chapter 18

Matt, Shannon, Shane, Amy and Gil watched the scene in the back garden out of the corners of their eyes. They all seemed to breath a sigh of relief when they saw the two in each other’s arms. They all turned away as Jeff led Leah to the door that led from the garden into the house.

Jeff slid the door open and let Leah in. She uncomfortably stepped in and Jeff followed shutting the door and placing his arm back around Leah’s waist and helping her out of the living room, where he led her to his room.

No word was passed between any one in the room as Jeff and Leah disappeared into the bedroom. Looks where exchanged between them all and each one smiled. They knew that Jeff was already better, and Leah, well she had back what she wanted and needed. The bond between the two was strong. No one could answer why, they didn’t need to, and they had the answer, one that could never be spoken but was always felt.

Jeff closed the door behind Leah. She turned around to face him. “Jeff?” She questioned in a small shaky voice. “I’m sorry. For everything I never meant for any of this to happen, it’s just…”

Jeff cut her off. “We have been through this Leah. Please don’t be sorry. I don’t care about what happens anymore as long as I have you. You are what I need and I know you need me too.”

“I do Jeff.” Leah said trying to fight back tears. “Can we just go to sleep?” Leah asked.

Jeff nodded and took Leah’s hand. He sat her down on the edge of the bed and went to find her a t-shirt to wear. He opened a draw and pulled out a long purple-sleeved twist of fate shirt and walked back to Leah. He handed it to her and went to leave so she could change.

Leah quickly got up and caught his arm. “I don’t want to be alone Jeff.” She said in a much stronger voice, at least she hoped it was. “Stay with me please.”

“No Jeff. You will see my cuts and bruises eventually. I’m ashamed of my body Jeff. And I’m scared that you will be to and that you won’t want me when you see me and I would rather that was now than later.”

“You have no right to be ashamed of your body Leah. You’re beautiful. No matter what anybody has done to you, you will always be the most beautiful person in the world to me. Nothing he has done to you or your body could ever make me leave you.”

Leah smiled at Jeff and turned away and retrieved the shirt from the bed. She slowly began to try and remove the t-shirt she was wearing but she winced in pain as she moved her sore muscles. Jeff saw he struggling and resisted his first impulse to go help her. He slowly moved to stand in front of her. She looked helplessly into his eyes. She took two small steps forward and let hr head fall against his chest. She lifted her arms and hung them over his shoulders. Jeff took that as a sign to help her. Slowly he lifted his hands to the bottom of the shirt and started to pull it up. Leah lifted her head and arms as he carefully slid the garment from her. When he placed it on a chair behind him he turned back to Leah who instantly crossed her arms over her chest and fell against him. This time he didn’t hold her. He pushed her gently away. She looked down at her feet, her arms still across her chest, ashamed of her body. Jeff's hands slowly covered Leah’s and pulled them from their place covering her marks. He pulled her hands down to her sides and entwined his fingers in hers. For the first time he looked down over her body. Jeff looked over the cuts, bruises and scars that covered Leah’s stomach, shoulders and chest. Even with all the marks she was still beautiful to him, like he knew she would be. He used his hands to pull Leah a little closer. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Your so beautiful Leah. Never let anyone tell you different.” With that he reached around her and un-hooked her bra. He slid it of her shoulders and took the twist of fate shirt from the bed. He placed it over her head and helped her place her arms through the sleeves. Once she had it on and adjusted comfortably Jeff led her to one side of the bed and pulled the covers back. Leah gingerly got in and laid back as Jeff placed the covers over her. He turned the light out and went to the other side of the bed and quickly got undressed until he was only wearing his silk boxers. He slid under the covers and laid his head on the pillow, unsure if he should hold her or not. But he didn’t have to make a choice. Leah moved from her back onto her side and reached over to Jeff. She placed a hand on his side and pulled gently to tell him to move over nearer to her, which he did. Leah then lay her head in the crook of Jeff’s neck and rested on hand on his chest and the other around the back of him neck. Jeff placed an arm around her shoulders and his other hand held the one she ad placed on his chest.

“When I’m with you Leah all my pain goes away. The only pain I have then is when I see you in pain.”

“I’m so glad you’re her, I couldn’t have gone much longer without you.”

“I’m glad I came Jeff. I need you…and I want you.” She said as she closed her eyes and tightened her grip on Jeff’s neck and hand.

“I want you to baby.” He said as he softly kissed the top of her head. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and he had a lot of time to make up for. He too closed his eyes and let his body relax as he felt Leah’s body rise and fall with each breath she took. For the first time in months Leah felt safe, she felt wanted, needed and cared for. All things that she had been denied for so long.