspaper clippings taped to the wall. Bailey let go of his hand and shuffled over to investigate. "What the hell?" It was all clippings of her disappearance. Bailey scanned them all in horror. Why was this in her room? Everything else seemed to be untouched.

Bailey shook her head and tried to focus on the task at hand.

"Okay, I've brought some boxes...uhh I'll leave them in here." Hank yelled awkwardly.

Bailey shuffled out of her room and retrieved them. She quickly prepared them to put stuff in. She took down all of her framed insects and set them carefully in the box. Bill closed it up for her as she moved quickly around the room, she pulled what was left of her wardrobe into one of the larger boxes.

"You're room is really pretty." Bill remarked as he helped her pack.

"Thanks." She said with a sad shyness.

An hour later she had everything packed. She took a few things out of Amy's room that were hers. Bailey felt wrong leaving her stuff to just be thrown out on the street. Bill reassured her there was nothing she could do and that was what was going to have to happen.

Bill and Hank loaded all the boxes into the truck. Bill came back in and saw her just sitting on her bed. "Is something wrong, love?" He asked softly. She shrugged. "Will my bed fit?" She asked with red rimmed eyes.

"You don't need it." He said, confused.

"I like my bed." She said, gripping the edge of the mattress tighter.

"We have a bed though, where are you going to even put it?" Bill asked as he sat beside her.

"In my room?" She said, returning his confused look.

"Your room? We share one now." He said, a sour look on his face.

"Don't I get my own room? Isn't that how it works?" She asked, gripping it tighter, she needed her own space.

"No...we're getting married...we share a room now." He said, looking at her worriedly.

"Oh...I don't like your bed though...it's too firm." She said sullenly.

Bill stared at her...he wasn't sure what to say. "We can get another one..." He said with nervous laugh, taking her hand in his, holding it tightly, afraid she'd change her mind if he let go.

"Oh." She said quietly.

"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly, afraid she was getting cold feet now.

"I'm just...I don't know...scared? I really liked it here. I've never been in a relationship before and I...I really like my room." She said, looking around the now bare room, minus the newspaper clippings on the wall.

"You have nothing to worry about, Bailey. My home is your home now too." He said, trying to reassure her as well as himself.

"Yeah." She said with a sad smile as she stood. "Let's get going then." She whispered.

Bill took her hand in his and led her to the door. He grabbed her folder of documents and other important papers on his way out. Bailey took one final look before shutting the door. She dragged her feet down the stairs and sighed as she hoisted herself into the awaiting backseat. A strange feeling washed over her. She was leaving the place she called home for so long for another place. Bailey felt like she had no control over her life. Was it taken from her or did she hand it over readily?

Shouldn't she be happy? She was getting married soon and checking all the lifescript boxes. What would her mother think? Did she ever think about her or miss her? Was Amy the cause for all her problems?

She was startled from her thoughts when Bill raised his voice.

"You don't understand Hank. We have something unlike any of the relationships I've had. The things we went through...bonded us." Bill said, glaring at his friend.

"I still think you should wait for a little while and let things settle down some. I don't know all the details of your uhh predicament, but y'all are moving too fast. I've seen you do this too many times Bill and don't want this to end badly again." Hank said, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

How many times had Bill done this? Bailey wondered. She felt her stomach drop. Would she become another failed relationship too? Amy warned her of such things, which killed her desire to date.

Bill glared at Hank and glanced at Bailey in the backseat in heated embarrassment. "It's not like that Hank!"

"Do I need to remind you Bill? I think you two need to slow down and think things through." Hank said sternly, glancing at Bailey in rearview mirror. She stared out the window awkwardly and said nothing.

"I would be dead if it weren't for her! You don't know her like I do! She isn't like the other women I've ever been with!" Bill said heatedly.

Bailey wanted to sink into the seat and disappear.

"Bill, got dang it! Listen to me, I won't take you to the court house to get married today. It's too fast!" Hank snapped.

"She's pregnant!" Bill snapped.

Bailey's eyes snapped to the front. Did he just lie to his friend?

"Oh god." Hank sighed and rubbed his face. "Fine." He conceded.

The mood was heavy and awkward. The rest of the ride was quiet. Hank parked and said nothing as they got out.

Bill led her inside the building. Bailey's feet felt like lead. What did all this entail? "We need to get a marriage certificate." Bill said, his mood brightening considerably.

They filled out all the necessary paperwork, Bill helping her with some parts. The clerk congratulated them, disregarding the age gap. Bill took care of the rest and paid the fee. Now all they had to do was wait 3 days to come back.

Bill beamed as he led her back to the truck. She was excited too, nervous, but excited. Her mood dampened some as she got back in the truck. She was afraid of Hank's disapproval.

"Bill, I'm sorry, I just don't want to see you hurt again or rush into another marriage. " Hank said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I know you were trying to look out for me, but Bailey is different." Bill said, glancing into the back seat with a warm smile.

"Well, you got any wedding plans?" Hank asked, breaking the silence.

"We're just going to do a court house ceremony." Bill said, he already did the big wedding once.

"Oh? You sure?" Hank asked in surprise.

"Yeah, remember my last one? I just want something simple." Bill said. Bailey stared at her phone that was about to die. Tears on the brink of falling. Was she not special enough to have a wedding? She hugged herself and leaned against the window.

"Yup, I just want it to be us, with you guys as our witnesses of course." Bill replied, unaware of his words cutting his bride to be.

"I'll see if I can take Friday off, Mr. Strickland shouldn't mind too much. We can have a barbeque when we get back from the courthouse." Hank said with an awkward smile. He did love an excuse to throw a get together.

"That'd be great!" Bill said excitedly.

Bailey quietly cried in, hiding her face behind the seat. Didn't she get a say in how the wedding would go? She didn't want a quick throwaway wedding in the courthouse. She didn't even have a dress and shopping for one in less than 3 days just wasn't happening. He didn't even propose or anything, just said they were getting married. She silently dried her eyes and admonished herself, she should be grateful someone wanted to marry her. It wasn't all about the wedding but them making their relationship more official or something.

Bill and Hank talked animatedly about the upcoming barbeque. She was glad they pretty much forgot her existence back there.

Soon they pulled into Bill driveway. Bailey quietly got out, letting Bill steady her. The day was dragging on. She was silent as she sat on the couch and watched them unload all the boxes into the corner of the living room. What the hell was she doing? She felt like a child instead of an adult, her fate was always being decided by someone else. At least he was kind.

Bill bid Hank a good afternoon as he set the last box down. Once Hank left, Bill sat beside Bailey and pulled her into his side. "What's the matter?" He asked, noting her sullen demeanor. She shrugged, not wanting to talk at the moment. "You seem so...sad. What's wrong?" He asked gently, stroking her hair.

"I didn't get a say in any of our wedding plans...and...am I not special enough to have a nice wedding like your last wife?" Bailey asked, tears streaming down her face.

Bill looked at her, taken back. "Of course you are and then some! They're really not all they're cracked up to be, trust me." He said with an exasperated look.

"Oh...they always looked so...magical." She said quietly.

"As long as we're together, right?" He said, hugging her tighter to him for a moment.

"Yeah." She said quietly, forcing herself to give him a small smile.

"The reception is where it's at. You're going to love Hank's cooking." Bill said excitedly.

Bailey calmed some and made peace it. "I look forward to it." She said quietly, this time giving him a genuine smile.