The next morning, she woke up and saw him asleep. She got up and got dressed and snuck out of the house and went to the office and found Hayley sitting at her desk doing the paperwork.
“Welcome back,” Karly said.
“Thanks, you weren't kidding about the paperwork,” Hayley said.
“There was twice that much when I came in yesterday,” Karly said.
“And this was all that was left, that's a lot of paperwork, I guess we should think twice before taking off for a week or we just don't take the same week,” Hayley said.
“Yeah, so I'm having lunch at noon with Austin and Abby, just me alone, cover for me?” Karly asked.
“Sure, where's my brother?” Hayley asked.
“Home asleep,” Karly said.
“Wore him out, didn't you,” Hayley said.
“He wore himself out as you can see that I was able to get up this morning and he wasn't,” Karly said.
“Think again,” Luke said.
“Oh geez, don't sneak up on me like that,” Karly said.
“Sorry, welcome back sis,” Luke said.
“Thanks bro,” Hayley said.
“You didn't have to come with me today, that's why I left you asleep,” Karly said.
“But I want to be here with you,” Luke said.
“Oh, fine whatever,” Karly said. She walked into her office and sat down at her desk. Luke came in and came around and knelt down in front of her.
“What's wrong baby?” Luke asked.
“It's nothing,” Karly said.
“You seem mad at me or something,” Luke said.
“No, I'm not babe,” Karly said.
“So, you don't mind me being here,” Luke said.
“No but I'm leaving at noon to have lunch with Austin and Abby, alone,” Karly said.
“Alone? So that's why you took off this morning without me, because you want to have lunch with your brother and sister in law without me,” Luke said.
“Fine you can come,” Karly said.
“You know what, I'll go to the club, see you at home,” Luke said. He went out the door. Hayley came in and saw Karly with her face in her hands.
“What happened?” Hayley asked.
“I don't know, I told him I was having lunch with my brother and Abby alone and he thought I wanted to be alone,” Karly said.
“It's just lunch and there is nothing that says you two have to be together 24/7, he needs to see that you both can do your own thing and still be in love,” Hayley said.
“Like you and Eric,” Karly said.
“Yes, I'll be back, I'll go talk to him,” Hayley said. Hayley left. Karly went over and laid down on the couch and thought about everything.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hayley walked into the club and went to the office and saw Luke lying on the couch.
“Hey bro,” Hayley said.
“Not now Hayley,” Luke said.
“Yes now,” Hayley said.
“What do you want,” Luke said.
“To explain something to you, why do you think you and Karly have to be together 24/7, why can't she do her own thing,” Hayley said.
“I don't know, I was going to go back and talk to her after lunch,” Luke said.
“Let her have lunch with her brother and Abby and wait for her back at the office, okay,” Hayley said.
“I planned on it,” Luke said.
“Good,” Hayley said. She hugged her brother and went back to the office and continued with the paperwork. Karly came out and told her she was going to lunch and left. Ten minutes later, Luke came in and went into Karly's office to wait for her to come back.

CHAPTER 47

Karly met Austin and Abby for lunch. She quietly told Abby what was going on and what had happened two years ago. Abby looked at Austin and looked at Karly.
“Karly, maybe you should tell Luke everything,” Abby said.
“No, you know what he would do if he knew,” Karly said.
“But do you really want to keep things from your husband, honesty is the best policy in a relationship or marriage, a husband and wife should never have any secrets from each other, you know he loves you and would do anything for you, you could just tell him not to do anything,” Abby said.
“Have you met my husband?” Karly asked.
“Austin, what do you think?” Abby asked.
“I think she should tell Luke the truth,” Austin said.
“Austin, you know what Luke would do!” Karly said.
“It will be well deserved, sis,” Austin said.
“You want to turn my husband into a cold-blooded killer,” Karly said.
“It's not like he will go on a killing spree,” Austin said.
“But he will be a killer,” Karly said.
“Okay, how about this, I will come over tonight with Eric and you can tell him, and we can help you keep him home or talk sense into him,” Austin said.
“Oh god fine!” Karly said.
“Honey, it's better this way, it's best he hears it from you than someone else,” Abby said.
“No one else knows besides my brothers and now you!” Karly said.
“Hayley should be there as well, I'll come too, we can make it a dinner party,” Abby said.
“I don't know if I can do this, what if he gets mad and leaves me for not being honest with him,” Karly said.
“This is something you don't like thinking or talking about,” Austin said.
“It needs to be done,” Abby said. She hugged them and went back to the office and saw Luke waiting on the couch. She ran to him and threw herself in his arms.
“I'm sorry!” Karly said.
“Me too, baby,” Luke said. She curled up in his arms as he held her.
“We are having dinner tonight, with our sibs,” Karly said.
“Okay,” Luke said.
“Did I hear right?” Hayley asked.
“Yes, you did, Austin's telling Eric about it,” Karly said.
“Okay,” Hayley said. Hayley left the office and Luke held her close as she rested her head on his shoulder.
“I love you,” Luke said.
“I love you,” Karly said.
“The reason I want to be with you all the time is because I love you so much that I miss you when I'm away from you, even for a minute,” Luke said.
“I know, I just don't want you to be ignoring your clubs just to hang out here with me,” Karly said.
“It's fine, I got very capable managers for the clubs to run the day by day stuff, I pop in to do paperwork,” Luke said.
“I don't mind you being here, I just thought you would get bored sitting here all day while I work,” Karly said.
“I love watching you work, I love you baby,” Luke said.
“I love you too, so I'm done, let's go get ready for dinner,” Karly said. They left the office and went home to get ready for the dinner.

