Chapter 4

When they returned home, Allison greeted them with Derek. “He was happy when you called,” she said, giving him to Elaina when she walked in. “Frank, this is for you.” She handed him a large manila envelope.

“Who’s that from?” Elaina asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Its mine so get your nose out,” Frank said, walking away from her. She tried to follow, so he ran into the bathroom and locked the door.

“That was rude, Franklin!” she yelled to him. “Daddy is keeping something from Mommy. He shouldn’t do that, should he?” She giggled when Derek shook his head.

Frank read the report thoroughly not wanting to miss a single detail. His friend Teddy was who he had checking into Kyle Lucas. Teddy was able to find a driver’s license picture of him. That was like hitting a gold mine to him. He now knew what the bastard looked like. Unfortunately, that is all he found about him other than he did work for Elaina’s parents. As Reese said, there wasn’t much to find. There was no tax records under that name since 1975. There was a record of him serving two years for lewd behavior with a minor. ‘This was all he got from attacking her?‘ Frank wondered. Teddy had run the picture through the data bank, but found no match it was as if he had dropped off the face of the earth. He promised to keep looking. Frank sighed, he had high hopes in finding him and then torturing the bastard the way he did Elaina.

“Frank I have to use the bathroom, please get out,” Elaina said.

“Geez, give a man time to get done,” Frank yelled back. When he come out, he smiled, fanning the file in her face. When she tried to grab it, he quickly put it behind his back.

“That‘s okay I don‘t need reading material.” While walking back to the living room later, she heard him talking to someone. She tried to be quiet, hoping not to be seen, noting he was on the phone.

Frank did see her and he hung up quickly. “Feel better?” he asked, laughing.

“We need to talk as to why you are involving Teddy in finding Lucas.”

“How did you find out?”

“I have my ways. I prefer not to tell you what they are,” Elaina said coyly.

“He’s doesn‘t know why I want to find the guy. He won‘t tell anyone who he’s doing the search for either.”

“I don’t like that you went behind my back on this.”

“I didn’t. I told you I was going to find him and I meant it.”

“I remember. Frank, let’s sit down we need to talk about some things,” she said, taking his hand, walking over to the couch.

“Does this have to do with my smoking? I‘m sorry, I didn‘t want to insult him by refusing to have a cigar with him.”

“No, this has nothing to do with the assignment. I’ve been thinking a lot about us and Derek. I’ve decided we should get married.”

“I finally have an answer to my proposal?”

“Yes!”

“Thank God!” he said, pulling her to him for a passionate kiss.

“Frank, stop!” she said, pushing against him.

“I shouldn’t have done that. Did I upset you?”

She shook her head. “I’m not that fragile. I’m not giving into the past.”

“I’m happy to hear that. My little speech the other day helped then.”

“Yes it did, along with the love you show me every minute we’re together,” she said. “There’s just something else we need to talk about before making wedding plans.”

“We can elope and bypass the hassle,” he said, smiling.

“Frank, it isn’t about the plans. This is about me healing enough to be your wife,” she said, sitting on the couch with him.

“What are you talking about? You just said you were over it.”

“I said I was not giving into it. There are still certain things that bother me. Allison said hypnosis could help.”

“If you are trying to forget it why do you want to relive it through hypnosis.”

“I do want to forget, but there is something about the day Hank saved me.”

“I don’t see why you would want to endure more pain.”

“It bothers me I can’t remember what Hank said to him. It must be important or it wouldn’t keep nagging at me,” she said. “Ever since I told you about Hank saving me, it haunts me. I hear Hank’s voice but the words are all garbled. I also hope it will help me remember when we conceived our son.” She leaned in to kiss him on the lips. When she felt him pulling her closer, she stopped him.

He wanted to be with her, but she wasn’t as eager. “Will I be able to be with you during the hypnosis?”

“I don’t know. I need to see if your father can do it. Allison said she wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it.”

“I’ll call him for you if you like. When do you want to do it?”

“As soon as he can,” Elaina said.

