Hello everyone, thanks for all of my reviews. I have made a change in my previous chapter and I want to apologize if I offended anyone. I hope this chapter goes well for you. I love all of you… yes … even the ones who do not review… I see you guys….I know you're there…. and I hope you enjoy :)

~8~

~8~

Even though it was late, I didn't want to stay in that house another moment if Bezkin knew where we lived. Emily, of course, didn't like being moved around. She whined during our drive to the hotel and by the time we had arrived, she was rubbing her eyes and kicking her legs. Despite how fast we packed up and left, we remembered to pack her play pen.

She was getting too big for it lately. If I didn't keep a sharp eye on her then she would climb out and I'd later find at our desk paying bills. We still used from time-to-time if we traveled, but I knew its days were numbered.

I laid her down with her sippy-cup, while Gil called Brass to let him know we had left the house. I didn't know it then, but he was having the house patrolled.

Most parents believe that their child is the most perfect gift. Emily was beautiful and when she grew up, I knew that I was going to have a problem. She had my attitude, which my mom categorized as 'spunky with no-nonsense'. Her face was shaped like Gil's and she had dark curly hair.

"Nite-nite," I said to her.

I was still angry at Gil for keeping the truth from me for so long, but I willed myself to empathize with him. Something terrible had happened to me, his wife and best friend, that he was taking the blame for. He didn't need me blaming him too. I heard him in the room's small kitchen, talking to Brass in a low voice.

"Yeah, she seems alright," I heard him say.

The room had a single queen-sized bed. It was smaller than the one had at home, but I couldn't complain. My irritation almost convinced me to throw a pillow and blanket on the floor for Gil, but that would have hurt him. After all, he needed to be comforted too.

I climbed into bed and made myself as small as possible, hoping that Gil would think I had fallen asleep. I didn't want to make up with him, but I also didn't want to keep on fighting. It was as if my brain was in some state of limbo.

"Ok, yeah," Gil said from the kitchen. "I'll call you back tomorrow."

I didn't like feeling this way- afraid to fall asleep- but I did. I felt the bed shift and the sound of Gil putting his phone down onto the bedside table. He cleared his throat and I knew that he knew I was awake.

"Are you still angry with me?" he asked softly.

I didn't want to answer him. My exhaustion was overwhelming and I didn't want to get into an argument. I pulled my blanket up around my shoulders, but soon I felt his warm arm drape over me.

"Please don't be," he whispered into my ear. "I love you so much."

I felt my anger melt away. He showed me that he loved me every day. The way he spoke, carried himself around me, and the way he cared for our daughter showed me that our life was important to him.

"I know you do," I answered back, my tone matching his. "I love you too. And no… I'm not angry anymore."

I heard him sigh with relief and I rolled over so that I could face him. He brushed strands of stray hair out of my eyes and I could only imagine what he was seeing. The bruises on my face had lightened, but were still visible. I knew I looked horrible, but he looked at me with the same love in his eyes that I saw every day.

I pulled his head down gently and I pressed my lips to his. It hadn't occurred to me that I hadn't kiss him, with full blown passion, since before my attack. His lips felt so warm against mine and I felt my need for him return. I felt his beard against my cheek and I broke our kiss long enough to nuzzle its roughness. I love my husband, I always will.

"You smell so good," I said to him.

I let him lower his head to my neck and kiss softly. "Are you… sure?" he asked between kisses.

I nodded in response. "I want to feel normal again," I said.

I pulled him closer to me and buried my head in his chest. I felt him position himself over me gently. That was when I froze and felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I gagged and sat up quickly.

"It's okay," he said to me, rubbing my back. "We don't have to."

But I wanted to. I needed to feel my husband all around me and inside of me. I needed to have that comfort and peace, and I knew he did too. When Gil moved over me, I just kept seeing this dark shadow of a man holding me down.

"I want to try again," I said, wiping tears out of my eyes.

I felt Gil pul me into him and we laid back together. "I'm content just holding you," he said, kissing my head.

~8~

The next morning I woke up to Emily attempting to climb onto the bed. It was much too high for her so I sat up slowly, my pelvis screaming at me, and lifted her up with a groan.

"Mommy's escape artist," I said as I cuddled her.

I lay back with her for a few moments and looked over at Gil. I smiled wickedly and set Emily down beside him.

"Wake daddy up," I whispered.

The child happily obliged and grabbed a handful of her father's hair. She gave it a tug and squealed with satisfaction. Gil opened one eye and fixed his sights on me.

"What did I ever do to you?" he joked sleepily.

I laughed and pulled Emily back into my arms. "Nothing," I said. "I just missed you so I sent a messenger."

Emily wiggled in my lap so I set her on her feet. She shot across the room and over to the cup she had dropped. She shook it and brought it to her mouth, tilting her head back as she did so. Gil threw back the blanket and checked his phone's home screen.

"Em, it's seven in the morning," Gil informed the toddler

Emily looked like she couldn't care less and sat down with her cup. I kicked back my blanket and debated getting out of bed. For a moment I hoped that Emily would opt for a nap and we could all three return to sleep.

"I left some files at the house," Gil said as he climbed out of bed. "Do you want to come or stay here?"

I didn't hesitate for a moment. "Are you kidding me?" I asked. "We're staying together."

~8~

This is a very very poor update in my mind. Oh… the boring chapter that must be the 'bridge' chapter. It is 2:30 am… do you know where your cats are. Review if you have time.