I'm sat in our lounge snuggled up to Jack, feeling completely drained. I can hear Daniel walking with Grace from room to room in a desperate attempt to get her to sleep. But truthfully, I am under no elusion that Daniel is pacing to try and process the day's events.

My mind still whirls despite the exhaustion, reliving all the sordid details of my relationship with Ed. Daniel did not let go of my hand while I answered what felt like hundreds of questions from Detective Phillips and his female colleague. Although I've been honest with Daniel and answered his questions about Ed, there were violent events dredged up that even I had buried deep beyond my normal consciousness. As we were already aware, Detective Phillips is a great police officer who knew just the right questions to ask.

My body shivers when I remember Daniel's pained expression as I recalled events from the past, or when I could see tears in his eyes while I spoke.

"I want him dead." Daniel says from the doorway, making me jump. He continues to rock Grace who stubbornly refuses to sleep. "I hate that he has this power over me! I mean... I try to be a good person... a good man. But, he just brings out this pure hatred in me that I want to kill him myself." Daniel's voice wobbles before he clears his throat, he then kisses Grace's head tenderly as she finally drifts off the sleep.

I swiftly place Jack in his Moses basket, then take a sleeping Grace from Daniel. I place her in her Moses basket next to Jack. With trembling hands I embrace Daniel, holding him tight. I feel his body melt into mine. "He can't hurt me anymore. Talking about it is cathartic for me. I'm using what happened to help someone else, and to make sure he can never hurt anyone ever again. I've told you before, doing this is empowering me."

"You're so brave, Lizzie. The things I've heard today from the lips of my wife made me feel like I was going to be sick. I-"

"Sshhh." I whisper as I kiss his lips. "It's just words now. It's all in the past."

Without warning he kisses me fiercely as though he is channeling all of the hurt into our kiss. Without a seconds pause, I reciprocate, desperately willing him to understand that I need him as much as he needs me. Daniel groans into my open mouth before our tongues collide for the first time in weeks. My hand wanders to the hem of his jumper, but he prevents me from lifting it up.

"You sure you're ready?" He asks seriously, pulling away from me slightly to see my reaction.

A wave of doubt rushes over me, aware that the first time, five weeks after labour is not going to be the most enjoyable experience of my life. I open my mouth to lie, but realise he will know I'm lying. "Yes and no." I mutter. "Medically, the nurse said I'm healed enough for us to have sex. But mentally, I'm not sure. I want to, but I'm also aware that's it's probably going to be uncomfortable... for both of us." I sigh and rest my forehead against his, knowing my honesty has probably killed the moment. "It's going to have changed us."

Daniel takes my face in his hands and kisses me again with as much passion as before. "Lizzie, we will take it at your pace. I'm aware we will have to take things slowly for a while." He smiles reassuringly, and my heart skips a beat. "We will get back to us."

"One shag at a time." I chuckle quietly.

Unexpectedly, Daniel bellows with laughter. I swiftly cover his mouth with my hand to avoid disturbing the twins. "One shag at a time." He repeats with a wicked grin once I have removed my hand. "Now where were we?" He mumbles against my neck while he unbuttons my blouse.

*****

Once the twins are settled in their room I notice a missed FaceTime call from Willow. Returning her call, I show her the twins and she gushes over them enthusiastically.

"I was just calling to thank you again for the baby clothes. They are stunning. You really didn't need to." Willow says gratefully.

"I just want to help-"

"You and Daniel are doing enough for us without buying clothes." Willow smiles warmly. "I'm having a girl by the way." She says without warning causing me to squeak with excitement.

"That is wonderful news! Did your Mom go with you for the scan?" I ask, knowing they have been rebuilding their relationship.

"Yeah, she has been wonderful. Thank you again for finding me an apartment so close to them." She beams at the screen.

"It's our pleasure. I'm just so happy that you have been able to reconnect after Ed caused you to become distant from each other." I speak from experience.

"I was a fool to allow him such power over me... and I've been honest with her about it. We're closer than ever, and I'm so grateful." Willow sounds at peace with herself finally.

"I went to the police station today and answered all of their questions. They are going to put it into a statement for me to read over... that should be fun, seeing all the things he did in black and white!" I laugh humourlessly.

"That must have been awful for you." Willow grimaces.

"I think it was worse for Daniel to hear than me to say! I'm just doing what I have to to put him firmly behind me." I say simply.

"The police liaison woman says Ed still doesn't believe that you will take the stand against him. That bastard still believes it's going to be my word against his, and he is going to get away with it. He even said he couldn't wait till he was out to meet his child." Willow speaks through gritted teeth.

"You'll be pleased to know that detective Phillips has arranged a meeting with his lawyer tomorrow to inform him of my statement and I've given him permission to release some facts that only Ed will know have come from me!"

"I wish I could see his face when he is told that!"

"Me too." I confess. Jack begins to cry on the monitor. "I'm going to have to go."

"Just quickly... I'm going to call my baby Lizzie." Willow says nervously.

"I'm honoured! But, you don't need to do that for me." I swallow the lump that has risen in my throat.

"I want to... I want to tell her all about the strongest woman I've ever met."

I feel myself well up, and I swat at the screen as though it will control the tears. "Awww, you've made me cry now! Thank you, Willow. It really is so kind of you!" I hear Jack cry again.

"You should go to Jack. I'll call you in the week. Bye." Willow clicks off the call while I remain seated for a second on our bed.

I hear Daniel go into Jack and he begins to sing to him. Watching on the monitor I hear Daniel quietly sing a lullaby while he cuddles him. Wiping my tears, I stand up to join them as my phone begins to ring again. This time I see Chris's name light up the screen.

"Hi." I answer fully expecting the call to be for Daniel.

"Holy fuck, Lizzie. I'm so glad you've answered!" Chris's New York accent sounds more harsh when she is stressed.

"What's going on?" I ask, feeling my heart sink.

"Is Daniel there too?" She asks abruptly before I hear her take a drag on her cigarette.

"He's with Jack." I answer nervously.

"Get him and call me back." She ends the call without waiting for me to answer.

I reach the twins room as Daniel is placing Jack back in his Moses basket. He looks up at me, and the serene expression melts from his face immediately. "You OK?"

"Chris has just called me... all stressed... wants us both to call her back... now." I mumble quietly, not wanting to disturb the babies.

We both leave the room and close the door behind us so we can talk easier. "Why? What did she say?" He asks while we stride down the stairs.

"That was it." I answer swiftly, looking as concerned as he does.

"Call Chris." Daniel commands in the kitchen, the computer immediately responding to his words. As soon as the call is connected, Daniel takes control. "What's going on?"

"I've had a call from an old friend who owes me a favour. Now, he can't stop it. But, he gave me a heads up of the story that's due to break in the next forty eight hours. Apparently just finalising some details." Chris talks quickly and curtly as her voice echoes across the kitchen.

"What story?" I ask eagerly.

"They fucking know, Lizzie. They know everything!" She shouts.

"They know everything about what?" Daniel pushes his fingers through his hair.

"They've connected the dots between you and Ed, Lizzie. They've done their fucking homework too. They're going to call you an abused wife who is now out to save his new victim! They know about the arrest and the charges against him! I'm so fucking sorry, but the world is about to find out..."

-

Hey guys! Happy New Year!!!!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Cannot wait to hear what you think!

So, the media know about Ed - it was only a matter of time, right?!?! Poor Lizzie!

Thank you for still reading and supporting this trilogy! It means the world to me, especially as we're so close to the end!!! Love T x -