Chapter 96

“What did Steph say?”

“Huh?” Kim looked at him confused while climbing into bed that evening. She was dressed in a long-sleeved pajama, even though it was way too warm for it.

“What did Steph say to you? Shortly before the ceremony started?” Jon repeated and dropped his clothes on one of the chairs in their room. He already wanted to ask her the whole day, but every time someone got in his way during the reception.

“What did she say?” he asked again while getting under the covers as well.

“Oh, it was nothing.” Kim tried to play it down.

“Nothing? Come on, you paled and looked like you wanted to run away.” Jon paused and watched her carefully.

“Did she say something mean? Tell me, I’ll make her apologize and we talk about it.” He said determined, even though he had no idea what his daughter said. He always thought her relationship with Kim was fine. Maybe he was wrong.

Kim turned to him as if he was nuts.

“Jon, wait…she wasn’t mean or anything. She just asked me a simple question. There’s no need she has to apologize. She’s a good girl.” Kim interjected softly. Jon looked at her confused.

“So, what did she say that got you so scared?” he wondered. Kim sighed and rubbed her tired eyes. He wouldn’t let go. This could get on the whole night. It was driving him crazy that he had no clue. Kim sighed.

“She…she asked me ….if we will get married soon too.” She finally admitted. Jon stared at her for a few seconds.

“Oh.” He had no idea what else to say.

His mind was spinning. On the one hand, he was very happy that his daughter wouldn’t seem to mind if Kim and him would get married; on the other hand, they never talked about marriage, they just moved in together and he doubted that right now was a good time to talk about it. They had to deal with other problems right now.

“Yeah, she kinda surprised me.” Kim said when she saw Jon’s face. He nodded.

“What did you say?” he asked into the uncomfortable silence that was forming.

“I had no idea what to say. The question was so simple, but there are hundreds of questions that need to be answered first.” She said a little desperate. Jon nodded again.

“And honestly, I’m not sure I can handle all that right now.”

“I understand.” He said.

“Really? Because I’m not sure I understand it myself.” Kim looked at him doubtful. Now Jon sighed.

“Kimi, just because Fran and Richie got married today, doesn’t mean we need to do the same. Not right now, not next year and maybe never. It’s our decision. And who knows, maybe in a couple months or years we see it differently, but I think we should focus on other things right now.”

“Yeah.” This time Kim nodded.

“You need to feel better first, and then there is the tour in Europe. We will have tons of time to figure everything out. We don’t need to rush here.” He not only tried to calm her with his words. This time he wanted this relationship to last. Maybe marriage wasn’t the way for it, but only time would tell.

“Yeah, you are right.” She said and hesitantly rested her head on his right shoulder. Jon smiled lightly and carefully put his arms around her.

Kim exhaled deeply and tried to relax, but she couldn’t. When Jon’s hand softly caressed her waist, she jolted away from him.

“Jon, I can’t!”

“What?” he looked at her irritated.

“I can’t.” she repeated and grabbed the covers to pull them closer to her body.

Jon still stared at her until he finally realized what she was talking about.

“Kimi, I didn’t want to have sex…I just wanted you to relax.” He said astonished.

“Oh.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry.” She whispered while bowing her head. Nervously she was clenching the covers and tried not to erupt in tears.

Jon closed his eyes and forced himself to stay calm. There was no use in him getting mad now. He wanted to comfort her, but that bastard even destroyed that. He had to realize they were right where they were at the beginning of their relationship, maybe even further away.

“Hey…” he gently tugged at her hand. “Come here, yeah?” She swallowed hard. Her emotions were totally messed up; he could see it in her eyes.

“It’s ok, honey. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry…. Come here.” He softly tried to lure her in. She looked like a distraught little girl right now.

She watched him for a whole minute and searched his eyes. It was as if she needed to be sure it was really him. Jon wondered what kinda pictures and feelings she was trying to push aside in her mind. He didn’t move, he didn’t blink.

