First Sight Of An Angel

Trent was still holding Laci, comforting her after her ordeal.

"Excuse me, is everything alright?" Ashley asked.

Laci and Trent looked towards the doorway and saw Ashley and Carlos there, looking very concerned.

"Yes Ashley - I'm much better now, thanks". Laci said, with her arms around Trent.

"She'll be just fine guys, don't worry". Trent said, holding Laci close to him.

"Why don't we fix a nice quiet dinner here and then call it a night, okay?" Carlos said. He thought that everyone should get plenty of rest after all that had happened.

"Good idea Carlos - what do you say Laci?" Trent asked.

"Fine with me. Thanks everybody", Laci said.

"You're welcome. Come down whenever you're ready" Ashley said, then she and Carlos went downstairs.

A few minutes later Laci and Trent went downstairs and enjoyed the delicious dinner Ashley had prepared.

When the guys were ready to leave for the night Laci and Ashley walked with them to their cars.

Laci was a little hesitant to say what was on her mind, but she went up to Trent and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I wish you didn't have to leave tonight", she said softly.

This tore at Trent's heart hearing her say this. He didn't want to leave either. He held her very close and tight, kissed her forehead, then spoke just as softly "I wish I didn't have to either sweetheart, but I'll be back first thing in the morning, alright?"

"Thank you Trent", Laci said, nodding her head.

Trent and Carlos left and Laci and Ashley went back inside. Laci started to cry again and Ashley hugged her. "I think if you get a good nights sleep you'll feel better", she said.

"You're right - I'm going to bed then", Laci said. "See you in the morning".

"Goodnight Laci, sleep tight" Ashley said as she watched Laci go upstairs.

Laci didn't sleep as well as she thought she would and Ashley was quick to notice the next morning. Trent called while Laci was in the shower and Ashley filled him in.

Trent came over and when he saw Laci he knew right away what needed to be done.

"Good morning Laci" he said with a big smile on his face.

"Good morning Trent", Laci said smiling. She looked tired, and her face a little swollen, as she greeted Trent with a hug and a kiss.

They all took their seats at the table and Ashley served them all a nice hot breakfast.

Laci didn't say a word, but she did eat almost half of what was on her plate. She was trying to be strong for everyone's sake but on the inside she was still scared. Trent saw right through her and so did Ashley and Carlos.

"So what do you two have planned for today", Trent asked, looking at Ashley and Carlos.

"We thought we'd go fishing", Carlos said.

"Yes - Carlos has a favorite place he wants to show me," Ashley responded.

"I know that spot - Carlos and I used to go there all the time", Trent said. He knew that Carlos had never shown anyone that special place before, which mean that Carlos was bringing Ashley further into his life and Trent couldn't be happier for his best friend.

"You'll love this place, it's beautiful there".

"Thanks Trent, I can't wait to get there", Ashley said.

"Then we'd better get moving", Carlos said. "The fish won't wait for us all day you know," he teased.

"Okay, just let me clean the dishes first", she replied.

"You two go on ahead, we'll take care of that", Laci said, speaking for the first time. She loved Ashley and Carlos, but right now she needed to be alone with Trent.

"Alright Laci, if you're sure", Ashley said, while Carlos looked on. Ashley and Carlos could read the situation perfectly. They both knew Laci was still upset, and they completely understood. It hurt them so much to see her like this, but they also knew that Trent would take care of her. So with that in mind, they packed their picnic basket, said their good-byes and drove off in Carlos' Durango packed with everything they would need.

Trent turned to Laci. "Talk to me. How are you really?" he asked, looking very worried.

"I'm alright Trent", she said.

Trent didn't buy that for a second. He knew she had been more deeply affected than she would let on. But he could tell she didn't want to be pressed on the matter, so he came up with an idea. "Let's go over to Thunder Karate. I'd really like you to see what I do there. How does that sound?" he asked, hopefully.

"I'd like that Trent", Laci said, smiling.

"Great - let's go" Trent said and smiled back at her. He walked over to her and pulled her close to him, then leaned down and they shared one of their most loving, passionate kisses ever. He felt the tension in her body subside some, and he was relieved and happy that he could bring her what she needed.

When they arrived at Thunder Karate, Laci looked at the dojo in awe. She had never seen anything like it. She walked alongside Trent as he explained what the different equipment was used for and they stopped when he got to a wall with a row of smaller bags on the wall.

"What are these used for"? Laci asked, very curious now. She was so pleased that Trent would include her in this part of his life, but she wasn't prepared for what happened next.

"These bags are going to help you get started on learning some self-defense", Trent said proudly. He knew she was still afraid of Scott and that martial arts would not only give her the self-defense skills she needed, but also more confidence when it came to dealing with Scott.