“He likes you a lot. I‘m sure he will make time for you.” He stood, then leaned down to kiss her on the forehead.

Frank thought it was ironic that there would be a thunderstorm the night they set up for the hypnosis. A dark and dreary night to relive the darkest day perhaps. It had been almost a week since they had come home and decided on the hypnosis. His father had to clear his schedule before he could come to their house. He prayed his father could help her. Elaina had disappeared from the living room while he had been in the kitchen feeding Derek. He and Derek went looking for her, before he took him over to Allison’s for the night. “Lady!” he called out.

“I’m in the bedroom,” she answered.

When he walked in, she was standing in front of the window, watching the lightning dance across the sky. “Derek is ready for his slumber party with Allison,” he said.

“He is? I guess I better give him a bunch of kisses,” she said, taking him in her arms.

Derek signed ‘I love you’ to her, then giggled while she covered his face in kisses.

“Tell her to save a few for Daddy,” Frank whispered to him.

“Daddy too,” Derek said, pointing to Frank.

“Well, I guess I can share,” Elaina said, kissing him.

The doorbell rang and Frank took off to answer it. He let his parents in right as the rain dumped from the sky. “Timed that just right,” he said, greeting his mother with a hug.

“Traffic is pretty bad with the rain; we drove out of it but it followed us here,” Vincent said. “Where’s the lady of the manor?”

“Right here. Frank, do you want to wait until the rain stops?” she asked.

“No. I’ll cover him up. Call Allison to have the door ready so we don’t have to wait,” he answered. While she made the call, Frank put on his rain coat, then picked Derek up and told him to hold on tight and wrapped him inside as best he could. “I’ll be right back.”

“Fatherhood seems to be working for him,” Vincent observed.

“He is a great father. Its like he never missed anything.”

“I’m sure you have told him everything about the years he missed,” Francesca said.

“I have and he constantly looks through the scrapbooks mom made for me. She made sure I didn’t miss anything while I was away working too.”

“Has your mother accepted your career choice?” Vincent asked. Elaina had told him about her mother’s objects.

“She and I agreed to disagree about it. She thought it would hurt Derek not having me around, but she sees that so far it hasn’t bothered him in anyway.”

“Whoa. It is pissin’ and pourin’ out there. I thought I would drown getting back here. The back walkway is flooded already,” Frank announced, coming in.

“Franklin, do you speak that way in front of your son?” his mother wondered.

“Only when I forget to watch what I say,” he answered. “She has a mouth on her that would shame a sailor when she gets fighting mad.”

“Guilty, but how did you know?” Elaina inquired.

“Teddy told me,” he said, smiling. “He said you used language he had never heard before from a lady.”

“Did he tell you why I used it. He got me shot in the ass.”

“So, that is where that scar came from.” He had noticed it the day he took her from the shower.

“Yes, I still need to square that up with him.”

“Well, hall we get started, Elaina,” Vincent asked to change the subject.

“We can go in the kitchen and talk to give you privacy,” Francesca said.

“I would like to have Frank here,” Elaina said, taking him by the hand. “He’s my strength.”

“I will allow it, but he can’t speak to you or touch you. It would be a distraction and it could pull you out of the hypnosis,” Vincent said.

“Fran, you can stay if you want.”

“I never interfere with my husband’s work. What he is doing, I see as doctor-patient. If you want to tell me about it later, I will be here for you.” Francesca gave her a hug then made her way to the kitchen.

“Did I offend her in some way asking her to stay?” Elaina asked Vincent.

“No, she has always stepped out of the room if I ‘m helping a patient, even if it were the boys,” Vincent clarified. He explained to both of them how he would put her under. He brought a chronometer, which she would follow as it swung back and forth while she listened to his voice. He told her not to fight the sleepiness she would feel. She was to embrace it and relax.

“I have a question before we start,” Elaina said. “As I said on the phone. I only want to remember what Hank said. Is there anyway you can block the memory of the what happened to me after I find out. I have dealt with it enough. I need to move on.”

