After I was released from the hospital, Modo drove me home and made sure I was comfortable. I didn't want to be tossed out on the streets and I was really hoping that Modo was going to keep to his word and not do that to me. This wasn't my fault. I didn't ask for this, either. I wish I had never married Throttle, then I wouldn't be so scared of what he could do to me next.

I was in our shared room, laying down. Modo felt bad for what had happened to me. He wanted to go hunt Throttle down and kill him, but then he would end up in cuffs and in prison. I don't want that happening to him. I know Troy wouldn't want that to happen to his adopted father, either.

Modo had checked the mail on the way home from the hospital. After getting me comfortable in bed, he went through it. He saw something from the courts. He opened it and looked to see what it was. He read through the letter from the judge. In a nutshell, Troy is officially adopted by Modo and given Modo's last name. His full name is: Troy Alexander Maverick. Modo was so happy, but he decided to wait to tell me 'til I was awake and when Troy was home.

While Modo was going through the rest of the mail, he heard a blood-curdling scream come from our shared room. He had been sitting in the living room, going through the mail when he heard it. He got up and opened the bedroom door. He saw me sitting upright in bed and screaming bloody murder. He had remembered how Throttle had to restrain me, so he tried that.

He managed to restrain me enough to find out what is scaring me so bad. He had forgotten how strong I am 'til I started fighting against him.

Modo decided that he would straddle me and pin my arms to my side to stop the struggling. It took a bit to get me to stop struggling, but once I stopped, I had calmed down.

I was staring right into his eye. "Wh…what happened? Why are you sitting on me?"

"You were screaming bloody murder."

"I had a nightmare. You were in it. Throttle was in it, too."

"What else?"

"He had been torturing you 'til you said what he wanted to hear. Once he heard what he wanted, he killed you right in front of me. Sliced your throat. I had been tied to a chair, so I couldn't save you. I was forced to watch you bleed out. You had apologized before you took your last breath."

"What was it I was forced to say to you?"

"That you really didn't love me and that you married me out of pity since my divorce."

"I would never say that to you, Michelle. I do truly love you. I married you cause I love you. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have married you. Don't let this nightmare get to you. I do have good news, though."

"What is it?"

"Don't say anything to Troy yet, but the adoption is official. He is legally my son now. Troy Alexander Maverick is MY son officially."

"That is great news. He should be home from work soon. You can tell him after he gets home. I don't want him knowing about my nightmare. I don't want him to worry about me."

"Honey, he's your son. He has a right to be worried about you, as do I."

"There's a reason why I don't want him knowing or worrying about me. He looked up to Throttle after him and I had adopted him. Yeah, Troy is an adult, but he still looked up to him. If he found out what Throttle did to me, he would probably go after him and I don't want him in cuffs or in jail. Do you get it now, Modo? This is why I don't want him knowing at all."

I sighed then apologized for getting upset. We had walked into the living room from our room after I had gotten my robe on. Modo could tell that I was still scared of what Throttle could do to me if I go back out again.

"I know you're still scared of what he could do, but please don't take it out on me. I'm just trying to help, honey."

"I know you are and I'm sorry. I'm scared to go out any more. I know I shouldn't be scared, but I am cause I'm afraid he could do worse than rape me."

Modo grabbed a hold of my hands and looked me directly in the eyes.

"I will never let him do anything to you or get anywhere near you. He'll have to go through me to get to you. I know you can handle yourself, but if you're this scared, I can go with you next time you need to go grocery shopping."

"Maybe I'll order everything online from now on and have it delivered. At least I know I'll be safe here."
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While we were talking, Troy came home and walked into the house. "Mom, uncle Modo, I'm home."

"Hey Troy. Take your shoes off and come sit down. We have some news for you."

Troy takes his shoes off, takes his jacket off and hangs it up, then walks through the kitchen and into the living room. He sat down on the sofa while Modo and I sat on the love seat. Modo handed over the letter to Troy.

