Sorry for the delay, it's been so nice here the last couple of days, and I've been staying outside *Insert peaceful emoji*

We are about to get back into the dramatic stuff, so the next two-three chapters are going to be fluffy as hell to make up for what I'm going to put you through LMAO

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Chapter 38

James

"I've got a ton of homework," Sofia announced, sliding off the island.

"Okay, sweetie," Mom kissed her forehead.

"I'll be right up, love," I kissed Sofia's hand as she ascended the stairs to our room.

I ran my hand through my hair and turned to my parents.

"Would it be unethical to keep her locked in the house?" mom sighed, falling back in her chair.

"Yeah, but earplugs in public wouldn't be a bad idea," dad stated gruffly.

"I'm going to talk to her damn therapist tomorrow. I'm sick of people making her feel bad," I took Sofia's place on the island.

"You're the only one that can now," dad nodded, "We will pay for an actual therapist if you can't convince this Mrs. White to back the fuck off our girl,"

"Yes, sir," I smiled.

"Now go take care of our daughter," mom smacked me on the arm with a spoon.

"Ow," I chuckled, rubbing my arm and jumping down, "I'm going, violent woman,"

I climbed the stairs and stood in the doorway, staring at my beautiful wife.

Sofia was lying across the bed in her pajamas with her feet in the air, surrounded by books and papers and typing vigorously on her laptop.

"Hey college girl," I whispered, lying beside her and kissing her cheek, "Whatcha working on?"

"The final draft of my government thesis," she replied, not taking her eyes from the screen, "It's due next week, but I want to stay ahead in my classes,"

I smiled and folded my arms as I watched her work.

"I'm sorry if I upset you guys," Sofia whispered, hovering her fingers over the keyboard, "I don't know what I'm doing. I want to be happy, but maybe I'm doing it wrong,"

"No, my love, you're not doing anything wrong," I put my arm around her, "We have all loved seeing you so happy,"

She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest.

"I've been accused of using you as a human shield twice now, and maybe they're right. I can't keep relying on you to knight in shining armor me every time something terrible happens, and I can't get too comfortable with all of those monsters lurking outside," Sofia smacked her forehead against her knees, and I pulled her into my lap.

"Don't do that, Baby," I frowned, kissing her red forehead, "You're not using me as a human shield; I want to slay your monsters. I will always knight in shining armor you, not because you are incapable of taking care of yourself, but because I refuse to allow anyone to touch my gorgeous, sexy, talented, brave, genius wife," I brought her lips to mine and rubbed my nose on hers, "You survived on your own for so long without anyone. Still, you know that you're not alone anymore, and that's why you've been able to relax so well the last few days."

I felt her relax in my lap, and she rested her head on my chest.

"Don't worry about what anyone says, baby. You and I are the only two people that matter in our relationship, and we both know that I will take care of you forever," I tightened my grip around her.

"Forever," she smiled up at me, "Thank you, husband,"

"You're very welcome, wife," I kissed her, "Also, I want you to fill out the applications to whatever schools you want, don't wait for me to decide,"

"Well, to be honest," she blushed, grabbing her laptop, "They're already filled out. They have been for two years, and I update them every six months,"

She showed me a folder full of prepared college applications, and I grinned.

"Send them out tomorrow, baby," I laughed, looking through them.

"I'll only send off the domestic ones; I'll trash the international schools," she giggled.

"You wanted to go to school overseas?" I cocked my head to the side.

"Mhm, there are amazing art schools in Germany and France that I was considering," she shrugged, "I wanted to get as far away as I could,"

"You were serious about not wanting to get attached to anyone here then, huh?" I frowned.

"That was a million years ago," she laughed, "Back before I knew how much better my life would be with James Talbert in it," she kissed my nose and deleted the applications, "That Sofia doesn't exist anymore,"

Of course, she had plans before she met me, and I had been so fucking selfish.

All I thought about was spending my life with her and playing football on my scholarship.

I had been telling her she wasn't alone anymore for weeks, but neither was I.

She deserved to do whatever she wanted, regardless of what I wanted.

"Send them too," I grabbed her laptop and retrieved them from the trash bin.

"What's the point?" she asked, reaching for her laptop, "I'm not going overseas without you,"

"We could survive a long-distance relationship if we had to," I stated, holding the laptop hostage.

She stopped, and I immediately regretted pushing.

"You'd be okay if I left?" her head fell, and she darted her eyes to the side.

