As usual this story is exclusively my property and can't be republished or redistributed without my permission. Names have been changed to protect the guilty and not-so-innocent. Any resemblance to people living, dead or non-existent is merely a coincidence.
*
Zack gave Adele a little squeeze as they relaxed on her sofa and watched a movie. Adele snuggled into him and grinned. It had been about six months since Adele had made her leap of faith and opened up to Zack. They'd decided to take it slow so Adele could get over her issues with men.
"So you're really okay with this Zack?"
Zack kissed the top of Adele's head and squeezed her again. "Honey if it took a thousand years I'd wait for you."
"You're not just saying that?"
"No babe, I've stuck by you for this long, when you're ready for the next step I'll be here waiting for you." Zack said as he smiled at Adele.
Adele turned back to the movie and smiled to herself. She knew that Zack meant what he'd said. From the day they'd met he'd been nothing but patient and sweet with her, letting Adele decide how fast or slow their relationship would unfold.
Zack thought about why Adele was asking these questions. He knew she was still self-conscious about her scars, but that was mostly only when they went out now. He still thought she was pretty despite them. Zack thought she was exceptional for surviving what she'd gone through. He knew he'd do anything for Adele, she just needed time to let her emotional scars heal, and he was willing to wait.
"Did you want more wine hon?" Zack asked.
Adele gave Zack a kiss, "Thanks love."
Zack went to the kitchen and poured more wine into Adele's glass and mixed himself another 'Jack' and ginger.
He still couldn't wrap his brain around how a guy could do what had been done to Adele. She had a sweet, almost innocent air about her. With her sparkling hazel eyes and musical laugh she was everything he wanted in a woman.
When Zack returned to the living room he saw that Adele had pulled a blanket around herself. He placed their drinks on the coffee table and as he went to sit down Adele opened her arms to wrap him in the blanket as well. Adele rested her head and arm on Zack's chest. Zack's arm unconsciously wrapped around her.
"So uhm, are you doing anything next weekend sweetie?" Zack asked.
Adele hummed, "As far as I know I'm going to be with you hon, why?"
"Well my sister and brother-in-law are flying in for the weekend, and I was hoping maybe you'd be up to meeting them."
Adele raised her head and looked at Zack. He could see a look of fear in her eyes for just a second. "Wow it must be serious if you want me to meet your family."
Zack kissed Adele's nose, "Well Sandy's been bugging me for details for months. I think this 'trip' is a scouting mission for my Mom."
Adele gave him one of her precious grins, "So. How much have you told your family about me?"
"I told them that you were the most wonderful, beautiful girl in the world with the spirit of a tigress."
"Did you tell them about my..."
"Yes I did love, and when I told them what had happened they didn't care. They just want to meet the girl who's captured my heart."
Adele frowned a bit, "Well I don't want them to feel sorry for me. I get enough of that crap from strangers on the street."
"That's my little tigress!" Zack said with a chuckle.
"So I guess you'll be giving up your bed to them when they come in?"
"Yeah it's only for a few nights, I'll just pike out on my couch." Zack replied.
"Or," Adele said shyly. "You could sleep here."
"My couch or yours, not much difference baby."
Adele blushed prettily, "No I meant you could sleep here. With me."
"Are you sure sweetie? I don't want you to feel pressured or anything."
Adele smiled and gave Zack a lingering kiss, "No pressure, I promise. But I think I'm ready for the next step. That is if you think you are."
Zack grinned, "I think I can manage honey."
---
Zack met his sister and brother-in-law at the airport Friday. Adele had begged off going to the airport, but offered to make a dinner instead.
As Zack opened the door to his unit an amazing array of aromas wafted out into the entry hall.
Zack's sister inhaled sharply, "Oh wow! Is that an Indian curry and Thai food I'm smelling?"
Zack grinned at his sister, "Yeah Adele's a bit of a mad scientist in the kitchen. She makes me look like a rank amateur."
Adele came out of the kitchen rubbing a tea towel over her hands. Her hair was down, hiding her scars from view.
Sandy stepped forward and gave Adele a warm hug. "Hi Adele, I'm so happy to finally meet you. Zack didn't do you justice, you're far prettier than he said."
Adele smiled shyly, "Thanks, I guess Zack's told you more about me than he's told me about you."