“Jon.” She suddenly whispered and slowly moved back into his arms.

“It’s ok, honey.” He murmured and pushed a streak of her blond hair back so he could see her. Tears were shining in her eyes and she was trying hard to keep it together.

“Honey…let go. It’s alright. Remember it’s me…”

It seemed his soft words were all she need and in a split of a second Kim erupt in tears. She was sobbing and clinging to Jon like a drowning person. He could feel her shivering and pulled the covers over her shaking body. He closed his eyes and hoped his best friend was having a much enjoyable night.

Chapter 95

“Are you ready?”

“Hmmm.” Fran answered when Kim handed her the bouquet of simple red roses.

“Are you sure?” Kim asked softly and smiled when Fran looked at the mirror with a dreamy expression on her face and let her left hand ran over the soft material of her wedding dress.

Fran told her that she was so happy when she found this dress. It was a white strapless ruched A-line gown with a crossover sweetheart bodice. It was simple, but still gave her enough room to hide her still small, but already visible womb.

Kim stepped behind Fran and their eyes met in the mirror. Fran’s eyes teared up when she saw the dark purple bruises in shape of fingers on her best friends upper arm. She knew Kim tried to hide the visible marks of the attack with the light blue maxi dress with short sleeves. There was no side slit, no hint of cleavage and no waistline on this dress.

“Don’t.” Kim whispered and hugged her best friend carefully.

“This is your big day.” Fran nodded and tried to dry her tears without ruining her already applied make up, when she groaned.

“What’s wrong?” Kim asked worried.

“Nothing…just a little queasy.”

“Nausea gravidarum? That’s not typical for this time of the day. You already ate and drank today?” Kim looked at her confused.

“Thanks, doc.” Fran answered dryly. Kim sighed.

“I’m sorry. Do you want something for you nausea gravi …uhm….I mean for your morning sickness?” Kim pulled a small bottle from one of the bags in the room.

“No, you know this stuff doesn’t work for me. Maybe I need to eat something.” Fran said and walked over to the small table to get some food.

A soft knock on the door made them turn around. Slowly Tico and Jason entered the room.

“Are you ready ladies?” The drummer asked. Tico was making sure all of them were on time today as Jon was busy being the best man and David having the privilege to play the wedding march.

“Uhm…I don’t know…are you ready?” Kim looked at Fran questioning.

“I hope.” Fran said and started to pull and tug at her dress. Kim choked her moan and prepared to tell her friend that she looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress, but Jason was faster.

“Ava is right mom. You look really, really beautiful today.” The boy told his mother.

“Thanks, baby. You really think so.” Fran looked at her son surprised.

“Yeah, like a princess. Richie can be very happy.” He told her with a serious look on his face.

“Awww, baby.” Fran leaned down and kissed his cheek.

“Mooooommmm, please.” He stepped back and looked shortly at Tico before trying to rub the lipstick of his cheek.

Kim and Tico chuckled lightly. Jason already tried the whole day to act like a grown up, because he was giving away his mother today. Being kissed and cuddled by her sure wasn’t on his mind. Fran grinned.

“Ok, let’s do this.” She said and took one last deep breath before leaving the room. When she entered the living room the other women and girls who had been waiting for her stopped dead in their conversations. Joan got up and walked over to her.

“You look wonderful my dear.” She hugged Fran dearly and handed her a small satin covered box.

“Thanks, Joan. What’s that?” she asked surprised.

“That’s my gift for you. Heather wasn’t worse getting it, but you are precious. I want you to have it.” The old woman told her determined and Fran was happy that Ava was already outside with her dad. She would be his best-man next to Jon.

“Maybe you will give it to your daughter one day.”

Fran and the other women looked at her stunned and all moved closer to see what was in that small box. Carefully Fran opened it and they all gasped surprised. Nestling between white satin lay a delicate white gold necklace with a heart shaped sapphire as its pendant, bigger than a quarter coin.

“Joan, that’s…that’s…” Fran stuttered while Joan simply took the necklace and put it around Fran’s neck.

