We made it back and we parted ways as Marshal went to park his car, instead of going up to the room we made a detour out the back doors and out into a beautiful garden, the smells of all the different flowers was so relaxing and beautiful I was in awe.

"So, I know we haven't been discussing things about what is happening, but I have been trying to help make you feel comfortable here. I still have time to serve so to speak and to be able to keep you with me we need to..." his phone rang interrupting him, looking at the caller ID his face turned from a frown to emotionless.

"Boss." he answered in a stony voice. He kept it short and sweet with yes sir, okay, and got it. He hung his head after ending the call and ran his fingers through his hair before turning to me and trying to smile.

"Sorry Gnome, we will have to continue this talk later. Come on lets get you to bed." with that he takes my hand and leads me back into the house, I flash back to running away his strong hand in mine and I feel a de ja vu with him leading me into the house like this. It feels familiar, the feelings I feel, the tenderness he holds my hands, how he talks to me and even some of his habits are the same as my Chucks.

Shaking my head we get back to the room, he kisses my forehead and says he will be back late to just get some sleep. He grabs a bag and fills it with some items I can't see before giving me one last longing look and heading out. It takes me many hours of tossing and turning before I finally fall asleep.

Feeling something feather light on my face I struggle to regain full consciousness, my head hurts and everything is sluggish from staying awake so late. Groaning and trying to swat whatever is tickling me away I mumble incoherently.

"Wake up Gnome, you need to eat." An all too familiar voice breaks through the fog.

Keeping my eyes closed I mumble, "Chuck leave me alone." I try to roll away from him but his arms snake around my waist and pull my back against his chest.

"You remembered." He whispered quietly as I felt him kiss my cheek. "I was scared to admit it to you at first but after last night I realized how important it is to tell you the truth." His voice cracked, he sounded so broken.

"I've noticed some small things you do haven't changed since the orphanage, I had a suspicion but I thought if it truly was you, that you would tell me." Tears started to pour down my cheeks. I loved him with all my heart and I was broken when I left him. Having him back in my life made me happy, but so much has changed will we still love each other?

"I looked all over for you after that, I disappeared and kept my promise. I ended up in Cali but I couldn't find you. It's been seven years Gnome, seven years I have been searching for you. When I saw you that first time walking and Jimmy stated that you matched every aspect for the girls the boss wanted I freaked. I beat his ass and said no, but you became a part of the count no matter what I did." His fists clenched and un-clenched even though his arms were wrapped around me.

I wiggled enough that I could turn in his arms and face him, he has changed so much. His dark hair, full beard make him look so different, plus he has grown up in looks. His lips hadn't changed, they were still that cute pale pink and his eyes, oh my gosh his eyes, they sparkled still no matter what.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, the first real sign of affection I have shown since being put into hiding, and sobbed into his chest as he held me and silently let his tears fall as well. I had such a flurry of mixed emotions ranging from sorrow, happiness, anger and the one that stood out the most was comfort. This man right here, no matter what was my home.

"I have missed you so much, I have been like a robot with no emotions since going into hiding. But now being in your arms, it feels right. It feels like home." without any warning I pulled him close and kissed him, pouring all my feelings and emotions into that one kiss. His one hand tangles into my hair, pulling slightly as his other hand is on my ass pushing our bodies flush together.

We have our emotional make out session for a few moments before pulling apart and just holding each other closely. I close my eyes as I familiarize myself with his smell. He smells familiar but at the same time different. I guess that is what seven years apart will do to someone.

"I have so many different questions but I just don't know where to start." I break the silence first, my voice unsteady and scared.

"I know and we will have time to talk, but first its almost five in the evening and neither of us have eaten. Can we go find food first, then I promise we will find a quiet corner of the estate where we can talk and I will explain everything to you." he looks at me as my stomach grumbles its appreciation at the thought of food.

