"Have you gentlemen eaten yet? I was just about to make dinner for everyone. I could always, put more on so we can all eat."

"That would be great Mrs. Douglas. Let me help you," Mr. Hardy said.

"Please, call me Linda and that goes for the rest of you as well," she said with a smile as she headed to the kitchen to start dinner. Gil followed her as the rest of the group walked into the living room and began chatting amongst themselves.

After dinner, everyone headed over to Jeff's house to watch movies on his big screen except for Linda and Gil who went on a walk. This left Danielle and Matt alone doing the dinner dishes. Danielle felt the time was right and that she needed to tell Matt what had happened.

"Matt, I think it's time to tell you the truth, I'm just afraid this is going to change thinks and you are going to leave me."

"Honey, nothing you can tell me is going to change my mind about us."

"I don't Matt, why don't you save that until I tell you what happened."

Taking a deep breath, Danielle told Matt everything about her stepfather and her stepbrothers. About the abuse, the rape, everything. How she shot him and sent him to the hospital and how they ran away. When she was finished she started to cry, looking down at the floor she felt ashamed.

"Don't cry, Danielle," Matt said as he wiped the tears form her cheek. "You did nothing wrong. Why would you think I would hate you for that? Your stepfather deserved to be shot. He deserves everything that comes to him. Trust me when I say that I will keep you and your sisters safe no matter what."

Looking up at Matt, Danielle smiled. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Putting her arms around his neck she nuzzled her face into his chest. "Oh Matt, thank you. I love you, please don't leave me," she whispered.

"I won't baby, I won't ever leave you."

A little while later, Matt headed to his fathers house, his head full of thoughts about Danielle. While on his way home he ran into Linda and Gil. The look on his face told Linda everything.

"So she finally told someone. The whole thing has been eating at her the entire time. I'm glad she finally told you. I should go back and make sure she is okay," Linda said as she headed back to her daughters home.

"Why dad, why would a man do that to them?" Matt asked his dad as they walked home together.

"Cause he is sick in the head, son. Are you glad she finally told you what you were badgering her about for so long?"

"I don't know dad. I'm glad that she feels she can trust me with this, but now all I can think about is hurting that man."

"I think you need to talk about it. Take her to the cabin and let her explain why she wanted to keep this a secret and explain to her how it makes you feel. You both can't keep this bottled up."

"Your right dad thanks. I'm going to go get her."

MEANWHILE

"Danielle, where are you?" Linda yelled as she entered the house.

"In here mom," Danielle said with a sniff. She was still crying about telling Matt the truth.

"So you finally told him? How do you feel?"

"Somehow I feel better and worse. I'm glad that everything is out in the open, but I am still afraid this will change things even though he says it won't."

"He seems like a smart man, Danielle. I don't think he is lying when he says things won't change. He loves you, why don't you go to him and let him explain how this news has affected him."

"Your right mom, I will."

Grabbing her coat, Danielle headed out her front door only to see Matt standing in front of her.

"Hi," they said in unison.

"I came to see if you wanted to go up to our cabin to talk," Matt said.

"Yeah, that sounds nice. We need to talk."