We walk hand in hand down to the beach. It's a relief off of my shoulders that we told Morgan and she was ok with it.

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Jax asked.

"Just thinking how easy that was to tell Morgan. I just need to tell mom but that won't be anything hard." I said looking over at him.

We walk down the beach hand in hand swinging our hands back and forth. "So umm can I take you out on a date?" Jax asked.

"Really? That's sweet Jax. Sure I'll go on a date with you. Just let me know how to dress and when." I smile.

"Alright I'll get it all set up then and we will go out. So when are you going to tell your mom?" He asked.

"Probably later when I call her," I said walking over to sit down in the sand.

"I have always loved the beach but sitting in the sand watching the waves with you is what I look most forward to." He said.

I lay my head on his shoulder. "Thank you for bringing me here and helping me to express how I feel. I've had a very hard time doing that." I said

"I'm glad that you can tell me things and trust me, Lanie. I would never tell anyone."

"I knew you wouldn't that's why I trusted you enough to tell you, Jax," I said.

He holds my hand... "Is there anything else you want to tell me about that experience?"

"I don't guess. I mean I was thinking the other day even though he was mean to me and beat me he didn't do anything sexually to me." I said.

"I was afraid that he did do something," Jax said.

"He didn't even touch me in that department," I said.

"At all?" He asked.

"No, not after he started beating me he didn't want anything from me. I guess he had someone else on the side or something." I said.

"It doesn't matter now. I would never lay a hand on you and if anyone tried to hurt you I would seriously wound them." He said.

My heart was beating so fast and I turned to him and he pulled me close and kissed me.

"I'm really falling for you, Lanie."

"I'm really falling for you too Jax. I'm thankful I met you. I never dreamed I would ever get out of that room and back home and I'm so happy that I did." I smiled and kissed him again.

He helped me up and we walked hand in hand back to the house. Once we made it on the front porch he pulled me close and kissed me again.

"Goodnight Lanie I'll see you in the morning."

"Nite Jax! I'll see you then." I smiled and leaned in for another kiss.

When I walked into the house Morgan was sitting at the counter smiling.

"What are you doing up?" I ask.

"My stomach is hurting so I came to drink some water." She said.

I sit down beside her and run my fingers through my hair.

"Just so you know I'm happy for you Lanie."

"I know thank you. Jax is a very sweet guy who cares how I feel and that's new for me." I said.

My phone beeps and I look down and it's Jax.

📱 I made it home. See you in the morning Lanie goodnight!

📱 I'm glad you did. Goodnight Jax see you in the morning. 😊

"Who's texting you this late?"

"Jax letting me know that he made it in the house." I smile at her.

"Oh, you have it bad." She laughed.

"Hush! I'm going to bed. Nite sis!"

"Night Lanie Bug." She said.

I changed clothes and got in bed and went to sleep with a smile on my face.

The next morning I woke up early and went down to start the coffee pot and heard talking and saw Trace and Morgan in the kitchen.

"Morning guys!" I smiled.

"Morning! We thought we would fix breakfast this time." Trace said.

I sit down on the stool. "Well, then what's for breakfast?"

"Bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash rounds." Trace said.

"That sounds great. While you guys are doing that I'm going to work on the dress a little bit before we head down to the shop and make plans." I said.

I sit down at the desk and picked up where I left off on the dress. Morgan is going to be beautiful in it. Maybe she will let me take pics and hang them in my new shop.

I work on it a little bit when Jax appears in the doorway smiling.

"Good morning Lanie." He smiled.

"Morning Jax! The food ready yet?" I ask.

"Oh yeah, you know that's the second reason why I'm here." He said.

"What's the first then?" I smile.

"That would be you." He said walking close to me and massages my shoulders before kissing the side of my head.

I look up at him as he kisses my lips. "Let's go eat," I said against his lips.

"Let's go." He said getting me by the hand and pulling me into the kitchen. We sit on the stools and Trace places the food in front of us on plates.

"Thanks, Trace this smells delicious." I smiled.

"Hey, I helped!" Morgan laughed.

"Thanks, Morgan!" Jax said.

"Finally someone gives me some recognition." Morgan laughed.

We sit and eat and then Jax and I clean up while Morgan and Trace go upstairs and get ready for work.

"So will you be next door today at the shop?" Jax asked.

"Yeah, dad hired some construction guys to come do some stuff that we want and picking paint colors so I'll be there," I said.

"Ice cream date at lunch then?" He smiled.

"I would love to. But are you trying to fatten me up, Jax?"

"No never I just enjoy our ice cream dates. Speaking of date are you ready for ours tonight?" He asked.

"Tonight? Of course I am." I smiled over at him.