Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The character names in this story are those created by Stephanie Meyers. I'm just borrowing them to create my own little universe. Hope you all enjoy. If you don't know, this story is sexually explicit, and there are themes of horror and violence at some points, now you know!

Song for the chapter: Heart of Gold by Watchhouse

CHAPTER 16

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LPOV

I couldn't even handle two days of authority without getting into some shit.

Life has a twisted sense of humor, I swear.

The first time I woke up in the hospital, I was hysterical. The searing pain that shot through my body was unbearable, but the confusion? That was worse. I'm not sure what I yelled at the staff, but it was a while before the buzzing in my ears finally died down, and I could make out their voices. They were asking the usual—my name, my age, the date—but my mind wasn't on that. No, I was consumed by what had just happened. I began to scream about the insane things I had seen, about the vicious assault I'd just survived.

For a brief moment, I saw Jess—just a glimpse of her flushed face, wide eyes gaping back at me before she was pulled from my line of sight. That was it for me. I completely lost it. I was screaming, thrashing, and I could feel hands all over me, holding me down to the bed. Her expression told me it was bad. Whatever it was, it was bad.

The second time I woke up, everything was a blur. My head was pounding, and for a brief moment, I couldn't see. The room felt heavy, like it was pressing in on me. But then I turned my head and thought, for just a second, that an angel had come to get me.

Edward was staring back at me, his face twisted with distress. Deep worry lines creased his forehead, and his skin looked almost ashen. He seemed so pale, like he hadn't slept in days, dark bags under his eyes telling me just how much this had taken out of him. I blinked a few times, my vision clearing, and the weight of everything we had been through settled over me.

"Hey..." I croaked out, barely recognizing my own voice.

Still groggy from the medication, I struggled to piece together the events in my mind. My memories were blurry, slipping in and out of focus. By the time the cops arrived, I was somewhat coherent, though it felt like my body and mind were still trying to catch up to each other.

I was still a little drowsy from the medication, so my recollection was off. Although I did sort of come to by the time the cops rolled in. I recounted the attack as best I could. I told them I was taking the trash out, getting ready to head home. That part was clear. But I spared the detail of originally being worried about the possibility of being eaten alive by that thing, that I hadn't even realized Sam must've rolled up looking for me. That felt too surreal, too insane to mention. Instead, I explained how Sam had shown up—angry, violent. How he'd slammed me against the wall, choking me, hitting me, trying to overpower me in every possible way. It all felt so fragmented as I relived the scuffle in slow motion, telling the officers bit by bit, careful not to miss anything.

I was terrified, though—not just of Sam or what had happened, but also of the fear that I might be in trouble myself. The thought that I could be punished for something, somehow, gnawed at me. And as for the creature... the animal or whatever it was, I did mention it—hesitantly, knowing it would sound ridiculous. But it was the truth, even if it made no sense.

Eventually, when I was fully lucid the staff came in, their faces somber and gentle, I could sense something terrible was coming. The nurse spoke softly, carefully, like she didn't want to break me with her words. But nothing could have prepared me for what she said next. That I had been with child. But, I was no longer with child.

It hit me like a truck, knocking the air out of my lungs. I was numb at first, unable to grasp the full meaning. Then, as her words settled, the devastation washed over me. I had been carrying a life inside me, and now, it was gone. It felt like my world was shattering all over again, a loss I hadn't even known I could experience.

The shock was suffocating, hollowing me out from the inside. I could feel Edward's arms around me, steady and warm, but it didn't chase away the cold sinking into my bones. He didn't speak; there were no words that could reach the void I felt, but his presence was grounding, tethering me as I drifted through waves of grief.

Jessica left quietly with the staff, leaving just the two of us in the stillness. We held each other, his hand gently tracing patterns across my back, as though he could soothe the pain from the outside. My sobs eventually softened, each shaky breath reminding me of the ache in my ribs. The pain kept me from fully breaking apart, forcing me to stay anchored in the moment.

By the second night, they finally discharged me. Edward was still there, steady and strong, lifting me from the wheelchair into the truck with such care. He adjusted the seat and buckled me in, his hands lingering as if to make sure I was still there, still real.