“Adam gave it to me on our wedding day. It’s from his great-grandmother.” She told everyone calmly.

“I can never take this away from you, Joan.” Fran protested, while the others nodded.

“You ain’t taking it away from me, dear. I just gave it to you. As I said, you are precious. You should have it.” They all stared at her in silence until Tico loudly cleared his throat.

“Ok, we really need to get started. Come on, girls. Get your bouquets. Lily, get your flower pedals….here get in one line.” He knew Richie’s mother for a long time. She wouldn’t take the necklace back.

“Uhm…yeah, uhm…Joan, thank you so much.” Fran hugged her soon to be mother-in-law. “I will always hold it with great respect, I promise.”

“I know you will dear. That’s why I gave it to you.”

“Ok? Everybody ready. Joan, will you give me the honor to lead you down the aisle, please?” Tico offered his arm to Richie’s mother.

“Of course, I will. You are one charming guy, you know that, right?” she pointed out when Tico stepped through the open door into the garden with her followed by the older girls and Lily, who was dutiful throwing rose pedals on the floor.

David smiled from his place behind the piano when his youngest daughter walked down the aisle. She was very focused and didn’t look at anybody, but only had the rose pedals on her mind.

Kimberly was the last person to stepped out into the garden before Fran and Jason. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she was with friends and Jon would wait for her at the end of her way.

Jon smiled at her as soon as she was outside. She was trying so hard to appear as if nothing had happened. She didn’t wanna ruin Fran’s big day. But he could see how tense and stressed she was. When she stopped at her place next to Steph and Gaby and turned to watch Fran’s big entrance, he mouthed, "I love you" and earned a small smile from her.

“Here, she comes.” Rich said a little nervous when David started the wedding march and the small group of guests stood up.

“Oh, wow…” he couldn’t take his eyes of her. She looked stunning. Like a goddess. When she came closer his eyes caught the necklace around her neck. His head snatched to his mother shortly. He’d never thought she would give Fran the necklace. Now he really knew how she felt about his new wife.

“You look amazing.” He whispered in her ear when Jason stopped with her next to him. Fran blushed lightly and didn’t bring out a word.

“They looked so great together.” Steph whispered into Kim’s ear. She nodded smiling.

“Do you think you and dad will get married soon too?” the girl asked seriously interested. Kim’s eyes wided in surprise and she looked at Steph with a deer in the headlights look. Jon frowned irritated.

What was going on between his two girls there?

Chapter 94

“Jess? Can we talk for a minute?” Jon sat down next to his son on one of the lounge chairs around the pool.

“I guess.” Jesse removed his earplugs and stopped his IPod.

“What’s wrong, Jess?”

“Wrong? Why should there be anything wrong?” his son was truly surprised.

“Well, you ain’t talking to Kim, you ain’t giving her a hug, you don’t look at her. Is there something you would like to talk about?” Jon wondered. Jesse shook his head.

“Has this something to do with her nearly getting raped?” Jon had problems getting the question out calmly. He still wanted to hurt that bastard. Jesse only stared at his hands.

“Jess? Hey, I’m talking to you.” His father touched his arm softly.

“I just don’t know what to say.” The boy whispered. Jon inhaled deeply.

“Jesse, you don’t have to say anything about it, you just be your normal self around her. How do you think she feels that you ain’t talking to her anymore?” Jess looked up shocked.

“I…I don’t know. I…didn’t… fuck!” he stuttered. Jon put his arms around his shoulders and pulled him close when he heard him sniffing.

“Aren’t you mad, dad?” Jesse asked after several minutes.

“Am I mad? …Yeah, I’m mad…I’m very mad. I wanna drive to this prison and hurt that guy,….but Jess that’s what we got judges for. All we can do, is being there for Kim. Tell her that we love her and that she is save with us.” Jon’s voice got a little emotional when he explained it to his son.

“How can a guy hurt a woman like this? Why did he do it?”

