Killian would have been perfectly happy to stay in the chair with Emma in his arms all night, but he knew it would eventually get uncomfortable. After she told him she loved him, they'd shared some more kisses, then talked for a while before she dozed off again. When she began to stir, he shifted a bit to make it easier for her to sit up.
As soon as her eyes opened, they focused on him and she smiled. "Hey, Babe," she whispered, her voice rough from sleep.
"Hello, Beautiful," he replied with a bright smile.
"I'm really great company, huh? I keep falling asleep."
"I don't believe you staying awake was part of the deal when I decided to stay," he grinned. "My job is to take care of you, and you" he tapped his finger on the end of her nose, "are to do whatever it takes to recover, which includes sleeping, when you feel the need."
Despite the circumstances that had him staying at her house, and the threat of being arrested as an accomplice to her attempted murder, his heart was lighter than it had been in a very, very long time.
"Yes, sir!" she replied, in mock seriousness, then broke into giggles. Killian couldn't help but laugh with her, as he listened to the beautiful sound.
He stopped as he heard bells ringing. "Evie must need to go out," he said, recognizing the jingle bells hanging on the back door that Emma had trained the puppy to hit.
"Oh, I'll get her," Emma said, turning in his lap to stand up.
"Uh-uh," he corrected. "I'll take care of her. You stay sitting until you're sure you can stand up without getting dizzy." He eased out of the chair, and went to get the leash hanging by the sliding glass doors.
"Killian, wait!" Emma said, sounding a little panicky. "Is the front door locked?"
"I think so…" he started to answer, then took a look at her face. The color was draining out of it and her eyes were wide. Bidding the little dog to sit and stay, he dashed across the room to double check the lock on the door.
"It's locked, Sweetheart," he reassured her, stopping to place a kiss on the crown of her head.
"Thanks," she breathed, clearly relieved.
He fastened the leash onto Evie's collar, turned on the outside light, and slid the back doors open to take her out. He hoped she would be quick to do her business, so he could get back to his girlfriend.
Emma wasn't in the living room when he returned. He hung up the leash, locked the door and tested it, and pulled the vertical blinds closed.
"Swan?" he called, walking down the hall toward her bedroom.
"I'm in here," she answered from the bathroom.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm just...trying to put on my pajamas."
"Do you...do you need help?"
"I, ugh! I thought I could get this sling off myself, but it's too tight."
"Can you let me in?"
The bathroom door opened and Emma stepped back so Killian could enter the room. She shuffled her feet as she looked down.
"Sorry, I really thought I could do this on my own."
Killian found the metal loops that the strap slipped through and started gently tugging at it. "First of all, Love, I don't want to hear you apologizing for needing help, and secondly, you don't have to do things on your own. I've told you that's what I'm here for, and you have your family and numerous friends to help with your recovery, too." He paused until she finally looked up at him. "No more apologies, Sweetheart. Got it?"
"Got it," she agreed.
"And you'll ask for help when you need it?"
"I will."
During their exchange, he had loosened the strap, allowing him to slip it over her head. When he did, he realized that she'd already unbuttoned her shirt and it came open, exposing her lacy bra and the creamy skin above it. He swallowed as he tried to shake the thoughts of kissing every inch of that skin from his mind.
He looked up to meet her eyes and wondered if she'd known what he was thinking. Her cheeks had some extra color in them, which led him to believe that she did.
Clearing his throat, he carefully removed the sling from her arm. Now he could also see the wrap around her midsection that was helping to immobilize her ribs, while also hiding the bandaging over the stitches in her side.
"I, uh, I think you might have to help me take my shirt off, too," she informed him. "I had a difficult time doing that when I changed earlier this evening. That is, if you don't mind."
"I don't. Let's, um, let's start with getting your right arm out of the sleeve."
Working together, they got her shirt off. Killian went very slowly, but he still heard soft gasps of pain from her a couple of times.
"Where would you like for me to put this?" he asked, holding up the shirt.
"I only wore it for a few hours. You can hang it on the hook on the back of the door so I can wear it again tomorrow. I wanted to change out of that T-shirt this afternoon because it still smelled like a hospital." She wrinkled up her nose adorably.
He chuckled, then ran his hand softly over her left shoulder. "How much pain are you having from this?"
