A few months later..

Weeks turn to months and the seizure log continues to grow. I don't want to admit to myself that perhaps now is the time to consider surgery. I've hit dead end after dead end with my medication and it makes me a little sad.

The idea of surgery makes me shudder as I stand in the bathroom staring at my reflection.

Epilepsy is an invisible disease, until it raises its ugly head.

"I'm back!" Zak hollers through his home making me snap back to the here and now. Tugging on my t-shirt, I head out the bathroom to find him.

As I turn the corner, I stumble over his bag and snatch it up off the floor giving him narrowed eyes as I take it to the wash room. Having just  got home last night, he barely had time to put his bag down before I pounced. I regret nothing.

"We were both responsible for that bag placement." He teases coming in to help me unload it.

"I know. Gracie enjoy her walk?" I ask.

"That she did. Did you enjoy your lie in?"

"After I got rid of my jelly legs, yes." I reply as he smirks. Him being the cause of said, jelly legs.

He wraps his arms around my waist and nuzzles into my neck, having become clingy since being home, not that I'm complaining, I freakin' love it!

"Tired?"

"Nope. Shirt looks good on you." He mumbles, giving my hips a squeeze.

Today was game day for Vegas Knights and I had a whole day set up. Call me organised but I wanted to make snacks today, so that I could sit in front of the tv when the game came on and not move a single inch! I've been excited for the past 3 days for this hockey match.

I'm a big fan. So sue me.

"It's a great shirt on me... Got to say, you're letting me down. Where is your jersey?!"

"I'll put it on nearer the time."

"You better!"

As I put his clothes on to wash, my phone begins to ring and I have to tug it from my back pocket to see who it is.

Seeing the withheld number, I pause, deliberating on whether to answer or not.

I cancel the call.

"You still getting them?" Zak asks following me out the washroom, having sensed my mood change.

"Yeah. Just a few." I tell him, tossing my phone on the side and rubbing my temple.

"A few what? Times a week? Month?"

"Day.." I admit.

His brows lift.

I don't tell him that it happens almost 30 times a day.

It's been months since Mia tried to break into Zak's home to do, goodness knows what. Both myself and Zak have been to court and had protection orders put into place.

However Mia disappeared before they were served and now she was currently in the wind. I suspected the calls were from her, hence my apprehension on answering them.

"Not much longer." He promises, crossing the room to rub my arms. "If you let me hire that PI earlier, maybe-"

"Maybe I wouldn't be getting these calls? Yeah, I know." I answer. "It just sucks."

"I know sweetheart."

I didn't want to be in a bad mood for the rest of the day, stewing over what Mia may or may not be up to. So I decide to ask Zak about his trip away, which stems a flow of conversation.

******

Sliding into the kitchen, set on making my snack, I come to a halt, spotting a small black gift bag sat on the side. It's not unusual for Zak to bring home little things. From haunted objects to new pieces of jewellery for himself.

He's sent things home before, whilst he has been away, for me..

Like the t-shirt I'm wearing, a rosary and the night seizure detector that has gone under my side of the mattress. I thanked him for it, but told him I didn't need it, until night I had a seizure in my sleep..

Now I go to bed with peace of mind that it's being recorded and that should I need help, Zak will be there.

"What did you get yourself this week?" I ask him as I go to the fridge and pull out some fruit, ready to get chopping.

"Not for me. It's for you."

I stop instantly, fear taking over my features, causing him to get up off his seat. "No, no. It's from me. For you."

"From you." I repeat.

"Yeah sweetie. I got it for you."

I let out a sigh of relief and put the fruit on the kitchen counter. "You got me worried then..."

Last month I had rang Zak, excited thinking he had sent me a little gift whilst he was away. I took his confusion for acting, until he cut me off and went to video call.

I was convinced he sent it, until he shouted at me not to touch it. That's when I sobered up real quick to the idea that maybe it wasn't from him after all. Higgins from security arrived 10 minutes later and opened it outside on the drive way.

It was a purge mask, the same Mia had worn that night, however this time it had what looked like blood and bits of hair stuck to it. Although I now knew it was Mia that night, it still invoked the fear I felt. Seeing the mask and remembering the banging on the shutters...

It's something that's hard to forget.

Now I'm anxious about whatever parcels I get.

"You.." I repeat again making Zak nod.

Moving over to the bag, I wait until he's at my side and reach in cautiously, pulling out a small box.

It's rectangular and covered in black velvet. It screams darkness and is completely Zak aesthetic.

"Top marks for presentation." I tell him.

He smiles "Open it."