“I don’t know, buddy.” Jon closed his eyes briefly and thanked God that the bastard didn’t really…physically hurt his girl.

“You know,…I guess he never got over it that Kim told him that she isn’t interested ten years ago.” He finally said.

“That’s no reason. When a girl says no, it means no! You don’t hurt her! You stop!” Jesse’s voice was strong now.

“That’s right. That’s what a good man does.” Kim’s voice made both turn their heads. She walked closer to them and sat down on the lounge chair as well.

“What you just said is something your mom and dad taught you. Right Jess?” The boy nodded.

“They told you to respect other people, not to hurt someone and treat a girl right.” Jesse nodded again. “But I don’t think his parents taught him this values. He always got what he wanted. His parents had the money, so they gave him what he asked for. He never had to accept no for an answer.”

“So, it’s his parents fault?” Jesse frowned irritated.

“No, Jess. It’s his fault. He is no kid anymore. He is an adult and even though his parents may not have helped him with a good start, he should have known that he did something wrong when he attacked Kim.” Jon paused shortly and looked at his girlfriend, who nodded with teary eyes.

“And I’m sure he knew it was wrong. Otherwise he wouldn’t have tried to runaway afterwards.”

“I see. …uhm, Kim…can I give you a hug?” Jesse asked shyly. She smiled.

“Of course, nothing has changed between us, Jesse. Nothing has changed.” She let him pull her close for a few seconds and floated in the thought that some parents were raising good kids.

Fran watched her best friend, Jon and his son from her bedroom balcony when Rich stepped close to her and wrapped his strong arms around her waist. Protectively his hands rested on her slowly growing womb.

“You think she’s gonna be ok?” Fran asked worried and leaned against his warm body. Richie sighed.

“I don’t know. I hope.” He said and watched Jesse leaving the pool area. It seemed Kim managed to hold it together until she was sure the boy could no longer see her, before she erupted in tears and clung to Jon.

“It’s gonna be hard…on both of them.” He continued. Fran turned to him.

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s hundred times harder for Kim, but Jon normally isn’t the guy who simply sits there and let others take action. It’s extremely difficult for him right now.” Richie clarified. Fran sighed.

“You are right. I’m just glad she is at least letting him close.”

“Yeah, they need each other…” Richie whispered and placed soft kisses on her neck.

“Richie…” Fran had to repress a moan.

“Yes, darling?” he asked all innocently.

“We can’t…” her words were only a whisper.

“Why not? The kids are occupied, we are alone, the doc said it’s fine…and you know you want it…you are craving for it…” his last words made her shiver.

He was right. She’d developed an incredible strong need for him. She couldn’t remember being that horny while she was pregnant with Jason….certainly not in such early stage. Maybe it was because she was alone during her last pregnancy. Michael wasn’t home. But Richie was…and he was more than willing to help her with her needs. He seemed to know exactly when she needed him and what she wanted.

“Come on darling.” He grabbed her hand and lead her back into their bedroom. After closing the balcony door and locking the bedroom door he slowly started to undress her.

“Richie…” she wasn’t really giving a damn lot about foreplay these days, all she wanted was him…inside of her.

“I know darling, just a few seconds.” He managed to get rid of all his clothes as well before she was eagerly pulling him down on her. He kissed her deeply and let his hands wander over her body. She moaned loudly into his mouth and pressed her hips to him. He chuckled lightly and kissed his way down to her belly.

“So beautiful…” he looked up at her and saw her watching him with teary eyes.

“…hi there…it’s daddy…I’m gonna make your mommy feel reeeeeaaallly good now.” Rich placed and short kiss on her barely visible womb now that she was lying down.

“Oh, Richie…” Fran whispered and pulled him up again for a long kiss.

“I love you Franny.” He said and slipped into her warm and inviting body.

“GOD…..RICHIE……!” Fran screamed when an orgasm hit her instantly. He smiled that could get interesting.