"Not a lot. I just get twinges when I move it wrong. The best thing is to keep the movement as minimal as possible so the ligaments can heal."
Killian continued to caress her shoulder, then he leaned forward to press some tender kisses to it. Her heart felt like it was melting from the sweetness he was showing. When he looked at her from under his long eyelashes with those blue, blue eyes, she suddenly forgot that she was injured. She stepped closer and brushed her lips against his twice, before sucking his bottom lip into her mouth to run her tongue across it.
Killian responded by wrapping his arms around her and flicking his tongue against hers, before delving into her warm, welcoming mouth. He ran his hand up and down her back, and then around to her side, skimming his fingers across the lacy material that covered her breasts.
Without thinking, Emma started to reach up to put her arms around his neck, and instantly felt a bolt of pain radiate from her shoulder. She winced and pulled back.
"I'm so sorry, Emma!" Killian exclaimed. "I didn't mean...I forgot for a moment...you're just so...so beautiful and so damn sexy, and I got carried away! I'm sorry!"
"Hey, it's okay! I...I wanted it, too." She ran her right hand along his jaw. "How could I not, when I have such a hot boyfriend who I love so much?"
Her words and smile helped him to relax a bit. "I love you, too." He gave her one more sweet kiss. "We, uh, we should finish...getting you into your pajamas."
"I think I can handle the rest, if you need to, um, go get changed." She had felt the effect their intimate exchange had on him, and knew he could probably use some time to calm himself.
His face filled with color when he realized what she'd meant. "Yeah, I should...probably do that. What else do you need, Emma?"
She smirked, but decided not to make any comments that might embarrass him further. "Umm, it's time for me to ice my shoulder again, and for another dose of ibuprofen. Oh, and I'll need your help putting my sling back on."
He kissed her cheek. "Okay. I'm gonna change my clothes and try to find my toothbrush. After I grab the ice and ibuprofen and put them by your bed, I'll be back outside this door."
She smiled her appreciation and he left the bathroom. When he got into the spare bedroom, he sank down onto the bed. He took several deep breaths and tried to think of something besides how Emma's lips had tasted, and the softness of her skin. Finally, he stood and removed his clothes, sighing with relief when the zipper of his jeans was no longer pressing against him. He pulled on a pair of loose sleep pants and a worn T-shirt, then headed to the kitchen. Pulling an ice pack out of the freezer, he pressed it against his groin over his clothes for several seconds, before returning it to the freezer, and retrieving another one to take to his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Emma was imagining what would have happened if the pain hadn't ruined the moment. It had been years since she'd slept with anyone, and never with someone whom she loved. She knew that when she was finally recovered enough to take the next step with Killian, it would be an entirely different experience.
When they'd both gotten into their pajamas, he helped her put the sling back on, and they brushed their teeth. Then they went into her bedroom, where he adjusted her pillow and helped her into a sitting position against the headboard of her bed.
She took the two pills he'd set out for her, and he very gingerly applied the ice pack.
Evie wandered into the room, yawning. Killian picked her up and handed her to Emma for a cuddle and a kiss, before he placed her in the bed that her owner kept for her in the corner of the bedroom.
While Emma was icing her shoulder, he brought in her laptop and they found a show to watch on Netflix. He was sitting beside her on the bed, and she leaned her head on his shoulder for the duration of the show.
"Are you...okay?" she asked, looking at him slyly with a raised eyebrow.
The tips of his ears reddened. "I'm fine. I really should be asking you that question."
She snuggled into his side as he put his arm around her. "I'm good. I'm actually feeling pretty cozy right now." She looked up at him to share a smile.
When the show was over, Killian went into the kitchen to return the ice pack to the freezer, and came back with a plate of saltine crackers, a bottle of water, and her prescription bottle. He set everything on the table next to her bed, then loosened the lid on the bottle of water, and put two pills on the plate with the crackers.
"If you wake up and are in pain, eat the crackers first, then take your meds," he explained.
"Thanks, Babe."
He helped his girlfriend slide down in her bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Then he turned and picked up her alarm clock. "I'm not sure what time your family is coming over tomorrow, but your father said he would make your favorite breakfast, so I'm assuming fairly early. Do you want me to set an alarm?"
When she didn't answer, he turned his attention back to her, and saw that her face had gone ashen and her lips were trembling.