"I swear to God," Edward grumbled, his grip tightening around mine as we pulled out of the parking lot. "If anything had happened to you..." His voice trailed off, thick with emotion.

This whole ordeal had my mind racing in overdrive. What was I going to say to Jr. and Claire? How could I even begin to explain this to them? And then there was the question of my mother. Should I even bother telling her? She was probably blowing up Edward's phone at the house, frantic for updates, but I couldn't bring myself to think about what I'd say. Edward had spoken to her the day I'd woken up, but I know my mother. She wanted to hear me. And I was dreading it.

My cousins had been informed about what had happened—well, not everything. They knew about the attack, but not the miscarriage. That felt too raw, too personal to share with anyone else right now. It was a pain I wasn't ready to relive with everyone. Jess and Edward knew, that was enough for me.

The last to leave that night was Jessica, of course. She stayed behind to tidy up Edward's kitchen and keep me company.

Edward had left to pick us up some dinner.

When Jess came out to the living room, she gave me a warm, reassuring smile. We chatted a bit about her coming back tomorrow, just in case Edward needed to be out. It felt comforting to have someone watching over me, someone who understood the weight of it all.

A knock on the door interrupted us. Jess glanced at me before opening it, and I heard her give a small, surprised laugh. "Hey, Emily."

My stomach twisted. Emily was the last person I wanted to see right now. I wasn't sure I was ready to face her—there were too many unspoken words, too much pain. But here she was.

My stomach sank again as Jessica led Emily into the room.

"Yeah, she's right in here," Jess said, her voice cautious. Footsteps echoed as they approached, and then they both appeared in the doorway. Jessica's face was a mix of shock and apology, her mouth forming a silent "Oh my God" behind Emily's back.

Emily stood there, her russet skin catching the dim light, and for a split second, she looked just as I remembered. Her dark eye locked onto me with the same intensity I knew so well. But when she turned to thank Jessica, I saw it—the left side of her face, marked by fresh scars and sutures peeking through her long, dark hair. Her left eye, once a mirror to her other, was now an unsettling pale blue, bright and unyielding.

Her stomach looked swollen. A pang of heartbreak disturbed my thoughts again.

The sight of her, half-familiar, half-altered, hit me like a wave.

The silence stretched between us. My eyes flicked over to Jessica, pleading with her to leave us alone. She picked up on it quickly, thank God.

"Uh—I'm on my way out, Lee. You need anything?" she asked, her voice soft, almost playful, trying to ease the tension.

"No, love, I'm good," I managed, drawing a deep breath as I adjusted myself on the couch. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yes, dear. Just call if you need me sooner," she replied warmly, flashing a reassuring smile. Always dependable, always Jessica. When the front door clicked shut behind her, the weight in the room seemed to settle deeper.

Emily shifted beside me, offering a hesitant, "Hey."

"Hi," I sighed, still trying to wrap my head around her being here. "How goes it?"

She waved a hand vaguely in front of her face. "You see it," she said, almost matter-of-factly. "I've got, like, four more appointments and two surgeries to go."

I shook my head, gesturing for her to sit down. "I'm sorry," I murmured as she lowered herself beside me, her face a mixture of resignation and pain.

"Don't be," she said, her voice unexpectedly soft. "Honestly, it was like a wake-up call. So much was going on with Sam…" Her voice trailed off, and she shifted, clearly uncomfortable with her own confession. "I… I almost started to hate him," she admitted, her tone weighed down with guilt.

I watched her carefully, feeling the ache in my own heart rise as she continued, "He started coming home drunk. And then one night, he hit me." She shook her head, the disbelief still raw in her voice. "I heard from a friend he was seeing someone at his job." Her lips trembled. "By then... I didn't even care."

Emily turned toward me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I'm so, so sorry, Leah."

I stared past her, the sting of my own tears blurring my vision. "He was always trying to steal from me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Taking what wasn't his…" My chest tightened as a tear slipped down my cheek, the painful memories crashing over me—of everything he'd taken from me, even the precious life I hadn't realized I carried.