"No....I can't". Laci said right away. She didn't even think about it, she just said no.

"But why not Laci? This will help you, and you'll feel so much better knowing that you have the confidence and some self-defense skills to help you take care of yourself" he said, concern showing in his voice.

"No Trent, please - I just can't deal with this, okay?" Laci said, looking at him. She tried to give her best smile so he would stop worrying, but he would have none of it.

"I know you're still very much affected by what happened with Scott", Trent said, not letting go of what mattered to him most, which was Laci's welfare.

"I'm alright Trent. It was rough, but it's over, and I'm alright", she said again, this time more emphatically.

Trent was hurt and disappointed because he knew she wasn't alright - it was a matter of time. She could only hide everything for so long, and the more she denied it the more he knew she needed help.

"Wow! Trent was right - this place is wonderful!" Ashley gasped as they arrived at Carlos' favorite place.

"Yes it is, isn't it?" Carlos said, very pleased that she thought so much of it already.

"And you haven't seen anything yet".

"I can't wait" Ashley said.

They unpacked the Durango and carried what they brought down to a soft, sandy area and spread out a blanket. Once their gear was ready they started to fish and it wasn't long before they had enough fish to feed a small army. "I guess we got a little carried away," Carlos said, laughing.

"I guess we did" Ashley said, laughing too. She looked at Carlos and their eyes met and locked. They were sitting side by side and as they leaned closer to each other, their lips touched - enveloping them in a warm, long, tender kissed that lasted. When they stopped kissing they held each other close and securely.

"I love you so much Ashley" Carlos said.

"I love you too," Ashley said as she looked at Carlos with the most loving expression he had ever seen, and he kissed her again with even more passion than before.

Laci and Trent were leaving Thunder Karate since Laci didn't want any part of the self-defense idea Trent was offering. "Would you like to come to my house for dinner tonight"? he asked, hopefully.

"Yes I would Trent", she said. On the inside she was already nervous. After all, this was another step in their relationship, and she wanted Trent's family to accept her and know that she loved Trent with all of her heart.

"Good - you'll love them, and I know they will love you every bit as much as I do" Trent said as he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Laci looked at him, smiling one of the biggest, brightest smiles he had ever seen and as she reached a hand up to his face he met her halfway and they shared a very passionate kiss, showing their love for each other. When they stopped kissing, they held each other very closely.

Laci kept thinking about how great it felt to be with Trent, how he was always there for her and she could really count on him. She loved him so much she thought her heart would burst.

Trent loved Laci more than his own life. He would do anything for her, and what he wanted most was to spend more time with her. He had been thinking about something for a while now, and he decided that he would figure out the details and talk to her about it later.

"That was wonderful Carlos, thank you" Ashley said, after the kissing stopped.

"My pleasure," Carlos said, teasing her lightly. That kiss meant as much to him as it did to Ashley and she knew it. They turned when they heard a rumbling sound, and were surprised when two people on horseback came running by.

"Oh Carlos - that looks like so much fun!" Ashley exclaimed as she watched them go by.

"There's a stable not too far from here," Carlos said. "We can go riding if you want".

Ashley looked away from Carlos and her smile of excitement faded fast.

"That's alright Carlos, thanks anyway" she said, disappointed.

"What do you mean? We can be there in no time and it's a whole new way to see this place" he said.

"I.....I can't ride Carlos. I never learned", Ashley said, her disappointment showing.

"That's okay," Carlos said softly, putting an arm around her. "I can teach you".

"Really?" she asked, looking excited again.

With a nice big sigh Ashley rested comfortably in Carlos' arms. After a few minutes they gathered up their things and headed for the stables. Once they had their horses ready, Carlos began by explaining how she should hold a horse, then how to get on and how to use the reins. "If you think you're ready we can start. Don't worry, we'll take it as slow as you want to go" Carlos said, reassuring her.

"Thanks Carlos", Ashley said, still a little nervous.

"Let's get started".

"Alright, we'll head over that way," Carlos said, pointing. He knew the trails very well, having ridden there often. That direction was smooth, and not very steep for a beginning rider.

"Great - let's go" Ashley said and she rode beside Carlos all the way.

As they made their way along the trail Carlos noticed that Ashley was very quickly becoming comfortable and that meant she was enjoying herself which made Carlos very happy. "How are you doing?" Carlos asked, to make sure.

"I'm doing great Carlos. This was such a good idea, thanks for teaching me how". Ashley said, beaming with happiness.

"I'm glad Ashley ", Carlos said. As they continued their ride, Carlos felt Ashley's confidence grow and when she asked him if they could run, he responded by saying

"We'll take it slow, ok?" He showed her how to sit and balance herself then they gently urged their horses into a lope.

