Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with TNA. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination.
Chapter Content & Trigger Warnings: None this chapter

Chapter 43

Joe and Ella walked into their hotel room in Denver the next night, after Jeff insisted they rest.

"Y'all have both been through a nightmare. You need to go and get some sleep," he'd told them. "I'll stay here with Miracle and call you if anything comes up."

Reluctantly, the couple finally agreed and checked into a hotel room only a few blocks away.

Ella was nervous.

I have to tell Joe about what Fournier made me do for him, she thought. He has a right to know, and he's got the right to divorce me if he wants. The thought broke her heart, but she wanted to get the discussion over with so she could finally relax, whatever came her way.

"Joe..." she said softly, sitting down on the edge of the large bed. "I... We need to talk."

Joe looked at her, concern and worry on his face. "Are you sure you don't want to try to get a little sleep first?"

She shook her head. "No. I need to get this out in the open. If you're going to leave me, I want to know now."

"Leave you," Joe asked, sitting down beside her. "lo'u alofa, why would I leave you?"

"Fournier raped me," Ella said softly, unable to meet her husband's eyes. "It wasn't just an attempt this time, Joe. He raped me. Many times."

"Baby, I know that. That's not going to make me leave you."

Ella managed to look over at him then, "But... he also..."

"What," Joe asked. "What else did he do to you?"

"He told me that... He'd kill Miracle if I didn't..."

Joe's hand came up and his thumb traced over her cheekbone. "You can tell me, honey."

"He made me have sex with him. Not like—where he forced himself on me. He made me..." She struggled for the right word as a knot formed in her throat. Tears burned her eyes. "He made me seduce him, for lack of a better term."

Joe cursed, anger evident in his voice.

"I'm so sorry, Joe," Ella cried, turning away from him. The shame of what she'd done burned like a ball of acid in her stomach. "He said he'd kill her. I didn't have a choice-"

She felt Joe's arms go around her then and then his hand stroked over her hair. "I'm not angry at you, honey," he told her. "I'm angry at that monster for everything he did to you."

"I'm still sorry," Ella sobbed. "I feel so filthy. He said he'd let her live if I did it. And then a few weeks later, he's tossing her into the cage with me and threatening to kill her again." Her body shuddered from her sobs, and Joe held her tighter.

"That piece of garbage held you in a cage," Joe asked. "God, baby, I'm so sorry I couldn't find you."

"Shh," Ella shifted so she was holding on to Joe as well, and comforted him in return. "It wasn't your fault, Joe. Fournier was just really good at disappearing. "I'm just so very grateful to be safe again. I'm so relieved that he's dead and he can't hurt anyone anymore." She reached up and kissed him softly on the mouth. "I love you."

"I love you," Joe whispered, gazing into her eyes and returning her kiss.

"Please, be patient with me," Ella asked softly. "I don't know when I'll be ready to make love again."

"I'll wait as long as I have to," Joe replied, tracing his thumb over her bottom lip. "I'll never push you."

"I know," Ella nodded. "And I want you to know... It has nothing to do with you. It's me." She swallowed, buying time to gather her thoughts, and continued. "I told you earlier, that I feel so filthy. And it's true. I need time—maybe even counseling—in order to come to terms with what Fournier made me do. Even though I know I had no choice, there's still a little voice in my head telling me that I cheated on you—betrayed you. I need to forgive myself."

Joe pulled her closer in his embrace and rubbed soothing circles over her back with his hand. "I understand. I don't believe you did anything to need forgiveness for, but I understand that what you feel is what matters. So, take all the time you need. I'll always be here, lo'u alofa."

"Joe, thank you so much," Ella whispered. "I'll never understand how I became so blessed."

Joe smiled down at her. "I'm the one who's blessed." He kissed her lightly on the mouth again. "Now, let's both lie down and sleep for a while. I think we need it."

Ella nodded and scooted under the covers. Joe pulled her close to him again and whispered, "I hope you don't mind me holding you, honey. I need to. It's been so long since I got to hold you when you were sleeping."

"I don't mind at all," she whispered sleepily. "I've dreamed of this so many times over the past twelve years. I can't believe it's real."

"It's real," Joe said, kissing the top of her head, and settling against the pillows. "Get some sleep, lo'u alofa."

}i{}i{}i{}i{

Finn sat in his usual spot whenever he visited Miracle—the armchair next to her bed. He kept vigil over her ever since her fever returned.

"It's nothing to be alarmed about," her doctor assured her family and visitors. "It's quite normal. We'll get it taken care of."

While the fever wasn't quite high enough to be life-threatening, it was keeping the girl exhausted and restless—even while she slept, not to mention the vivid nightmares it elicited. And her high temperature was proving to be quite persistent. She was given alternating doses of Tylenol and Advil, and a strong round of antibiotics through her IV. Slowly, but surely, the medication was working—gradually bringing her fever down a little at a time.

