When I reentered our room, I could hear Tabitha screaming from the tub. My heart sank into my stomach as I ran to her. I shoved the door open. Water and bubbles were all over the floor.
    Her body was still covered by the bubbles, but she was fighting and screaming like she was trying to get something off of her. I rushed to her side and tried to calm her, kneeling in the water beside the tub.
      "Tabitha, Tabitha, it's me. You're safe. Please wake up honey," I spoke stroking her hair. She raised her arm to hit me, but I caught it in my hand and rubbed her forearm gently. I rubbed it soothingly. I looked down and saw a scar going from the front of her shoulder leading down her collarbone toward her bubble covered chest.
       "Shhh, you're safe now, my love," I spoke pulling her closer to me. Her wet hair soaked through my shirt, the bottles on the floor next to me all knocked over, but I didn't care.
       "No, please! Don't touch me, leave me alone, don't touch me!" She screamed fighting an unknown person. "I'll do it. Just don't bring her into this!" She screamed out and my heart shattered for her. "I know there are consequences!"
       "Tabitha honey, it's me, you're safe. Don't worry, I'm right here I just need you to wake up," I spoke releasing her arm and cradling her head.
       She let out a loud cry of pain and her eyes shot open. She looked up at me, startled, and burst into tears. "I-I'm sorry," she wept, turning her face into my chest. She gripped my shirt with her wet hands and pulled me closer to her.

      "Shhh, it's okay, you're safe," I mumbled into her hair.
      "I'm usually okay," she wept. "But when I get extremely tired, my body stops fighting to keep those walls up and it all comes pouring out. I'm a mess, a broken, fucked up mess."
      "You are not a mess or broken, my love," I whispered. "You have been hurt and abused, but that does not mean that you are broken. You never have to worry about that again. I am here to care for you and love you, and your sister. I just hope that one day I can be worthy of your love."
      She froze in my arms as if unsure of how to react. "I mean it, Tabitha. I love you," I spoke huskily, my throat growing dry. Before I knew what was happening, she pulled me closer by my shirt and pressed her lips to mine.
     At first the kiss was a slow, passionate union of our lips. It quickly turned hungry, both of us wanting more. I ran my fingers through her hair and held her close to me. When we broke apart to catch our breaths, she stared deeply into my eyes as if staring into my soul.
     I pecked her forehead and reached down to grab the bottle of shampoo. I poured some into my palm and began massaging her wet hair with it, lathering the soap in the process. As I rubbed it in, she closed her eyes and let out a soft moan. It was the most delicious sound I had ever heard in my life and I wanted every chance to hear it fall from her lips that I could get.
    I used a cup and warm water from the spout to rinse her hair before repeating the same process with the conditioner. She moaned softly again as she relaxed against my hands. She purred quietly in approval as I continued to massage her scalp. Then I rinsed her hair.
     I moved to pull the drain from the tub and turned off the whirlpool jets. Then I quickly moved to the counter to grab my blindfold and her towels. Just as I was about to place it over my eyes, she whispered "it's alright, I trust you."
    Those five little words had enough power to send my heart skyrocketing. I did my best not to stare as she took the small showerhead from the edge of the tub, and turned on the water.