"Of course not," I sighed, tossing the laptop back on the bed and pulling her chin back up, "I just don't want you to miss out on an opportunity to go to a fancy art school because of me,"

"Being with you is all I care about," her eyes welled with tears, "I told you, I don't need to go to a fancy, Ivy Leauge school as long as I have you,"

She threw her arms around my neck, burying her face in my hair, and I grimaced as her hot tears trailed down my skin.

"You will always have me, princess, no matter what. I'm sorry. I guess I overthought the situation," I sighed, kissing her shoulder.

"Please don't," she pulled back and looked me in the eye, "We will figure out a way to get what we both want. I'm sure whatever school you end up at will have an art department,"

"I'll make sure of it," I nodded, wiping her tears away with my thumbs.

"I'll print these off and talk to Mr. Avery tomorrow about that letter of recommendation," she took a shaky breath and laid back down on her stomach.

"Okay, baby, and I'm going to go talk to Mrs. White after I drop you off at work," I laid down next to her and ran my fingers along her spine.

"Do you think it's worth it?" she asked, resting her head on her arms and melting under my touch.

I got up on my knees and began rubbing her tense shoulders.

"If you're going to continue seeing her, she needs to understand what she did was wrong," I jumped up and closed the door before resuming my position.

She pulled off her shirt and sighed happily as I continued rubbing her back.

"Maybe meeting you will make her believe what I've been trying to tell her," she turned her head, so her voice wasn't muffled, "She doesn't understand how important we are to each other,"

"Don't worry, my love; I'll take care of it," I trailed kisses along the freckles across her shoulders and down the length of her back.

I swung my leg over her thighs and wrapped my hands around her waist.

She was so soft, and no matter how many times I touched her, it always gave me the same 'struck by lightning' feeling.

"I love you, James," she purred, closing her eyes.

"I love you, too, Sofia," I leaned across and whispered in her ear, feeling her shiver under me.

Soft giggles shook through her and vibrated into me comfortably.

I flipped her over, and our eyes immediately locked together.

"Hi gorgeous," I smiled, kissing down her neck to the scars on her stomach.

"I think they're almost gone," she stated proudly, running her fingers over them.

"They are getting lighter, but even with them, you are the most beautiful girl in existence," I leaned up and kissed her, "They are a part of you, and you are perfect,"

"You're sweet," she half-smiled, sitting up, "But I know you'll be just as happy as I'll be when they disappear,"

"I wish you never felt like you needed to hurt yourself, but I assure you I can't be more attracted to you than I am now," I grazed her collarbone with my teeth and pulled her forward on my lap.

"There isn't one thing about you that doesn't turn me on," I kissed up her neck and bit the skin under her ear.

I could feel her heart rate increase, and I laid her back down, sliding my hand under her thin shorts.

She turned her head and closed her eyes, but I gently pulled her back.

"You have nothing to be insecure about," I kissed her lips and slid my fingers inside her at the same time, causing her to moan against my mouth.

"I have the sexiest," I increased my speed, "Smartest," I trailed kisses from her mouth to her neck, "Most amazing, wife in the world," I slid my thumb across her clit, "And there is absolutely nothing that will ever change my mind,"

"I'm going to miss you," I frowned, parking the truck and pulling her to me.

"I'm going to miss you too," she got up on her knees and straddled my waist, grabbed my hair, and crashed our lips together.

I pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and rested my forehead on hers.

"What was that for, princess?" I whispered, "Not that I'm complaining,"

"I'm tutoring some of your teammates tonight, and I want you to remember how good your wife kissed you while they try to rile you up about it," she giggled, pressing her lips to mine again.

"She knows me so well," I growled, kissing her neck.

"I love you," she smiled, rubbing her nose on mine and opening my door.

"I love you too," I pulled her into one last kiss before she jumped off my lap onto the pavement and grabbed her bag from the back.

"See you at nine, husband!" she waved, running across the parking lot.

"See you at nine, wife!" I called back, watching her greet the deputies before entering the building.

She would be safe while I was gone.

I shut my door and made my way to Troy.

I opened the black office door and walked into the small waiting room.

"Can I help you?" a tall, bleach blonde woman in a blue pantsuit asked, looking up from her clipboard.

"My name is James Talbert; I'm Sofia Talbert's husband," I introduced myself.

"Ah, yes. I'm Mrs. White, what can I do for you, James?" she asked, putting the clipboard down, "I have fifteen minutes before my next appointment,"

"I need to talk to you about what you said to Sofia yesterday," I set my jaw, "She was fine until she talked to you, and now she's freaking out about being kidnapped again,"

The brunette receptionist looked up at her, and Mrs. White shook her head.

"Why don't we go to my office," Mrs. White gestured to her door.

I nodded and sat on her couch.

The couch Sofia sat on every Monday.