"What's wrong, my love?" he asked, concern creasing his forehead as he sat down beside her, smoothing her hair away from her temple.
"She was in here."
"I know, but she's gone and she can't…"
"No, Killian. She was in here - in my house, in my bedroom! Remember last week when my bedroom door was open and the picture was facedown? That was her! She told me so herself."
He had thought he couldn't be angrier at Milah, or think any less of her. He was wrong.
"She broke in and went through your house? While we were at the park? The police need to know about that, so they can add the charge of breaking and entering to the list! How could I have ever been so stupid to become involved with someone like her?"
He stopped his rant to look at his girlfriend, who looked so vulnerable with her eyes wide and her right hand gripping the top of the bedsheet until her knuckles turned white.
"I'm sorry, Emma. I'm so, so sorry that she did all of this to you. I wish..."
"It's not your fault, Killian, and don't ever think that it is! She's...something's wrong with her. She couldn't have said those things to you, and then did what she did to me, if she was in her right mind. I have no doubt when they evaluate her, they'll find out she has some sort of mental illness. There's just no other explanation."
"I hope so, and I hope she gets the help she needs, but I also hope that they lock her up for a long time for what she did." He pressed kisses to her hairline, temple, nose and finally her lips. "She won't be able to hurt you again, Emma. I'll make sure of that."
"I guess I should've taken her threat seriously."
Killian drew back to look at her. "What threat?"
"That day at the medal ceremony, right before she left. She told me it wasn't over, and that you belonged to her."
"I must've tuned her out by then, because I didn't hear her say it. That's another thing you should tell the police when they interview you, Emma."
She sighed. "I suppose they'll want to do that pretty soon."
"I'm sure they will. I'm a little surprised they haven't already. I think sometimes they even go to the hospital to talk to the victim."
"I probably wouldn't have made much sense at that time."
"I'm not sure the doctor would have allowed them to talk to you," he commented. "Well, you need to get some sleep, Sweetheart. Are you comfortable enough?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep flat on my back all night. I usually sleep on my left side, but that's not gonna happen for a while."
"Would you like to be propped up on another pillow?"
"That might help. There's another one on the top shelf in my closet."
He found it and helped her sit up so he could slide it under her head and shoulders. "Better?" he asked.
"Thanks, that feels much better."
Killian leaned down to kiss her once more. "Sleep well, Emma. If you need me during the night, I'm right next…"
"Will you stay with me?"
He looked puzzled. "Absolutely, Love. I told you I'd stay with you as long as you need…"
"No, I mean now. Will you stay here," she motioned to the bed beside her, "with me? I just, um, I don't think I'm ready to be by myself yet." She bit her lip as she waited for his response.
Killian sat down on the bed and took her hand. "If that's what you want, then of course I'll stay here with you." He saw her visibly relax. "I just need to get a couple of things. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
She nodded and he left the room. Soon he returned with a pillow from the other bed and a bottle of water, which he set on the floor beside the bed. She noticed that he'd also removed his prosthesis. He lifted the covers and carefully climbed in beside her.
He turned onto his left side so he could look at Emma, and saw that she was smiling at him. "I know this probably isn't the way you pictured sleeping with me for the first time."
He grinned. "You might be right about that." He reached over to wrap some of her silky hair around his finger.
"I love you, Killian, and as soon as it's physically possible, I want to show you just how much."
"As enticing as that sounds, we need you to heal first. Then we'll think about other more enjoyable activities." He moved forward and pressed his lips to hers, and she teased the seam of them with her tongue. His hand moved to tangle in her hair, pulling her a little closer.
Using every bit of self-control he could muster, Killian pulled back, but kept his forehead against hers. He nuzzled her nose with his own and whispered, "I love you, Emma. Someday soon, I'll make love to you, but I want both of us to be able to enjoy it. For now, you need to rest."
She nodded. "I know, but I'll be looking forward to that day."
"As will I. Good night, Sweetheart."
"Good night, Killian."
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It was 1:45 AM when Killian heard soft moans from Emma. He opened his eyes and let them adjust to the darkened room. When they did, he saw that her face was filled with tension and she was holding the left side of her rib cage.
He reached over and caressed her cheek as he spoke in a hushed tone. "Swan, are you awake?" When she didn't answer, he spoke a little louder, "Open your eyes, Emma. You need to take something to help you stop hurting."