"Sam had been chasing me that night-you know," she pointed at her face before allowing her hand to drop back down. "I fled. I looked crazy, no shoes on, wearing his sweater, shorts, stumbling through the back woods near the market," she explained. I stared at her, unmoving. Eager to hear what she'd experienced. "Not sure how long I'd been running. Then I got tackled by what felt like a house," she stated, shock still lacing her tone which gave me the creeps. "Can't remember anything else." She shrugged. "Other than, of course waking up at the hospital."

A long silence laced the room. I wasn't in the mood to detail my whole ordeal. But, something was gnawing at me. Like perhaps with Emily being attacked by an animal with enough strength to tear into flesh within mere seconds. Is it so far fetched to think that maybe whatever killed Sam was the exact same thing that attacked Emily?

"My mom wants me to move out to Lahaina, stay with her for a while...until I figure out exactly what I'm doing." Emily let out a deflated laugh. "I'm not sure yet."

"Seems like you'll need to make a decision soon," I replied. "Your mom was always the cool one."

She gave me a nod, a look of understanding in her eyes.

"My mom's always been… well, nuts," I sighed, surprising Emily with my honesty. "I always thought I'd end up just like her."

Emily shook her head sharply, a firm glint in her eye as she grasped my hand warmly. "You're nothing like her," she said quietly, her words cutting through the silence. The edge of a scar peeked from beneath her bandage, a quiet reminder of all she'd endured. Her blue eye glaring at me. I felt so uncomfortable and sad.

She suddenly got up, stating that she had to go.

Before she left I had the sudden urge to know.

I called out after her as loud as my voice would go without straining myself. "Hey Em!"

I heard her backtrack. "Yeah?"

"Did you see anything that day?"

Emily hesitated, her face shifting from confusion to something unreadable as she took a step back toward me, eyebrows knit together. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice laced with tension.

I swallowed, my throat tightening. "Did you… see anything that day?" My words hung heavy between us, a question I wasn't sure I wanted an answer to.

She tilted her head, studying me as though trying to read my thoughts. "Why?" she said cautiously. "Does it have anything to do with… what you saw?"

My jaw clenched as I bit down on my lip. For a moment, the silence pressed on us both, stretching unbearably, before she let out a short, disbelieving scoff.

"What did you see?" she pressed, her eyes darkening. "Come on, Lee."

I held her gaze, my voice dropping to a barely audible whisper. "An animal," I murmured, a chill running down my spine. "Did you see it?"

She held my gaze for a long time. Her eyes alarmed, her mouth barely opening to give a response.

The front door opened suddenly, causing both of us to shake as it shut. Edward was bounding in with two pizza boxes in his hands. Keys jingling on his hip as he made his way past Emily, giving me an uncertain look as he went to place the boxes down on the counter.

"Hey," Edward sighed, stepping back into the living room.

Emily nodded in his direction, shot me one final knowing glance before she hurriedly made her leave.

I exhaled, still feeling the weight of Emily's last look, her eyes wide with something close to understanding—and fear. She'd hurried out so quickly, leaving me with questions tangled up in my head.

Edward glanced between me and the closed door, confusion lining his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright… am I missing something here?" he asked, brow furrowing as he walked over to sit beside me.

I forced a weak smile, reaching out to take his hand. "Emily's just… processing some stuff, I guess," I said, feeling the tremor in my own voice.

Edward's gaze softened as he watched me, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my hand. "She doing alright?"

I hesitated, still chilled by what Emily hadn't said. "I don't know. She… seemed like she was."

He gave a small nod, his expression understanding. "Well," he murmured, pulling me closer as he slung an arm around my shoulders. "We've got pizza."

I let out a small laugh, grateful for his presence, his warmth—something to ground me amidst all the questions spinning around.

We ate together and then Edward brought me my meds for the night to knock me out cold. At least I was expecting to be. I had another nightmare, it was the same thing. Standing in front of that screen door, waiting for the person at the stairs to respond to my calls.

It gripped me just as it always did—frozen in place, watching the murky water slowly rise up the screen door. I was calling out, my voice thin and desperate, straining to reach the figure at the top of the stairs. But they stood silent, blurred, just beyond my reach. My feet felt heavy as if I was sinking, unable to move, trapped by the chilling weight of the water creeping higher and higher.