Chapter 93

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry about the delay of posting, but I was in the hospital for surgery and my recovery wasn't going as fast as I had it in mind from five years ago. Be assured that there'll be more chapters to come. I hope to post every sunday from now on again.

~ Kris ~

“You have reached your destination.” The stoic voice of the navigation system told them when they turned into the driveway of a house at the beach in New Jersey.

“Wow, this really looks nice.” Kim said and let her gaze wander over the two story building which was built in a Mediterranean-style with extensive loggias and balconies framing the warm yellow colored house.

“Well, did you think Rich would invite us to a little hut somewhere?” Jon asked laughing and was glad she smiled lightly at his comment. The last two days were tough. Of course, the incident with Nigel hit the fan and soon their phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Jon only answered the calls from family and close friends.

Dorothea was still very concerned when she dropped off the kids at their place this morning, but Kim assured her that only the training she had done with her probably saved her. She would have never been able to move without Dot’s voice in her head.

The kids were extremely sweet. Steph hugged her and asked if there was anything, she could do for her and Jake and Romeo gave her their two toy walkie-talkies. Telling her, she could call for help if someone tried to hurt her again. Even though they didn’t know the whole reason for the attack, Dot made sure they understood that someone tried to hurt Kim.

Jesse was very reserved though. He wouldn’t look at her or hug her. Actually, he barely talked to her on their drive to Richie’s rented beach house. Jon sighed when he glanced in the rear mirror and saw his oldest son staring out of the window. He sure needed to talk to him later.

“Daddy, look…Hector is already there…hurry.” Romeo yelled excited while Jake pointed out of the window. Tico and his family as well as David with Lexi and his kids were just leaving their cars.

“Ok, ok…stay in your seat and don’t open the door before the car stops.” Jon ordered his sons who were about to loosen their seatbelts.

As soon as the car came to a halt, the two boys were out of the car. Kim smiled and shook her head. All the kids really loved to spend time together.

“Are you ok, honey?” Jon wanted to know and pulled her into his arms before they would walk towards the rest of the group.

“I’m fine, Jon. Don’t worry.” She didn’t meet his eyes though. Carefully he lifted her chin and looked at her concerned.

“Ok, I’m not…” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “…but I know I’m save here with my friends and my lover and his kids. Maybe some family time at an outlying waterfront house is exactly what I need. And as long as you are with me and keep me from thinking about it too much…I’ll be ok.”

“I love you.” He kissed her softly and she melted against him. She felt very save when he was holding her in his arms.

His band mates watched the couple worried. Jon assured them on the phone that Kim was all right, but they could see now that she was really trying to keep it together. Kim only talked to Fran the last two days, revealed everything about the attempt rape now, and back ten years ago. Fran listened and tried to support her. She was the first now who pulled Kim in her embrace and just held her for a while.

The men watched worried and fascinated how their four women and Joan were standing together in a huddle talking quietly and giving Kim a feeling of protection as well as understanding. When Richie’s mother pulled Kim close for a hug Kim started to sob.

Jon wanted to walk over to her, but Lexi and Alejandra shaking their heads no stopped him.

He sighed deeply. Maybe all this wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe talking with other women about it was just what his girl needed. He was there for her, no doubt about it, but he knew he would never really understand the fear and feelings she went through two nights ago.

“Where is that bastard now?” David asked angrily. Seeing Kim like this was nearly too much for him.

                                                     

“He’s in prison and they’ll keep him there until the trial. He could easily leave the country because of his parent’s money.” Jon told him in a low voice.

“What a shame.” Tico growled and fisted his hands a couple times. If that guy wouldn’t be in jail, he would happily pay him a visit. Rich nodded agreeing before taking a deep breath.

“Ok, where is everybody.” he clapped his hands together and tried to get everybody’s attention. It was time to lift the dark cloud that was hanging over them.

“The little boys are outside.” Steph informed him only looking up shortly from her conversation with Gabby and Ava.

“Jason too?” Fran wanted to know and walked towards the huge patio doors. Steph nodded.

