Chapter Fifty-Nine

The sound of a steady beeping slowly drew me up from the thick darkness that cradled me so carefully like a protective blanket. My consciousness felt like it was moving through molasses as I tried to force myself to the surface. How long had I been out for and where was I? I feared I would find myself back in the dark recesses of the old hotel, still under the mercy of Noah. I almost wanted to go back into the darkness and hide there until it was all over and Noah was no longer interested in me or I was found. But something kept telling me that I needed to wake up, I needed to fight the heaviness in my limbs and eyelids. I needed to free myself of the trappings of the thick heavy sleep I had just been in.

The room that greeted my opening eyes seemed a little familiar and it took a few moments to realise I was in a hospital room. It wasn’t the same one as last time but it had the same colour theme and simple decor. Beside me, the ECG machine beeped a steady rhythm along with the staccato of my own heartbeat. I could see it was dark outside but the lights were dim which my tired and sore eyes were grateful for.

“Ellie?”

I glanced to my right, my heart fluttering with relief and so many other emotions when I saw Aiden’s tired but handsome face. Hot tears immediately filled my eyes, blurring my sight as I realised Aiden was right there, one hand gripping mine and the other cupping my cheek as he leaned over me.

“You found me.” I breathed, my body shuddering as I tried not to cry. “You found me.”

“We did.” Aiden nodded, his lips so warm and gentle as they kissed my forehead, eyelids, cheeks and lips all so gently and so lovingly. “You’re safe now.”

Safe.

How long had it been since I truly felt that way? Even before Noah kidnapped me I hadn't felt safe, not completely anyway. Sure, being with Aiden had helped relieve some of that fear and anxiety but I still felt on edge, forever waiting for the big bad wolf to come take me away. And he did, Noah had managed to get to me but somehow I had made it through to the other side and he hadn't broken me. I had resisted despite the torment. Noah hadn't just beat me or torture me physically, he had found ways to play with my mind. I hadn't slept in days or eaten. He had kept me on edge purposely because that meant my nerves would fray and my resolve would eventually crumble.

"Is Liam back?" I asked, my throat scratchy and dry.

"He is. Who do you think helped me find you?" Aiden smiled softly, his eyes never leaving my face. Eventually his smile did fade though and I could see his worry coming for me. "The police are going to want to talk to you and the doctor needs to check your injuries…"

"Not yet," I whispered. "Can you just… can you just hold me for a little while?"

Aiden seemed oddly surprised by my request. Maybe he thought I didn't want to be touched or wanted time to come to terms with what happened to me. I did want that time and I no doubt would need it but right now I just wanted to feel his arms around me and focus on him being here with me and that no one could tear us apart.

"Sure." He agreed with a short nod.

I smiled a little, careful not to aggravate my sore lips and carefully moved over so Aiden had space to climb onto the bed with me. The moment his arm came around me and my face pressed into his chest I felt myself let go of the last bits of tension inside of me. I had missed this feeling, of Aiden holding me and me breathing in his scent. I had thought I'd never see him again, that I'd never get to hold him or kiss him again. Yet here we were, lying in a hospital bed but I finally had him back with me.

"El?" Aiden murmured into my hair. "I need to know something. Did he...you know?"

"He didn't sexually assault me." I replied. "I wouldn't have let him."

I heard him sigh in relief. "I'd have killed him if he had. I want to kill him for what he's done to you already."

"He isn't worth it." I countered. "He didn't get what he wanted either."

"God Ellie," Aiden breathed, his arms squeezing me a little. "When I saw you lying there I thought you were dead. I thought we were too late. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you."

"But you didn't lose me. You found me. You and Liam found me." I whispered, closing my eyes against the tears that filled my eyes again.

