Page 117 of Freeing Emily

Liam trails kisses up my body before reaching my face. His eyes are filled with so much love and happiness that I can’t help the smile that spreads over my face.

“I love you.” I pant.

He gently kisses my nose. “I love you.”

Lifting off me, Liam scoops me into his arms and heads down the hall. Stepping into the ensuite, he sets me on the counter then moves to fill the bathtub.

I climb down and Liam quirks his brow. “I need to pee,” I explain, and he nods before pulling a bottle of essential oil from the cabinet. He adds a few drops then climbs in.

Once I finish, I step into the tub and settle against his chest.

He cleans us both and then we lie there until the water turns cold.

I’m so relaxed that I am weightless when Liam lifts me from the bath and dries me off. He carries me to the room and places me under the blankets.

“Are you okay if I turn off the lights?” he asks. With a small smile, I nod.

For the first time, I don’t tense when the room is engulfed in darkness. Liam’s body slide in next to mine and he pulls me into his warmth.

Setting my head against his chest, I’m lulled to sleep by the steady beat of his heart.

The following morning, I am digging through one of the boxes that was left in the closet. It is packed with an array of different things that seem not to have a proper place.

I have several piles from what will be tossed out to what will be donated when I spot my old journal at the bottom.

I pause and stare at the leather binding.

Hesitantly, I pull the journal from the box and set it on my lap. Inside this journal are the writings of young Emily who was not yet marred by the evils of the world. Who was naively in love and happy beyond recognition.

My fingers tremble when I open the cover. Tears gather in my eyes and spill onto the pages as I read what I’ve written.

A guttural sob burst through me when I read the final entry.

“What time?”

“They will be releasing them at noon.” The woman on the other end of the phone replies.

“Okay, perfect. Thank you.” I end the call and smile.

“What are you smiling about?” Declan asks.

I pocket my phone and turn to him.

“I’m taking Emily to Central Park today for a surprise.”

“Another one?” he asks with a raised brow.

“Aye,” I say with a nod and a cheesy grin on my face.

He chuckles when he sees my expression and slaps me on the back. “Alright, you lovestruck puppy.”

I check my watch and see I have just under two hours to get Emily ready and to Central Park for the event.

“Shite. I gotta go.” I wave goodbye and head to our home.

I step into our room and halt when I see Emily on the ground surrounded by random items. She’s hunched forward with a journal open on her lap.

When I hear her sniffle, I quickly stride over and kneel beside her. She raises her head and I frown at the tears that stain her cheeks.

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