Slowly, she peeled her eyes open, and even in the dim light, he could see they were full of pain.
"Oh, my love, I know it hurts. Let me help you." He slid his left arm between the two pillows she was laying on to raise her up a bit more. Then he reached across and took a cracker off the plate. Placing it in her right hand, he urged her to take a bite.
Emma nibbled at the cracker and, with her boyfriend's encouragement, had soon eaten the whole thing.
"That's my girl. Eat one more then you can take your meds."
She was more awake as she ate the second one, then he lifted her a little more so she could drink some water to wash down the pain pills.
"Thank you," she sighed. "I'm glad you were here."
"I am, too. Do you think you'll be able to go back to sleep?"
"Probably after the pills take effect."
"Is it your ribs?"
"Yeah, and my head. I just wish I could get rid of the constant ache and fuzzy feeling."
"It might take a little while, Sweetheart. I know it's frustrating, but it'll all be better eventually."
"You speak from experience, don't you? I'm sorry to complain. You had so much more to deal with and you didn't have anyone to help you through it, like I do."
"Hush now, Swan. Pain is pain and it's never pleasant. And I did have someone who helped me more than I think she knows - a certain gorgeous physical therapist who never gave up on me. You pushed me to keep going, and listened when I needed someone to talk to. If it weren't for you, well, I really don't know what I would've done."
"I'm very glad that you were referred to me. It changed my life, too."
They lay quietly in the dark as he tenderly stroked her hair in a soothing manner. After a while, he could feel the rigidity of her face and body starting to slacken.
"Feeling better?" he questioned.
"Mmmhmm," she hummed.
"Sleep then, Love. Sweet dreams."
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By the time August and Marco arrived the next morning, Emma was dressed, Killian had changed the bandages on her arm and put her sling back on, and Evie had been let out and fed.
Emma was sitting in the recliner with ice on her shoulder when they heard the knock at the door. Since August had sent Killian a text telling him what time they'd be there, he already knew who it was, but was careful to check anyway.
"Good morning!" Marco greeted as he walked into the room. "How is my dear girl today?"
"Pretty good," she answered. "I woke up with some pain in the middle of the night, but Killian was there to help me."
"Was it bad?" Marco worried.
"Not...terrible, but enough for me to have to take some pain meds. Killian made sure I had something to eat before I took them."
"It's a relief knowing that he's here with you. He's a good man, that one," Marco praised.
"He really is. He told me you promised to make my favorite breakfast this morning."
"I did, and I made sure you had all the ingredients. I'll go get it started."
While this exchange was going on, August was getting an update from Killian about how things went for Emma overnight.
"Thanks for being here for her. Dad and I really appreciate it, and I'm sure Emma does, too."
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I...I love your sister, August, and I'll do everything I can to help her through this."
August's face split into a grin. "I can't tell you how happy that makes me! Emma deserves a good man who loves her. Looks like she found one!"
Killian returned the smile. "I sincerely hope so. She's…" he looked over at her, "very, very special, and I feel privileged to be part of her life."
If Killian hadn't already proclaimed how he felt about Emma, August would've known just by seeing how the other man looked at her.
"We're all glad that you are, Killian."
"Thanks, that means a lot to me." He turned back to August. "Now that you're here, I'm going to take a shower." He turned and headed toward the bathroom.
Just as Emma got up to go into the kitchen with her father, her phone began to buzz. She looked over at her brother, who picked it up. She could only hear one end of the conversation, but eventually she figured out that it must be someone calling from the police station.
When August ended the call, he explained, "The police department is sending two officers over in about an hour to get your statement, Em. I guess they called the hospital yesterday and found out you'd already been sent home. They asked for you to come to them, but I told them no. I don't think you need to be in a busy police station with all the fluorescent lights. They also wanted to meet with you alone, but I explained that someone needs to be with you all the time. I don't think it's a good idea for Killian to be here, though."
"Maybe he could take Evie for a walk to the park when they get here. It makes no sense that they're considering him a suspect! That makes me so angry!"
"I know, but there's no reason to get yourself upset about it. They'll figure out he had absolutely nothing to do with it. The truth is on our side."
"You're right. I just hope it doesn't take too long. He's been through enough. He doesn't need these accusations on top of everything else."
