~December 16th, 1996~

Erin woke up to find herself in a plush bede. She stretched and smiled to see Michael next to her. He looked so sweet when he was asleep. She lied back down, and cuddled closer to him. He turned over to face her, and looked deeply into her eyes. She smiled and said,

"Good morning,"

"Morning. How are you feeling?"

"Free. Happy. I feel loved," she smiled. He got up and she did as well. She wathced as she looked at his bare chest. His abs not toned, but she loved his body. He placed on a T-shirt and she followed him down the stairs. She then hugged him from behind as he made their breakfast of pancakes.

"I'm glad. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy," he said, placing the last piece on a plate and turned to hug her back.

"I love you," she gasped and smiled while blushing a cherry red.

"I...I,"

"You don't have to say it now. When you're ready,"

"Thank you," she said. The tears in her eyes streamed down her face. Michael wiped them away from her cheeks, and kissed her forehead.

"Now come eat before the pancakes get cold," he said. They ate joyfully as the perfectly fluffy and golden cakes were warm and tasted great with the melted butter and syrup.

"So are you ready?" Erin shook her head. She was very afraid to go back there.

"Want me to send some of my guys to get them?"

"No...I want; I have to face him sooner or later. Can you come with me?"

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't leave you alone with him," Michael said. Erin gave a nervous smile and finished her breakfast. Michael let her borrow one of his shirts, and she showered before putting on her jeans. The blue button up was a little big, but fit fine.

"You sure you want to?" he asked. She nodded silently as they both went into his Mercedes and followed Erin's directions to her house. Michael followed behind as she used her key to unlock the door. She walked in quietly  and looked around.

"He's not home," she said. Michael looked attentively around the area, making sure he wasn't hiding somewhere.

"Wait here," she said. She climbed the crème colored  stairs, and ran up to her room. She grabbed her suitcase and started packing her clothes and hygiene things. She then grabbed her emergency money under the floor board next to her bed.

"So...you think you can leave huh?" she turned around to see Terrance sitting in the easy chair across the room. Her heart started to pound.

"Just...let me leave Terrance," she said, a bit shaky in her voice.

"No. You're mine bitch," he grabbed her by the arms, and threw her to the floor. He started to punch her in the stomach, and kicked her all over her body as she tried to curl up in a ball to protect herself. She screamed for mercy.

"Stop!! Michael help!!" she cried as his kicks continued.

"Shut up!" He grabbed her by the throat and shook her hard by her neck. The door swung open and Michael tackled the man and started to punch him. They tussled on the floor, until Michael gave the final blow to the nose, knocking him out.

"Bastard," he said. He went over to Erin, and held her close as she cried.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes...just shaken up and sore," she looked up at him.

"You're bleeding," she said wiping his bloodied lip.

"It's fine, I'm alright. It's you who I'm worried about," he helped her up, and grabbed her suitcase and they hurried back to the car to head home.

"Thank you,"

"Of course. I can't help but to see how beautiful you are," he said. Erin blushed and looked down.

"I'm not beautiful," she answered. Michael touched her cheek, and she looked into his eyes.

"Stop it. You are beautiful. You always were. Don't say that about yourself,"

"But I'm not,"

"Who says you aren't?"

"Everyone. My mother, my sister. Even my so called 'friends' find me ugly behind my back,"

"Fuck every single one of them. You are gorgeous both inside, and out. They're jealous of your beauty. They don't deserve to know you if they don't see your beauty," he kissed her hand  and all the while, she smiled. Maybe he was the right one after all.