With each gulp of air, I felt the familiar, paralyzing dread as the water lapped against my chest, then my shoulders. I couldn't break free, couldn't escape that feeling of suffocation. And just as the water reached my chin, stealing the last bit of breath I had—

I jolted awake, gasping for air. My heart raced, and the room around me felt foreign and unsettling in the dark. I lay there, trying to convince myself it had only been a dream, gripping Edward's arm as if he were my lifeline. The ache of the nightmare clung to me, a reminder of the helplessness still lurking beneath the surface.

Early morning peeked through the curtains. Edward was already up, he immediately noticed my paleness, opening up the curtains and touching my face lightly. He began offering to get me anything I wanted from my favorite breakfast place, he'd go scoop it up for me. I turned the tv on as he left.

With a surge of determination, I slid out of bed, my feet touching the cool floor as I padded over to the bathroom. It felt good, cleansing even, to brush my teeth and wash my face, like I was finally washing away a layer of everything that had weighed me down since that night. The water against my skin felt like a small victory, one of the first in a while.

Tonight, I'd finally get to soak in the tub, let the warmth seep in and soothe the bruises and aches. Edward had already promised he'd help me, and the thought of his steady presence calmed me, filling me with a sense of peace and security. I could almost feel the relief waiting in that water, and I was ready to let it carry me away.

Eventually I had gone back to curl up in Edward's bed, a cozy cocoon against the chill that had started seeping into the air outside. The quiet hum of the television played softly, lulling me with its warmth and familiarity. Then, out of nowhere, I heard a faint thud. I jolted, my heart racing, my eyes wide as I scanned the room.

The familiar comfort of Edward's room suddenly felt vulnerable, the shadows seeming to deepen around me as my pulse quickened. I stayed still, straining to listen, half-expecting the sound to repeat. But everything was silent again, save for the soft drone of the television.

Taking a shaky breath, I tried to rationalize it—maybe something in the kitchen shifted, or a stray draft knocked into something. I knew Edward was out grabbing breakfast, but knowing he wasn't here only made the house feel emptier, too vast and too still.

Forcing myself to relax, I let my gaze fall back to the TV, the images blurring as I fought against the unease creeping up my spine. But then… I heard it again—a faint, rhythmic tapping from somewhere down the hall. Each sound hit me like a shock, and I gripped the blanket tightly, willing myself to breathe.

"Get a grip, Leah," I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice.

It took a moment to gather myself, to even consider getting up. I reached for the remote, ready to mute the TV, my nerves on edge. Just as I began to push myself up, I heard it—a soft murmur, my name drifting through the silence like a whisper from another room.

I froze, straining to hear it again, my skin prickling as if the house itself was holding its breath.

I could've sworn I'd heard it again, a soft murmur in the silence of the house.

"Edward?" I called, my voice barely steady, but there was no response. The quiet felt heavy, like the walls themselves were inching closer, pressing in on me. Panic started to coil in my chest, tightening until I couldn't breathe. I staggered toward the front porch, desperate for air, and felt a sharp pain flare from my injuries. Gasping, I clutched myself, standing in the open air as I waited for the tightness in my chest to ease. The cool breeze brushed over me, and slowly, I started to feel my breath settle again.

The eerie quiet lingered, settling heavily around me. My skin prickled with the sensation of being watched, as if something unseen hovered just out of view, waiting.

I shivered, feeling the weight of loneliness pressing in. I couldn't stay alone, not like this. My mind raced as I considered calling the girls, desperate for their company, for anyone to fill the silence. I knew they'd come if I asked—after all, they'd been a constant presence, rallying around me like a wall of warmth and support. But, something felt like it was looming, as though whatever had gone after Sam wasn't finished, as though its sights were still set on me.

EPOV

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Since I've gotten Leah back home all of the girls were with Leah, and I felt a sense of relief knowing they were there for her. It wasn't the kind of comfort words could offer; it was deeper, warmer—what she really needed after everything she'd been through. She was surrounded by love, her family pouring in to check on her, give her space to heal, and just be present. It was overwhelming in the best way, knowing how many people cared for her.

