Closing my eyes as I sip my iced tea, I realise that there is a not a single noise coming from inside our rented house. The sunshine spills through into the large kitchen, bathing the huge oak table in natural light.

My mind whirls from yesterday's events, and I feel the migraine beginning to claw its way back. Instead of allowing it to manifest, I lean my head back and take a deep, controlled breath.

Squinting, I pick up my sunglasses, open the back door and step into the garden. The heat is palpable the second I walk into the sunlight. The feel of the afternoon sun on my face brings an instant smile to my lips.

I sit down on the outdoor sofa and stretch out my legs in front of me. I'm still in my short pyjamas, and I have absolutely no intention of getting dressed today. The garden is vibrant and bursting with colour as I idly watch the bees jump from flower to flower. Birds chirp playfully overhead, relaxing my busy mind. How wonderful it is to simply sit in the sun, knowing the people I love are safe.

Other than the sounds of nature there is complete silence... no security, no media, no police... no people at all. I realise in this tranquil moment that we haven't truly been alone for the last seven months. There has always been someone around us, but now it's just me and Daniel. Somehow, I feel free for the first time since I left for my ill-fated trip to Ireland all those months ago.

My eyes glance up to the bedroom window with the curtains drawn. Finally, Daniel was able to get some sleep after the awful experience of leaving the hospital. My heart expands in my chest thinking of how Daniel fell asleep with his head on my stomach as I played with the curls at the nape of his neck.

The vibration of my phone startles me back to reality. My mom's smiling face lights up the screen when I pick it up.

"Hey, Mom." I say lightly.

"Hello, my darling. How are you feeling?" Her voice is full of concern.

"I'm fine. How are you both?"

"Worried sick about the two of you!" She exclaims almost frantically.

"How's Daniel doing?" My dad asks. "You're on speaker phone, by the way." He speaks proudly like speakerphone is a mystical technology that he has just mastered. 

"He's asleep at the moment. Last night really took it out of him!" My tone becomes sombre.

"What on earth made him leave the hospital in the middle of the night?" Dad asks curiously.

"We thought there would be less media presence considering the time." I pinch the bridge of my nose at the memory of all the reporters and crazy fans that descended on us from nowhere. The whole thing reminded me of a plague of locusts engulfing a harvest.

Dad lets out a short, but humourless laugh. "We saw it all on the news! Even I could have told you that the media would be waiting for the first whiff of blood, no matter what time he left. He's one of Hollywood's biggest stars who was shot by the stalker who had already tried to kill you! Plus, she's now dead! It's the story of the bloody century for these parasites!" The frustration he's feeling is tangible, even through the phone.

"That's enough Simon!" Mom scolds him before covering the mouth piece to say something I can't quite hear.

"Mom, Dad! It's fine, don't fall out. Detective Philips and Rhys had already advised us that there was no way of getting him out of the hospital without being seen, but a lot of them just blended in like they were supposed to be there until it was too late! It took us all by surprise."

"I'm sorry, it was just horrible to see." Dad sighs down the phone. I hear the kettle starting to boil in the background, so I know they're in the kitchen. I cannot help but smirk at my dad's habit of making a hot drink when he's stressed. "I did have to chuckle when you shoved that camera man out of the way!"

"He was right in Daniel's face as Rhys was trying to get the wheelchair through. I just couldn't help myself." A devilish laugh leaves my body at the memory of the reporter's shocked expression when his camera went tumbling to the ground.

"You sure you're both OK?" Dad speaks softly.

"We will be fine. I will make Daniel rest until he's feeling stronger." I'm desperate to tell them that they are going to be grandparents, but I want to tell them in person, so I bide my time.

"I know I only saw you both a few days ago, but is it still OK for us to come and spend some time with you?" Mom's tone is clearly nervous.

"Yes, of course."

"We will stay in a hotel." Dad chips in.

"Don't be ridiculous! You will stay with us and that's the end of it." I respond firmly.

"Only if you're both sure?" Dad asks tentatively.

"We're sure!" I screech.

"That settles it then." Mom says calmly, but I can tell she hasn't finished yet. "We've had lots of different reporters calling us, and even coming to the house."

