Baby, It's Cold Outside (Completed)

Chapter Eight

Maggie awoke with a smile on her face and sighed. Daniel's arms were still around her and he was snoring loudly.

She chuckled and slowly moved out of his embrace, deciding to help him make new and wonderful memories. Today was his birthday after all, what better way to start than with breakfast in bed Maggie thought with a smile. She wasn't exactly a kitchen genius like Daniel but she was sure she could whip up some eggs, toast and coffee without causing some kind of catastrophe.

Still feeling a bit lethargic, Maggie reached for the wicker chair using her foot where she sat on the bed and pulled one of Daniel's blue shirts towards her and a pair of grey long johns. She had just pulled her pajamas top off when she heard Daniel stretch and quickly pulled the top to her front, still uncomfortable with nudity in front of him.

"Good mor-"Daniel gasped in alarm as he saw Maggie's back before him.

"What?" she glanced over her shoulder and saw the tip of a jagged scar across her left shoulder blade, "Oh. That."

"Can I- does it," he swallowed, looking at the enormous white 'x' carved into her back, "Does it still hurt?"

"Yes, you can and no, not anymore. I've been saving up for a skin graft but because the damage was extensive I don't have enough yet," said Maggie with a shrug.

Daniel moved closer and audibly swallowed once again as his fingers traced the scar across her back. He was so gentle it was like a sensual massage.

"How did it," Daniel cleared his throat, "How did it happen?"

He could clearly see that the mark did not look accidental. It was deepest in the center, indicating someone had literally cut an 'x' in two strokes into her back.

Daniel thought Maggie sounded a little breathy when she spoke.

"Well, it was my ex, Jaden, reminding me why he's my ex and should stay that way," She looked over her shoulder and offered him a smile but Daniel was not amused so she rolled her eyes told him the story, "I broke up with Jaden because he reminded me too much of my father. We were together for a while so it wasn't any single thing, it was many little things. I was terrified of his reaction so I broke up with him over the phone –I know," she grimaced and sighed, "That was not the smartest move but by the time I wanted out of the relationship, I realised that his ruthless streak would extend to our break up and that it was a very real possibility that he would follow me home so before I broke it off, I secretly saved up and bought the apartment where I stay now."

Daniel shifted his hand and she giggled and moved her body to the side.

"Hey! I'm still ticklish okay?"

"Sorry," he seemed sheepish.

Maggie twisted still holding the shirt to her chest in one hand and reached back, taking his hand into her free one.

"It's okay. You didn't know."

"Please, go on," he urged.

She rolled her shoulders, trying to remove the ticklish feeling.

"I was packing my last boxes and he snuck into the place where I was staying with my best friend, Lincey. I often thank God she was out partying because I'm certain he would have killed her –they never got along, you see? She often warned me about him but I was naïve and I liked to believe that I could change him... what a stupid thought that was," she sighed but continued, "He tied me down to the bed with my face down when I... refused his advances and tried to convince me to take him back or he would rape me –the idiot," she shook her head as if she was really okay with it now but Daniel could hear her voice shaking slightly and the timbre was much deeper than when she regularly spoke.