Leah's family came in waves those first few days, filling our home with support. My own family, though smaller in comparison, also rallied around us. I was especially grateful for that. Leah's people were coming out of the woodwork—cousins, aunts, even friends she hadn't seen in years. I just wanted her to feel loved, supported, and safe. I knew this experience would change her forever, but I hoped that being surrounded by her family might ease some of that pain.

As for the miscarriage, we kept that private, only telling a select few. Jessica knew, of course. I trusted Jacob enough to tell him too. But I made sure it didn't get back to Sue. I didn't want to open that door just yet, especially considering how much turmoil Sue could put Leah through with the constant reminders.

My family took it hard when I told them. Emmett was devastated, offering help at every turn, and Alice, too, asked if there was anything they could do. But what I really needed from them was their company, just being there for Leah when she needed it most. I knew she appreciated their presence, even if she didn't say much.

It's strange—after all Leah had been through, part of me thought she might want to shut the world out, retreat into herself. But no, she wanted company. She didn't want to be left alone, and I understood that. We were both terrified of everything that had happened, and the attack, the mauling, had been the tipping point. She hadn't explicitly connected it to the other strange events we'd been dealing with, but deep down, I had a nagging feeling it was all connected. Something darker was at play, and it felt like things were only escalating.

I, on the other hand, had the displeasure of dealing with Sue on the first morning after. I had kept the conversation vague, only mentioning that Leah had been attacked, without giving away any more details. No way was I going to tell her about the miscarriage. Hell no. But even just saying Leah had been attacked caused Sue to spiral into a meltdown. I spent the next forty-five minutes on the phone trying to calm her down, while internally, I was still trying to process everything myself.

She immediately wanted someone to pick her up so she could be with Leah, which was the last thing Leah needed. I somehow managed to convince Sue to hold off for a few days, suggesting she just call Leah for now. Although, truthfully, I didn't even want her doing that.

Sue reluctantly agreed, though not without a fight. In the end, she asked for some things she needed for her house, and just to keep the peace, I promised I'd handle it. That seemed to shut her up.

I had to speak with her again today, too. Before I left the house, I gave Leah a kiss, assuring her I'd be back while the girls were taking care of her. I stayed on the phone with Sue, only hanging up when I finally got to Jacob's.

We still had to get on the phone with Jr. to fill him in on what took place at his business. It took Jacob and me a solid thirty minutes just to scratch the surface. We made sure to include every detail I'd gotten from the hospital, the cops, Leah, and Jessica. The biggest detail of all? Sam was dead.

The grander picture of it all was that Leah and I had lost our baby that we had no clue of. But, of course we didn't want to add that detail.

"I just don't want Leah to keep reliving it," I said, rubbing my temples. "The less she has to explain, the better. There's too much to unpack."

Jacob nodded, understanding the weight of it all. "I can shut the shop down, handle the bar until you and Claire both are ready to come back. The cops will be there all day today, but after that, everything should be squared away."

Jr's voice cut through the tension. "Man, is Leah okay? I'm not even sure I understand fully what's going on."

Jacob and I exchanged a look, both of us fully aware of how insane the situation sounded. I couldn't help but feel for Jr and Claire. They had gone on vacation hoping for a break, only to get a call that Leah's ex had been killed outside their business. That's not the kind of news anyone expects to hear.

"Leah's… she's okay," I said softly, struggling to find the right words.

"Edward and I are gonna clean up the back of the building," Jacob added obviously trying to fill in the dead space of my words. Leah was definitely not okay.

Jr sounded hesitant. "What's back there?"

"Uh… a lot of gross stuff," Jacob replied, his face twisting in disgust. "But we'll handle it."

"Yeah, pressure wash that shit," Jr responded. "Should we head back? Maybe see if we can change our flight?"

Both Jacob and I quickly jumped in with a chorus of "Nope" and "Nah." We reassured him that we had everything under control, though we knew there was no way to make Jr and Claire stop worrying. Not after what had happened, and especially not while they were in Alaska.

"Honestly, y'all aren't exactly making me feel better," Jr admitted, pausing as he spoke to Claire in the background. "Might be best if we just come home early."

Jacob slouched forward with his hands pressed together against his chest. His face a bit flushed. "Dude, I promise you, we've got it handled."

"You guys have been waiting to take a vacation," I added, hoping it'd help convince him.