We can rule out a ring, I don't want one from him, too soon. But the shape of the box tells me it's not one. So I'm left wondering what it is...

Cranking the lid back, I find myself looking at a key.

"A key... Does it open something? Have I got to get it cut?" I ask.

"It's already cut.. It's the key for here. Your own key."

I look up at me with a smile "Really? You're giving me a key?"

"You're pretty much living here. Which leads into my next question... Will you move in with me?"

I pause, key in hand. "What if.."

"What if what?"

I look between the key and him. "What if you don't want me here?"

"I wouldn't ask you if I thought that."

"What if we argue?"

"The house is pretty big and we haven't argued yet."

"What if-"

"What is this?" He asks cutting me off. "If you don't want to move in with me El, you only gotta say. I won't be mad."

"No I do.. Its just..."

"Just what?"

"My seizures. What if it's too much?"

"Too much for me to handle?" He guesses.

I nod.

"Never." He answers pulling me in and giving me a kiss on my forehead.

I don't tell him that I've been to visit my doctor again this week who has now suggested surgery as a top treatment, having exhausted all the types of medication relevant to my condition. It wasn't good news for me, not at all.

Zak is right, I practically live here anyway now, even when he is away, call it house sitting, call it dog sitting, but it's starting to feel a little like home for me.

"Yes." I tell him. "Yes I will move in with you."

He grins. "Good.. One last thing."

"Go on..."

Pulling an envelope from behind him, he places it on the side and steps back.

"Open."

Frowning, I pick up the black envelope (aesthetics, again) and open it. I barely get the card out before I know what it is, and I'm screaming.

"ARE YOU KIDDING?!" I yell.

"What do you say?" He asks, unzipping his jacket to show me the top he has on.

"YES! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" I shout, launching myself at him.

I'm thankful for his cat like reflexes on catching me as I attack his mouth with mine in appreciation. But before he can lead me down the seduction path and back to bed, I pull away and inspect the card in my hand.

"I'm shaking." I laugh.

"I made a promise, I intend to keep it. Now, my jerseys on. You wanna go watch that hockey game in person?"

******

Zak POV

Is it possible to become obsessed with someone? In a none weird and stalking way?

I paid for the best seats in the whole arena, surrounded by fans who were hooked into a pretty tight game of Ice Hockey. Where cheering, and the sound of scraping ice filled the air.

But in all that was around me, I only had eyes on the woman stood beside me.

Her smile lighting up her entire face, eyes shining with excitement, she was alive here. She was absorbed entirely into the game, cheering at the team and celebrating like her life depended on it when they scored. Her arms shooting into the air, fingers spread wide as she jumped for joy.

How could anyone deny her of this? How could Mia or Sophie not want to do this with her when she became so, animated and excited? It saddened me to think she missed all this because of her epilepsy, that she didn't feel safe enough to enjoy this one thing.

I've never seen her burn so bright as what she was now, and I sent one text the whole time I've been here, to Billy telling him to help me rebook any investigations that fell on a game day. Because I was not going to be able to make it..

This was more important. Elle, was more important.

I realised that every goal that they got, I got a breathtaking kiss, which lead me to cheer on the team too. Hell I was excited for me and them.

My girl was happy. Really fucking happy.

It was getting harder for me to leave her at home whilst I travelled away for a week at a time. Not being able to sleep properly or
focus. Constantly finding the need to check on her, call her, text her. I knew I was driving her mad, but hearing her voice, seeing her smile brightened my day.

Although she didn't know, the incident with Mia shook me to my core. I didn't know it was Mia at the time and the thoughts that circulated around in my head had me following Elle everywhere for that entire week.

I wanted to protect her at all times. Despite it being a few months ago, the feeling has stayed and I was always on some level of alert when we were out. Like right now for example, she was on the side of the row, I was closer to her, my hand a whisper away from hers.

Feeling my phone vibrate, I pull it from my pocket and see a message from the PI I had hired.

- Found Mia... Let me know when we can talk. Situation has changed.

"Who's that?" Elle asks making my eyes snap up off my phone.

"Billy." I lie. "Just telling him how the game is."

"Cool. Tell him it's even better in person."

"I will."

As Elle turns back to the game, I feel the betrayal of lying to her. It's not something I want to do, but ruining the night for her for the sake of Mia wasn't going to happen.

"GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!" The tannoy shouts just as the fog horn sounds.

I grin and open my arms up just in time for Elle to leap into..

You know, hockey isn't that bad!

*******

What you give, you shall be rewarded.

Or something like that.