"Julie! We agreed not to tell her! Ignore your mother, Lizzie. You know she has no filter when it comes to common sense." The annoyance is evident in his voice. I can imagine exactly how they are glaring at each other right now. "We've both just said no comment and that they need to bugger off! Nothing for you to worry about... we can handle it!"

"Please tell me if it gets too intense. I can speak to Daniel's agent, Chris, or get Rhys to come and deal with it for you." I swallow hard at the realisation that this is my life now.

"We're fine, just your mother's flair for the dramatic as usual!" Dad's tone is dripping with sarcasm.

"She needed to know-"

I cut mom off, not wanting to hear the argument that's about to follow.  "I'm going to have to let you go, Caroline is trying to ring me." I lie. "See you in a few days. Love you."

Ending the phone call, I suddenly feel exhausted. With heavy eyes, I lean back on the sofa and begin to drift off.

I then hear the sound of glass breaking in the kitchen. Immediately, I jump up onto my feet with my heart in my throat. Daniel, I internally scream, fear gripping my lungs like iron restraints.

Running as fast as I can, I clumsily bash off the door as I enter the kitchen.

"Fucking brilliant!" Daniel bitterly mumbles to himself while looking down at the smashed pint glass that surrounds him.

My heart stills at the sight of him, making the rest of my body also freeze in place. The relief I feel that he is OK immediately floods through every muscle.

For a split second he doesn't notice me as he tries to work out how he will be able to clear up the mess.

"Don't move!" I command as I tiptoe through the broken glass to pick up the dustpan and brush.

Daniel glances up at me with sad eyes. He looks exhausted and his skin still has a waxy sheen to it. His mop of wavy dark hair is a complete mess. His chest is heavy bandaged with his right arm in a sling to help with the pressure on his side. With his pyjama bottoms hung dangerously low on his hips, I inappropriately wonder when he will be ready to have sex again. I shake my head with rosy cheeks as I bend to pick up the dustpan and brush. I'm blaming the pregnancy hormones I decide with a nod... yep, pregnancy hormones.

"What are you doing out of bed?" I ask as I begin to sweep the floor.

"I woke up and you were gone. I thought I'd be OK to fetch a glass of water..." he gestures to the floor. "Obviously not!"

Once I've finished sweeping the floor, I try but fail to keep the annoyed expression on my face. My body betrays me and I smile up at him. "That's what I'm here for! I'm at your service!"

He grins at me, and even through the exhaustion I see a cheeky glint in his eyes. "I'll hold you to that! Who were you talking to?"

"Just mom and dad." I answer simply, not wanting to talk about last night again. "I've been thinking... shall we move? Fresh start somewhere, even if we just rent somewhere else for a while?"

"That's music to my ears." He smiles his perfect smile, exposing his dimples. "We should start looking straight away."

Beaming back at him with a nod of my head, I grab a glass out of the cupboard and make him an iced tea.

"Want to come and sit in the sun with me?" I ask, holding out my hand. Daniel steps forward and takes my waiting hand without a pause. He lifts my hand to kiss the back softly as we walk into the back garden. I feel his stubble roughly brush my sensitive skin, and goosebumps rise up on my arms despite the heat. Yep... pregnancy hormones.

I sit down back onto the sofa and place a pillow across my lap. He carefully lies down with a few grunts and groans, shuffling slowly into place. As soon as he is comfortable, I begin to knot my fingers into his wild hair. Loving the feeling of his soft strands gliding through my gentle grip, I feel an easy smile spread over my lips.

"I love you." Daniel says sleepily as he begins to drift away again.

Leaning down, I press my lips to his forehead. "I love you too."

I lean my head back onto the sofa and listen to Daniel's breathing deepen. Closing my eyes, I allow my mind to wonder about our future and what life will have in store for us now that Georgia is out if our lives for good. 

- hey guys!

So, this is the first chapter of Among the Stars and I'm so excited to share it with you all!

Please let me know what you think of this chapter?

Poor Daniel couldn't even leave hospital without being mobbed - but then, can they really expect anything else?

If you get chance, please have a look at the chapter before as I'd love to know who you picture Daniel and Lizzie to be as you read their story.

Please tick the little star and thank you so much for sticking with their story in the final part of the trilogy! T xxx -