Author's Note: So, hey there. Sorry, it's been like a week since I updated, I've had to be a good girl and do my summer reading. Blech. Just for the record, I hate poetry. Love reading, hate poetry. Just throwing that out there. I've also had a bit of a social life, apparently my friends are feeling neglected. Oops. Thanks for all of your lovely reviews! They really make my day, every single one. Usually. Anyways, here's a new chapter, Emily's POV. Cheers.

The rest of the night was rather uneventful. Naomi and I watched a movie and went to bed, sort of like an old married couple. I figured skipping one last night of work wouldn't hurt. I know I told Naomi that she could have all the time she needed to cope, but I hope it doesn't take too long. I know it sounds selfish, but I at least want to be able to call her mine, you know? It's not like as soon as we start officially dating I'm going to expect sex or something. I know what she's gone through and I would never push her to do something she's not ready for.

Right now I'm laying in bed with my eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of Naomi's arms wrapped around me. I can tell she's still sleeping by how deep her breathing is. This is how our morning goes. Whichever one of us wakes up first waits for the other to wake up. Then we have breakfast. Hmm, maybe I can convince Naomi to go shopping with me. I could use some new clothes, and I'm sure she could too. I think she's starting to wake up. My thought is answered by icy blue eyes meeting my warm brown ones.

'Good morning.' She says, voice thick with sleep.

'Morning.' I say, my voice coming out much hoarser that expected. I try clearing my throat, but to no avail. Great. This is what I needed. To lose my voice, which inevitably means that I will be sick tomorrow. Losing my voice is sort of my body's way of letting me know that I'm about to get sick. Like the gross 24 hour bug kind of sick. I groan just thinking about it, but it comes out as a strangled whisper.

'Alright Ems?'

'No.' I say, causing a confused look to appear on Naomi's face. 'I'm going to be sick tomorrow.' Realization crosses her face. She couldn't tell that I've lost my voice because my voice is always husky in the morning. She now realizes that it's much huskier than it should be.

'You've lost your voice.' She says with a smirk.

'Thank you, doctor.' I say sarcastically. 'Do you know what else that means?' She shakes her head no. 'That tomorrow you get to witness me throwing up every ten minutes, all day.' I say with fake joy. The smirk falls off her face and is replaced with a look of sympathy and concern.

'Well, I'll be here to take care of you, then.' She gives me a small smile. I smile back at her. 'Breakfast?'

'Do you even need to ask?' I ask mostly to myself because Naomi is already halfway down the stairs. I follow her at a lazy pace. I walk into the kitchen to find her pouring a bowl of cereal for both of us. She puts mine in front of me and I start to eat, but not before offering my thanks. I have manners.

'Well, what're we doing today, Em?'

'Wanna go shopping with me?' I look up from my bowl to find an unimpressed looking Naomi. 'Please? I'm gonna be sick tomorrow.' I say with a pout added for good measure.

'Ugh, fine. We'll go shopping.' I smile triumphantly and she can't help but smile back at me. Once we finish our breakfast I tell Naomi to get ready.

'What, why do we have to go so early?' She whines like a five-year-old. I glance at the clock and roll my eyes.

'Naomi, it's two o'clock.'

'Oh, is it? Why did we sleep so late?' I just shrug. 'Alright, fine, I'll get ready.' I smile at her as she walks up the stairs which she just returns with a scowl. I follow her up the stairs to get ready as well.

An hour later and we're sitting in my car on the way to the mall. We arrive after a rather silent journey. Naomi and I are strolling through the mall, side by side. I really want to hold her hand, but I'm not sure she would appreciate that too much. I'm really not sure. Naomi interrupts my internal struggle by reaching out and entwining our fingers herself. Damn, I should've done it. Oh well, I love holding her hand.

Now, I may not seem like the shopping type, but you can't grow up with Katie as a sister without learning to shop. I figured if I might as well enjoy it if I had no choice in doing it. Sometimes shopping by myself makes me sad because Katie and I have drifted apart. Shopping always reminds me of her.

