Free Redemption (Book 3) The Fixer Series by Alyson Raynes

and whispered softly as I kissed his neck.  "I love you, too.   Forever."
    "I have to go, Brooke.  Dr. Marks will meet with you later today.  Be honest with him, he's here to help you."
    "See ya, Cowboy," I said, walking back toward the window.  I turned to see if I could catch another glimpse of him, but he was gone. 

    I spent three days on the psych ward at St. Joseph Hospital before I was released.  My hands and arms were sore, but it felt good to be home , once again.  I would have been home sooner, but Dr. Marks felt that it was best if I remained in the hospital where they could keep an eye on my wounds, and I suspected that he wasn't convinced that I was ready to be at home, either. 
    I didn't disagree with him.  I was still dealing with my issues, but it felt good to have someone to talk to.  It didn't take me long to open up to him about my accident as a teenager and I'd even begun telling him some things about my childhood . 
    I was never left alone.  Dylan had hired a nurse to stay with me during the day, while he tended to business matters.  We didn't discuss business matters or my mental health issues when we were together.  We were just a young, married couple trying to get to know each other again.  We spent our evenings eating dinner and watching TV.  It was the most normal our lives had been since we'd met.  I missed his touch so much, but I knew that neither of us was ready to go down that road, just yet.  
    I had sessions with Dr. Marks two times a week.  It was intensive therapy, and since I was outpatient, I agreed to the terms.  It was either that, or return to an inpatient facility and be away from Dylan for undisclosed amount of time.  I had promised myself that I would no longer be a victim when I was on the psych ward , and this was my chance to prove that to myself. 
    Tristan was responsible for driving me to and from my appointments every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.  I could tell by the way he looked at me, that I'd lost his respect. 
    My Thursday afternoon session had been rough, and I had been instructed to write a letter to my father as part of my therapy.  Dr. Marks promised that I didn't have to send it to him, but  I still needed to write it.  I was beyond terrified to relive that part of my life, but he assured me that it was the first step in healing scared, damaged child inside. 
    I had no other choice but to trust him, which at the moment was something that was very difficult for me.  I agreed to take the weekend and work on the letter, and share it with him during Tuesday's session.  
    I was just about to walk out the door when the good doctor asked me, "Brooke, how would you feel about having Dylan join us for a couple of sessions?"
    "Well...not the one on Tuesday, right?"
    "No, no.  Not that one.  I was thinking that maybe he could join us the following week.  How would you feel about that?"
    "Honestly?  I don't know if I'm ready to share all of this with him, yet.  I still haven't processed it all myself."
    "That's fair.  I'm very proud of you, Brooke.  That was kind of a test, and you did well by explaining what you're not ready for.  Keep up the good w ork.  You're already making great progress."
    "Thank you , Dr. Marks.  I'll see you on Tuesday," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. 
    I walked out the door and into the black car that was sitting at the curb, waiting for me.

    CHAPTER 9
    Dylan
    I had decided to surprise Brooke with a dozen, pink stargazer lilies when she came out of her session with Dr. Marks.  The look on her face when Tristan opened the door, told me that I needed to tread lightly with her.  I could tell that something was weighing very heavily on her mind.  "Hi, Princess.  These are for you."
    She moved in closer to me and placed a kiss on my cheek.  "Thank you, they're beautiful."
    "I wanted to surprise you, so...surprise!"
    She gave a slight smile.  "I'm sorry, Dylan.  I am surprised and I love the