Т Нован - Exposure Season 2

Of course, having great parents is also a good thing. Mama and Papa went home earlier this week to ready the house for us. I even got them agree to bring Trouble out for me. I managed to convince Papa not to do any construction. We'll have a wheelchair for Kels, but only if we go out for extended periods of time. Otherwise, she's to get around on her walking cast and a cane. Lord knows, all of us want to baby her, but the therapist warned against it. Better to help her get well.

I open up one of our bags and pull out a small quilt from home. I tuck it around her as the other passengers begin boarding. I’m grateful when all but one of them proceed to coach. Kels is still a little self-conscious about being seen, despite the fact that all the bruises have faded.

Kels opens her eyes and gives me a little smile. "Hey, Tabloid."

"Hey, Little Roo."

"Are we there yet?"

"Well, we're on our way, sweetheart. Or at least we will be in a few minutes."

"Good." She pulls my hand under the blanket, then settles against my shoulder. "Can’t wait to get home."

"That makes two of us, chér."

It is very late when we get in, or very early, depending on how you want to look at it. I have to carry Kels off the plane. The valium certainly did a number on her. She’s sound asleep in my arms, snoring again. I keep the quilt carefully tucked round her to obscure her face. I simply don’t trust the paparazzi. I'm sure they're lurking around here somewhere. Bastards.

One of the stewardesses is behind me with our carry on luggage. I see Mama and Papa are here to meet us, even though I told them not to. I should have known better. Papa quick comes over and takes the bags from the stewardess, thanking her for her help.

We begin walking through the terminal to the parking garage. I shipped all of our luggage federal express earlier today so we wouldn't have to deal with bags this morning. It'll all be at the house by the time we get there. I may fly like this more often, actually.

Mama rubs my back as we walk. "You look exhausted."

"A little tired, I'll admit."

"Then let’s get you home."

That is the best offer I've had in awhile.

We're at home. For the first time in over a month, I feel the tension gone from my neck and shoulders. I've been instructed to have a shower and get some sleep. The rest of the family is coming over this afternoon to see us. Kels will be glad for that. I know she's been wanting to see Christian again.

I've settled her into the big, old feather bed. I sit on the edge of the mattress and watch her sleep. I slide the covers over her and give her a little kiss before I go shower.

She stirs, opening her eyes. "Home?"

"Don’t you feel that bed under you? And don't you hear that loud purring machine over there?"

She glances over at the fat cat sitting in a patch of light, then snuggles down into the comforter. "Oh yeah, we’re home."

"That we are." I start to get up.

"Come to bed," she commands, holding out her hand.

"Huh?"

"Come to bed."

"I’m going to take a quick shower." I tell her with a kiss.

Kels looks panicked. "Then you’re coming back here, right? To this bed? To me?"

"Of course I am, chér." It looks like she’s going to cry. "What’s wrong? Are you in pain?"

"I'm afraid," she whispers.

I can barely hear her, so I get closer. "Afraid? Afraid of what, Kels? That bastard is dead and, I swear, no one will ever get close enough to hurt you again." Cross my heart and hope to die, literally.

"No, I was afraid you wouldn’t want to." She sniffs, her tears are falling freely now.

"Oh, baby. What wouldn’t I want to do?"

"Be with me. Because of what happened. Because he…"

I can't take it anymore and I pull her into my arms. "No, no, no, no, darlin'. I’m coming to bed, coming back to you, I promise. It's just I smell bad and you wouldn’t be able to stand me." I offer with a little laugh to try and ease her doubts. "Mama told me I had to shower before I get in there with you."

"Okay, if Mama said you had to." She wipes away her tears. "I’m sorry for being so silly."

"Don’t you be sorry about that. If you ever need reassurance, you let me know. Deal?"

She smiles. "Deal."

I’m not sure what time it is, and, quite frankly, I don’t care. All I need to know is we are home and Harper is in bed with me, curled up at my side with her arm securely draped over my waist. I pull her hand up to hold it under my chin, kissing her fingers. Just being here in New Orleans with her eases some of the pain in my mind and body. I am very content.

She groans a bit, and her fingers tickle the base of my neck. "You awake?" she mumbles in my ear.

"Uh huh."

"Finally."

"I’m going to try and move my leg a bit." I give her fair warning so she can give me a lot of room.

We readjust and I grit my teeth as I shift, trying to straight out my leg. Having to sleep with it propped up on a couple pillows is a pain. I never seem to be able to completely relax my hip that way. And, I really prefer to sleep on my side, but it'll be a couple more weeks before I can do that.

Harper props up herself on her elbow, looking down at me. I note that her bangs have grown too long. She certainly never left my side to get a haircut. "How do you feel?"

"Not bad, considering. Being here is wonderful." I can hear the activity in the house below. I remember Harper said something about her brothers coming over today. I can't wait to see everyone. And take my seat in the kitchen.

"It certainly is. I won’t argue with you."

"Well, there's a first," I tease. "How long can we stay?"

"Until you feel well enough to go to New York. Although, I was thinking we could go up to the city ahead of time and do some apartment hunting before our move. Give us a little time to familiarize ourselves with the place. And, of course, to sign our big, new contracts."

"We got a good deal there, didn’t we?"

"Oh you better believe it, Little Roo."

"A nice fresh start, just what we need. Or at least what I need."

"It’s best for both of us, Kels."

I look up into her clear blue eyes and I feel all of my emotions run up and grab me by the throat. "You’re all I have left, Harper. He took everything."

She smiles, but shakes her head. "No, he didn't, sweetheart. It just feels that way right now."

"He took my job, my car, my apartment … my family, my security. Everything."

"Chér, you're only a victim if you choose to be. And, with the exception of Erik, everything else doesn't matter. It's all replaceable. And, for what he did to Erik, I hope he burns in hell for all eternity. But, Kels, you have a new network job with nationwide exposure. Your car was due to come off lease soon anyway, and insurance paid for it. We'll get a great apartment in New York. And, there's no such thing as perfect safety. Bad things happens. But, like they say, it's not how many times you get knocked down that matters, but how many times you get up."

"Weebles wobble but they don't fall down, eh?" I quote the old toy ad. I imagine myself as a Weeble and immediately decide to go on a diet.

"Exactly."

"So," I tug on her hand, interlacing our fingers together. "I take it we’re moving in together?"

"Ah, well, I had hoped so." Harper blushes and studies the down comforter. "I mean, well, I guess you would want to be asked. And this isn't really the most romantic setting for that. I just kinda assumed, given everything that's happened lately. But, I suppose, I shouldn't have. I mean, you might want to have your own space for awhile …"

"Harper," I try to interrupt.

"And I could understand that. I don't want to force you into anything. I'm not real good at this whole relationship thing, don't have a really good track record, you know. Hell, I don't even have a track record. I've never even thought about living with anyone, except my cat …"