Hello all. Thank you for sticking with me!

Charles took her hand and gently pulled her down the hall. Elsie could feel the blood coursing through her veins, heat radiating through her body; spurred on by his gentle touch. They passed through the door and were met with a most radiant sight. Sun beams shone through the large window on the opposite wall, casting ethereal beams on a beautifully carved bed frame, the mattress naked atop its perch.

Elsie took this all in in a matter of seconds. Her attentions focused on the man standing in front of her, stroking her hand. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing several kisses to her knuckles before he spoke softly.

"This Elsie, is the bedroom. Our bedroom… I hope. Have you been convinced?"

She smiled brilliantly but did not speak. His hand went to the small of her back as he guided her to the window. She knew he was trying to showcase the view, sell the idea of their future here, but she was so very preoccupied with his presence. Their position mirrored that of their moment in the kitchen, his chest pressed to her back, strong arms wrapped around her.

This moment was entirely different however. She was enveloped by her beloved, alone in the most intimate room of their new home, new sanctuary, and she had never felt more secure in her life.

"Yes. Charles this is our home." She felt him sigh, knew he was smiling just as she was. She spun suddenly and ran her hands up his chest.

"Now Mr. Carson, how do you propose we celebrate this momentous decision? I'm indebted to you for your efforts in securing our future. Any request you may have shall be granted."

His brow furrowed dramatically as he pretended to consider. His hands went to her waist and she felt him pull her closer, his voice a low rumble as he spoke.

"My dear Mrs. Hughes, you will never be indebted to me. Our future together gives me purpose and such joy." He placed a kiss on her forehead and her smile widened in response. His hands travelled, lightly skimming her sides, one settling on her neck - caressing her soft skin. Fingertips traced her cheek, tucking a silky strand behind her ear.

Elsie shivered at his attentions, the heat she felt turning into a blazing fire.

"But since I've been granted a request by such a beautiful, loving woman, there is something that I constantly long for."

They were so close and Charles was so warm. Her breaths were coming long and deep as she tried to steady her racing heart.

"What would that be dear man?"

He leaned in and pressed his cheek to hers, nuzzling her neck before speaking.

"A kiss."

Without hesitation she captured his lips with her own. Even as their lips parted they still held each other close. Eyes locked as they enjoyed the intimacy of the embrace.

"You can always have a kiss Charles, but…" Her eyes dropped as her words trailed off.

"But what darling?" His fingers stroked her jaw to bring her eyes back to his.

"What is it?"

"It's nothing, only… don't you feel it Charles?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I feel so much when we touch, I want so much. You spoke of it before, but you seem so… calm I suppose." Her lips quirked, "and, I gave you permission for any request."

"Oh my darling," he pulled her in close, crushing her to him, pressing his lips to the spot just behind her ear. "Of course I feel it. You're so very beautiful, how could I not? But we've discussed… the situation." He pulled back slightly so he could see her face. "I thought we'd agreed to wait. And, well, we're here. Alone. It would be so easy to let ourselves get carried away."

"And what if we do get carried away? We are already married in every way that counts; merely hours separate us from the official piece of paper. I love you."

"And I love you. But Elsie… it's been only days since, well since this has all started." His fingers lingered gently on the fading evidence of the attack on her cheek.

She mirrored his actions, placing her hand on his cheek. "I've told you I'm fine Charles. And I mean it. I am fine."

"You are the strongest woman I know Elsie, but it was so terrible - is so terrible. What they tried, what happened, what you…" He was struggling now, tears streaming down his face.

She tried soothing him, brushing away his tears with her fingers, but he kept on. His words broken, coming through gasps.

"My darling when I saw… when you were there. Those men, what they did - they deserve - I wish I had killed them, and they won't even - it isn't right, it isn't fair. I only ever want to love you, want to protect you, but I can't – and anything can happen. Mr. Gifford left alone, his wife, oh Elsie I couldn't survive without you love, I can't even bear the thought."

"Shhh, shhh love. I'm here and we're together." She was comforting him now, cradling his head to her breast, stroking his back.

He was sobbing so deeply, the poor dear. She tightened her grip on him glad he was talking to her, telling her his fears, expressing his emotions. She didn't fully understand everything he was saying as he spoke so quickly, but she understood his pain. It's clear he had been holding back while he was working so hard to secure their future. She led him to the bed and sat them down still holding him close. His sobs soon began to lessen.

"Charles, I love you so much. So much." She places kisses in his hair every few seconds, hoping to sooth him further. "Yes, it was a terrible experience. But we are doing so well together. We can't predict what will happen, but we can put our efforts into loving each other as fully as possible. I fully intend to enjoy the rest of my life with you at my side. And trust me when I say, I want to feel you sweetheart. Your touch, your scent, your smile, your everything, they can only ever heal me. I want to be healed darling."

He spoke, his head still cradled against her. She touched her hands to his head.

"I can't hear you."

His head lifted and she brushed the last remaining tears from his cheeks.

"I'm yours Elsie Hughes." He kissed her deeply. "I want to help you heal. I want us to heal together."

She smiled and nodded as she once again trailed her fingers down his chest. When she paused in her movements he pressed her hand against his chest with his own.

"I mean it Elsie, I'm yours. We will heal together, but in this case, you need to lead me - as you always do."

With those words he removed his hand, pressed a quick kiss to her lips and rest his fingers lightly on her hips.

She bit her lip as she considered his words. Watching her man, feeling the light pressure of his fingers on her hips she quickly made a decision.

Leaning forward she pressed quick kisses to his cheeks, his forehead, then moved to his lips, nipping the bottom one lightly. She heard a groan escape him. A bolt of desire ran through her and she moved her hands to his chest pushing lightly and he moved backwards onto the bed at her unspoken request.

She joined him on the bed and smiled as he reached for her, clearly craving her touch as much as she craved his.

He was sitting upright, his hands settling once more on her hips while she rest on her knees. He caressed her with his fingers but made no move to deepen the embrace. As they gazed at each other Elsie knew what he was waiting for.

Suddenly she felt more confident, felt a power infuse her that she hadn't realized had been missing since the attack. This wonderful man was hers, hers to love, hers as a partner in life, and right now, he was hers to command. She had been healing and happy with the changes her life was taking, but up until now Charles had led, had arranged everything. Now she needed to reclaim control.

"Tell me Elsie. Tell me what you want."

She moved impossibly close and captured his mouth in a kiss, straddling his thighs at the same time. Releasing him from the kiss she pushed his jacket off his shoulders. He assisted her efforts and soon that barrier was removed.

She desperately wanted to feel his skin and quickly popped open the top buttons of his shirt, caressing the exposed skin. She leant forward to taste him, but growled in frustration as her corset constrained her.

Charles chuckled as he realized what was causing her frustration, his laughter cut off abruptly as she took his hands and guided them to the front of her blouse. She began unbuttoning her blouse, one button, the skin of her neck, a flash of collar bone exposed, two buttons and he could see a smattering of freckles lighting up her wonderfully smooth skin. Three buttons and he could see the tops of her breasts, straining against her corset.

Her chest was heaving, and she could feel his desire against her, see it straining against his trousers. She placed her hand on top of his, twining their fingers together as she pressed his palm firmly against the top of her breasts.

"You Charles, I want you."

Thank you for reading. I realize there was a bit of a roller coaster of emotions included but I do believe when people are recovering from traumatizing situations its never a straight forward journey. (Though clearly people do not all react the same way).

Hope you're enjoying the story - let me know what you think:)