Since coming back from the game, Elle had been glued to me, just as I liked.

The plan had originally been to go out for something to eat after the game, but my little Fire demon was tired and I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to nap with her.

"Hestia." I read from the page in the book.

"Hmm?" She asks softly.

"Hestia, goddess of fire."

Lifting her head off my chest, Elle frowns "New book."

I smile, she's read every book I have in the house, this was one I bought her whilst I was away and had totally forgotten about, until I found it in the pocket of my car door.

"It's your new read, if you want it."

She smiles and nods. "Absolutely."

"Even if you don't know what it's about?"

"I've read all the books you have. I trust your taste."

"Good answer." I crane my neck up for her to give me a kiss before I lay back down and sink into the warmness of Elle's body pinning me to the couch.

It had taken a while for her to get past the insecurity of crushing me. Which is totally ridiculous, I know. But it was a problem for her and within time, I got her to relax and now I got some snuggle time.

"You could be Hestia." I tell her.

"Because I want to watch the world burn?"

I chuckle softly. "That and that fiery flare within you."

"I'm a very humble and mellowed individual, I have you know."

"You're a Jekyll and Hyde. And I love every part of you."

She laughs. "Creeper. What else does the page say?"

"Actually..." I stall. "I want to talk to you about something else."

There's a moment silence before Elle shoots up off me. "You've changed your mind. About me moving in. I knew it. It's okay, I'm glad you've told me. You can tell me anything. You know that. Right?"

"What?" I ask lost.

"You've realised it was a bad decision. Too soon? Maybe it was..." She stares away with a small frown.

"Hey, no. No." I tell her, turning her face back to mine. "Not too soon. I want you to move in with me. Hell I'd move you in tomorrow if I could.... I can make that happen.."

"Zak." She pulls me back from my thoughts of how quick I could pack a home.

Fast, if I got the guys to help.

"Hmm? Oh yeah. Not too soon. You're moving in. It's something else."

She looks at me through her lashes, waiting patiently. "Okay..."

"It may seem mad." I begin. "And please don't let your mind run away with you about this. But I've thought about it so much and now I realise that to know what you'd think, I'd need to ask you."

"Right..." She nods slowly.

"I want you to come with me."

"Where?"

"Everywhere."

What if she hates the idea?

What if she thinks I'm trying to control her?

Elle frowns "You're not making much sense. Maybe you should get some sleep—"

"Work. Come to work, with me." I blurt out.

"Babe, I've got a job. With Henry..."

"I know."

"And I'm good at that job too." She says.

"I also know."

"So I don't... Zak, your job is your job. Being on the road is your thing. You don't need me interfering with that."

"You won't be." I know I've completely fucked this up by the confusion on her face. "What I'm trying to say is, work from home. But not from home. Just with me. On the road."

She blinks. "As in, I still work for Henry, but travel with you?"

I nod. "Yeah... You don't look happy. Was it a bad idea? It was a bad idea." I sigh.

I just want her with me. All the damn time!

"Work away, with you, going all over America..." She says.

"You hate the idea. Forget I said anything. It's selfish of me to ask that of yo—"

I'm cut off by her mouth, usually my tactic for when her overthinking starts. Guess the tables have turned.

When her lips leave mine, I take a moment.

"I would love to come and see America with you." She whispers, leaning on her hand which is resting on my chest.

"R-really?"

She nods. "See the most haunted places, that I've been reading about in your books, with a top investigator, who will keep me safe, as well as being able to do my job and spend time with you? Sign me the fuck up."

I feel my smile split my face. "You're sure?"

"Hell yeah I am. On three conditions." She says.

"Three? It's normally one."

"Three. Number 1. You have to speak to your mom about caring for Gracie whilst we are away."

I nod. "Consider it done."

"Two, we have our own room, every time because I am testing every hotel bed we fall in."

I smirk. "Done."

"Three.."

"Whatever you want." I tell her honestly.

"Three, we seal this working agreement, right now.... In the bedroom."

I don't reply, or give her a chance to object as I fly off the couch, fling her over my shoulder and head straight for the bedroom.

So I haven't told her about Mia yet, that the private Investigator has found her. I will, in good time.

Right now I have to seal the deal. In more ways than one!

.......

To be continued...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Authors Note.

Up as promised! Not the ending I initially planned, but book two will lead on from this. With Elle & Zak on the road together.

Dream job alert.

Can they survive being together 24/7?

What do we hope for in Book two?

Conclusion to Mia?

Baby?

Marriage?

Amicable split?

Let me know!! I plan to start writing on Friday! 😱😱

Xx