Killian came into the kitchen about ten minutes later, just as Marco was putting pancakes and scrambled eggs onto four plates and August was pouring orange juice. He caught Emma sneaking a piece of bacon off a plate, but she just grinned and shrugged, as she took a large bite of it. Killian shook his head, but smiled.
The meal was delicious and they all enjoyed good conversation in between mouthfuls.
"These eggs and pancakes are the best I've ever tasted," Killian complimented. "Are there special ingredients you put into them?"
"I think he uses magic," Emma answered. "No matter how hard I try, I can never make them taste as good."
"Tis not magic, Cygnet," Marco smiled. "I just make them with a little extra…"
"Love?" August threw in.
"...nutmeg," Marco finished. "At least for the pancakes. For the eggs? Well, I'll keep that a secret for a while longer," he chuckled.
After the table was cleared and the dishes were cleaned, August told Killian about the police officers coming over. He could tell that Killian was upset about having to leave the house, but he didn't protest.
"They should be here in a few minutes," August said.
"Right, well, I guess you and I are going for a walk, Evie," Killian said, heading to the back door to grab her leash and a toy out of her basket.
"You can wait until they actually get here," Emma told him.
"No thanks. I'd rather not have them looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal."
He walked over to his girlfriend to give her a kiss before he left, and saw that she looked agitated.
"Don't worry about me, Love. The truth will come out in the end. Just tell them what you know, and don't forget to include the threat Milah made and how she broke into your house."
"I won't." She put her hand on the back of his head and rubbed it softly as she kissed him. "I'll see you soon. August is gonna call you when they leave." She summoned Evie up into the chair with her. "Be good, little one. Have fun on your walk."
Killian attached the leash to the wiggling puppy's collar, and coaxed her to jump down to the floor. With one more wave to everyone, they went out the front door.
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Killian had been at the park for over half-an-hour, and had almost worn Evie out playing fetch in the fenced-off section for dogs, when he decided to sit on a bench to give them both a break. He wondered how the questioning was going and hoped it wasn't wearing Emma out too much.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone sit down on the other end of the bench.
"Good morning, Killian."
He turned to the person who had spoken. "Mary Margaret! What a nice surprise! How are you?" Leaning forward, he brushed a kiss to her cheek.
"I'm doing great!" she answered in her usual cheerful way. "I called Emma to see how she's feeling, and August told me that you were at the park, so I thought I'd join you."
"I'm certainly glad you did! I had to make myself scarce since police officers were coming by to talk to Emma."
"August told me that they questioned you as a suspect yesterday, but he didn't give me any details. That's absolutely ridiculous! Why would they think that?"
"Because Milah told them that we planned the attack together, so they have to investigate the claim."
"That vile, vile woman! I hope she gets put away for a long time!"
Killian chuckled darkly. "I hope so too, and I hope it's soon."
"If it comes down to it, David and I will definitely be character witnesses for you, but I really don't think it will. I'm sure they'll find out that her claims are totally false."
"Thanks. I appreciate the support."
"So, you're staying at the house with Emma, then?" Mary Margaret said, to change the subject.
"Yes, for as long as she needs me. I meant to ask you though - do you think you or Ruby could come over and wash Emma's hair, and maybe even attempt to help her take a shower? I know she tried to wash up yesterday, but it's really difficult, and I don't think she'd be comfortable with me trying to help."
"Of course! Not a problem!" she said, while rubbing her belly.
Killian realized just how pregnant his friend had become. "I can call Ruby if you think it's…"
"No, it's no trouble at all! I'll talk to Ruby to see if we can get a schedule figured out to help her for a couple of weeks. Do you want me to come over this afternoon?"
"Can we play it by ear? I don't know how she'll be feeling after meeting with the police. It might drain her physically and emotionally, especially when she has to recall everything that happened to her."
Mary Margaret nodded. "That's true. Well, just let me know. Oh, David and I are planning to go to the grocery to pick up anything that the two of you need. Would you be able to make a list for us?"
"Sure. We'll probably visit with Marco and August for a while, since they're leaving to go back home later today. I'm sure Emma will sleep after they leave, so I'll work on it then."
"Just text it to me when you're finished."
"I will. Thanks for doing that."