“See, I told you they would be fine.” Rich told her and wrapped his arms carefully around her waist. Fran had been worried how Jake, Romeo and Hector would react on Jason. They had never met before, but it seemed they connected immediately.

“Can we tell them now, Dad?” Ava asked him excited when everybody was situated in the huge open living room. He laughed and looked at Fran.

“Shall we?” she nodded and smiled about Jason grinning from ear to ear and Ava jumping anxious from one foot to the other. Joan just sat there and watched her son lovingly.

“Well, you probably wonder why we asked you to come out here.” Rich started and got nods from everybody. “I mean, I love you all dearly, but the times where we were spending out precious free time together are long over.”

“Hear, hear…” Jon chuckled.

“Nevertheless…we wanted to have you with us…” he paused dramatically and David rolled his eyes. “… when we get married tomorrow afternoon.”

There was dead silence in the room for about ten seconds. Kim stared at Fran who was very calmly holding up her hand and let her diamond engagement ring blink in the sunlight.

“Oh, my God!” Kim, Lexi and Ali nearly screamed at the same time and rushed over to Fran followed by Steph, Gabby and Lily. The men laughed and walked over to Rich.

“I already wondered if you gonna ask her before the baby would arrive.” Jon told him and gave him a short hug and slap on the back.

“Well, we needed to talk to Ava and Jason first.” Rich said and watched how the boy looked at the excited giggling group of women and girls confused. He had never seen his mother like this before.

“Jason, buddy…why don’t you come over here?” Richie called. The boy nodded and pressed himself close to Richie. He still was a little shy with all those new faces around.

“Will they stay this crazy?” he asked confused. The men laughed.

“Nah, don’t worry buddy. They’ll calm down after the wedding.” Rich assured him and hugged him shortly.

“Ok, can we go outside again, Rich?” he looked at him with his big brown eyes.

“Sure, just don’t go to the pool, ok?” Jason nodded. Jon and David looked up at him when he mentioned the pool. Tico was already on his way to the patio checking on his son.

“It’s fenced. They can’t fall in there.” He answered the unspoken question and stopped the drummer’s motion. Slowly he walked over to his future wife.

“And you are sure everything is done? Dress, flowers, music, food, priest, hair and make-up?” Kim asked her best friend disbelieving.

“Yeah, don’t worry. Everything will be delivered tomorrow morning, they’ll set everything up outside, my dress is…” She stopped when she saw Rich sneaking towards her.

“Why do you stop, darling? Where is your dress?” he asked all innocently.

“None of your business. You gotta wait till tomorrow.” She told him, laughing about his pout. He tried to figure out how it looked like for days.

“Oh, come on…” he begged, giving her puppy dog eyes.

Joan shook her head and gave him a light slap on the back of his head.

“Ouch! Mom!” he rubbed the spot. It always amazed him how she was able to reach that high.

“Behave yourself Richard!” she told him. His band mates laughed out loud.

“Sorry, Momma S., but that will never happen.” Jon said and gave her a hug. Rich only rolled his eyes.

Chapter 92

As quiet as possible Jon entered Kim’s office. She was lying on the small couch and her two furry friends were sitting in front of her watching her restless sleep.

She took a long shower after the police officers and Lloyd had left. Jon managed to get her to eat at least half of a sandwich before she sought shelter in her office. He sighed and carefully stepped closer to her.

When he grabbed the blanket that lie at her feet to cover her, she jerked away and her eyes flew open. In a split of a second she was sitting and pulling away from him.

“Shhh, honey….it’s only me.” He tried to calm her.

“Yeah.” She whispered and grabbed the blanket to clutch it nervously to her chest. Jon slowly sat down on the couch without moving too close to her.

“How about we go to bed. It’s already late.” He suggested softly. She shook her head no.

“Why not Kimi?”

“I….I don’t feel like going upstairs.” She couldn’t find a real excuse.

“Kimi,…” Jon wanted to start, but she stopped him.