“Yes, I can do that. However, I cannot guarantee you that the block will stay in place. There are many things that can cause it to remove itself, such as a concussion or other trauma,” he responded, “even a sound could cause it not to work any longer.”

“Knowing I can become a basket case at anytime because of my memories suddenly coming back, I might as well just let nature take its course,” Elaina said.

“If you change your mind I will help you,” Vincent promised.

“I guess I’m ready.”

“Frank, remember what I said. No speaking or touching her,” Vincent reiterated.

Frank nodded and moved from her side after giving her a kiss on the cheek. He watched the process, becoming very fascinated in how fast Elaina responded to it.

She was calm and relaxed until Vincent started asking her about that day. She repeated the story she told Frank of the events leading up to her going riding with Lucas. “He took me deep into the woods. I knew what he was going to do. I wanted to bolt but he was carrying a gun. I was scared he would use it on me,” she said, starting to shake from the fear she was reliving.

“You’re safe. He can’t hurt you, now. You are only an observer this time,” Vincent said with her calming down again. “Go on. He can‘t hurt you now.”

“He made me undress while he watched. His eyes leering at me the whole time. He told me to walk over to him.” Elaina curled up on the couch, trying to protect herself.

Frank started to move toward her, but Vincent raised his hand to halt the progress.

“You’re safe, Elaina. Let’s go to when Hank shows up.”

“Kyle was forcing me to take him in my mouth. I screamed when he grabbed my hair, pulling me to him. Suddenly, Hank was there.”

“Elaina, concentrate on Hank now. Listen to what he says.”

“Hank attacked Kyle. He was beating and stomping him. He’s yelling at him!”

“Concentrate on the words.”

“I can’t make it out,” she said.

“Calm down,” Vincent said with Frank handing him a note. He nodded at him then addressed Elaina again. “Elaina, can you read his lips?”

“They’re moving around so much,” she said. “They fought and Hank stomped him so bad he was bleeding. I was screaming for him to stop. I didn’t want Hank to go to jail for killing him.” All the time she was replaying the fight, her concentration with determination to know what he was saying was in her eyes. They were glazed over while under the hypnosis, however, they suddenly had a sparkle to them when she repeated what she saw. “You’ll never touch my daughter again.”

Vincent talked to her and she calmed down as if nothing happened. He slowly brought her out of the hypnosis, allowing Frank to come back over to her. “What do you remember, Elaina.”

“Hank is my father,” she said, looking at Frank. “How can that be?”

“I don’t know. You remembered something else that might help me find Lucas,” Frank said.

“What?”

“He had to have medical help after Hank beat him up. The way you describe it, Hank must have done a number on him.”

“Hank always wore spurs when he broke a really rank horse. He had them on that day. He used them on Lucas. He was a bloody mess when Hank took me home. I didn’t know he had lived until I saw the ambulance coming with the sheriff.”

“Elaina, why didn’t you testify?” Vincent inquired.

“The prosecutor said I had to give full details in a deposition of what happened each time. I didn’t want to do that. I had told the sheriff what happened without having to go into details. I told my parents I couldn’t do it and they said I didn’t have to. When I was older, I realized that he could be doing this to other girls. it’s a burden I have lived with for years now.”

“He didn’t get off without jail time. As little as it was he was punished,” Frank said. “However, he will wish Hank had killed him when I get done with him.”

“Franklin, you can’t do that now that you are working for the government. You can’t do it morally either.”

“So you say,” Frank said, staring at his father.

Elaina sat quietly not listening to Frank and his father arguing about Lucas. She had so many questions running through her mind. Why didn’t she remember him calling her his daughter? Was it the fact she had too much trauma then she couldn’t deal with it? Yes, that had to be why. She needed to talk to her mother about this. “Excuse me,” she said, moving from the couch.

“Lady, where are you going?” Frank asked.

“I need to talk to Mom.”

“I thought you might want to go see her,” he said.

“I need answers now!”