"I know, I know," Jr stopped. "Jake you handle payroll at the shop right?"

"Fuck no, I've got a lady that handles that for me," Jacob responded despondently.

"Think you can get that lady to help out? Throw her some cash? Cause that's the biggest part that Leah was handling for us, the money," he clarified.

"Absolutely, I'll make a call as soon as we get off the phone."

Jr's voice was filled with tension. "Yeah, well, let me speed it up for you. Just don't mess anything up. I'll call PD myself, see if they need anything from us—shit wait, were the cameras working?"

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "You've got surveillance?"

"You're damn right, I do," Jr confirmed.

Jacob and I exchanged a look, the realization setting in. I found myself chewing at my nails, the anxiety bubbling up as I considered what we knew was on that footage. The horrifying shit that took place.

"Alright, I'll call if anything comes up," Jr said finally.

"Same here," Jacob replied.

Then Jr's voice shifted, softened. "Edward?"

I cleared my throat, acknowledging him. "Yeah?"

"Please… keep an eye on my cousin, take care of her."

My brows furrowed. "Bet your ass."

There was a pause, and then Jr added quietly, "She's been jumpy lately. All this—it's only gonna make that worse."

Did Leah tell him about the other things going on? The unexplainable moments? I didn't dare ask. Instead, I nodded as if he could see me. "She's safe with me," I said firmly, hoping my voice was as steady as I wanted it to be.

We'd gotten off the phone a short time later, saying our goodbyes gently before hanging up on the receiver. Jacob had to give his lady friend a call about the financials with the VFW with Leah being out of commission. Jacob dapped me up and nodded saying nothing more than, "I'll call you."

I had promised while on the phone with Jr that I'd help Jacob with the clean up. I wasn't all that eager to see the scene. I was sure I was going to get sick, it made me feel a way to even think about it. But, with all that Jacob has done for Leah with her mother, and just how good of a guy he can be I figured I'd help out in any way that I could.

I'd left to order some pizza. There was a text from Jess telling me she had to run but, Leah was fine, she had company. I thanked her profusely through text. Jess was helping out so much, I was feeling forever grateful to her. She was such a good friend to Leah, and she's been around forever too.

I had gotten home that night with a heaviness on my shoulders. I got back with fragrant pizza to my surprise I see Emily standing near my front room. It took me longer than I had thought it was going to. My shock was obvious, but I didn't want to press Leah too much about it.

We'd fallen asleep that night watching Blazing Saddles. The next morning I had gone to get Leah a bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant, with some kettle chips and a frozen coffee. She seemed sorta jumpy. Thought that maybe she'd want to bathe now instead of waiting for tonight.

"It hurts to breathe," Leah said shakily, her voice tinged with discomfort. She let out a small yelp as she tried to adjust herself on the couch. I was already by her side, helping her settle.

"You want me to run you a warm bath?" I asked, hoping to ease some of her pain.

She smirked weakly, "That'd be lovely, baby."

I went to get everything ready, making sure it was perfect for her. When I came back, I moved carefully, helping her out of her tube top, easing it down her body without touching the tender bruises that marked her skin. Her shorts followed, sliding off as gently as I could manage.

My baby. She's so beautiful. God forbid I'd have lost her.

Lifting her bridal style, I carried her to the master bathroom, her body light and delicate in my arms. I slowly lowered her into the warm, rose-petaled bath I had prepared, the scent of candles filling the air. I'd even gotten her a bath pillow for extra comfort. Every detail mattered—I just wanted her to feel cared for.

"Want me to get you a snack or something?" I asked, leaning against the cool tile, watching her relax.

She shook her head, eyes closed as she focused on her breath. "No, thank you," she muttered, her voice soft. "And... thank you for being so amazing."

"You're welcome. I'd do anything for you, darlin'," I said. After a moment, I couldn't resist touching her gently, my hand resting on her thigh under the water. I stroked her skin lightly, eliciting a slow hiss from her as she exhaled, her head sinking back onto the teal bath cushion.

Her eyes fluttered open, gazing at the ceiling before she spoke again. "You think the baby would've been a boy or a girl?"