By the time I was done, I had dragged Naomi to at least seven different stores. She held all of my bags for me, but not without a bit of complaint here and there. I just reminded her why she was doing it and she was alright. We just walked out of the mall, both holding a few bags so we can continue to hold hands. We throw the bags in the back seat and climb into the front.

'Jesus, Em, I'm exhausted.'

'Sorry, did you at least have fun?' She smiles and turns to look at me.

'I always have fun with you.' Awwwww! I beam back at her.

'Do you want to go out for dinner?'

'Sure, but nowhere fancy, I'm not exactly dressed to impress.'

'Well, neither am I!' We're both in jeans and hoodies. We share a laugh before sinking into a comfortable silence. I decide to bring her to my favorite restaurant, now that she's brought me to hers. It's a little diner where my family used to go every Saturday for breakfast. We pull in the parking lot and walk to the door. I love the way Naomi opens the door for me wherever we go, it's adorable.

We're sitting in a booth looking at menus, even though I always get a burger and fries when I come here.

'Is there any specific reason we came here?' She asks.

'My family and I used to come here every Saturday for breakfast. It reminds me of a time of innocence, you know? When my biggest problem was being teased by Katie. Sometimes I come here when I feel lonely or sad. It reminds me of the happy times my family's had.' She just looks at me.

'That's sweet.' She answers and I blush. The waitress comes over and we tell her our orders. 'So, has Katie called you yet?'

'Naoms, it's been less than 24 hours since we talked to her.'

'I know.' She says quietly. I reach across the table and take her hand.

'I'm sorry.'

'You don't need to apologize, you haven't done anything wrong.'

'I know, but I know you're already insecure about us. I'm sorry that I'm giving you any more of a reason to be.'

'It's fine. I know you don't want to do it. It's fine.' She repeats. 'I just worry about you sometimes.' I smile at her and she offers a weak one back.

We finish eating in silence for the most part. I pay the bill, even though Naomi threw a fit because of it. We get in the car to take the relatively short drive back to ours. I can tell she's still upset that I paid the bill.

'Nai, stop being ridiculous. It doesn't matter.'

'To me it does Emily. You pay for everything for me. The least I can do is pay the fucking dinner bill.'

'Alright, alright, I'm sorry.' She sighs.

'I'm never going to be able to stay mad at you, am I?' I smile.

'Nope, sorry.'

We pull in the driveway and I immediately have to go upstairs and get ready for work. I can tell Naomi is disappointed. Once I'm dressed I go into the living room where I know Naomi is watching T.V.

'Naomi, I have to go.'

'Fine.' She snaps. I sigh. I hate it when she gets mad at me when I go to work.

'Come on, Nai. Don't be mad at me, please.'

'I'm not mad.' She snaps again.

'Then give me a hug.' I open my arms. She sighs before standing up and wrapping me up in her arms. She kisses my forehead before releasing me. I peck her cheek in return before turning around and walking out the door.

While I am at work, I start to realize that whatever sense of fulfillment I used to get from doing this is no longer there. I just feel wrong. This feels wrong. I feel like I'm betraying Naomi, and in a way I am. I suddenly can't wait for this to be over.

I arrive home from work at about four, only to find the T.V. still on with a sleeping Naomi in front of it. I sigh. I hate the fact that she feels so insecure without me. I mean I love that she wants me, but I hate that it took someone beating the shit out of her for years. I don't like that she's so vulnerable, but I know she'll heal in time. I decide that I should wake her up and move her to the bedroom to avoid cramping. First I take a shower and change into pajamas. I walk downstairs and Naomi is still sleeping.

'Naomi.' I shake her once and she springs up. So fast, in fact, that she knocks me over in the process.

'Ems, oh my god, are you okay?' She helps me up from the floor. Ouch.

'Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.'

'Sorry.' She whispers sheepishly.

'It's fine, let's just go to bed.' She nods her head eagerly and we walk upstairs and fall asleep nearly instantly.

Note: I wasn't going to end it here, but I got sick of writing. So, let me know what you think, folks. Sorry, I know this was really just a filler, but I wanted to give you something. So, review please and thank you.