Elaina went into their bedroom and called her parents home. She didn’t just want to come right out and ask her mom about who her father really was so she decided to tell her about the hypnosis session. When she told her mom that she remembered what Hank said there was a long silence.

“Mom, are you still there?”

“Yes, dear. I was signing to your father what you said. He said to tell you he has always loved you.”

“And I have always loved him. I just don’t understand why no one told me,” Elaina said.

“It was Hank’s wishes. He didn’t want you to know. He didn’t want to tear the family apart.”

“Did my conception happen as revenge for Daddy’s affair?” Elaina wondered, fighting tears back. She knew of her father’s past infidelities during the marriage.

“No, it wasn’t revenge. It just happened one night when I needed someone to talk to. Neither of us knew we‘d end up together that way,” Elizabeth explained. She was beginning to cry as well. “I was so happy when I found out I was going to have you. It wasn’t until you were born that we found out the truth.”

“Did Hank want a paternity test?”

“No, you were born with a small hole in your heart that wouldn’t heal. You had to have surgery to fix it. We told you about that when you had your physical for sports in high school.”

“I remember. So, I needed blood and you found out then.”

“Yes, I know I should have told you years ago, but whenever I brought it up, Hank said no.”

“I see it isn’t your fault. Will you have Hank call me. I want to talk to him,” Elaina said.

“Of course I will. Do you want me to tell him why?”

“If you want. Frank and I will be coming there in a few days, but I still want to talk to him tonight.”

“I will go over and tell him now,” Elizabeth said. “I love you, sweetie.”

“I love you too. Give Dad a kiss for me.” Elaina said goodbye then walked back into the living room, seeing that Allison and Fran had joined the men. Derek was lying in Frank’s arms, playing with his teddy bear.

“Thanks for bringing him back. Is the storms over?”

“Yes,” Allison answered. “Frank said you were talking to your Mom. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it wasn’t her fault. Hank is the one that didn’t want me to know.”

“You might want to tell her what you mean, I didn’t tell her everything,” Frank said.

“Hank is my real father,” Elaina said, sitting next to her.

“Really!”

Elaina explained things to her and they chatted about the fact that even though she wasn’t aware Hank was her father, he was with her as she was growing up and she did learn things from him. Elaina was thinking about it when the phone rang. “That maybe Hank. I’ll get it in the bedroom.”

When she answered and heard his voice she found it hard to speak to him. “Umm, do I call you Dad now?” she asked.

“George is your dad. I don’t want you slighting him,” Hank said.

“I would never do that. I just want to know what I’m to call you.”

“Hank, as you always have. Nothing has changed. As long as George is alive, I don’t want you addressing me as your father. Do you understand me, Missy?”

“Loud and clear. You never wanted me and you still don’t!”

“Now just a minute, I loved you and that is why I let George raise you. Do you think it was easy for me to do it?”

“It sounds to me like it was.”

“George was angry and he offered to buy my half of the ranch. I told him I would leave, but I was not selling him the ranch. Instead, I placed my half in your name. It showed your father how much I loved you. Your parents and I talked for hours. We settled everything that day. I would stay, be in your life, and protecting your half of the ranch, until we figured you were ready to handle both the news and the ranch.”

“But my childhood being torn from me messed things up a bit, right?”

“When I saw what that man was doing to you I snapped, Missy. I never hated a person more than I did him. I wish I had killed him…everyday I wish I had.”

“Stop. I don’t want to talk about him.”

“I‘m sorry, Missy.”

“I’m coming out there soon. We’ll talk more face to face about this. Don’t you dare go anywhere.”

“I won’t. I love you, Missy.”

“I love you too, Daddy Hank.” She heard him chuckle before he hung up the phone.

Later that night after everyone had left and Derek was asleep, Frank and Elaina curled up together to watch a movie; Casablanca one of Elaina’s favorites. However, sometime during it, she fell asleep in his arms. He loved holding her, but it only made him want to make love to her again. He didn’t feel right asking her with everything she had gone through tonight. Her body laying against his, caused him to fight the urge to take her to bed and lavish her with his love. When the movie was over, he nudged her just enough to get her to awaken.

