One Week Later

Chloe was improving immensely and I couldn't be anymore happier than I already am. Today was also the day that she was discharged from the hospital and that she could return back home.

But there was an issue with that, the police condemned the area after I killed Dante and thankfully they understood that I was defending the both of us at that moment. And when it comes to Chloe's well-being, I was thinking of buying out a house in Toronto that we could live in together because I knew that she was going to be traumatized after what happened at her current home.

While Chloe was sitting up from her bed and talking to our friends, she had the biggest smile on her face that could light up an entire room. Then I felt like I had to talk to her about this big step when it comes to moving in together.

"Hey baby, can we talk for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure!"

I walked towards her and kept her close to me in case she were to stumble over and fall after she departed from the bed. When we arrived to a secluded area outside her hospital room, I brought my hands around her waist and looked into her eyes.

"Chloe. There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"What's that?"

"Well, you can't necessarily go home today."

"Why? You know I have a house, Joe."

"Yeah, but would you really want to return to a home where I killed that hitman? I don't want you to have PTSD."

"I don't think I'll be traumatized if we can..."

I interrupted Chloe by pulling her close and pressing my lips softly against hers.

"Chloe, I've been meaning to tell you that I was going to buy us a house in Toronto."

"You are?" She asked.

"Yeah, that way, we could live together and it'll be bigger than your last home. I couldn't forgive myself if I allowed you to return to a home where I killed somebody that tried to kill us and you possibly seeing your dried blood stained into the carpets of your living room." I sighed, "And besides, the police condemned your house when you were rushed to the hospital so there's no way to get back to your house unless they'll allow it."

"I understand. Maybe in the future they'll allow you to get my old belongings from my bedroom and bring them to our new home?"

"I can ask, but I'd have to be the one to take a trip over there, load it all up and bring it to our home and maybe Colby can help me too."

"You're the best, Joe."

"I'd do anything to make you happy."

Chloe
I was surprised that Joe was about to buy us a new house together. Understanding how difficult it's been ever since Dante was an inch close to taking my life with a single bullet, I appreciated everything that Joe has done for me.

After Joe needed to get something to eat at the cafeteria before we left, Colby and I were all alone in the room and he approached me with a warm smile on his face while I laid back in my bed.

"Hey, Kiddo. How are you holding up?"

"I'm feeling a lot better, thank you."

"No problem. Also, I'm glad that you're awake because Joe was devastated while you were out cold."

"He was?"

"Yeah. He always stayed at your side and even struggled to eat. He was more worried for your well-being than himself."

"I had no idea. And did you know about him wanting to buy us a home or?"

He shook his head, "Nope. This is new to me, but I know he's been dead set on giving you the life that you've always deserved. I won't tell you the things he said, but why does he want you to get a new house with him?"

"It's rough, but he killed that hitman that tried to kill the both of us and he didn't want me developing more PTSD if I returned to my house and possibly seen my dried up blood on the carpet. Joe said the entire house was condemned too after I was admitted here."

"Ah, that makes sense. Joe just wants what's best for you and he understands how horrific this tragedy was for the both of you."

"Yeah." I nodded, "And I've never felt so safe with a man before."

"Damn, really? Well, you picked the right man, Chloe."

Joe
I took a seat at the cafeteria and debated on whether or not to eat a few sandwiches with some potato chips. Fuck it, I can always burn off the extra calories anyways at the gym. I pulled out my phone from the pocket of my sweatpants and searched online for huge homes for sale in Toronto.

"This has to be a perfect home for us and our future kids." I mumbled to myself.

While I was distracted by my phone and scrolling down the websites for Toronto homes, Emma and Rebecca tapped on my shoulder and momentarily scared me.

"What are you up to, Joe?" Rebecca asked.

I smiled, "Ah, nothing. I'm just looking for a new home for Chloe and I."

"A new home? Joe, why can't she go back to her current house?" Emma asked.

I sighed, "Emma, I killed that hitman in the house and Chloe doesn't need to develop more PTSD than she already does; and there's a possibility that her dried up blood would be scattered all over the carpet and I don't need her seeing that."

"That makes perfect sense."

"Anyways, what kind of home do you have in mind?"

"A huge home. I was thinking maybe a mansion of some kind."

"Ohhh."

While we were discussing what home would be perfect between Chloe and I, we looked over at some beautiful homes in Toronto and then one caught my eye and it was perfection at its finest.

"I'm gonna go over to the place tomorrow and check it out. Emma, I want you to take Chloe to your house for awhile until everything's all set and done."

"I can manage to do that, Joe. If she can, I may take her out on a little shopping spree to get some new outfits."

"I'd like that." I cocked a smile, "Oh and Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you contacted Victoria's Secret and explained that Chloe was in the hospital?"

"Not yet, but I'll do that right now."

Emma
I didn't hesitate and called Chloe's workplace. I felt horrible for not contacting them sooner, but I needed to be there for her more importantly.

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is Chloe Levine's best friend, Emma Wilson?"

"Nice to meet you. How is Chloe? She hasn't been at work in a few weeks and nobody's told us anything."

"It's a long story, but she will be coming back to work in a couple of days."

"What happened?"

"She's been in the hospital for about a couple of weeks and somebody tried to harm her so her boyfriend and I have been taking care of her since then."

"Oh my god! I'm thankful to hear that she's still alive and doing well. Because of what happened, she's free to come back whenever she fully heals again and I'll have her co-worker, Vanessa, take over in the meantime."

"That works. She'll definitely give you a call back once she's ready to work again."

After hanging up the phone, Joe looked at me with a raised eyebrow, full of suspicion.

"What did they say?"

"They're fine with Chloe taking all the time she needs to heal and she can come back whenever she's ready. Her job must really love her enough to do that because most jobs would've straight up fired you."

"Tell me about it."

Rebecca walked back up to us after picking up a few things to eat and sat down, "Any update on the house?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna choose this one."

I watched as Joe pointed towards the beautiful home that he found on his phone and Rebecca gasped in awe.

"Aw Joe, she is going to love that house!" She cooed.

"I know she will and I'm ready to see her reaction once I finally buy it and have it fully furnished before she comes in."

"You're definitely the romantic, huh?" I smiled.

"I guess you can say that. I want nothing but the best for Chloe."

We continued to look at the rooms the website provided and Joe finally scheduled a private showing of the house tomorrow morning. Until then, I had to make sure Chloe was ready to come home with me for awhile.