Ashley loved the feeling of the wind flowing through her hair and she leaned with the horse as they covered more ground.

Carlos was amazed. He'd never met anyone who learned so quickly and who was enjoying herself as much as Ashley was. He kept thinking over and over again about how beautiful she looked on a horse and it made him proud and happy that he was the cause of it.

Laci and Trent had spent the rest of the day together taking a walk and talking, a little but not much needed to be said between them. It was as if they could read each others minds and that in itself meant so much to both of them.

"I think I should go home so I can change for tonight," Laci said, referring to meeting Trent's family for the first time.

"I'll take you home". Trent said as he opened the car door for her.

At Ashley's house Trent waited in the living room while Laci went upstairs to change. When she came down a few minutes later, Trent found himself breathless. He couldn't find the words to say how beautiful she looked that night, but Laci understood him very well and she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms moved around her waist quickly pulling her close and as their lips met, they whispered each other’s name, and enveloped each other in the most loving passionate kiss they had ever shared.

The kiss was a long one and was only interrupted by the opening of the door when Ashley and Carlos came walking in.

"Uh hmmmm..." Carlos cleared his throat to get their attention, but he was laughing. It did his heart good to see Trent so happy.

"We didn't hear you come in" Trent said, blushing.

"Obviously" Ashley said, looking at them.

"Ok Ashley - that's enough. Some day it will be our turn to walk in on you two," Laci said, teasing Ashley.

"We'd better get going anyway," Trent said. "We're going to my house for dinner. See you later." They left before Ashley or Carlos could say a word. They knew the teasing that would happen if they stayed.

Those familiar butterflies were back as they walked up the front stairs to Trent's house. There was something else that suddenly came over her too, and she tried to shut the feeling out but she couldn't.

Trent sensed something was going on inside Laci. He knew she was trying to hide it but it wasn't working. He took her hand and squeezed it gently, trying to reassure her. They had arrived right at dinnertime and the table was already set, so after introductions were made, everyone took their places. After saying Grace they began to eat, and everyone noticed that Laci stuck very close to Trent, speaking only to him unless she was asked a question. She was nervous, and when she reached for a plate of potatoes, she knocked over a glass of milk, which caused Tandy and Tyler to giggle. Even Laci tried to play it off like it was nothing, but they all knew it was something. The Malloy family knew everything that had happened to Laci and Katie saw right away that Laci needed some help so that she could open up more. After dinner was over and the table was cleared, Katie pulled her son aside.

"Son, you know we all think Laci is a wonderful woman, but she's scared and needs help".

"I know Mom. I took her to Thunder Karate today to try and teach her some self-defense techniques but she refused," he said, worry in his voice.

"I see. I think I understand what's going on inside her. I'll talk to her" Trent's mother said.

"Thanks Mom". Trent watched as his mother went over to Laci.

"Laci? Let's go out on the porch for a bit" Katie said.

"Sure Katie" Laci replied following Katie to a chair on the porch.

"What's bothering you Laci?" Katie asked, concern in her voice.

"I'm sorry Katie, I'm still so scared. I have this gut feeling that Scott will be back to finish what he started. I can't tell Trent because he's already worried", Laci admitted.

"Don't you see Laci? You're letting Scott win if you feel like that, and you will hurt Trent if you don't tell him. He wants to help you so much so let him in, please" Katie said, putting an arm around Laci 's shoulders.

"You're right Katie. I didn't even see what I was doing," she said.

"Thank you" and she hugged Katie before going back inside.

Once inside Trent took one look at Laci and knew that whatever it was that was bothering her was gone.

After an evening of getting to know the family a little more, Trent took Laci home. He walked her to the door and they embraced in a warm hug and a tender, very passionate kiss. When their kiss ended, they continued to hold each other. "Tomorrow I am going to start teaching you martial arts," Trent said firmly. "And I'm not taking no for an answer".

"Okay - you win" Laci said, teasing him. They noticed that Ashley was home but Carlos had already left, so they said their good-byes and Laci went straight to bed. Trent was almost ready to tell Laci about his plans, but they weren't quite ready yet.

The next day found Trent picking up Laci at noon, so they could have lunch together before beginning the karate lessons. He wasn't quite sure where to start but he thought some fairly basic moves would be the best, so when they arrived at Thunder Karate, he got her a gi so she could change and then he changed. He already had a small bag out and was holding it when Laci came out in her uniform.

"Are you ready?" Trent asked, noticing how good she looked in her uniform.

"Ready' Laci replied.

Trent showed her the proper stance for kicking the bag. Right leg back since that would be the kicking leg. He taught her the importance of concentration and focus, and when she kicked the bag for the first time it was good and solid. Trent was proud and told her so, which made her happy.

