Ensley's POV:

"Celestine...who did this to you?" I asked, barely containing my anger.

Celestine sobs, bowing her head and wrapping her arms around her midriff. "M—Micah...he..."

"Shhh...." I quickly but gently pulled her into my arms, "It's fine, you're here now." Murmuring comforting words into her ear.

Celestine clings to me, and I can feel her body tremble and her breaths turning shallow. I felt her body slacken against my hold so I tightened my grip and gently guided her inside the house.

Tenderly, I sat down on the couch and positioned Celestine in my lap, hugging her tightly, rubbing her back. I let the both of us calm down before I pulled away to brush strands of sweaty hair away from her face.

"Hey, it's alright," I whispered soothingly. "You're safe here with me. Just let it all out."

Celestine sighed shakily and stared at me for a moment, her eyes filling with tears until she couldn't hold it back any longer. Sobs wrecked her already injured body and Tears continued to flow down her cheeks, mingling with the pain etched on her face.

I bit the inside of my cheek and closed my eyes, feeling the pain she's feeling. The hardest thing in this moment is the fact that I can't do anything to take away the pain she's feeling.

I want nothing more than to beat Micah up until my knuckles are bloodied and bruised, even then I don't think I'll stop. He deserves nothing but pain for what he did to Celestine.

I heard Celestine sniffling, slowly calming down and I gently caressed her cheek, hoping in some way, that it alleviates her pain.  "You don't deserve any of this, love. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. But I'm here now, let me take care of everything, alright? You need to rest. You're safe here." I told her gently.

Celestine managed a weak smile through her tears, "stay with me?"

"Of course love." I said. You didn't even had to ask.

I stayed with Celestine the whole time, watching over her and making sure she was comfortable. She drifted in and out of sleep, and I could tell that she was still in a lot of pain.

After a while, I noticed that Celestine's breathing was becoming shallow and irregular. I gently placed her back on the couch and leaned over to check her pulse. It was weak and erratic.

I knew that I needed to get her to the ER, but I was hesitant to wake her up. She looked so peaceful, and I didn't want to disturb her rest. But in the end, I knew that it was the best thing for her.

I gently shook Celestine's shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Baby, I need you to wake up. We need to go to the hospital."

Celestine shook her head weakly. "No..." she whispered. "I don't want to go to the hospital."

"I know," I said gently. "But it's necessary. I'll be with you the whole time."

I carefully helped Celestine to her feet and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. She was still weak and unsteady, but she managed to walk with my assistance.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"It's okay," I said gently. "Just focus on resting. I'll take care of everything."

I buckled her into the passenger seat and then got in on the driver's side. I started the car and drove off to the nearest emergency room.

On the way to the hospital, Celestine started to experience some of the other symptoms of a concussion. She complained of a headache, dizziness, and nausea. I drove as carefully as I could, trying to avoid any bumps or potholes in the road.

"I don't feel so good," Celestine said.

"I know," I said gently. "Just hang on. We're almost there."

When we arrived, I rushed Celestine inside and explained the situation to the triage nurse. The nurse immediately took Celestine to a treatment room and began to assess her condition. I was allowed to stay with her, and I held her hand as the nurse asked her questions and performed some basic tests.

A few minutes later, a doctor came into the room. "Hello, Celestine," he said. "I'm Dr. Smith. I'm going to ask you a few questions to try to get an idea of what happened."

Celestine nodded and Dr. Smith began his questions. He asked her about the blow to the head, as well as her symptoms. Celestine answered his questions as best she could, but she was still a little dazed and confused.

After Dr. Smith finished his questions, he ordered a CT scan to make sure that Celestine didn't have any serious brain injuries.

"I'm also going to have your wounds cleaned and treated," he said.

Celestine nodded. "Okay," she said.

Dr. Smith left the room and a nurse came in to take Celestine to the CT scanner. I waited in the treatment room until she returned.

When Celestine came back, she looked a little better. "The CT scan was clear," she said. "But I have to stay overnight for observation."

I nodded. "That's okay," I said. "I'll stay with you."

The nurse helped Celestine to a bed in a hospital room. I sat down in a chair next to her bed and held her hand.

"How did you get this one?" I asked, pointing to a large bruise on her arm.

"Slammed on the wall," she said simply.

I felt my anger flare up again, but I took a deep breath and pushed it down. I didn't want to scare Celestine any further.

"I'm so sorry," I said. "I promise I'll make him pay for what he did to you."

Celestine smiled weakly. "It's okay," she said.

"No it's not Ce." I scoffed. "Look at you! Look at what he did!"

Tears welled up in Celestine's eyes. She bit her lip, trying to hold them back. I reached out and wiped a tear away from her cheek.

"I want to hurt him," I said. "I can't believe he did this to you." I said, my voice trembling with rage.

Celestine shrank back in her bed, her eyes wide with fear. "E-Ensley," she whispered. "Please don't be angry."

"I'm not angry at you baby." I replied immediately, "I'm livid at that fucker."

I felt the rage inside me growing. I wanted to find Micah and rip him apart. How could he do this to Celestine? She was the most kind and loving person I knew, and he had hurt her so badly.

"I'm going to kill him," I growled.

Celestine shook her head. "Please don't," she whispered. "I don't want you to get in trouble."

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I didn't want to scare Celestine even more.

