The early morning sun was brighter than it had been in weeks, fourteen days to be exact. Kathleen opened her eyes to the bright intrusion shining through the open curtain and she smiled sleepily. After awakening, Adam had called Ben upstairs and had sent for Doctor Martin right away. After a thorough check up he deemed that she would be fine, but she did need to take it easy for a few days longer. By then it was quite late and Kathleen was told to rest and she would be allowed to see her sisters and the boys in the morning. She smiled to herself, and pulled herself up into a sitting position, hissing as she felt the tug on her stitches. Right, she thought to herself, she had been shot and stabbed for that matter. Pulling back the faded, floral quilt to get a look at her wounds she was greeted by thick black stitches in a criss-cross pattern across her side. It was healing quite nicely. She let her fingers dance across her bare skin observing every little faded scratch and bruise that had once decorated her skin by Duke's hand. Duke… Kathleen's face grew pale at the simple word. Flashes of memory danced through her mind of those days: Being raped, beaten and stabbed, Adam and his brothers and her sisters showing up, a fight broke out and Isabelle killing him. Had Isabelle really killed him? Her sweet and innocent little sister who barely had the stomach for killing chickens for a meal shooting someone in cold blood? Kathleen pulled her knees up to her chest barely acknowledging the dull pain the movement caused and held her legs close finding comfort in it. She was interrupted by a gentle rapping on her door, and it opening to reveal a clean shaven Adam smiling softly at her.

"Good Morning." He greeted, wasting no time in making his way over to her bed and taking a seat beside her.

"Isn't it a bit late for good mornings?" Kathleen asked, smiling softly in amusement.

"You have no idea how relived I am to see you awake Kathleen." Adam's eyes were soft as he made his way over to her bed and sat himself down by her side. He felt like a weight had been lifted of his chest, and his whole world had been made right just by seeing her smile.

"I can imagine," Kathleen reached out her hand and placed it gently on top of Adam's, squeezing gently she ensured him she had an idea of what he meant. "Adam, I've been meaning to tell you something, and I suppose it took all this mess for me to realize that I love you. " Kathleen looked up from where her eyes had been locked on their hands. Such a simple gesture it was, but to them it meant the world. It had been only a few months since they met, but so much had happened. She smiled at him and laughed under her breath as she spoke. She had waited too long anyway. "Adam you are the kindest man I have ever met, and you have shown me and my sisters nothing but that since we had arrived. I know I haven't always made things easy for you, and I've kept things from you like Duke. "Kathleen could feel herself begin to ramble. She had so much she wanted to say and she wanted to make sure she said it right. But how do you say what she felt for him? How do you explain the undeniable attraction she had been hiding since the day they met? How do you explain that he was constantly on her mind? How do you explain that throughout the entirety of her imprisonment all she could think about was him? Adam made her heart race with every touch, and her head swim. While she couldn't imagine him actually feeling the same way she could dream couldn't she? Before she could say anything else she was met by Adam's lips. Kathleen was taken by surprise at his gesture, but she soon leaned into the kiss and returned it eagerly. His hand cupped the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him as his other hand went to her side, gently holding her in place so she couldn't injure herself, that would absolutely ruin the moment. Kathleen felt that same warmth travel from their lips all throughout her body as did Adam. He was overjoyed by her confession of love. He had known he loved her for weeks now, but hadn't wanted to pressure her when she awoken. After everything that had occurred with Duke he hadn't been expecting anything but distance. Now he had the strong willed woman of his dreams in his arms. Someone he could finally poor his love and attention on, someone who shared his love for literature and a passion for life. Someone who loved their family as much as he loved his and someone who would challenge him every day of his life to be a better man. Adam was the first to pull away for air and rested his forehead against hers. Their eyes were locked on one another as they breathed the same air and just sat in happy silence. "I love you too, Kathleen."

Adam and Kathleen spent the remainder of the afternoon wrapped in each other's arms and saying everything that they needed to say. They made their confessions and worked through everything that needed to be worked through. Ben made sure they had alone time and assured Isabelle and Lila they would have their time tomorrow, but Adam and Kathleen needed their time.

"So are we actually official now?" Kathleen asked, turning her head from where they had been spooning in the dark, the only light being given by the moon. Adam was silent a moment, struck by her question.

"Do you want to be?"

"Of course I do, I just always imagined my first courting to be more romantic. Not that this isn't nice," Kathleen stumbled over her words, trying not to come of rude. This was all very nice and romantic, more so than anything she had ever experienced before. And while Kathleen was a very realistic girl, she did have her typical girl dreams and wishes. Adam smiled at her antics and kissed the back of her hair," How about I promise you this. As soon as you are healed up, I take us out on a romantic picnic and ask you officially. Does that meet your standards?"

"That sounds perfect."

I'M BACK! So this is a very long awaited update, and I am SOOO sorry for making you wait so long. Good news is I am back and I will be finishing this story. All of it. In my absence I have written out the plans for it and it will include 5 "books" covering their whole life. Now for the bad news… I have thought over the plot line for this and most of what I have written doesn't really add up to the picture that I have in mind so in the coming weeks I am going to be re-writing it so please keep a check on it and re read it. I have grown up a lot since I started this story almost 2 years ago and have a beautiful big picture in mind and can't wait to show you. Thank you as always for reading and I hope you enjoy. (Also I will be coming back to the Cartwright sister, Taken, and 3 dates soon as well. Don't know when but I will finish them as well.)