Sandy laughed, "Zack's been like that with all of his girlfriends, I think he's afraid we'll spill his dirty little secrets or something."
"Hi Adele, I'm Dean, it's great to finally put a face to a name."
Adele gave Zack a saucy grin, "Just what else have you been telling your family about me Mister?"
Zack gave Adele an innocent look, "Nothing but the truth, honestly."
Sandy took Adele by the arm and led her toward the kitchen, "Time for us to have a girls only chat Adele."
When the girls got into the kitchen Sandy let go of Adele's arm and turned to her, "Is my little brother being good to you honey?"
Adele smiled shyly, "He's been wonderful, nothing but gentle and attentive. He never forces the issue and lets me set the pace."
"As he should, I'm sure you're skittish after going through what you have."
Adele giggled, "I thought I was going to die the first time we met! I was so scared of Zack I couldn't even look at him."
"Well you seem to have come around pretty well so far sweetie.
"Zack's told us about what happened to you. Would you let me see them?"
"Huh? See what Sandy?"
Your scars sweetie, it's okay I'm an ER nurse."
Adele slowly pulled her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. Sandy inspected Adele's scars for a moment, taking her by the chin and moving her into a better light.
"I hope the rat-bastard is in jail honey," Sandy said.
"Yes, attempted murder, aggravated assault, battery, and sexual assault. He'll be gone for a good long time."
Sandy sighed, "Do you have any idea how lucky you are to be alive? Probably a half millimetre deeper and he would've cut your carotid artery. I've see this too many times sweetie."
"I know I'm lucky Sandy, if it weren't for Mrs Klein upstairs calling 911, I never would've made it."
Sandy gave Adele a tight hug, "The important thing is that you're here with us now. So when's dinner? Airplane food doesn't agree with me and your dinner smells heavenly!"
Adele blushed at Sandy's compliment. "It's ready now. Let's call the boys in."
---
After dinner Zack and Sandy cleared the table while Dean and Adele went out to Zack's small patio.
"Are you okay with me being here with you Adele? I can go back inside if you want."
Adele shook her head. "No it's okay Dean, my therapist has done wonders with me. And having Zack to help me too doesn't hurt either. Six months ago I would've been a complete wreck with you here."
Adele pulled a small silver case from her pocket and removed a cigarette and lighter from it. She lit it and took a pull then exhaled a cloud of blue smoke.
"So what kind of work do you do?" Dean asked.
"Well I used to do some acting, mostly bit parts in tv shows and movies. But since this happened I had to be happy with voice-over work and character voices on children's shows. Then I showed Zack the stories I wrote for my niece and nephews, and apparently I'm now an author!" she said with a small laugh.
"Sounds like you've had some fun jobs, beats being an accountant," Dean laughed. "Zack never mentioned that you smoke, how long have you been doing it?"
Adele blushed, "Only since I was attacked. Nervous habit I picked up from one of the girls when I was in the hospital. We'd go outside to chat and one day I asked for one. I know I need to quit. Zack's not thrilled with it but I've almost got it beat."
"Good, I smoked for ten years and haven't regretted quitting once."
---
"You know she's a pretty amazing girl don't you?" Sandy asked her brother as they did the dishes.
Zack smiled, "Yes I do sis, she's a real fighter. She's come so far since we met."
"In more ways than one Zack. That knife cut on her throat should've killed her, but she somehow beat the odds. I've seen girls come into the ER with less severe wounds die on the table. I have no love for men who do things like that."
"Neither do I Sandy, it just doesn't compute for me. I could never do anything like that to a woman."
"So have you met her family yet Zack?"
"She's talked a little about her family. I know she has a sister here in town and brother out in B.C., but that's about it. She's still not to the stage where she wants me to meet them I guess."
"Give her time little bro, it'll come."
---
Later that night Zack and Adele were in her apartment getting ready for bed. Adele slipped under the covers and pulled them up to her neck. She started to shiver when she thought this would be the first time she'd shared a bed with a guy in over two years. 'Maybe I'm not as ready as I thought I was.' she thought to herself. Adele shook her head to clear it, 'No, this is Zack. I know he'll respect my boundaries.'
"Okay, I'm ready hon." she called out.
Zack came into Adele's bedroom and was surprised by what he saw. On every horizontal surface there were small statues and figurines of unicorns and Pegasus'.