"Okay," I said. "I won't kill him. But I'm going to do something to him, I promise."

I sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to calm down. But the more I thought about what Micah had done, the angrier I got.

I stood up and started to pace around the room. I couldn't just sit there and do nothing. I had to do something to make him pay.

"I'm going to find him," I said. "And I'm going to make him regret what he did to you!"

I heard Celestine gasp softly, and I realized that my voice had gotten louder. I looked down at her and saw that her eyes were wide with fear.

"I'm so sorry, Celestine," I said, my voice softening immediately. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Celestine shook her head. "It's okay," she said. "But please don't yell. It hurts my head."

"I won't," I promised. "I'm just so angry at Micah for what he did to you."

"I don't want to think about him tonight Ens, I'm just glad it's over." Celestine replied

I took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right," I said. "I'm here for you, Ce. Whatever you need."

Celestine smiled weakly. "I know you are," she said.

We sat there for a while in silence, staring at each other. I stared at her softly, memorizing every inch of her face and reassuring myself that she's safe now. Finally, after I've somewhat calmed down, I decided to do something that would make her feel a lot better.

"I'm going to buy you some soup," I said. "Do you want anything else?"

Celestine shook her head. "Just you," she said.

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "You need to eat. I'll be right back." I said

went to the hospital cafeteria and bought Celestine a bowl of soup and some crackers. I brought it back to her room and helped her to sit up in bed.

"Here you go," I said. "Eat this."

Celestine took a bite of the soup and smiled. "It's good," she said.

I sat down in the chair next to her bed and watched her eat. I was so relieved to see that she was doing a little better.

"I'm glad you like it," I said. "I know you're probably not hungry, but it's important to eat something."

Celestine nodded. "I know."

After she finished eating, I helped Celestine to get back under the covers. She was exhausted, and she fell asleep almost immediately. She woke up a few times during the night, but she always went back to sleep quickly.

I turned off the light and lay down in the chair next to her bed and closed my eyes. I couldn't sleep. I was still too angry at Micah. But I knew that I needed to rest so that I could be there for Celestine in the morning.

I drifted off to sleep eventually, but my dreams were filled with images of Micah. I dreamed that I was beating him up, but it didn't seem to be enough. He just kept laughing at me.

I woke up the next morning feeling exhausted. Celestine was still asleep, so I decided to go for a walk to clear my head.

I walked around the hospital grounds for a while, trying to calm down. I thought about Celestine and how much I loved her. I couldn't believe that Micah had hurt her.

I knew that I had to do something to protect Celestine. I couldn't let him hurt her again.

I went back to Celestine's room and found her awake. She smiled at me when she saw me.

"Good morning," she said.

"Good morning," I said. "How are you feeling?"

"A little better," she said.

"That's good," I said. "Atasha is here."

I stepped aside to reveal Atasha who rushed over to the bed. "Celestine! Holy shit, I'm so sorry I wasn't there when this happened."

Celestine smiled weakly. "It's okay," she said. "We couldn't have known that would happen."

Atasha sat down on the edge of the bed and took Celestine's hand. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

"A little better," Celestine said.

"Good," Atasha said. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Atasha turned to me. "Thank you for taking care of her," she said.

I nodded. "Of course, It's nothing."

Atasha smiled. "Still," she said. "Thank you."

Atasha stayed with Celestine for the rest of the morning, talking to her and keeping her company. I'm grateful for her presence, as it allowed me to go and speak to the doctor about Celestine's discharge.

The doctor informed me that Celestine was doing well and could be discharged from the hospital that day. He advised her to rest and avoid any strenuous activity for the next few days. He also prescribed her some pain medication and antibiotics to help prevent infection.

I went back to Celestine's room and told her the good news. Celestine was overjoyed to be going home, and she hugged me tightly. Atasha helped Celestine to get dressed and ready to leave the hospital.

When they were ready, Atasha & I wheeled Celestine out to the car. I helped her into the passenger seat and then secured her seatbelt. Atasha got in the back seat, and we drove off.

On the way home, Celestine was quiet and subdued. She was still recovering from the attack, both physically and emotionally. Atasha and I talked to her softly, trying to keep her spirits up.

When we arrived home, Atasha and I helped Celestine out of the car. We made sure she was comfortable and had everything she needed.

As Atasha left to go home, I stayed with Celestine and helped her get settled in bed.

I tucked her in and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"I'm so glad you're okay," I whispered.

Celestine sighed contentedly and closed her eyes. "Thank you for taking care of me," she said.

I smiled and kissed her forehead. "Of course, love," I said. "It's what I'm here for."

I arranged the duvet better around her and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest," I said. "I'll be here when you wake up."

Celestine closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. I watched her for a moment, feeling my heart swell with love for her. I couldn't imagine my life without her.

I stood up and walked over to the window. I looked out at the night sky, I knew that we would face challenges together in the future, but I was confident that we could overcome anything as long as we had each other. I would do anything to protect her and make her happy.

I turned away from the window and walked back to the bed. I sat down on the edge and gently took Celestine's hand in mine. I held it close to my chest, and I closed my eyes.

"I love you, Celestine," I whispered. "I'll always love you."

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(A/N:) I really think it's just 5 more chapters to go and this is done, but depending on my mood (& laziness!) it could be less, could be more. 🤷‍♀️😆

Also your favorite author is going on that 2nd date! 😆😆