"What's this?"

"Open it and read it for yourself."

Troy opened the letter and read it. Then he looked up at us. He held up the letter. "This is real?"

"Very, Troy. We wanted to wait 'til you got home to give you the news."

"But you never mentioned it to me."

"Cause it was a surprise, silly. He's now your father. I also have some bad news concerning your step-father, Throttle."

"What happened? Is he ok?"

I was about to tell Troy when Modo stopped me. I looked at him. "Maybe its best that I say it. You might get upset." I nodded and stayed silent.

"Your mother was raped yesterday by your step-father. She's worried that if you knew what happened, you would go after him. She doesn't want to see you in cuffs or in jail for going after him."

"After what he did to you, mom, I want nothing to do with him. I have a family. A mother and father that love me. That protect me. This right here is all I want and all I need." Then he stood up and gave us both a big hug.

After Troy stepped back from us, he told us to go get changed into something nice.

"Why?"

"I'm taking you and dad out to dinner tonight. I already have reservations made."

"You don't need to do that, Troy."

"I know I don't, but I am. Now, go get ready."

Modo and I looked at each other then back at Troy. "You're absolutely sure about this, Troy?"

"I'm sure mom. Now go get ready, you 2."

We got up and went into our room and took a shower. Troy went upstairs to the bathroom and did the same thing.
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2 ½ hrs. later, we all came out dressed nicely. Troy looked really handsome in his suit. Modo was very handsome in his tux that he wore at our wedding. I was dressed nice, too. Just not what Troy had in mind.

"You don't own any dresses, mom?"

"Nope. I even gave Modo's mom the wedding dress back. I don't wear dresses. Anyone who knows me, knows that."

"Well, I guess what you're wearing will have to do. You should buy some dresses and some skirts, though, mom."

"Not happening."
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We all arrived at the restaurant 45mins. later. We had taken the SUV. I let Troy drive since he knew where the restaurant was. I noticed that it use to be one of the many Hooters restaurants that Morgan owned.

"Wasn't this a Hooters restaurant at one time?"

"Yeah, it was. My father turned it into a 5 star restaurant about 7yrs. ago, before…"

"So, who owns it now?"

"I do. He had given it to me before I turned 21. I'm going to be 28 in 2 months. That's how I got reservations for you and dad. With everything going on, I figured you could use a date night at the best restaurant in the city. Order anything you want to eat and drink. It's my treat."

I hugged Troy. "You are the best adopted son ever. Thank you, Troy."

Modo had also hugged his adopted son. "You are very thoughtful to think of us, son. Thank you."

We walked in and was escorted to the VIP lounge by Troy. The lounge was very beautifully done up for us. A bottle of red wine on ice and candles lit. We sat down and Troy opened the bottle of wine that was in a bucket full of ice. It was a red wine. Vintage. Troy poured the wine in the 2 wine glasses.

"Enjoy the wine. We have plenty down in the cellar. Have as many bottles as you want. I'm driving you both home, anyway."

I look at Modo, who looks back at me and nods. I turn back to Troy. "Maybe 4 more bottles."

"Will do, mom. Take a look at the menu and pick whatever you want for dinner." Then he walks off.

"We're practically getting the royal treatment. Its kinda nice."

"I agree. He was right. After what has happened to you, this was well deserved."

I grab the glass and take a sip. I love the aroma as it hit my nose while taking a sip.

"You need to try the wine, honey. Its absolutely amazing."

Modo grabs his glass and takes a sip. The aroma hit his nose as he also took a sip.

"You're right. It is amazing. Troy has good taste in red wine."

"I also have good taste in men. I love you, Modo Martin Maverick."

"I love you, too, Michelle Montero Maverick."

We enjoyed our date night. We drank all 4 bottles of red wine and had an awesome dinner. I admit we were very drunk. We also had some whiskey shots, too. We were all over each other on the ride back home. We were like a couple of teenagers.