“Push your shoulders back and support your shooting hand with your other hand,” Gwen instructed, shifting Ellie’s hands around to cradle the gun properly. “Take a deep breath then pull your finger back.”
Ellie did as instructed, and a loud muffled bang rang in the room. And for a second she felt a tickle rush through her. “Is that better?”
Gwen pulled her ear muffles down, “No need to shout. It’s better, but not on target.”
She hoisted the gun up and pointed at the target, aiming for the heart. “Let’s try again.”
Gwen placed her hand over hers and pushed them down, “Later. There is someone here to see you.”
“Who?” Ellie turned around to meet Dale’s gaze. He looked worried and very confused, but his eyes stood out with so much love. She turned away feeling uncomfortable.
Gwen walked out, leaving them alone, “I’ll be upstairs getting wasted.”
“Hi.” coolly placing the gun on the counter.
Carson took her cold demeanor in stride, “What are you doing here?”
“I just figured out why you guys are so obsessed with this thing. Pulling the trigger is a sick rush.”
Carson descended the few steps and walked to her, “That’s not why we carry guns and you know that.”
Sensing his anger she turned to face him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I came here to learn how to defend myself.”
“You don’t need a gun, you pack a mean punch. Gwen’s face still has the dent to prove it.”
She chuckled and then covered her mouth to keep the laugh in. Carson smiled as he watched his wife emerge. “She still can’t chew well. It’s like watching Shrek eat.”
A burst of laughter escaped her lips before she bit her lips shut. “I should apologize for that.”
“You should, but you don’t have to. She likes the extra inch her mouth can open.”
“Dale, that’s not funny,” she chuckled out. “She saved you, I need to learn how to be nicer to her.”
“The doctors saved me. I still got shot in the back, twice!”
Carson wished he hadn’t said that. The light in her face quickly disappeared. She had a very pained look, tears dancing in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
She shook her head, catching the tears before they fell. “It’s fine. We should go back up.”
She went to move past him, but he got in her way. “Not yet. I don’t understand why you are mad at me!”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“Then why are you treating me like your unwanted roommate instead of your husband?”
She side stepped, but he blocked her again. “Dale lets just go back up.”
“No! Your sister shot me and yet it’s me you hate!”
“My sister kidnapped Stacey-Ann, shot you and you almost died. Jamey almost died, I almost died and Ellsa…” she yelled. “My sister was on a mission to kill everyone I cared about in this world and you think I hate you?” She cried. “I’m in pain Dale, and my family is suffering for it, and I just don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix it.”
Carson wrapped her up in his arms. That was the first time he’d seen her cry in months. “It’s going to be okay.”
“No it’s not. Not for those families who lost their sons because of me.”
“It’s not your fault, your sister suffered a psychotic break. We are just lucky you’ve managed to stay sane after everything you’ve been through.”
She cuddled herself tighter against his chest. “I’m still alive.”
“But you wish you were dead, don’t you?”
She looked up at him, “If it meant saving all of them and you, yes I do. I wish she’d taken it out on me instead.”
“Leaving Stacey-Ann and me, and Third never being born, that’s what you’d prefer?”
She hid her face in his chest, “No.”
Carson tilted her head up gently, “And you feel guilty that you came out of it only maimed unlike the rest?”
“Yes. Will it ever end?”
“Only if you are willing to let it. And that means, trying to put everything behind you.”
“I’m going to need help.”
“We’ll find you help. You know I love you, don’t you?”
She nodded, her lips parting in a sweet smile, “Yeah, I kinda like you too. By the way, Kris hates that nickname.”
“He’s my son, I’ll call him whatever I like.” He said, swaying with her.
“You haven’t kissed me in a long time.”
Carson leaned down, “You haven’t let me kiss you in a long time.”
She inched up, getting close enough to whisper on his lips, “I’m letting you now.”
Carson didn’t wait for a second invitation or for her to change her mind. He took her lips, possessing them as his once more. He’d missed how tender they were and how sweet they tasted. They were so delicate compared to his, and it echoed what a fragile rose she was. Her heart was gentle, too gentle for this harsh world. And as much as he loved it, it scared him. He’d have to be more vigilant in protecting it from breaking into tiny pieces again, right after he put it back together again.
Ellie broke the kiss with a smile. She could feel some of her spirit flow back into her. She was going to be her old self again, no matter what it takes. “Audrey called about a surprise. What is it?”
Carson brushed his lips against hers, “We should go up and find out.”
Ellie pulled away with a laugh. She took his hands and pulled him forward, “Yeah we should before you get any ideas.”
Carson didn’t move. It was like a little girl pushing a bolder over a bump. He wanted to go up but… With one tug she went flying into his arms and pinned against his chest. “Too late, the idea is already there.”
She stared into his captivating eyes, her breath caught in her chest as she felt their burning desire. She felt like she was going to faint if he kept teasing her with his lips. It was two and a half years ago all over again.
He picked her up and placed her on one of the counters. Then he pulled her to him until they were pressed flush against each other chest to hip. Ellie wrapped her legs around his waist when she felt his hand sneak up under her sweater.
“Are you okay to do this?” She raged against his lips, tugging on his sweater.