Disclaimer: Everything Secret Window belongs to Stephen King or the movie creator(s).

AN: I can't believe all of the fantastic reviews I've gotten! You all rock! Oh, and the argument in this chapter about which is better, cats or dogs, is based on my own preferences. I like cats, but for all you dog lovers, Mort is on your side (lucky stiffs). There is also a small rated (R) part, so be warned! Enjoy!

Chapter 8: A Whole New Light and Life:

Three Weeks Later: Amber's POV:

True enough, Mort didn't call on me for much except support. He never again forced himself on me, but asked beforehand if it was alright for us to make love. I agreed once and a while, if only to keep Mort happy, but he was never rough in bed with me again. Instead, he was gentle and considerate about whether or not I was also receiving pleasure, and that gesture was particularly sweet of him. Most of the time, though, the only thing we did at night was fall asleep in each other's arms, and that was wonderful and comforting for us both.

Eventually, we fell into a routine. During the day, Mort wrote on his laptop and I sat nearby, reading whatever book he bought me as I kept him company and "inspired" him. He said he worked better with me nearby, and that my presence was comforting to him. It seemed to work, since all of the keyboard noises he was making gave away how productive he was. I was sometimes given a small peek at the laptop screen, and could see that the length of the story was easily nearing the length of a novel. Mort had told me that his specialty was short stories, but from the looks of this particular story, it looked like he was moving on to novels!

After about two weeks of "inspiring" him, Mort asked me to read what he had typed up because he wanted my opinion. I was shocked, to say the least, but I couldn't refuse. For several days, I sat and read what he wrote, typing up questions and comments, and adjusting his punctuation. I suppose it was the inner writer and editor within that told me to help, but I did it anyway; besides, I was bored with just reading my books. I was a writer at heart, and writing gave me a tremendous thrill and joy. I think that's why Mort asked me to help him with his story. If he had done his homework right, he'd have known that I was a writing and literature major, and that those topics were a majority of the classes I had taken. My fiction writing professors had been impressed with my work, and one had even told me I could make a living off of it! If Mort had visited that particular professor, it would explain why I was here at his desk, editing the work of a famous writer. What newbie writer would refuse that chance? I may be his captive 'wife,' but I couldn't seem to refuse this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

I also got the chance to get to know Mort a little bit, and began to warm up to him. After being with him for so long, it was kind of hard not to talk to him; he was the only other person in the cabin, after all! So in the evenings, after dinner and before bed, the two of us sat on the couch together and played "20 Questions" in order to get to know each other better. We found out that we both liked corn (though Mort seemed to like it a lot more for some reason or another), and we learned that classical music helped to sooth us and spark creativity while experiencing writer's block. We also talked about favorite ice cream flavors, movies, books, TV shows, pet peeves, everything either one of us could think of and ask.

Tonight's discussion led to a playful argument about animals. I knew that Shooter had killed Mort's dog, Chico, but Mort still liked dogs above all other pet animals. I liked both cats and dogs, but preferred cats. Mort had laughed at me when I'd told him that.

"What do cats have that dogs don't?" he asked as he sipped a glass of Mountain Dew.

I scrunched my nose at him. "Well, for one thing, they don't slobber all over you," I said, smirking at him over a cup of cocoa. "And they can fit in your lap, which makes them easier to cuddle with." I took a sip from my mug. "Plus, you don't have to take cats outside to go to the bathroom all of the time, or take them for walks. If they're outside-inside cats, they can take care of themselves, no problem." I stuck my tongue out at him. "So there."

Mort laughed and continued arguing over which animal was better. As he talked, I let my mind drift.

