The sun streamed through the window, its golden streaks dancing on my face. I opened my eyes to find the space beside me empty. I got up frightened and as I moved, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me into a firm chest.

"Morning sunshine," his soft velvety voice filled my ears as he stroked my hair.

"Morning," I smiled and turned to face him. "You look happy."

"I am. I'm lying with a strong, sexy and beautiful woman wrapped in my arms and to top it off she is the one that owns my heart," he replied as he caressed my cheek.

I stared at him, with a smile plastered on my face. He loved me; I could see it in his eyes. If he didn't he wouldn't have rescued me or risked his life for me.

After a few minutes of silence, I finally spoke. "I love you, more."

"I love you the most," he replied.

"I love you to infinity," I said as I grabbed his head and pulled him into a kiss.

Our kiss was quick but it was full of passion. I pulled away, looking in his eyes with a smile and attempted to get up out of the bed. As I said attempted.

As I got up he pulled me back down. I started to push him off so I could get up but he just held on to me. We stayed there for a while playfully fighting until he finally pinned me down.

"Where are you going?" he asked sounding like a five-year-old child. "Stay."

"I wanna pee," I whined. "Let me go and I'll come back to you, I promise."

He finally let me up so I could go to the bathroom. I wrapped the sheet around me, leaving him naked on the bed and walked to the bathroom.

The bathroom was breath taking. It had royal blue tiles halfway up the wall and above that were cream tiles. The fixtures were pale pink and the shower was a walk-in shower. The cream tiles had patterns of flowers and they looked spectacular.

I quickly used the toilet and washed my hands. My eyes drifted to the mirror and I paused taking in my appearance. My face was a bit swollen, red and banged up but I had a smile plastered across my face and I was glowing.

I felt alive, just like the first time I went out with him.

I remembered it clearly. He took me roller-skating, I can remember him falling a couple of times when he got in the rink and me laughing at him hysterically.

After a few pouts and pleads from him, though, I had agreed to help him. I had to let him pay for that macho 'roller skating isn't hard for a man like me' speech first. So, I ended up guiding him around the rink and after few tries, he had it.

We skated all night in the rink, he even tried lifting me a couple of times and spinning me around which ended up with me falling on top of him when he lost balance. We also raced around the rink, I won of course while he ended up on his butt a few times because I bounced him.

When we left the roller rink I was all smiles, it was the best time I ever had and it didn't stop there. He took me for a walk in the park; we talked about what we liked, disliked, etc. It was going grand but nothing was as fantastic as what happened at the end.

He brought me to a stream at a vacant area at the park. At first, I was a bit scared that he was bringing me to an empty part of the park. I was thinking all kinds of crazy things like he was a serial killer trying to kill me but when I saw the view all those thoughts were gone and I was amazed.

Over the stream was a bridge, it was illuminated by candles that were on the rails. He walked me to the centre of the bridge; I leaned on the railing and watched as the stream glimmered. It reflected the candlelight and moonlight, I was like a light show in the water.

He picked me up and made me sit on the rail between two candles while he stood behind me with his arms around my waist. We stayed there looking at the stream and the stars and talking about what we wanted in the future. Those were the days...

I moved from the mirror, opened the door and in front me was a very sexy and naked Daniel. He was leaning across the doorframe.

"What you don't trust me to pee?"

"No, I just missed you," he replied leaning forward to kiss me.

He kissed me fiercely causing me to release something between a moan and giggle. I dropped the sheet, bringing my arms around his neck and he placed his hands on my waist pushing me into the bathroom.

***

I laid on the cream sofa in the small living space, my head in Daniel's lap, white and brown pillows at my feet elevating it.

The walls were white with black and white art hanging on them and the black curtains were pulled together keeping the sun from peeking in. In front of us was a black table with an electronic fire and two brown decorative balls. There was also a tray of pancakes with syrup, strawberries, sausage, and bacon on top of the table.

Daniel fed me piece by piece until it was finished while we watched Gnomeo and Juliet (I know it was a cartoon but I loved it). I burped when I was finished eating and he chuckled.

"Tummy's full, eh?"

I giggled, getting up and sat in his lap my legs to one side.

"Hey babe, I told you about my past so, tell me about yours."

His eyes became gloomy and his smile fell. "It's not a pretty story—"

"Neither was mine. Can you please tell me?" I asked as I rested my head in the crook of his neck his brown hair tickling my forehead. "I want to know..."

He takes a deep breath, snaking his arms around me and began.

"Okay, I used to live with my mother because my father had abandoned us when I was younger, she wasn't the best mom but she wasn't the worst. She had worked at a gas station for a few years but after she lost her job, she became stressed and started taking drugs. She got caught up in gangs and turned to prostitution to get money to take care for us and buy more drugs," I listened as he told me about the day Kane came and took him away, killing his mother and my heart was aching for him.