They sat watching Evie sniff at a bug on the sidewalk, until Mary Margaret turned to Killian and asked, "You're in love with her, aren't you, Killian?"
He was a little taken by surprise, but recovered quickly. "Yes, I am. Is it that obvious?"
"It is to me, but I've been told, mostly by Emma, that I'm a hopeless romantic. After the time that we spent together at the hospital, it was easy to come to that conclusion. I know what a man in love looks like. I live with one, after all!"
Killian laughed. "Aye, that's for sure!"
"Have you told her yet? I mean, if you don't mind my asking."
"Not at all. I told her yesterday at the hospital, but before she could say anything, a nurse came in and sort of spoiled the moment."
"So you don't know if she feels the same about you?"
"We had time to talk last night, and she told me that she loves me, too."
Mary Margaret was just barely able to resist squealing out loud at that news, but she did throw her arms around her friend to hug him.
"I'm so happy for the two of you!" she gushed. "I had a feeling that if you both gave it a chance, something special would develop between you!"
Killian was beaming. Just as he started to respond, his phone began to buzz. "Excuse me," he said, sliding his thumb across the screen. He spoke a few words then ended the call and returned the phone to his back pocket.
"That was August. The policemen finished questioning Emma, so I'm gonna head back."
"Okay. Give her our love, and don't forget about the list. We're going to the store after David gets home from work, then we'll drop the groceries off to you. We'll pick up dinner for all of us, too."
"Sounds good. Thanks very much for coming over to keep me company. You helped take my mind off of worrying about how things were going for Emma." He pulled her into a warm hug, then kissed her on the cheek.
"You're welcome. It was nice to get out of the house for a little walk, and to spend time with a good friend." She bent down and petted Evie a few times. "I'll see you this evening!"
They parted ways, and Killian picked up the little dog to carry her so he could get back to Emma more quickly.
When he got back, a police cruiser was still sitting along the curb. He was debating whether he should go into the house or wait outside, when the door opened and the two officers who had questioned him the day before came out. They recognized him and walked over to meet him.
"Mr. Jones," one officer greeted. "Dr. Swan told us that you're staying here with her."
"Yes, I am," he answered. "That's okay, isn't it?"
"It's up to her, as long as she feels comfortable with that arrangement, and she seems to."
The other policeman spoke up, "So far, we haven't found any evidence to substantiate Ms. Gold's claims."
"And you won't, because they are completely fabricated. Am I still considered a suspect?"
"Not at this time, but don't go far, in case we need to call you back in for further questioning."
"I'll be right here," he replied, motioning to the house.
"That's good to know. Have a good day, Mr. Jones."
"Thanks. You too."
He turned and went into the house, forgetting to knock in his hurry. Marco and August were the only ones in the room to his relief, when he remembered how nervous Emma had been about people coming to the door.
"Is everything alright? Where's Emma?" he asked, all in one breath.
"She's in her bedroom laying down," August answered. "She's exhausted."
Marco looked at him with sadness etched in his face. "She was so brave, our girl. She had to tell them everything that happened. It was...it was very hard to listen to all of it."
August nodded his agreement. "We all told them how you had nothing to do with what happened. I don't think they wrote down what Dad and I said because it was off the record, but at least we said our two cents worth."
"Thanks for that. They just told me outside that I'm not being considered a suspect anymore, at least for now." He handed Evie to August. "Could you please get her a treat? I want to go see how Emma's doing."
"Sure. Come on little moochie-poochie, let's get you a treaty-wheaty" August said in a baby talk voice.
Killian smiled at his antics, and headed down the hallway. The blinds were pulled to darken Emma's bedroom, but with the little light they did let in, he was able to make out her form on the bed. She was curled up on her right side in a fetal position, which he worried would cause a pull on her shoulder and ribs.
He walked around the bed and carefully sat down on the mattress. He wasn't sure if she was awake or not, until she spoke.
"I'm glad that's over."
Scooting further onto the bed, he reached over and started rubbing soothing circles into her back. "Are you okay, Sweetheart?"
"I could lie and say yes, but I'm really not. Living through it once was awful enough. Having to tell all the details about it was just as bad, if not worse."
He laid down beside her and resumed rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry, Emma," he murmured, between pressing kisses to her face and hair. "What can I do to help?"
"Will you just stay here and hold me?"
"Aye, Love. I think I can manage that."
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