A/N: I only own the OC.
Thanks for reviewing!
Still dealing with adult situations... just a warning
Dexter POV
I came inside and found Jodi sleeping on the couch with my cat curled up beside her. I was glad to see that he was comforting her... because I had no idea how to deal with her. I felt horrible that I didn't... I just wanted to make it better, but nothing I could do or say would take back what had happened to her. I carefully ran my hand over her cheek, and sighed. She had been through so much. I sat down in the recliner next to the couch and sat with her. I woke up to someone screaming and it took me a second to realize that it was Jodi. I pulled her to me and tried to calm her.
"Jodi, it's ok." I said and she finally sat up and pushed me off. She was breathing hard, and was clammy.
"Fuck." she said and bolted to the bathroom. I got up, grabbed a wet washcloth, and then went into the bathroom. I rubbed her back as she sat there. She finally flushed and leaned back onto me. I carefully wiped her face with the cloth. She was burning up.
"Princess, you're burning up." I mumbled and she nodded.
"Come on, let's get some Tylenol in you, and get you in bed." I said and she nodded. I picked her up off the floor, and carried her upstairs. She was so out of it. I put her in the bed, and found some Tylenol. I got it and some water. I helped her take it, and went to cover her up when she grabbed my hand.
"Please just lay with me." she asked me in a weak voice and it broke my heart. I carefully laid down with her and let her make the move. She snuggled against my chest and I carefully put my arm around her. I didn't want to do anything that upset or hurt her. I held her until her breathing evened out and she was asleep. I finally fell asleep with her in my arms. I knew that I should be happy about that, but I was just worried about everything now that I couldn't enjoy anything.
Jodi POV
I woke up with a start and realized that Dexter was with me in the bed. I sighed and carefully moved away to let him sleep. I got more sleep than I thought I would as I went to the bathroom. I looked awful. I had bruises everywhere, my shoulder was completely discolored, and the bandage on my side stood out. I slowly made my way downstairs and started some coffee. I picked up the blanket and put it on the couch as I felt the cat rub up against me. I picked him up and petted him as I started into the kitchen when something caught my eye. It was the engagement ring. I plucked it off the table and looked at it.
"It's always going to be yours." Dexter said from behind me and I looked over at him as the cat meowed at him. I planted a small kiss on the top of the cats head as Dexter slowly walked over to me. He took the ring and looked at me. He carefully took my hand and slipped the ring back on as he kissed the back of my hand.
"Dexter..." I said and he kissed my forehead.
"Don't, Jodi... it's whatever you want." he said and walked into the kitchen. I looked down at the ring on my hand, and I wasn't sure about it anymore. I knew that I loved Dexter, but I also knew that now he definitely deserved someone better than me.
Dexter POV
I was trying not to walk away. She looked so frail right now and it hurt me so bad to see her like this. I hated it. I wanted to make it better, but I knew that this is one of those things that I couldn't; and I hated it. I wanted to leave right now to kill that motherfucker, but she needs me here.
I was watching her as she made coffee. She was still my beautiful Princess, and nothing would change that. I wouldn't let anything change that, but now I had to hope she still knew that. I loved her, and I wanted her to know that.
She was grabbing a mug when it slipped and shattered on the ground. She gasped and I quickly scooped her up and away from pieces that could cut her feet. I sat her down outside and she started to bawl.
I held her. She kept apologizing, and she was shaking like a leaf. I knew that this had really hurt her. I held her tight and kept telling her that it was ok. I wasn't mad over a coffee mug.
"It's ok." I told her as I felt her began to calm down.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled into my chest. I soothed her as I rubbed her back. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. I carefully wiped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.
"I'm not mad about a coffee mug, Princess. It was ugly anyways." I said and I saw a glimmer of hope when there was a small smile.
"It kind of was." She mumbled back and I chuckled.
"Sit here, and I'll bring our coffee outside. It's not too hot." I said and she nodded.
Jodi POV
I was sitting outside while Dexter cleaned up the mug. I don't know what happened but my world just ended when I dropped that mug. I hadn't meant to, but I had. I was thankful that he didn't get mad.
He sat the coffee down and kissed my forehead. I took a sip and looked out over the backyard. I had always found it to be a peaceful place, and full of good memories.
"Do you want to get married here?" He asked me as if he could read my mind. I looked at him and then at the ring.
"I'm waiting on you to see I'm not worth it anymore." I said and he sighed.
"Princess, I have waited for you since we were children. I'm not going anywhere." He said and I nodded. I really hoped he meant it.