My chest tightened at her words. I thought for a moment before answering, "Either way is okay, baby."

The silence stretched on, broken only by the soft ripples of the water. My hand still rested on her thigh, offering quiet comfort. Then she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I feel better... can we try again?"

A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I huffed out a breath. "Of course we can." I gave her soft thigh a gentle squeeze, my heart aching but hopeful.

Leah was in no condition for anything intimate, her pain too severe for us to be together that way. Right now, all I cared about was making her comfortable. But I understood her frustration—she missed our connection. I longed for her always, my hard on was unavoidable when this woman is in my presence. I just had to cool it for a while. Which I didn't mind, I wanted to devote my time to making her feel better. I'd been feeling so guilt ridden that it was hard to even look at her. The bruises on her neck made me want to slam my fist into the wall until it was a broken grizzly mess. I couldn't believe this had even happened.

How could this have happened?

How did I not know that this would be that fuck head's next move. To go and try to threaten my love. To go and take something so precious from her. I shouldn't have listened to my lawyer. Motherhood will fit her well. It's just not in the cards right now. I have to try and think it's for a reason, anything else will make me spiral. And I needed to be strong for Leah. Not have a total mental breakdown.

As I looked at her, every inch of me was captivated—her beauty, her strength, even her fragility right now. The bruises made my chest tighten, reminding me of what had been stolen from us, from her. But I couldn't let my anger take over; I needed to focus on Leah and her healing.

I'd went and gave her some Ibuprofen, along with 50mg of Diclofenac for the pain. When she asked for an edible, I got it for her without hesitation, watching as she popped the 100mg piece from her little pink safe she kept at my place.

As the TV flickered in the bedroom, casting a soft glow over the room out there. My eyes landed on Leah, she looked at me from where she lay, the bathroom feeling both familiar and new. This was my space, but now it was ours.

Her body sat so still in the water. The rose petals sticking to her wet skin. Against the sides of her breasts, her light brown nipples just barely grazing the surface of the water. I was forever memorized by this woman. I felt like I was choking when I gazed lower towards the bruises on her sides.

"Feeling any better?" I asked softly, moving closer.

She nodded, her gaze softening as she looked up at me. "It's getting there," she whispered. The water glistened around her, and for a moment, everything felt still, calm. "We should move far away... to the middle of nowhere, have a farm, raise our babies," she mused, her voice dreamy. "We've got enough put together to make it work."

My heart fluttered at the thought. "We sure do," I murmured, a soft smile spreading across my face. "I'm gonna have to put a ring on that finger of yours, babe."

She gave me a tired but loving smile, her eyes searching mine. "What?"

"You know me—I don't waste any time. I want you to be my wife. I want you to have my babies." I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek, then whispered my devotion in her ear. She caressed my cheek softly, a warmth that eased my worries even for a second.

Her hand drifted back to rest on her thigh, glistening from the bathwater. I held her gaze as I pulled away just barely, close enough to feel her breath. She sighed, her voice faint. "It's still happening."

I took a slow, steadying breath, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm here. I'm not leaving you alone again," I promised, my voice low and unwavering.

"I think people were right about my family," she said with disdain. Her beautiful eyes closing as her head leaned back against the tub. "We're cursed," she sighed heavily. "If you had any sense, you'd run now."

"Leah," I began.

Even with her eyes closed her face moved in conflict with what she was feeling. "I need to figure this shit out, I want to be with you. I want to be happy."

"Hey," I grasped her hands. "I am with you, we are happy, I am seeing this through with you."

Her gorgeous, wild eyes opened, settling on me. Making my heart jump. "I need to figure out what's going on, like, yesterday."

I smirked. "I can do that with you."

She looked at me, and I could see the pain and determination mingling in her gaze. "You're not scared of anything, are you?" Her voice was quiet, almost awed, as if she were daring herself to believe it.

"Not of this," I replied, my grip on her hands tightening just enough to let her know how serious I was. "Not of you, not of what's happened, not of any curse."

She sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "And you're real?" Her soaked hand slipped out of my grip and touched my cheek. Warmth spread across my face as I held her gaze again.

We giggled with each other as I assured her I indeed am real.

Thank you for reading! Next chapter will be up soon!

-A