Amanda's POV

It's been several days since I was admitted to the hospital. The doctor says I am doing well and should be able to go home tomorrow. My ribs still hurt and I still have a headache. Eric has never left my side and is always making sure I am comfortable. My dad has come to see me everyday and Eric has given us time alone. He has said that he was sorry for the way he acted when I was younger. He has seen the way that Eric is with me and knows that he loves me. I have forgiven him and we are starting to mend our broken relationship. I have missed him and still need my dad.

"Hello pumpkin, I brought you two some lunch."

"Thanks daddy."

"Thank you."

"You went to the diner again?" I ask with a smirk.

"Yes, you know I like that place."

"Oh daddy, I know there is another reason you go there."

"Pumpkin, we talked about this."

"Come on, it's about time you moved on. You know mom wouldn't want you to be alone."

"Drop it!"

I dropped it, but I saw a small smile that disappeared quickly. I feel like there is more to this, but I don't question it. He spends the rest of the afternoon with us. Matt had flown back home yesterday, since there was a huge problem at work and they needed his help. I told him that was fine and would see him in a couple days. The doctor came in for his final rounds this evening to check and see how I was doing. He was really happy with the way I was healing, and decided that he would release me tomorrow. I was so excited to get back to my own bed. It was great to see my dad again and fix us. Dad spent several hours with us until visiting hours were over. He said he would be back in the morning to pick us up.

"Baby, why don't you go home with daddy so you can get some rest. I am fine."

"I'm not leaving you, so get that out of your head. I have a cot over there and I will get some real rest when we are back home."

"Are you sure? You have been on that thing for a week."

"Then what's one more day?"

"I guess you're right. Come snuggle with me for a bit. I miss having you close to me."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

He walks over and climbs into bed with me. I scoot over to give him room and I lay my head on his chest and wrap my arm and leg around him.

"Are you okay? I'm not hurting you, am I?" he asks.

"No, my meds are kicking in good. I just miss this. I miss you."

"I miss this too. When you disappeared, I was lost. I didn't know what to do."

"I knew you would find me, though. I had faith in you. I am so glad I get out of here tomorrow though. I miss home."

"You don't want to stay here for a bit with your dad?"
"I love my dad and I am glad that we have worked things out, but it's not home anymore, and I just want to get home with you and Matty."

"Then home we shall go. I will call Damian and he will send the plane."
"He has a plane?"

"Yes, and he said he would send it back when we are ready."

"Is there anything that he doesn't have?"

"Probably not." He says with a chuckle.

I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat as it lulls me to sleep. I wake up the next morning and he has shifted back to the cot and I gingerly turn over on my side to just watch him. He is laying on his back and the sheet is laying low on his stomach, the v that points to desires lurking below. My eyes travel over his tight abs that move and ripple as he breaths. His mouth parted slightly, and those soft velvet lips that I love to kiss. After all these years I still can't believe he ever chose me. He is an amazing man and is all mine.

"Are you staring at me again?"

"Maybe, I can't help myself. I still can't believe that I found you again. I still feel like I am going to wake up and you won't be here."

He sits up and walks over to me and climbs into bed with me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him.

"I am real, and I am never leaving you again."

"I love you so much."

"I love you too, my queen. You will never lose me again."

He lifts my chin up and kisses my lips. His tongue slides across them as I open them to grant him access. His tongue slides over mine as they begin a heated dance. He deepens the kiss as he pulls me into him as his hand slides down through my gown to caress my ass. He soon pulls back and places his forehead to mine.

"We need to stop or I won't be able to stop myself. Your dad will be here soon. You need to heal first too."

"Mmmm, I can't help myself. I need you."
"I need you too, but your ribs and head need to heal. Trust me, when the doctor says you are good. You can have every inch of me."

"I look forward to it."

He kisses my forehead and gets up from the bed and a few minutes later my dad walks in the door. He brings our bags in for us. The doctor walks in soon after and says that I am good to go. He goes over home care and gives me my prescriptions and goes to send in the nurse. She comes in and takes everything off me. While the nurse is busy with me, Eric heads into the bathroom and takes a shower. He comes out and the smell of his clean body sends heat to my core. If my dad wasn't here I would jump him here. After the nurse is done. I head into the shower.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Eric's POV

"Listen Eric, I want to apologize for the way I acted before. That was me being overprotective and it went farther than it ever should have. I was being a judgemental asshole before I ever got to know you. I have seen how you are with her and that you dropped everything to come rescue here. I am glad that you two have found each other again. You two were meant to be."

"Thank you for that. I love your daughter and hope someday to make her my wife."
"You have my blessing, son."

He reaches out to shake my hand and pulls me into a hug. It surprises me at first and I am not sure what to do and eventually I hug him back.

"I know I have a lot of trust to earn, and I hope that someday you both will accept it."

We will take it one day at a time, but you have taken the first step in apologizing to us.

A few minutes later Amanda comes out from the bathroom smelling of vanilla and lavender. She looks absolutely beautiful. Her lip is healing and the bruises on her face are beginning to fade. She comes over to sit on the bed.

"Are you ready to go home, love?"

"More than ready?"

"Shall we go to the house?" her father asks.

"No daddy, I want to go home."

"I see. I just thought you might want to go home."

"I do, but to my home. I miss it. I miss my friends. I'm sorry daddy."

"That's okay, pumpkin. I understand. Maybe I can come visit you one day. I have never been to California."

"I would like that. You could see where I work."