Finn was about to doze off in his chair, when he heard a soft cry from Miracle. His head shot up and watched her for a moment, making sure she was all right. Her small frame jolted in the hospital bed, a whimper bursting from her lips as she shivered.

"Miracle," he whispered, rising to his feet and standing over her. He reached over the railing and placed the back of his hand against her cheek, then her forehead. "Still burnin' up," he murmured softly. He punched in the call button on the bed's control panel and spoke when the nurse greeted him. "Miracle's fever is still up. I think she may need another dose of something for it."

"Alright, dear," the older woman said kindly. "I'll be right there with the doctor to check her over."

"Thank you," Finn said, stress evident in his tone. Then he went over to the sink and flipped on the water faucet, wetting down a washcloth in the cold water.

"Please," Miracle gasped in her sleep suddenly. "Don't! Don't... hurt... th-them!"

Finn hurried back over to her, and gently placed the cool, soothing cloth against her hot forehead. She flinched away from his touch till he whispered softly in her ear. "Wake up, sweetheart. It's okay. You're safe. Níl aon duine ag dul a ghortú leat."

Her eyes shot open and gazed up into his, panic flashing through their onyx depths.

"Finn," she said softly. "Thank God... I just had a horrible..."

"I know, lass," he whispered. "You were cryin' out in your sleep." He dabbed at her hot skin with the cool cloth. "Your fever's still up. The doctor is coming to check you over."

"I feel hot and cold at the same time—and wet," she whispered miserably.

He nodded. "You're sweating. I think the fever's trying to break, but it's being a wee bit stubborn."

"I've always had trouble with fevers," Miracle said. "Whenever I get sick, Mom has a hard time getting my temperature to go back down again."

Dr. Samuels and a nurse entered the room then, and Finn took a seat in the chair again while they checked Miracle's temperature and other vitals.

"Yes, your fever is still a little too elevated, but I can feel a difference. I think it'll break completely, soon." He turned his attention to the nurse and said softly, "Get her a double dose of Ibuprofen, and see if that takes care of it ."

The nurse left the room to get the medicine, and Dr. Samuels checked Miracle over some more. "As soon as we get your temperature regulated, we'll try moving you to a regular hospital room. We'll keep an eye on you for a couple of days then and see how you do. If you do well, we'll see about discharging you." He paused for a moment and glanced at Finn, "Are you a family member?"

Finn shook his head, "More of a family friend," he said softly.

"Well, I'll go over this with you a little and discuss it with her parents when they're here. Miracle will need to take care of herself, more than a typical girl her age." He looked at Miracle directly then. "You're going to have to eat very healthy—low sodium, low fat, low sugar if any. You'll need to exercise—lightly at first, and then more strenuously in time. Start out taking a five minute walk a couple times a day, then work your way up to a light jog. I'll give you and your parents some reading so you'll know exactly what to do, or not do."

Miracle nodded. "Thank you, Doctor."

The doctor smiled warmly and patted her shoulder. "Oh, your hospital gown is drenched. I'll send for a couple of aides to come change your sheets and get you a fresh gown so you'll be more comfortable."

"Thank you," the girl repeated. "That would be wonderful."

He left the room and in a couple of minutes, the nurse returned along with two aides. She handed Miracle a little medicine cup with a large, white caplet in it, and a cup of iced water.

After taking the pill, the aides set about changing her sheets.

"Here, if you hold on to us, we'll set you over-"

"I got 'er," Finn said, stepping forward. He bent down and lifted her up into his arms as her arms linked around his neck. He sat down in his chair, settling her in his lap so the aides could change the bed clothes out.

Miracle felt her heart speed up as Finn's arms held her. Fatigue settled in and she relaxed against him, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent.

"Thank you, sir," one of the aides said. "That makes this a lot easier and quicker."

He nodded in return and looked down at Miracle's face, noting the dark circles under her eyes. "Are ya okay, lass," he asked. Running his finger over one of the dark circles.

She nodded, "Yes, just really tired. I've never felt so tired in my life."

"I can only imagine," Finn said. "You'll feel better soon."

"Are Mom and Daddy doing okay," she asked, opening her eyes and looking up into his face.

He nodded his head, "Yes, they're doing great considering what they've been through. Don't worry about them," he said. "Concentrate on getting well."

"Okay, we're done here. Sir, if you could lay her back down on the bed and step outside for a moment, we'll see about helping her change into this clean gown."

"Sure," Finn replied. He rose up again, and gently deposited Miracle onto the bed, then stepped out into the hallway, till minutes later, when the aides came out and told him he could go back inside.

