Chapter 13.1

I woke up in a familiar room, realizing that we were back at Water-crest. Trying to sit up I winced in pain. Michael must have heard me, because the next thing I knew he was by my side.

"Take it easy peque? a, the doctor said you have a few broken ribs," he told her easing her back onto the pillow. Ethan was fast asleep beside her.

Two strangers walked into the room.

"Baby I would like you to meet a very close friend of mine and his wife," Michael said introducing them.

"I'm glad they found you, I was so worried when Greg told me, a friend had been kidnapped," Anita said giving her hand a squeeze.

"I'm sorry we have to leave so soon. But Greg and I have to get back to work."

"Thank you for your help. It was nice to meet you.

When she woke up, she found Michael sleeping beside her. She took the time to study his features as he slept tracing her finger across his eyebrows going down to his chest as she traced the eagle tattoo she rarely saw.

"You should stop that baby, it tickles."

"And here I thought you were asleep," she said softly.

Getting out of the bed, he went into the bathroom and came back to get her.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking you to the bathroom. You have to bath remember," he said to her.

As they walked into the bathroom she found that he had prepared a bath for her, but the sight of the tub reminded her of what she went through at Ted's hands.

Michael must have sensed her fear, as he cupped her face in his hands.

"What's the matter chiquita?"

"I can't use the tub," she said as she stepped back shaking her head.

Listen I will not leave you. But if you do not mind I need to clean up the small cuts you have.

"Come here," he gently said in an authoritative voice.

Slowly helping her out of his shirt he placed her into the tub, she immediately started to panic. Climbing in behind her, he held her close to him whispering sweet nothings to calm her down.

"My love, you are safe," he whispered as he washed her.

Afterwards he dried her off and changed her bandages after changing out of his wet shorts.

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"Querida, there is someone who wants to talk to you," he said handing over his phone.

"Sweetheart are you alright?"

Came the voice of my mother. Both her mom and dad were relieved to hear that we were safe and sound.

I told them we would visit them once I came back. Apparently Michael had told them he was taking care of them until things cooled down a bit.

They stayed at Water-crest for a month until they had both recovered. Ethan had been having nightmares over the past weeks but soon settled down after much reassurance that they were safe.

"Mikey," Joanna whispered.

"What's wrong baby?"

"There is something I didn't get to tell you before the accident. You asked me how I felt about you. What I was going to say that day... I need to tell you my answer to your question. I am in love with you Michael Raymond. Those few days without you were the worst days of my life, and when I thought I had lost you in that explosion my world just crumbled down. I felt like dying thinking you were no more. When Ted said you were alive, my hope was renewed knowing you would be looking for us, and you did find us. I know that lying to you hurt you and I am sorry about that."

Michael just looked at her with a big grin on his face.

"Querida," he said going down on one knee."

"Mikey, what are you doing?"