"I remembered her emerald eyes filled with fright, her black hair soaked with sweat and caked with blood as he hit her over and over again." Oh god.

"How could s-she trade me for drugs? Drugs! Your child for drugs, it was like someone was stabbing my heart over and over again. I asked her if it was true and she stuttered to reply. I looked in her eyes, I saw sorrow in them and as I did a tear slipped from my eye. Kane had told me I was nothing to her because she traded me for drugs. While he was telling me this a man grabbed m-my mother's n-neck and—"

He couldn't say it, he buried his face in my T-shirt crying.

"She wasn't the...best mom but... I... loved her," he said through his sobs.

"Sh, it's okay. I have you now and it's okay to cry baby. I'll be right here with you helping you through the pain," I reassured him and he tightened his grip on me.

He raised his head moments later, a broken smile on his face before he continued his story.

"After that, they burned the house to the ground and took me away to their main complex. There, day after day, I was trained to fight, shoot, and kill with no remorse. Butch taught me, he was a pig when he was fighting us and the ones that failed in combat were beaten and sent to the crippler... Ah, the crippler, a room built to torture the boys. I was the head of my group while Ferry, the son of another drug leader was the leader of the other. Kane took in Ferry and taught him everything he knew. He was like a son to him, Kane only had one child and she didn't want into this life so she ran away leaving him alone."

I understand her actions; no one would want this life.

"In the camp as they called it, my only true friend was Anile. She wasn't someone I wanted to be with but a very good friend and the only girl there. We used to have fights against the groups in camp. Ferry and I were always matched up. He would win all the time and I would be sent to the crippler while he was praised. I remember Butch whipping me, tying me up and abusing me. I hated that life and eventually I got out."

He tightened his hold on me and I kissed his neck urging him to continue.

"It was our first field job; Anile was to seduce the man into going to a hotel room where I would kill him. A few minutes into the job Anile was starting to feel like something was wrong but I brushed it off and told her to stick to the plan. She did her part and it was my time, I hesitated. While the man was overpowering Anile, I stood there debating with myself. I finally jumped out and s-shot the man," Daniel said shaking. "The shot echoed and his men started to pound down the door. Anile and I attempted to escape but before we could she was shot. I killed them all, every last one before escaping into an alley with my partner. She looked so at peace in that moment, she told me that people have to die and that it was her time..."

Daniel sighed and I held his face forcing him to look at me and nodded. "'Life is not forever, live it to the fullest. Fight for your freedom and remember people die but, to live is something people take for granted. So, go run away from this madness and live a healthy life'. That was the last thing she told me before she passed away. It was in that moment I knew I had to do what she said, I was going to live, and from that day I've been running from Kane and trying to live."

A tear slipped from my eye as I listened to his story. "And now they're back, again."

He nodded; he pulled me into a hug and whispered to me. "After that day, I thought I was living but soon I found out I was only surviving. When I met you, I started doing things I wouldn't have done. You showed me how to live. After that, I realized something. You were what I wanted to live for, seeing you smile made me happy, and I wanted to make you smile every day. I did however neglect you and I am sorry. You are my reason for living Shania and I will protect you with all my might, even at the cost of my life."

My heart was beating frantically. I was his reason for living?

I hugged him tighter and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you more."

"Shanoya..." he started and I sighed.

Yes, I told him about my life before I became Shania Jakes. A life I never wanted to go back to.

"Shania," I said sternly. "Shanoya Brooks is in my past. I'm Shania Jakes... well, Homes..."

He nodded understandingly before holding my hands.

"Shania... I'm sorry for abusing you. I wasn't thinking. I just acted on impulse; all those bad habits from my past came back. Hurting you was the worst thing I could have ever done and it is something I have to live with for the rest of my life but I hope you can find it deep within your heart to forgive me."

I looked up into his chocolate mochas and sighed. "Daniel you hurt me and it brought me back to a dark place. You scared me. Daniel, I love you but it's going to take a lot for me to fully recover from that. It is going to take a lot to get those images out of my mind."

He flashed a sad smile and hugged me closer. "Nia, I will do everything in my power to help you get over it; to erase those horrid memories. I just want you to love and not fear me and if it means taking it step by step. I will do it for you; for us."

I snuggled into his chest and breathed in his scent.

I would always love him but there would always be a part of me that fear him and I don't know if I can get over it but I will try.

***

I pulled out the twister board with a sinister smile. Daniel looked at me with a scowl.

"Come Danny boo play with me!" I begged like a three-year-old.

"No, I hate that game!" he scowled.