I watched as Mrs. White sat in her chair and crossed her legs.

There was something almost creepy about her.

I imagined Sofia sitting here, spilling her secrets to this pretentious-looking woman, and It made my skin crawl, but I pushed the thought away and straightened my back.

"I hoped you and I would meet eventually," she stated coldly, "Sofia has told me a lot about you, James. You are the primary focus of our meetings,"

"You say that like it's a bad thing," I raised an eyebrow, "I want to know why you told her to be scared yesterday,"

"It's not a good thing, Mr. Talbert. Sofia is convinced that she can solely rely on you to take care of her, and if you continue to feed the idea that you will 'bust down doors' and fight everyone for her, then you are doing her more harm than good,"

"I will keep my wife safe from everyone," I glared at her, "I brought her to my parents when I found out she was being neglected, I took Sam down in Wyoming, I made sure to keep her away from her uncle until the Sherriff showed up, and I refuse to let anyone touch her. How could my protecting Sofia harm her? I want her to be happy,"

"Her happiness is important, don't get me wrong, but she will never be truly happy until she gets past the trauma she has suffered. You have undoubtedly saved her life, and she adores you for it, but you have forced yourself into a relationship, a marriage even, with a frightened girl that you don't know how to help. She needs to focus on her mental health before worrying about someone else as much as she worries about you,"

"Her happiness is everything, Mrs. White, and I am aware that her love for me started as nothing more than her appreciation for me caring about her. She made sure I knew that when she told me she loved me for the first time, but I have been deeply, obsessively in love with her since we met, and I will do everything I can to help her get through her traumas. And, regardless of what you think, I know that she is truly in love with me now," I clenched my fists at my side, "I want her to be able to rely on me. I'm sick of people telling me to leave her alone and telling her that she's using me! I may not be a psychiatrist, but I am doing my best to help Sofia," I scowled, "She is the strongest, bravest, most intelligent girl I have ever met; she was basically out the door the moment Sam called because she was sure she could face him, and she did,"

"But yet you followed her immediately after she left, correct?"

"Of course, I did,"

"If you had so much faith in her being strong and brave enough to take care of herself, then why didn't you let her do it on her own?"

"Because she didn't need to do it on her own! She doesn't need to face anything alone ever again! You talk about her relying on me like she's suddenly stopped thinking for herself, but that isn't true. She's comfortable around us now, and it took a lot to get to where we are," I growled, standing up, "I am not going to let you sit there week after week telling my wife that she can't rely on her family to help her because that's complete bullshit,"

"I told her to be cautious, Mr. Talbert, and I'm going to tell you the same thing. Obviously, you care about Sofia, but you are impulsive and need to remember that you are not immortal. Sofia has watched the two most important people in her life murdered in front of her, which she blames herself for, and even though she says she likes having you protect her, you both know deep down that she couldn't live with herself if you suffered the same fate. I think you should start coming with her to our meetings. If you are serious about your relationship and really want to help her, I think couple's therapy would benefit you both,"

I took a deep breath, trying not to focus on the way she said if, as though there were any questions about my intentions.

"I'll be here," I nodded and walked out.

I got in my truck and punched the ceiling.

How dare she talk about Sofia like she was a frail, incompetent child.

My bracelet vibrated, and I calmed down.

If Sofia were okay with me coming to her meetings, then I would.

"Hey, gorgeous!" I pulled Sofia into a tight hug, "How was your first day?"

"Amazing!" she squealed, "Apparently, I'm really good at tutoring English, and Mrs. Flora wants to hire me on permanently until the end of the school year!"

"Holy shit, baby. that's great!" I picked her up and spun her around, "I'm so proud of you," I whispered, kissing the top of her head.

"Thank you," she giggled, "How did your talk with Mrs. White go?"

"She thinks we need to start going together," I sighed, keeping my lips pressed against her scalp.

"Would you be okay with that?" she asked almost hopefully.

"If you want me to, then you bet I will," I smiled.

"For sure," she nodded, "I have a difficult time explaining things, and I want to be as open with you as I can. I'm sure she could help,"

"No secrets," I chuckled, "But you weren't kidding; she really doesn't like me,"

"Did she tell you she doesn't like you?" Sofia gasped.

"It was made clear," I frowned, "She thinks I'm impulsive and harmful to your healing process,"

"We'll change her mind," Sofia wrapped her arms around my waist and kissed my neck, "You're perfect,"

"We're perfect together," I nodded, pulling her chin up and kissing her.

It started raining, and we jumped in the truck.

I searched the bed for Sofia and snapped my eyes open when I couldn't find her.

"Baby?" I called, but there was no answer.