I couldn't believe that I was finally getting to know the man who had kidnapped me from my home. I was even beginning to actually like him. He really was a sweet man, and was very considerate of me and my feelings. True, he never left me alone in the cabin, but he did give me my own personal space whenever I needed time alone. There was a back room that Mort had turned into a small library for all of the books he had bought me, and that was my little hideaway. My 'library' had two windows, but Mort had secured them to prevent my escape through them. The door, meanwhile, was connected to a bell in the study, and would ring every time I entered or left. That didn't bother me, though, because I had no doubt that Mort would be able to catch me even if I did manage to escape the cabin. I decided not to push my luck and just stay with him.

"Amber, did you hear what I just said?"

I turned to look at him and smirked. "No, not really," I replied, sipping my cocoa. "I won, anyway, so there was no point in listening." I laughed when he glared at me, and that got him chuckling. We then turned our talk towards books.


Mort's POV:

He couldn't believe that Amber was laughing and joking with him. True, they had been doing so for weeks, but still, Mort couldn't believe it. It was as though the impossible had happened and the higher powers were giving Mort what he'd wanted for so long: a life with a woman he loved more than anything in the world.

Watching her sit there, across from him, her mug of cocoa in her hands and her stocking feet on the couch, Mort felt warm and comfortable. Amy had never sat and talked with him about books or had helped him with his writing, and Amber had done both of those things! He knew they were meant to be together!

Smiling, Mort leaned back and argued about which tale was better; The Iliad, or The Odyssey.


A Week later, Amber's POV:

I knew something was different when I woke up and saw that Mort wasn't there. Ever since I'd exploded at him, Mort had decided to stay with me until I woke. Once I was awake, he'd go downstairs and make breakfast, which we ate before going to spend the day in his study.

Today, however, Mort wasn't there. I frowned as I got up and dressed, but when I opened the door, I understood why he wasn't there. The smell of eggs, bacon, and hash browns wafted up the steps and into my face, making my stomach growl. Big breakfasts always took lots of time, and Mort probably didn't want me to wait while he cooked, so he'd gotten up early in order to finish in time. Once I was in the dinning room, I saw that there was something else to go with the large breakfast Mort was making me.

In the center of the table, where a flower in a vase usually stood, was a large blue box with a silver bow on it. Curious, I walked up to the table and looked at Mort, who stood there, grinning at me. He nodded at the box, and I took that as permission to open it. I pulled the lid off and gasped.

Inside was an adorable yellow kitten with orange stripes. I cooed and picked the little thing up, holding it against my face as it 'mewed' at me. Its fur was silky soft, and as I held it against me, it rubbed its face against mine. Pulling the kitten away from my face and cradling it in my arms, I looked up at Mort.

"It's a girl," he said, smiling. "Do you have a name for her?"

I smiled as I looked down at the kitten, which was falling asleep in my arms. "I think I'll call her Bubbles," I said.

Mort laughed. "Bubbles? Why Bubbles?"

I smiled. "Because it's a favorite cartoon character of mine with blonde hair," I replied, sticking my tongue out at him. "And because it's cute to say."

Mort chuckled and pulled a chair out for me. "Well, you can play with Bubbles after breakfast, when she's awake," he said.

I obeyed and set the sleeping Bubbles back in her box, leaving the lid open so she could breathe. It took a while to eat everything that Mort had cooked up, but we managed. Once the dishes were clean, Mort brought out all of the stuff he had bought for the kitten, everything from toys to litter box stuff, and some food made for young cats. We set up the litter box in the kitchen, opened the food and toys, and made a bed for her in an old basket with lots of old, clean cloths. The cat bed was set up in the bedroom, the toys were scattered around all the rooms in the cabin, and a dish of food was left in both the study and the kitchen, since they were the rooms I frequented the most.

By the time everything was set up, Bubbles was awake, so I fed and bathed her before joining Mort up in the study. With Bubbles in my lap, we all settled down and spent the day in quiet contentment.


Six weeks later: Amber's POV:

Time passed amazingly quickly after I'd gotten Bubbles. I should have been bored out of my mind, or getting cabin fever, but it never happened. I guess it's because I'm an indoor person, and don't mind being cooped up inside for long periods of time, as long as I have something to do. Here, I had tons of books to read, since Mort bought me a new book every week or so. Plus, Mort frequently had me go over his work, so I was always occupied somehow, and I had Bubbles to take care of.

