Seeking Relief

Evening Routine

After several tearful minutes of Jake and Emmett hugging Jade tightly, she wiped her eyes an laughed embarrassingly.

“Sorry!” She said.

“Don’t be. Don’t ever be sorry for the emotional response your story pulls. You have gone through hell and back. But your experiences have made you stronger than anyone could imagine.” Emmett said stonily.

“We appreciate you sharing with us. We are here for you.” Jake said tenderly.

Jade hugged them tight again.

“I’ll never stop being grateful for you guys.” She let them go and said, “Now, let’s finish eating, and then can we hang out on the couch watching something?”

“Of course.” Jake said smiling.

They finished eating with light conversation.

Jade tried to help clean up dinner, but they shooed her away and instructed to pick something to watch. Though they didn’t speak, the pair of men worked together and comforted each other in silence.

Jade’s reveal of her father’s pedophiliac incestual abuse weighed heavy on their hearts.

Emmett also felt guilt. He was still hurting over his parents’ disownment, but he felt guilty about still hurting over his own when it obviously paled in comparison to Jade’s own trauma.

Jake reached over and grasped Emmett’s hand firmly. Emmett snapped his eyes to his friend and was given an encouraging smile. Emmett returned the smile and pulled Jake into a hug. Jade wasn’t the only grateful one for those in their circle of friends.

With a soothed heart, Emmett made quick work of the dishes and clean up with Jake. They turned off the lights and meandered into the living room.

“What’d you decide on?” Jake asked.

“That I’m too dumb for technology.” Jade answered.

Emmett barked out a laugh.

Chuckling, Jake reached for the remote, “Here, I’ll help you.”

Together the group found something to watch. It wasn’t hard to find something they all liked considering Jade didn’t like romance or romantic comedy movies and preferred the action and horror genre. Jake’s tastes were all over the place, so he didn’t care what they watched. But for Emmett, his tastes were in the same camp as Jades.  It definitely was a trait of Jade’s that he found sexy as hell.

While the trio snuggled together on the couch, Emmett held her slim frame in his large arms. As she settled against him, he felt his heart grow even more for her. This woman had gone through more trauma than was imaginable, but yet, she continued on.

He vowed to himself that he would do what he could to bring her happiness and give her what she deserved by tenfold.

He felt his eyelids grow heavy as that conviction cemented in his mind.

*******************************************

Jade opened her eyes, feeling safe and secure, but also extremely hot. She tried to push up into a seating position with her good arm. But the weight of a large arm around her shoulders and the weight of another full grown man at her back kept her from sitting up completely. So instead, she scooted forward to the edge of the couch and slipped out from underneath that way. She went to use the bathroom with a blissful haze about her sleepy mind.

She returned to the couch and found the men still sleeping. She smiled and reached for their shoulders, gently she nudged them awake. Their eyes snapped open and they were awake in what she felt should have been record time.

She smiled and said, “Let’s actually go to bed.”

She was greeted with sleepy smiles and nods. They turned off the tv and walked with them down the hall. She gave them hugs and kisses goodnight. She visited the bathroom again to take more medication and brush her teeth. She settled into her bed covers with a smile on her face. Yes, the bed was unfamiliar, but she was comfortable. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this at ease. Her eyes drifted closed as she looked inwardly on her warmed and grateful heart.