I jumped out of bed and threw on my boxers before searching the house for her.

I saw the light on in the kitchen and heard a cough.

The clock on the wall read eleven-fifteen.

Sofia was wrapped in her grey blanket and standing over the stove.

"There you are," I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her neck, "What are you doing?"

"Making Jell-O," her voice was strained, and she coughed deeply.

"Oh, love, are you sick?" I asked, turning her toward me.

Her bloodshot eyes met mine, and she nodded, "I don't feel good, but I'll be okay,"

"Let me take you back to bed, baby. I'll run to the store and get you some Jell-O and ice cream," I pulled her towards the stairs.

She shook her head and pointed to the stove, "I want warm Jell-O,"

"Warm Jell-O?" I tried to hide my distaste, "Are you sure?"

"Mhm," she nodded, resuming her stirring, "Seth used to make it for me when I was sick, but I only like black cherry,"

Of course, he was the one who took care of her when she was sick.

"Can I finish it for you?" I asked, "You need to go back to bed, love,"

"I've got it," She coughed, turning the flame off and pouring the steaming liquid into a coffee mug.

She sat at the island and sipped the drink quietly.

"Do you remember the time you made me warm grape Jell-O?" she laughed, staring off into space, "I thought you poisoned me,"

"Sofia?" I touched her arm, alarmed.

"What, Seth?" she asked, turning her blank eyes to me.

I felt her forehead and pulled my hand away quickly.

She had a bad fever, and I needed to get mom.

"Mom!" I knocked on her door, keeping an eye on my hallucinating wife.

"What's wrong?" she yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"Sofia has a fever, a bad cough, and she's hallucinating," I explained, and she grabbed her first aid kit.

Mom took out the thermometer and frowned, "102, Sofia, can you hear me?"

"Don't be mad, Miranda. I'll go back to my room," Sofia slumped her shoulders and got up.

I heard mom gasp as Sofia leaned against the stairs, and the sound of her coughs sent chills through me.

"Get a bowl of warm water and a washcloth, James," mom instructed, leading Sofia to the couch.

I gathered the water and washcloth quickly and returned to Sofia's side.

Mom dipped the rag and placed it on Sofia's forehead.

"Ew, leave me alone, Seth," Sofia gagged, tossing it off.

"You need to keep it on your forehead, princess," I whispered, placing it back.

"I said no," she groaned, throwing herself into a fit of deep, strained coughs.

Mom pulled some medicine out of her bag, "You need to drink this," she poured the red liquid into a cup and held it to Sofia's mouth.

Sofia opened her bloodshot eyes and locked them with mine.

"Hi, James," she gasped, coughing again as her eyes rolled in the back of her head, and she went limp.

"We need to get her to the hospital," mom announced, "Get her dressed,"

I nodded as she left the room, ran upstairs, grabbed my hoodie, a pair of her sweats, and the sheet off the bed.

I dressed Sofia and wrapped her in the sheet before carrying her to mom's car, where mom and dad were waiting, and we took her to the emergency room.

"It's so cold," Sofia shivered, "Please let me back in,"

"You're going to be okay, baby," I pulled her closer to my chest in the back seat, "I've got you,"

Her coughs got worse as we approached the emergency room, and I ran her in as soon as mom parked the car.

Luckily, we were taken back to a room as soon as we went in.

Mom and I held her hands as she fought the nurse injecting the IV into her wrist.

Dad ducked out into the hall, unable to watch.

"Please stop!" Sofia screamed through her coughs, her face quickly becoming a sickly shade of purple.

"Shh," I ran my hand through her hair, "It's almost over, love,"

"You have one more shot before I take it from you," mom growled at the man.

He finally got it in as the doctor walked in.

"Sofia, can you sit up?" she asked, putting the stethoscope in her ears.

Sofia tried to move, but she just started coughing again.

I pulled her up, and the doctor listened to her chest and back.

The nurse drew Sofia's blood, and a woman with an X-ray machine came in.

"How long has she been sick?" the doctor asked.

"She was fine when we went to bed," I explained, "I'm not sure when she got up, but I found her in the kitchen about forty-five minutes ago. She's been hallucinating,"

"I'm going to run some tests and check the x-rays, but I'm pretty sure she's got pneumonia," the doctor nodded, "Keep her elevated, and I'll be back soon,"

The woman took her x-rays, and we waited impatiently for the results while Sofia coughed and struggled to breathe.

"Isn't there something we can do for her while we wait?" I asked, watching the saline solution drip into her IV.

"If it's pneumonia, they will send someone in to do a breathing treatment," mom stroked Sofia's hair as she slept, "They shouldn't be much longer,"

As if on cue, two nurses came in with a blue tube attached to a white machine.