Meanwhile, Mort had worked on his story until finally finishing it over two weeks ago. Up until his given deadline, he'd had me read and edit the entire thing before shipping it off to his agent and publishing company. Oddly enough, he was extremely excited about it, saying that it had to be the best thing he'd ever written. Since I'd had a preview of it, I had to admit he was right. His story is a novel about a man who loses the woman he loves when she leave him for another man. He then has a mental breakdown, and another woman ends up saving him from the torment and madness brought on when his first love left him. The story ends with a powerful, but happy, ending.

Okay, so basically it was the last few years of Mort's life put into a book, with him, Amy, Ted, and myself inserted into the text, but it was well done. I'd asked Mort if that was intentional, but all he did was smile and change the subject, so I left it alone. It really was a wonderful story, and his publishers would have to be idiots not to print it.

Presently, I lay on the couch in the living room, Bubbles on my chest and Mort sitting to my right on the floor, reading a novel that he had bought the day before. Our quiet afternoon was broken by a knock on the door. Mort immediately leapt up and ran to it, looking through the peephole.

"It's a UPS guy," he muttered.

"A UPS guy?" I echoed, sitting up on the couch. Bubbles mewed in protest, so I cradled her in my arms. "What would he be doing here?"

Mort simply shrugged before opening the door. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Mort Rainey?" the guy asked, looking at his clipboard. "I've got a letter for you from New York City." He handed over the letter and the clipboard. "Sign here, please."

Mort complied, and the guy sped off in his truck, leaving the two of us in complete surprise. Mort closed the door and came back over to the couch, tearing the envelope open as he sat next to me. He pulled out the message and read it. Suddenly, his jaw dropped.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"They're going to print my book!" Mort said, turning to look at me.

"Mort, that's great!" I said, smiling at him. I really was happy for him.

Still smiling, Mort's brown eyes sparkled as he picked up Bubbles and put her in her basket on the floor, his eyes turning an extremely dark shade of brown. "What do you say we celebrate?" he asked, his voice huskier than normal as he sat next to me, his hands running up my thighs.

I swallowed, but didn't say anything as Mort pushed me back onto the couch.


Mort's POV: Rated (R)

He could hear Amber gasp as he crushed his lips to hers, suddenly hungry for her. It had been over a week since he'd had her, and now he desperately needed her naked body under his. Pulling at her skirt, Mort quickly slid it down her thighs, loving how her skin felt under his hands. Once it was off, he busied himself with removing her top, undoing it button by button. Pulling the blouse open, Mort was extremely thankful that she hadn't worn a bra today. Bending his head down, he latched onto one of her breasts, licking and sucking it as he began pulling down her panties. He grinned as Amber gasped and clutched at his head, moaning as he suckled her breasts.

Once she was completely bare, Mort began undoing the tattered blue robe he was wearing. To his surprise, Amber began helping him. He looked at her and saw her give him a small, shy smile. It was the first time she had ever helped him undress. He smiled and once again crushed her lips beneath his, both of their hands busy with his robe and shirt. After his shirt was removed, Mort could feel Amber's hands on his chest, tentatively caressing his abs. He growled as her hands drifted up to his shoulders, caressing the skin there before wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Oh, God, Amber," Mort groaned, moving his lips to her neck, nipping gently and smiling as she gasped.

"Mort!" she gasped, arching her body up into him.

Loosening his pants, Mort quickly slid them down before thrusting hard into Amber's willing body. She cried out his name as he continued pushing deep into her, his hips gently rocking as her breathing and cries increased. Frantic for release, Mort began to speed up his thrusts, needing her to come with him.

"Harder," Amber whispered into his ear as she clutched him to her.