“Oops, I guess I was sleepier than I thought,” she said, moving from him.

“Its okay, I didn’t mind watching you sleep. You seemed so peaceful,” he said, standing up to stretch his legs.

“Are you ready for bed?”

“I’m not sleepy, but I can hold you if you’re ready to go.”

“I was thinking of maybe something different,” she said shyly. “I want you to make love to me again.”

“I would love to do that. Are you sure?”

“Yes, my love,” she said, wrapping her arms around him. She pulled him to her, barely allowing their lips to touch. She hesitated for a moment then pressed her lips to his. For the first time she was able to make the first move. She only hoped her mind and body would not betray her tonight.

They held hands while they walked to the bedroom. She watched him close the door then wrapped her arms around him again. “Will you undress me?” she asked with a quiver in her voice.

“Do you want to lower the lights first?” he asked.

She stood thinking for a moment. When tears started to stream down her face, she turned her back to him. She was upset with herself. She wanted him, but was afraid at the same time. Deep in her heart she knew he would never hurt her but the memories wouldn’t leave her alone. “I should have let your father block the memories.”

“Remember what I told you. He is not controlling your life, you are,” Frank said, holding her. “Have you always undressed in the dark?”

She nodded, then pulled away from him. “You must think I’m crazy.”

“I think you are scared, not crazy. Have you ever looked at your body in a mirror?”

“No, I always wait until I have clothes on,” she admitted.

“Will you let me undress you, then we will look in the mirror together? I want you to see how beautiful your body is. Will you let me do this for you?”

“Will you be undressed to?”

“Only if that is what you want. This is about you, not me.”

“I…I’m…” She stammer, trying to make her decision. She looked up into his eyes, they looked as if they were smiling at her. She smiled at him, letting her hands drift to his waist. She tugged his t-shirt from his jeans and lifted it up over his head to remove it. She kissed across his muscular chest, causing a light gasp to escape passed his lips.

His placed one hand around her waist, the other he laced through her hair gently. He was enjoying the feeling of her lips to his skin, but he wanted to keep control of his body. He wanted her to explore and become at ease with him again.

She licked and nipped at his skin while feeling her body’s yearning taking hold of her. She pulled back and looked up at him. “I think I’m ready to see us together,” she said, smiling. She stood back slightly so he could get to the buttons on her blouse. She placed her hands on his as he worked them loose. She was a bit excited only she didn’t know if it was from wanting him or seeing him. She did know one thing most certain. She was deeply in love with him.

He was nervous. He was wondering if he was doing the right thing. Did she feel forced into doing this or was she doing it freely? She did make the first move. He finally got the buttons undone and slowly pushed it off her shoulders. He kissed her shoulders, moving up to her neck. He nipped and licked at her earlobes, feeling her shiver slightly. He then unfastened her bra and removed it, dropping it to the floor. He started to unfasten her jeans with her once again, laying her hands on his as he did so. He slowly started to push them down her legs taking her panties as well, when she removed her hands from his. He gently kissed her stomach while he worked the jeans to her ankles.

After she stepped out of them she buried her face in his chest. She closed her eyes and reached for his belt. Her hands were shaking when he took hold of them.

“Look at me,” he said, placing his finger under her chin, bring her to face him. “Open your eyes, Lady.”

She opened them slowly. She saw the concern for her all over his face.

“I will help,” he said, with a slight smile. He took her hands in his and placed them on the belt again. “Keep your eyes on mine.”

His eyes is all she focused on. She focused on them so much she couldn’t see his whole face. Was he saying anything to her, if he was she didn’t hear it. She then felt his hands move from hers.

He moved back a few steps and shed his pants. Again, he saw her eyes snap tightly closed. He moved behind her and guided her to the full length mirror in the corner. She always had it covered with a small sheet and now he knew why. He pulled the cover from it and placed it in front of them.