We woke Sofia up, and she inhaled the thick white smoke, choking on it each time she breathed.

"She's got acute bronchitis and pneumonia," the doctor announced, walking in behind the nurses, "Has she had her pneumonia vaccination?"

"No," Sofia shook her head, "I don't do shots,"

"You might want to; your x-rays show that this isn't the first time you've had this mix," the doctor frowned.

"Twice a year," Sofia coughed, "Since I was little,"

"Do you have an inhaler?" the doctor asked, shocked.

Sofia shook her head, trying to catch her breath, "It goes away, I'll be fine,"

"You've never been treated for it?" she asked, and Sofia shook her head again.

"You've been lucky, then. Pneumonia can be fatal, especially with as weak as your immune system is," the doctor stared at her and looked at us worriedly, "We're going to keep her here until her fever goes down; I'm also going to give her antibiotics. Make sure she uses the inhaler,"

I nodded and held Sofia's pale hand, "Yes, ma'am,"

She left, and we all looked at Sofia.

"Why didn't you tell us you get sick so often?" dad asked, leaning on the bed.

Sofia shrugged and closed her eyes, "I'm used to it, I guess,"

"You need to take your health more seriously," mom frowned, "You could have died,"

"Miranda stuck me outside when it rained and left me without a car," Sofia sighed, "I'm pretty sure that was the intention. She hoped I wouldn't survive on my own,"

My parents stared at her incredulously and looked at me.

I nodded solemnly, making circles on the back of Sofia's hand with my thumb.

No one knew what to say, so we let her fall back asleep and watched her in silence.

We finally got the green light to take her home at three-thirty, and I had mom stop at the store to get black cherry Jell-O and ice cream before heading back to the house.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked, propping her up with pillows on our bed.

"Can you heat my Jell-O?" she squeaked.

"Of course, princess," I nodded and kissed her forehead.

Prison was too light of a consequence for the amount of physical damage Miranda and Sam had inflicted on my girl.

They needed to die.

I stirred the red powder into the pot of boiling water and imagined it was their blood.

I hope they pull something after they get out.

I carried the mug of red liquid upstairs and kissed Sofia as I handed it to her.

She tried to block me from kissing her, but I landed my lips on hers anyway.

"I don't want to get you sick," she pouted, blowing on the Jell-O.

"I don't care if you're sick, I don't care if you're contagious, I would kiss you even if you were dead," I smirked, and she giggled.

"Oh my god, my husband is quoting Pierce the Veil now. What did I do to deserve you?" she sipped her drink and squeezed my hand.

"I wonder the same thing all the time, baby," I laid down beside her, "God, I love you so much,"

"Don't be silly," she coughed, handing me the mug so she didn't spill it.

"Go to sleep, my love," I put the mug down on my table and turned off the light.

"I'm going to stay up," she shook her head, "I don't want to be late for school,"

"You aren't going to school today," I sighed, wrapping my arm around her,

"I'm going to stay here and take care of you,"

"I have work tonight," she argued, "My fever is gone, and it's just a cough. I've dealt with much worse and still gone to school,"

"A million years ago, before you had James Talbert to take care of you," I stated, closing my eyes, "Don't resist the love, baby,"

"Get back in bed, young lady," Mom demanded, and I rolled over.

"What's up?" I yawned.

"You're wife tried to sneak out," mom huffed.

"To school," Sofia squeaked, "I feel fine,"

"Yeah, you sound fine," mom sighed, exasperated, and pulled Sofia's blanket back, "I'll call Mr. Avery and explain why you two aren't there,"

"Thanks, mom," I smiled, wrapping my arm back around my wife.

"Make sure she stays home, James," mom demanded, "I hid your truck keys, text me later, and I'll tell you where they are,"

"You were going to take the truck?" I laughed, "What about me?"

"You can run to school," Sofia grumbled.

"That's my girl," I kissed her cheek, "Have a good day, mom, show me where they are later. I'll walk if I need to go anywhere,"

"That's probably for the best. Get some rest, daughter. We need you well," mom kissed her temple.

"Yes, ma'am," Sofia sighed, lacing our fingers together, "I'm sorry I almost stranded you, baby. I just hate missing school,"

"I know, love. But we hate seeing you sick," I kissed her hand, "Do you want some ice cream?"

"For breakfast?" Sofia coughed, "Hell yes,"

I laughed and brought her back a bowl full of chocolate cherry ice cream.

"You're the best," she smiled, happily putting a spoonful in her mouth.

"You're the best, princess," I kissed her forehead, "Now let's get you better,"