"Okay." he kisses me quickly then crawls out of bed, I stand up as well noticing his clothes are wrinkled. Looking down mine are to, but I do my best to straighten them out and run a hand through my hair to tame it best as I can. Watching me carefully, Chuck comes over and hands me a hair brush, I smile at him and brush out the tangles.

We head down to the kitchens to get some food, I can't believe that I slept all day. Its was difficult to fall asleep, so when I did I slept good. We make it down to the kitchens and step out of the elevator.

Currently there are a few people lounging around a table with plates of food, the smell making my stomach roar in need. Chuck smiles at me as he leads me towards the actual kitchen area, sitting me down at the island while he gets to work.

"I have to say Gnome, it isn't going to be anything spectacular from me. I can't cook if my life depended on it." he admits as he opens the cupboards looking at everything.

"I can cook." I offer, he turns around a little shocked that I'd offer. Regaining his composure he smiles and nods, opening his arms to everything.

"Everything is available to use babe, go ahead and help yourself." I stand up and he sits down where I was. I head over to the fridge and check what all they have, lots of fresh veggies is the first thing I see. Taking out the carrots and celery I set them on the counter and move over to the freezers. By now we have attracted the attention of the others who have come over to chat with Chuck. I find the chicken and take it out, throwing it in the sink with hot water so it will defrost enough to cut up. I start chopping the celery while listening to them chat.

"Hey Charlie, the whole place is buzzing with gossip about how you convinced boss to let you keep one of the girls. She's a real beauty but how did you do it? From the rumors she was the feisty one who almost ruined things." someone spoke, they were trying to be quiet but I could still hear.

"Yeah man, what did you say to the boss?" a second voice asks.

"Don't worry about it guys, all that matters is she's mine so y'all best be nice to her and hands off or you deal with me." he gets serious again, his voice giving me chills.

"What you making?" Jenny asks right beside me making me jump and cut myself.

"Fucking, shit, son of a mother fucking cunt!" I cussed out as I dropped the knife and celery I was cutting. Putting my finger straight into my mouth tasting the coppery flavor of my blood. In an instant Chuck was by my side, as he took my hand and put it under the running water of the sink.

"What the hell Gnome?" he asks as he focuses on my hand, carefully checking where I cut myself. A band-aid is set on the cupboard beside us as I yank my hand away and wipe the water and new blood on the bottom of my t shirt. The band-aid is opened and handed to me as I wrap up the cut.

"Oh calm your titties Chuck, I just got startled and cut myself. I'm fine." I hold up my middle finger with the band-aid on it and smirk at the shocked look on his face. I turn to Jenny and smile. "I am attempting chicken noodle soup, and apparently that includes a blood sacrifice." I chuckle at my own joke as everyone else laughs, except Charlie. 

"That sounds delicious, are you making enough for everyone or just for you two?" Jenny questions as  I look around at everyone else and shrug my shoulders.

"I can make for everyone." there are multiple thank yous and awesome's as I turn back to finish chopping things for the soup. Sulking Chuck went back over to the island and sat down watching me work and visiting with the other men.

Picking up another knife she starts helping me chop up veggies, its quite between the two of us as we work except for the odd time when I would say there was enough veggies and ask her to cut something else up or where I could find something. After about half an hour I had a giant pot three quarters filled with chicken noodle soup. I even managed to whip up some cheese biscuits to go with it.

I notice Charlie hasn't moved from the island the whole time, as well as I realize there are more people sitting at the seating areas. Jenny comes and stands beside me with a smile on her face as she brushes her dirty hands on her jeans.

"It looks like word has gotten around that someone is making a meal." she laughs as she rests her arm on my shoulder. She stands a good food taller then me, making me think she is at least six feet tall, but she does have some heels on.

"Does it not happen often?" I ask as I study the bodies in the area, most are men but there are a few females.

"Nah people tend to make their own meals. Only on special occasions do we have large meals together." she takes a small step away from me as her hands cup around her mouth and she hollers, "Soups on!" and just like that everyone is up and headed towards the kitchen for food.