“Open your eyes, Lady.” He saw her peak through slit lids. “Come on, It will be okay.”

She opened them, seeing the cover shielding them. She leaned into him and sighed. She was relieved he was giving her more time.

“When your ready you can take the sheet down,” he said. He noticed she closed her eyes again but only for a moment.

When she opened them, she placed her hand on his and slowly pushed them down, revealing her body. He stood behind her, still shielding himself from her so she would focus on herself. She looked at herself for a moment while he told her how beautiful she look. She touched her breasts as she looked in the mirror and then turned to look up at him. “I’m ready to see you.” This time her voice didn’t waiver.

He stepped from behind her, noticing she had her eyes open this time. He placed his hands on her shoulder and turned her to face him. Her eyes immediately went to his face. “Its okay to be shy. I think its cute.”

“Men aren’t all the same,” she said. “You are…um…well built?”

“Thank you,” he said, smiling.

“My image of what you looked like by how you…,“ she paused, swallowing hard, “felt, was a bit off.”

“I hope that is a good news,” he said with a light chuckle.

“Yes, can we make love now?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said, picking her up, carrying her to their bed. “Remember to stop me if it doesn’t feel right.”

“I will.”

He started kissing her lips and neck, savoring her taste and scent. She was so intoxicating to him. He kissed his way to the valley between her breasts while she stroked his upper arms. He cupped one in his hand. They were so full and prefect to him, everything about her was perfect.

She arched her back when he teased one of her breasts with his warm tongue, sometimes raking the hard nipple with his teeth. She moaned deep in her throat, when he gently took her nipple into his moist mouth to suckle her.

His hand slid down her side to her hips. His hand reached her buttocks and he squeezed it, making her raise off the bed. When he glance up and saw that she had her eyes closed. “Are you okay?” he asked, kissing her cheek.

“Yes…stop worrying about me.” She placed soft kisses across his forehead, down his face, on each cheek before capturing his lips…his full, exquisite lips. How she loved the feel of them.

She kissed him, this time letting her tongue explore his mouth. She rolled him over on his back, not breaking the kiss; her breasts pressed to his chest while she laid on top of him. She could feel his manhood pressing against her while they kissed. She soon let her mouth leave his, blazing a trail along his jaw line and up to his ear. She nibbled and sucked his earlobe before moving down his neck. She heard a low growl escape him when she nipped at his Adam's apple.

“Am I doing this right?” she asked timidly.

“Yeah, Lady. Just let your instincts guide you.”

She continued, kissing him across his chest and then slowly down his abs to his stomach but that was as far as she went. She quickly moved to his side and he wrapped his arms around her.

“You’re doing fine,” he said, reassuring her. He gently rolled her beneath him. He pressed his lips to hers while he gently rubbed his manhood against her. He reached over to the nightstand to get a condom but she stopped him. He looked into her eyes and she smiled shaking her head. It titillated

him that she didn’t want to use a condom. He would be able to feel her and she would feel him.

She loved the way he felt inside her It excited her more not to have anything between them. Everything he did set her ablaze and she was soon crying out when she reached her climax. After a few more thrusts, she felt his sweet release inside her. She held him to her; her tight sheath milking every drop from him.

He was spent and couldn’t move. He didn’t want to lay his weight on her, afraid he would hurt her. He leaned on his elbows, trying to hold himself up from her.

She felt him shaking and put her arms around him. “Lay on me. It will be okay.”

He was hesitant but she coaxed him to do it. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I like this,” she said, kissing his shoulder.

After a few moments, he gently pulled away from her to lay beside her. When he looked at her, she was smiling He nuzzled her neck while she let her fingers trail through his hair with a sweet sigh of satisfaction.

“Do you know how I feel right now?” she asked.

“Tell me!”

“I feel so safe and cherished lying in your arms. And most of all, you’ve made me feel beautiful and desired.”

“You are all of those things. Most of all you are the love of my life and I look forward to growing old with you,” Frank said, gently kissing her. “Now sleep, my lady.”