After showing her a few more kinds of kicks they moved to blocks and punches. He carefully explained each punch and how she should aim them, and once again he was amazed by how quickly she was learning all of this.

Now it was time for her to learn how to block punches. He showed her the blocks that he had just used on her, and now it was her turn. Laci stood in ready position thinking through the blocks as Trent had explained them to her. When Trent threw the first punch at her she jumped back in shock. She just stood there and didn't say a word, frozen as if she wasn't even there. "Laci! Are you alright?" Trent asked, knowing full well she wasn't. He could see the look of fear she had in her - the same fear after what happened at the mall. "I'm so sorry Laci, I didn't mean to scare you like that", he said, looking very worried. He didn't know what to do. This was so hard on him - because he loved her so very much, and he had to be strong for her, but he was at a loss as to what to do next.

"I....I'm......ok" Laci said, trying to be strong. "Let's try it again," she said, but Trent wasn't so sure.

"Are you sure, Laci?" Trent asked, with doubt in his voice.

"I'm sure Trent. Please". Laci looked at him and smiled, trying to reassure him.

"Alright - from the beginning" he said. "Ready, stance".

Laci got into the proper stance and made herself concentrate more this time. But when Trent came at her with his hand she pulled back instinctively out of fear and tried not to cry. She began to shake and Trent was there in an instant wrapping his arms around her tightly. As she felt his arms envelope her in the familiar hold she had grown to love, she couldn't stop what was happening inside her. It was Trent trying to help her, not Scott. But every time she saw a hand come at her like that she reacted with no control over her fear.

Trent had now figured out what had been on Laci's mind lately and he knew the self-defense lessons would have to go at a slower pace. He didn't know how he was going to teach her, but he knew someone who could help and he would handle that later. He also knew it was time to tell her of the plans he'd made because he was certain that would help how she felt. He decided that she'd had enough for one day and he lifted her face to meet his. "What do you say we get out of here for a while, ok? There's something I'd like to show you" he said, his love for her shining through his eyes.

"Sure Trent" Laci said, half ashamed that she had acted that way, but also glad not to have to see anymore hands coming towards her face.

They got into his car and Laci leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes for a few moments. When she opened them Trent was looking at her with a very worried look on his face. "Are you alright sweetheart?" he asked.

"I'm getting there my love," Laci said, reaching a hand towards Trent's cheek to soothe it.

Trent held that hand and kissed it softly and Laci was back to herself again, the fear leaving once more. Trent always knew just what to do to make things right. They pulled up and parked on a street lined with beautiful trees. The street was wide and every house was on a fair-sized lot.

Laci looked at Trent, but Trent was already out of the car and opening the door for her. He took her hand and they walked a few houses down and then he stopped in front of a cute wood framed house, with a small fence around it. There was a large porch, and a nice sized front yard. Laci looked at Trent again.

"Close your eyes please", he said.

"Trent, what....?" Laci started to ask, but Trent cut her off.

"Just close your eyes for me please", he said softly.

Laci did as she was asked, and felt Trent's hand turning her hand palm side up and then she felt something being placed in her hand. She felt her other hand being taken in his and she followed him with her eyes still closed. She climbed a few stairs then felt Trent stop.

"Ok - you can open your eyes now honey" Trent said.

When Laci opened her eyes, she saw that they were on the front porch of the house they had stopped in front of. She looked at her hand and it held a key.

"Go ahead, use it" Trent urged.

Laci looked at him in surprise and tried to get the words out. "What is this....why are we here...." she stammered.

"Just try the key," Trent said again, softly.

Laci put the key in the door and turned it. The door opened smoothly and she went inside followed by Trent. It was a beautiful home with hardwood floors, a large kitchen and living room. The house looked lived in and the more she looked the more she thought she recognized some of the things she saw. She looked at Trent who was smiling from ear to ear.

"So? What do you think?" he asked, crossing his fingers.

"This house is beautiful!" Laci said, not quite sure if what she was thinking was right or not. "I recognize those things - they're yours, aren't they?" she said, matter-of-factly.

"Yes they are" Trent replied happily.

"Oh Trent, that's wonderful! You bought your own place!" Laci was so happy for him she ran over to him and hugged him tight.

"No, I bought this house for us," he said, looking at Laci. "I want you to move in with me Laci" Trent said, very seriously.

"Yes, I want to live with you Trent - more than anything". Laci said. She was so happy she couldn't believe it.

"I was hoping you'd feel that way. In fact, I was pretty sure you would so Ashley and Carlos moved your things in already. They're upstairs." He said, hoping he wasn't assuming too much.

Laci looked at him and they both laughed. Everything was heading in the right direction and no one could have been happier.

Well.....except one person......... Part 6

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