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 You know I would do anything for you Mark, Dr. Jim said and then left.
The doctor had given her some pain pills so her head wasn t pounding anymore but she was sore and
her wrists and hands burned. She wanted nothing more than to shower the grime off her body and sink
into a bubble bath.
Mark helped her dress and she had to smile at the irony. He was usually trying to get her out of her
clothes, not put them on.  This is a change, she said with a flirty smile at him.
Mark looked at her in shock as he realized she was joking with him.  I love you, Emily. I can t even
think what could ve happened if we hadn t gotten there when we did, he said with a thick voice.
 Mark, you did get there in time and I simply don t want to think about that man or place anymore. I m
one of the lucky ones who was found because I have you, she said, as she ran her hand over his
cheek.
 Okay, for you I ll try to stop worrying, he said with a weak smile.
 Thank you. Now let s go home. He took her hand and led her out to the ER waiting area. Lucas and
Alex jumped up as soon as they spotted them.
 Are you okay? Is the baby okay? they asked in unison. Emily nodded her head yes and then on
impulse hugged each of the brothers.
 Thank you for caring about me. I m glad to have you as my brothers, she said as a tear slipped out.
Both men were too choked up to say a word and instead hugged her tighter. A few minutes later they
made their way outside to the car.
The men were treating her like a porcelain doll. Mark even held her head as she bent down to get in
the car, worried she might bump it on the door jamb.
She sat in the backseat, snuggled up in Mark s arms, on the short ride back to the house. When they
pulled up the front door opened and the porch filled with her sisters, Joseph and Katherine, Mary and
Scott and Edward.
She was once again overcome by emotion, as she looked at the amazing group of people who were
her family. She walked up the steps and was engulfed in hugs and kisses and then led into the den,
where she sat down, with a blanket thrown over her and a steaming mug placed in her hands.
 You drink this up and then we ll get you upstairs to clean up before you have to do any talking,
Mary said, taking over like a mother hen.
Emily obediently drank the soothing liquid and realized it did make her feel better and seemed to give
her some added energy, which she was seriously depleted of.
When she finished the drink, Amy and Jessica led her upstairs and she was relieved to jump under the
soothing spray of hot water. She took her time washing any traces of the man who had taken her away
and turned her skin pink from scrubbing so hard.
By the time she stepped out and put on some clean flannel pajamas she was feeling almost human
again.  Please burn those clothes, she said about the mud covered clothing she d been wearing.
 No problem, Jessica said and whisked the clothes off the floor, throwing them in the trash can.
 They will be gone before you come in here again.
The girls made their way back down the stairs and Emily was once again placed on the couch with a
blanket thrown over her. Mark sat down next to her and pulled her tightly against his side.
Emily explained the whole story of how she d been in the barn and she figured the man had
approached her from behind, hitting her in the head with something.
 Is Trevor okay? she asked.
 We didn t tell him what was happening. We thought that would be best, Joseph said.
 Thank you Joseph, I wouldn t have wanted him to know, she said, feeling relieved. She would
check on him when she went up to bed, even though she knew he was safe.
 I know you re all worried and waiting for me to fall apart any moment. I was terrified beyond
anything when I was locked in that cabin but the terror ended the minute Mark walked through the
door. I knew somehow he would be there to save me and I want you to know you really don t have to
worry about me, she told them sincerely.
 Okay, we ll quit the worrying, Jessica said.  Well, we might worry a little but we ll be sure to
hide it from you, she added with a laugh.
 Everyone can either use guest rooms here or head home but I m taking my wife up to take a nice long
bubble bath to ease her aching joints and then bed, Mark said to his family.
 I think we ll head home and hug on our children for a while, Amy said as she walked over and
hugged Emily.
 That sounds like a great idea, Emily told her.
 We ll do the same but we re coming over this weekend with the kids so we can have a big family
barbeque, Jessica told her.
 Perfect. Thank you Jessica, Emily said, excited to have the family over for another get together.
 Your mother and I are going to stay the night. We ll feel better in the morning if we get to spend time
with our grandson, Joseph said. He and Katherine gave Emily a kiss before heading off towards the
stairs.
 I love you guys, she called after them.
 I m going to make you some dinner to eat for after your bath. I ll leave it on the table by the door. It
will be something easy on your stomach, Mary said and then rushed off to the kitchen.
 I really am grateful you re okay. Since you ve come into this old home there s noticeably more
laughter. You re a beautiful woman inside and out, Edward told her.
 Thank you, Edward. All of you are my family, she said and then kissed his cheek. He mumbled
something and then shuffled off.
 You, my beautiful wife, are incredibly loved, Mark told her when they were finally alone.
 That s the greatest gift I could ve ever received, Emily said to her husband.
Mark lifted her into his arms and gently carried her to their room. He sat her on the bed and then drew
her a warm bubble bath. He slowly stripped the clothes from her body and kissed her gently, before
carrying her into the bathroom, softly releasing her into the soothing water.
 Do you want to join me, I could use a foot rub? Emily asked him. Mark stripped his clothes off and
climbed into the opposite side of the tub. He lifted her foot into his lap and began to gently massage it.
Mark rubbed her feet and slowly massaged his way up her shapely calves and thighs. All thoughts of
the day were washed away as Mark stroked her, from the soles of her feet to the top of her thighs and
back down.
He turned her around and gently washed her back, then brought his hands around and ran his soapy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]