"Definitely."

The nurse then comes in with the wheelchair and we take Amanda out to the car. I had called Damian earlier and he had sent the plane to pick us up. It was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport. We all stepped out and both of their eyes went big.

"That is Damian's? He really doesn't do anything small does he?"

"What does your friend do?"

"He is a business man with several of his own companies." I say vaguely.

"He must be doing well." Jordan says, shaking his head.

The steward came down and grabbed our bags and took them inside.

"Well, I guess we need to go, daddy."

"I'm going to miss you pumpkin."

"I will miss you too, daddy. Will you come visit us soon?"

"Yes, I will. Now you two get on that plane."

"Thank you again, Jordan."

"You take care of my little girl."

"Don't worry, I will."

She hugs her father like she will never see him again as the tears fall from both their eyes. I am glad that they both worked out their differences and she was able to forgive him. I know she loved her father very much and needed him in her life. They eventually pull apart and he wipes his eyes as he steps over to me and pulls me into a hug. He steps back and sends us off. We board the plane and buckle in for take off.

"This is amazing!" she says quietly.

"There is even a bedroom in the back."

"Wow!" I see her stifle a yawn and I chuckle.

"You can go lay down if you want."

"Alright, will you come lay with me?"

"Absolutely, won't pass up on any opportunity to cuddle with my girlfriend."

Just then the pilot comes over the intercom and says that we are at cruising altitude and we are free to move around the cabin. We unbuckle and I follow her back to the bedroom. We take off our shoes and climb into the bed. We spoon together as she falls asleep. I lay there listening to her breath and enjoy the closeness. It wasn't long after that I was asleep also. It felt like I had just closed my eyes when a knock at the door was waking me up. The steward told us we would be landing in about thirty minutes, so we needed to get back to our seats. I gently shake Amanda and kiss her neck.

"Wake up love, we are about to land."

"Mmmnfghng"

"Come on love, you need to wake up. We need to get in our seats for landing."

She slowly starts to scratch as she presses her butt into my crotch. I groan as she begins to sit up and reaches for her shoes.

"Did you have a nice nap?"

"Yes, it was lovely and waking up in your arms is the best."

She leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips. I get up and grab my shoes and we go sit in our seats and buckle in as they begin their descent into the airport. It is so great to be back home.

"I hope this is not too forward, but I would like for you to stay with me while you recover. I want to be the one to take care of you."

"I would like that. I don't think Matt would have a problem with that."

We finally landed and headed out of the plane. They had my car ready for us when we got there and loaded our bags for us. We head back to her apartment and I follow her up to her apartment. She walks in and turns on the lights. I hear surprise and her gasp as I follow in behind her. I see a lot of people I don't know and also Matt and Kyle.

"Welcome home, bunny."

"Yes, welcome home! How are you!" Kyle says with a smile.

"You scared me to death. You did this just for me?"

"I kinda had help from the guy behind you though."

She turns around and smiles at me as she walks over to me throwing her arms around me as she kisses my lips. Then she goes to hug both Matt and Kyle.

"Thank you guys. It means so much to me."

"You're welcome. You mean a lot to us, A." Kyle says shyly.

"Yes, you do." Matt adds.

"Awe, you guys."

She goes to hug them again and Matt hugs back a little too hard and I hear her wince.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry. I forgot."

"It's okay, Matt. I'm fine."

The rest of her coworkers come up to talk to her as I stand back and watch. I am so glad she has such a good support system here with her job and friends. She grabs my hand and brings me into the circle and introduces me to everybody and I smile a little knowing she is not ashamed of me. I guess I still let my past rule over me. No one here knows my past but it still haunts me. She proudly introduces me to everybody. It was a nice get together and everyone was glad to see that Amanda was okay. Her boss said that she could take as long as she needed. She even said she could work from home. She was happy with that. It was getting late and soon everyone was gone. We decided to stay here for the night and take her stuff to my place in the morning.

"Matty, I am going to stay with Eric for a while, while I recover."

"That's fine, bunny. I will have company since Kyle will be here for a bit."

"Has he decided to move out here with you?"

"Not quite yet, but I think I might have him convinced."

"Oh, that's great. I know you can be quite convincing."

"Yes, he can. I need to find a job before I come out here though." Kyle chimes in as he comes in from the kitchen.

"Babe, I told you that I can support both of us until you find a job."

"I know, but I don't want you to do all the work."

"You both are too cute. Here, let me help you clean up."

"No, this was your party and you need to rest. Now take your man to bed and sleep." Matt says firmly.

"You don't have to tell me twice. Come on love, let's go to bed."

I take her hand and we head back to her room. I strip down to my boxer briefs and crawl into bed as she puts to put on her pajamas. She tries to undress and hisses as she moves. I climb out of bed and walk over to her.

"Here, let me help you."

"Thank you, I thought I could do it myself, but I guess I can't just yet."

"All you have to do is ask, Miss independent."

"Okay, thank you."

"This is what I am here for, to take care of you."

I help her out of her clothes and into her pajamas. I then help her into bed and crawl into the other side. She curls up into me and lays her head on my chest.

"I love you. Thank you for taking care of me."

"I love you too. This is what I'm here for. All you need to do is ask for help. I know it is hard for you."

"I am so used to doing things on my own. I think I could get used to you waiting on me, though."

She soon goes quiet and I can hear her shallow breathing. I kiss the top of her head and close my eyes and soon I drift off to dreamland.