"Or are you just not flexible enough?" I asked raising a brow.

He looked at me offended, he opened his mouth to talk but closed it a smirk forming. "I see what you're trying to do and it's not working. Wasn't I flexible enough to fuck you on a chair? I didn't hear you complaining."

I blushed. "Because your moans were so loud. Sometimes I wonder if you are the woman in this relationship. Your moans and screams are louder than mine and high pitched!"

Daniel shook his head. "Really, was I the one crying out so loud that the guest next door had to ask if everything was okay?"

I crossed my arms and grimaced. "How did we move from twister to that?"

"Were you jealous that the old lady tried to grab at me?" he asked amused.

"No, but you just had to answer the door in nothing but a towel around your waist."

He smirked and I huffed.

"Come on! Play with me!" I screamed as I pulled on his arm.

Daniel was in a blue T-shirt, black shorts and no shoes. I was in a pink tank top and a white Capri. My hair was in a ponytail and my face was makeup-free.

He looked down at me, I pouted and he released a breath. "This is where I cave in right?"

"Yes. You're catching on," I grinned.

"Fine!" he said throwing up his arms.

I jumped up and down, then pranced in his arms. I was overly excited. I couldn't get him to play twister when we were married. Well, we still are but he has a different identity.

Anyway, this was the first time he agreed to play it and I was going to – like a good wife – crush him!

He was used to winning and showing off a lot so I have to crush his ego a bit. It was okay for me to want to beat his ass right?

Not literally, though as sexually pleasing as it sounds... Maybe later.

I set up the mat after Daniel moved the coffee table. I placed the wheel at the edge and read the rules.

"Okay. Right foot, red," I said and Daniel did it, I smiled at his position.

"Nice view," I said as I slapped his ass.

"I'm here to play not get assaulted by you," he grumbled.

"I can kill two birds with one stone, can't I? Plus, you know you love it."

I spun and got green. I placed my hand on green, my chest on Daniel's back. He pushed up and moved his shoulders, rubbing against my breasts.

"Hey, thought you didn't come to assault?" I asked in a childish voice.

"I clearly remember saying assaulted by you and you're my wife if I want to touch your chi-chis I can."

I laughed my ass off. "Chi-chis!? Oh gringo, no soy Latina. Soy Jamaicana. I got big bomboclaat breasts. Chi-chis are for little girls."

He chuckled and spun the wheel. Soon we were tangled up, I was set piggyback like on his back: my legs were on top of his, my hands over his head and his head directly at my breasts. We were sweaty and my limbs were aching. It was my time; I got left foot to green. I moved my foot forward, remaining balanced. Now it was Daniel's turn, he got right foot to blue. He moved his foot back cautiously and I was getting tired so this had to move faster.

"Hurry up!" I yelled.

He messed up and tumbled. I remained balanced hovering above him and smirked at my genius plan. The screaming worked! I got up with ease and started to dance, I won!

"I won, I won!" I screamed.

He grunted and got off the floor holding his back.

"Hey old man, if that little game hurt your back, how will you keep up in the nights? Do I see Viagra in your future?" I teased.

He glared at me before running towards me. I sprint around the room, jumping over the couch and table before heading for the door. Before I could reach, however, I felt hands wrapped around my waist and pull me back. I squirmed and kicked. Damn him and his long legs and athletic body!

I laughed as he swung me around. "Put me down!"

His laughter was music to my ears as he swung me. After a few swings, he placed me down and I staggered around like I was drunk. He held me steady and smiled at me.

"See how you made me sweat?"

I smiled and nodded. He cocked a brow and smirked.

"You better be able to sweat for me," he said huskily.

I blushed immensely and looked down. He held my chin and tilted my head up to meet his eyes. He came close and kissed my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tipped up. I pulled closer to him as he tortured my mouth by biting my lip and wrestling my tongue. I was getting so fired up by the kiss that I jumped on him.

All I heard was 'my back!' before we came tumbling down.

I laughed as I laid on him and he was laughing his ass off too.

"Next time say timber!" I joked. "You know what my Jamaican grandma would say if she saw us laughing like this?"

He shook his head and shrugged.

"Yuh luv skin like cocky..." I said coolly as I waited for his reaction.

He burst into fits of laughter, holding his stomach and I was doing the same.

"So, you get it?" I say with a smile. "In Jamaica, we say you love to skin yuh teeth and an uncircumcised penis usually has to be skinned before intercourse..."

"Yeah, I got it and it's quite accurate too."

I laughed at his response, rolling off him. We laid there for a while before deciding to watch a movie. It was safer and it wouldn't hurt his back. This was the most I've laughed in days and it was a relief. Laughter is the best medicine.