Growling, Mort obeyed. The sound of sex filled the room, and a moment later, two voices cried out as they came together. When it was over, they both collapsed onto the couch, exhausted and panting. As their breathing calmed, Mort looked up.

"Amber?" he whispered, scared that she would be angry with him. He was surprised to see her smile at him.

"I'm alright," she softly replied. "It's okay."

Smiling, Mort closed his eyes, and the two fell asleep.


A Month Later: Amber's POV:

After the publishers in New York decided to print his story, Mort was able to relax for about three weeks before the phone calls started coming in. After that, he was always on the phone with someone. I didn't know who it was because I'd been sick for the past few days. Okay, I wasn't sick, per say.

I was pregnant. With Mort's baby.

According to the calendar, I'd guess the first or second time we'd slept together had done it, and now, according to the three periods I'd missed, I was three months pregnant. Now, normally I wouldn't believe it, since I'd missed numerous periods in a row before and never thought anything of it. However, a person cannot argue with morning sickness and the desire to stay in bed for several days.

Since he thought I was just experiencing the stomach flu, Mort was trying to both tend to me and talk on the phone. In the end, I told Mort to just stick with the phone and I'd stay on the couch in the living room, where the phone was, so he could be nearby in case I needed anything. I was so tired that the phone couldn't wake me up no matter how close it was to my ears, so it was a good arrangement. But after a week of me being sick with no sign of getting remotely better, Mort started to worry a bit. Presently, he was trying to think of what was wrong with me, if I wasn't experiencing the flu.

"What else makes a woman sick like this?" he muttered to himself, pacing the floor.

I was lying down on the couch with Bubbles purring on my chest as I tried to get some rest. A plate of crackers was on the table next to me, as well as a glass of water, since they were only two things I could keep down. Bubbles' purring was keeping me calm and soothed, but Mort's worried mumbling was totally countering it. Groaning, I turned my head towards him to tell him what was wrong with me, since it was obviously the only way to get him to calm down.

"Mort?" I said, grabbing his attention. He instantly raced to my side, kneeling down next to me and grabbing my hand. "There's something I have to tell you."

"What is it, Beautiful?" he whispered, stroking my forehead.

"Mort…" I trailed off, closing my eyes. "Mort, I'm pregnant." I kept my eyes closed as I waited for his response.

Silence. Total and eerie silence.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. His intense brown eyes had completely glazed over, and his mouth was partly open. I raised my free hand to touch his face, snapping him out of his daze. Mort then looked down at me and blinked.

"Pregnant?" he asked quietly. "Are you sure? I mean, it's not just the stomach flu or something?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Mort, I haven't had my period in three months, since the first night we…you know."

That was enough of a hint for Mort. "Oh," he whispered, releasing my hand. He suddenly stood up. "I have to think a minute." In an instant, he was gone, vanishing upstairs into the bedroom.

I stared. He'd never walked out on me before. Could he not want the baby? Hell, it's not like I wanted a baby with a man who had abducted me, a baby that was the result of him forcing himself on me! Yes, I wanted a baby in my life, but not like this! Covering my eyes with my hand, I quietly cried myself to sleep, Bubbles coming to rub against my face and purr me into dreams.


Mort's POV:

Pacing the floor of the bedroom, Mort tried to figure out what was happening.

'Pregnant?' he thought to himself. 'Amber is pregnant?'

Oh, God, it was a miracle! This was amazing! This was a second chance for Mort to become a father! He'd thought it could never happen, especially after he and Amy had lost the baby, but here it was, as second chance at fatherhood!

And he had run out on Amber after she'd told him…oh, dear.

Racing back downstairs, Mort found Amber asleep on the couch, Bubbles purring on her chest and dried tears on her cheeks. Kneeling down beside her, Mort decided a major apology was due the minute she woke up. Sitting down on the floor and leaning so that his back was against the couch, Mort closed his eyes and fell asleep, dreaming of their baby and the life they could have together.

AN: I'm sorry if this chapter is too sappy or cute, but please review!