“Jon, please…” he could barely hear her shaky voice and when tears slid down her pale cheeks, he had to use all his control to not punch something. He wished he could get close to this bastard and beat the shit out of him.

Jon took a deep breath and glided of the couch to kneel in front of her. Slowly he reached for her hand, but stopped inches before grabbing it. He looked up and searched her eyes. Kim exhaled deeply before putting her hand in his.

She had no idea why she wasn’t able to let him close to her. Hours ago, she threw herself sobbing into his arms and let him carry her, but now she needed distance.

He let out a breath, he didn’t know he was holding when she reluctantly put her small hand in his. It was shaking lightly and felt cold.

“Kimi, you know I could never hurt you.”

She nodded and started to sob lightly.

“I know that Jon,…I know that,…but I’m scared, the more I think about it…I get more scared…” her body started to shake uncontrollable and she pulled her hands to her face. Jon swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat and carefully wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close.

At first she stiffed, but after a few seconds and some reassuring words from Jon later, she started to relax a little.

“How about the dogs come upstairs with us?” Jon asked after Kim had calmed down again and was getting heavy in his arms.

“But they ain’t allowed upstairs.” She said in a small voice. Jon smiled softly. His little control freak.

“I think today calls for an exception.”

“Yeah, maybe you are right.” Kim whispered and tried to get to her feet unsuccessfully.

“Come here, honey. I’ll carry you upstairs.” Jon offered and opened his arms. Kim only nodded and tried not to freak out when he was picking her up and started his way to the stairs. Deep in the back of her mind she knew that it would only get worse if she would push him away right now. She needed to trust him or she would never be able to trust a man again.

When they reached the stairs her dogs stopped and watched Jon carefully walking upstairs with Kim in his arms.

“Come on boys, Kidd, Sambo…come here.” Jon called them from the upper level. The dogs cocked their heads confused.

“It’s ok…come here…she needs you tonight. Come on boys.” He tried to lure them upstairs, but they only took one step and stopped.

“Kidd, Sambo…COME HERE!” Kim’s voice echoed through the apartment and without any kinda hesitation the dogs rushed upstairs straight into the bedroom.

“And I thought they were finally listening to me.” Jon mumbled to himself and entered the bedroom.

“Could you get me an extra blanket?” Kim asked and pointed at the closet.

“Sure, honey.” Jon grabbed the blanket and covered her with it before rounding the bed. After stripping off his clothes, he slipped under the covers and turned off the lights.

Slowly he moved closer to Kim, who seemed to be lying right on the edge of their huge bed. He slipped his arms around her and pulled her softly against his body. Her breathing sped up.

“Ok, Kimi?” he asked into the darkness.

“Yeah.” She whispered, but he wasn’t convinced.

“You are not, Kim.” He said and released her to turn on the lights again. She sat up in the bed.

“Well, I’m sorry Jon. It’s not that easy for me right now.” She told him with anger in her voice. He looked at her surprised.

“I’m sorry.” He stuttered. She sighed.

“No, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to snap at you.” She ran her hand frustrated through her blond hair a couple times.

“I can’t explain it, Jon. On the one hand I want you to hold me, because it comforts me, but on the other hand any kinda physical contact scares me right now…and I know you won’t do anything….God, I’m a mess and nothing really happened.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…nothing happened? ….Kimi,….you got attacked in the darkness, that guy pulled a knife on you and tried to rape you, there was shooting and police cars…a lot happened tonight. Yeah, you are a mess right now…and you are totally entitled to be one. But honey…”

Jon softly let his hand touch her face to make sure she would look at him.

“…don’t let him haunt you. It was scary, it was a nightmare…but you won! You fought, you hurt him and you won! Don’t hide in fear! Be proud of yourself that you managed to fight your biggest fear and move when it was necessary!”

Kim nodded and started sobbing again, but this time she didn’t pull back or stiffened when Jon wrapped his arms around her. He sighed relieved, but knew at the same time that it would take quite a while before things would be back to normal.