Then he re-entered the room and took his usual place, watching over Miracle as she fell asleep again.

}i{}i{}i{}i{

Joe and Ella learned the next morning that Jeff had informed their TNA family about Ella being found. This of course, meant a get-together—and soon.

Joe had just hung up from Jeff's phone call when he'd turned to face Ella's horrified face.

"I need a quick shopping trip, Joe," she'd cried, looking down at herself. The scrubs she still wore just wouldn't do. "They can't see me for the first time in over twelve years looking like this!"

So with that, they got into his car and he drove them to a nearby department store so Ella could pick out some maternity clothes. Less than an hour and a couple of shopping bags later, she felt less anxious.

"Feel better about a visit now," Joe smiled, kissing her on the cheek as they headed back out to his car.

"Yes, much," she replied. "I'll take a shower, put on a little make-up and a dress—I'll be fine," she smiled.

And true to her word, as soon as they got back to their room, she did exactly that—she went into the bathroom and took a quick shower, then dried her hair. Only a little over an hour had passed by the time she applied a little makeup and pulled on an ankle-length maternity dress.

And then there was an insistent knocking at the door.

"Okay, now I'm anxious again," Ella whispered. "What will they think of me—knowing I left my family and friends behind?"

"They'll understand just like Jeff did, and just like I did after my shock wore off," Joe told her, with a quick kiss to the tip of her nose.

She nodded as Joe moved to open the door, though her eyes still held apprehension.

A few seconds later, the room was quite crowded with AJ, Alex and Shelley, Angelina, and Talia, Kurt Angle and Steve Borden.

"The whole roster wanted to come, but Dixie of course couldn't allow it," AJ was telling Joe. Then it was as if everyone's eyes shifted over to Ella simultaneously.

"ELLA!"

Talia and Angelina both flew at Ella and grabbed her into a fierce hug, happy tears streaming down their faces. "Oh, my God! I still can't believe it," Talia cried.

Ella's own eyes welled with tears as she hugged her two close friends. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, not trusting her voice to speak any louder. "I just... I had to-"

"We know, sweetie," Angelina said, squeezing Ella's hand. "And we understand. We all do."

Then their eyes fell on her round stomach. "You're pregnant," they exclaimed in unison.

Ella nodded with a smile.

The two women glanced at each other before returning their gazes to Ella.

"So, is it..." Talia began awkwardly.

"It's Joe's. A baby boy," Ella replied happily. "We had some brief time together before Fournier got to me. And Joe explained to me how his P.I. found out Fournier was sterile. Thank God."

Angel nodded in agreement. "We're so sorry you went through all that, Ella. But we're so glad to have you back."

AJ moved forward then and approached Ella. She looked up at his face and then shifted her gaze downward, shame written all over her face.

"AJ, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am—for what I did to you. I didn't mean to hurt you, I just—I had to do something. I knew you wouldn't let me leave-"

Her words cut off as she was crushed up against AJ's chest and enfolded in his arms. "Shhh," he shushed her gently and kissed the top of her head. "I'm just so grateful you're alive, sweetheart."

Ella sobbed then and wrapped her arms around his waist, returning his hug. "I'm grateful to be alive and to have everyone's forgiveness."

Kurt tugged her over to his embrace next and hugged her tight. "Nothing to forgive, hon. You were just trying to find a way to survive and protect everyone."

Before she knew it, Ella was passed over to Steve and then Alex and Shelley—who both seemed unsure of how to hug her around her belly. She laughed and pulled them both into an embrace. "I'm pregnant guys—not made out of glass."

Minutes later, when the bittersweetness of the reunion was passed, things seemed to return to the way they were before Ella's disappearance.

"We heard about your daughter," Steve said softly, as they all sat around catching up. "Is she going to be okay?"

Ella nodded, taking Joe's hand in hers. "Yes, thank God. Fournier poisoned her. He was a botantist and very smart where toxins were concerned. He developed one and used it on Miracle. It gave her a heart attack—so she's now faced with having a heart condition the rest of her life. But, the doctor says if she takes care of herself it should be manageable."

"We're so sorry, Ella," Talia said. "But glad to hear she'll be fine. We can't wait to meet her. Jeff says she looks like both of you." She smiled warmly. "We're all here for you. And we'll do anything we can to help you guys out, you know that."

Ella nodded again, "I know. And I can't thank you all enough for your support and devotion." She looked over at Joe and smiled, a dreamy expression crossing her face. "I never thought I'd be free to live again—let alone have love in my life again." She smiled at them all then. "Somehow, I feel like my life is just truly beginning."

Translations (According to Google Translate):

"Níl aon duine ag dul a ghortú leat." - "No one is going to hurt you."