This time I didn't hold them back. I let the tears roll shamelessly as the weight of the last few days dawned on me. I was exhausted. I hurt. I was so scared but I was also so relieved that the nightmare was over and that Noah couldn't hurt me anymore. I cried until I fell asleep, Aiden whispering words of affection and reassurances to me the whole time. This time the sleep wasn't dark and empty but plagued with snippets of the last few days as they played like a damaged film reel. This would be the first of many sleeps haunted by the harrowing experiences I had endured over the last few days.

The doctor came to check on me the following morning. I had suffered broken ribs, a fractured wrist, several broken fingers and a sprained ankle. The bruising on my hip from where Noah kicked me had caused some swelling which was pressing on the nerves, causing the weakness in my leg. I was relieved to learn the lashes wouldn't scar. Most of them had been superficial although some had been much deeper. The bite marks were treated to prevent an infection but the doctor felt they would heal quickly. My fever had been caused by inflammation from all the wounds.

Then came the police with their questions which had lasted longer than seemed necessary. By the end I was exhausted and I wanted to go home and just sleep. I had barely any time with Liam or Aiden what with the doctors, nurses and police coming in and out. If I had been under eighteen there would probably have been social services as well. Eventually though the whole circus act came to an end and I was discharged with instructions to take it easy.

I was going to do my best with that but I found myself on edge at times, worried Noah would step out from behind a door at any moment. I couldn't sleep, even Aiden's around me and Liam just a few feet down the hall. I started feeling myself withdrawing from everyone and becoming irritable.

My therapist said it was normal. I had been through a profoundly traumatic experience and in some way, I was now able to process what had happened to me as well as grieve for the life I had before this happened. I hadn't really understood to start with but after a few sessions, I realised that when I had been locked up in those rooms while Noah tortured me, I hadn't actually been able to process the situation fully. My survival mode had kicked in and that was all that mattered; survival. Now that the threat was gone, it was like I was purging all the toxic emotions and feelings from my soul.

When it came to the night of Liam's welcome home party, I was nearly healed up. Most of the bruises were gone and I could put weight on my leg. I was just grateful for a distraction and to get out of the house for a bit and do something fun.

Tammy had once again insisted on doing my hair and make up and helped me pick an outfit suitable for a party but also was a bit fun. The deep red dress sat over my figure comfortably, the skirt stopping just above my knee. The long sleeves covered the last of the bruises and cuts littering my arms but also kept me a bit warm. Seeing myself in the mirror, my hair in loose waves over my shoulders and my eyes surrounded by smokey makeup, I felt a little bit like myself again but a new version. I was a survivor. I had won out against the demons that had wanted to break me down.

"Wow, Ellie…"

I turned and smiled shyly at Aiden who was standing in the bedroom doorway, a deep blue shirt stretched over his muscled form. His hair was glimmering like gold in the soft lighting and falling across his forehead slightly. He looked stunning and I felt myself become breathless just looking at him.

"You ready to go?" I asked as I grabbed my coat and bag.

"I am." He nodded and pushed away from the doorframe. "Just one thing though."

I tilted my head curiously at him as Aiden walked over, leaning down to kiss me.

"Aiden, you'll get my lipstick on you." I protested weakly.

"Hm, I don't care." He murmured, his giant hands finding my hips and pulling me closer.

I won't lie, I hardly resisted. I might have been a mess both mentally and emotionally but I still craved Aiden's touch, his presence even and I melted into the kiss, enjoying a few moments together before we had to go.

"I love you." Aiden murmured when we parted, his lips slightly swollen from the kiss.

"You what?" My eyes widened in surprise. I must have misheard him.

"I love you, Ellie." Aiden repeated, his blue eyes closing a circuit with mine. "I think I knew from the moment we met when I first moved in. I can't not love you and I don't need you to say it back, I just want you to know---"

"I love you too." I blurted out, cutting Aiden off. It felt so right to say it, so good in fact. It was like I was finally letting go of the last piece of my insecurities. "I love you Aiden."

He pulled me into another kiss, hands cupping my face.

"I love you Ellie."