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 pequeña,  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 squeez.
"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 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?"
"I have been keeping this with me ever since I first met you. I knew you were the one for me, the only thing I needed to hear from you was that you felt the same way before I did this. So Joanna Powell, will you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife, my friend and partner in life, business and anything else you can think of. I want to spent the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old with you querida. I love you with every inch of my being. I want Ethan to be my son, I'm sure you have noticed but he already sees me as his father. I want to apart of both your lives."

With tears rolling down her eyes all she could do was mumble a yes.
"I love you too Mikey," she said as he slipped the ring on her finger.
"Mama, what's wrong?"
"Oh nothing baby, come here," she said holding him in her arms.
"What do you think of Michael becoming your papa?"
"But isn't he my daddy?"
Laughing she replied, "Yes, yes he is," as tears ran down her cheeks.

----------------

Jo woke up to the splitting of wood and following the sound she found Michael out back chopping some firewood. His muscles flexed, contacting and relaxing with each swing of his axe. Mesmerized she just stood there watching him work, his upper body exposed for her entertainment. It wasn't until he stopped to wipe of some sweat from his brow did he look up to find her staring at him.

His hearty laugh brought her out of her daze as he came towards her.
"You do know it's rude to stare, querida."
"Just admiring the scene," she said in a sultry voice.
"Take your time mi amor, this is all yours," he told her indicating his body which made her blush as she turned to head back into the house.

He stopped her by wrapping his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. A shiver ran up her spine at the close contact.
"You don't have to run away mi amore, you can touch if you want," he said turning her in his arms.
She placed her hand on his chest and ran her fingers down his happy trail until his hand stopped her.
"Don't start something you cannot finish," he growled huskily.

Looking into his eyes she could see they were clouded with desire. With a small smile she stood up on her toes to kiss him on his chin.
"You should put on a sweater it's cold out here."
"After that little stunt mi amore, I can take a cold shower out here and still be warm," he said in a husky voice.
Her mouth formed an 'o' before she quickly dashed back into the house.

-----------

"I should be heading back to work Mikey."
"No you cannot go, you are not well enough," he said with a frown on his face.

Looking towards Ethan she got up and took him to bed. After giving him his bath and tucking him in she found Michael in his own room.

"Michael, I have to head back to my office. You have no right to refuse me such. It is my company and my life after all. Besides I am not going back full time, I just need to check if things are going well," she reasoned.
"I don't care if you are not staying there for long. You are not well, hence you will not go back. Now that's final."
"You must be joking. Who do you think you are!"
"Your fiancé of course!" He shouted.
"You said it yourself, fiancé, not husband. In fact no fiancé or husband of mine, will treat me like some property. If you want me, know that my job is also apart of the package," she told him removing the ring. "When you decide to accept my work life call me," she said leaving his room whilst he glared at her not moving an inch.

"Ethan, come on baby we are going back home," she said as she woke up her son.
Getting into her car which Jonathan had brought for her she buckled Ethan into his car seat and pulled out of the driveway.

"I don't want a controlling husband, or else my life will never be the same again. It pains me to leave the love of my life but he needs to see that he cannot and will never control me. He has to know to separate his work from his family," she thought to herself as tears blinded her vision.
She drove for what seemed like forever and could make out the city lights ahead. As fresh tears poured out she was blinded by strong headlights then heard a sickening thud as her car was hit. Her first thought was her son followed by Michael as she was thrown out of the car.

Translations

querida - my darling
Chiquita/Pequeña - little one