CHAPTER 48

Karly put the finishing touches on dinner and went to change. She came out of the bathroom and saw Luke changing. She smiled as she watched him. He looked over at her.
“Like what you see baby?” Luke asked.
“Very much, as soon as everyone leaves, we are coming to that bed and not moving the rest of the night,” Karly said.
“I'm all for that,” Luke said. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. They heard the doorbell and groaned. They went downstairs and opened it and saw Austin and Abby. They came in and hugged them and they went to the kitchen. Eric and Hayley showed up and they sat down to dinner. After cleaning up, they all went to the living room.
“Okay, there is a real reason why we came over tonight, there is something that two people in this room don't know and it's time they do,” Austin said.
“Who?” Hayley asked.
“Luke, Hayley, there is something that needs to be told and the person who needs to tell the story is Karly,” Austin said.
“Babe?” Luke asked.
“There is something that I haven't told you, that I have been keeping from you all this time,” Karly said.
“What is it, baby, you can tell me anything,” Luke said.
“Okay but promise me that you will not do anything about it,” Karly said.
“I promise,” Luke said
“When I told you about what happened in my relationship with Jason, I left a big part out,” Karly said.
“Karly?” Luke asked.
“He and I had been living together, he came home drunk one night and he got angry about something and he threw me against the wall and preceded to beat me up to the point I was unconscious, he decided to rape me while I was out, when I woke up, I was in the hospital and I had been in a coma, they told me that I was raped and beaten and that I had a miscarriage, I didn't know I was pregnant, I couldn't do it anymore, I had Austin and Eric get my stuff and they moved me to another hospital under a different name and got the restraining order against him, I moved on with my life after I recovered,” Karly said.
“How far along were you?” Hayley asked.
“Three months,” Karly said. Luke sat there frozen. She could tell he was angry.
“He is so dead!” Luke said. He got up and headed for the door. Austin and Eric stopped him.
“Don't go after him, he's still in jail for violating the restraining order, you can’t get to him and Karly needs you with her,” Austin said. Luke looked at Karly and went to her and took her in his arms and held her.
“Oh god baby,” Luke said.
“Please don't leave me!” Karly said. She cries in his arms. Luke holds her to him.
“I won't, I promise,” Luke said.
“I know you want to go kill him but he's not worth it, please don't go after him, I can't lose you!” Karly said.
“Okay, baby, I won't go after him, but if he comes after me for some reason, I can't promise anything then,” Luke said.
“Okay,” Karly said. He held her close to him and she kissed him before resting her head on his shoulder.

CHAPTER 49

That night after Austin, Abby, Eric, and Hayley left, Karly and Luke went up to bed after locking up. Karly got ready for bed. Luke came out of the bathroom and saw her sitting there hugging her legs to her chest and resting her chin on her knees. He got into bed and pulled her to him.
“I'm sorry,” Karly said.
“What for, baby?” Luke asked.
“That I didn't tell you this sooner,” Karly said.
“It's okay, baby, it's something not easy to talk about,” Luke said.
“Yes, but I should have told you sooner and not kept it from you, I went into our marriage with this secret,” Karly said.
“Although you should have told me everything, I can understand how hard it was to tell me,” Luke said.
“You are so good to me,” Karly said.
“I know, now someone has clothes on in bed,” Luke said.
“Mr. Stone, how dare you have clothes on when it was your idea for no clothes,” Karly said. He growls and pulls her to him.
“Smartass, come here,” Luke said. He pulled her to him and removed her clothes. He laid her back on the bed and laid on top of her. He kissed her softly before moving down her neck to her chest. He rubbed one breast while sucking on the nipple of the other breast. He moved down her stomach.
“When are you stopping the pill?” Luke asked.
“Sometime in the next couple of months or so,” Karly said.
“You want to have me all to yourself for awhile, huh,” Luke said. “You have it backwards, baby, it should be me saying that to you,” Karly said.
“Right, now where was I, oh I remember,” Luke said. He opened her legs and put his mouth over her. She ran her hands through his hair and held him to her as his tongue entered her.
“Oh god, Luke!” Karly said.
“You taste so good, I can't get enough, baby,” Luke said. He continued making love to her with his mouth until she came. He licked up her juices and licked his lips and moved up and she hugged him close.
“I love you,” Karly said.
“I love you, too,” Luke said. He crushed his mouth to hers as he laid between her legs and pushed inside of her. He moved slowly within her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she met his thrusts. She held onto him as he went faster and deeper. He sat up bringing her with him and grabbed her hips and moved within her. She wrapped herself around him as she moved on him. He pulled back and cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply and passionately.
“I'm so close, baby, come for me,” Luke said.
“Oh Luke, ahhh,” Karly said. She came around him and buried her face in his neck. He came and she felt his release deep inside her. He held her to him as he emptied himself into her body. They collapsed on the bed a few minutes later. He covered them with the blanket, and she rested her head on his chest as he held her close.
“I love you,” Karly said.
“I love you more,” Luke said. He kissed her forehead and they went to sleep. The next morning, she woke up and saw him awake watching her.
“Morning, beautiful,” Luke said.
“Morning handsome, come on, I got to go to work and since you like to be my shadow, get moving,” Karly said.
“Yes ma'am,” Luke said. She got up and went to shower and he joined her, and they made love in the shower. They washed off and got out and dried off and got dressed. He kissed her softly and they got breakfast and went to the office.

CHAPTER 50

Karly was sitting at her desk looking at some paperwork. Luke was on his phone on the couch when Matt and Dana came in.
“Karly, we have a problem,” Matt said.
“What's up?” Karly asked.
“We don't have anyone to wear the final outfit in the show, Heather was supposed to be our closer and she came down with mono and might not be back in time for the final fittings or the show,” Dana said.
“Oh great,” Karly said.
“Karly, why don't you do it,” Luke said.
“What, no, Luke, I will be too busy helping Henry backstage, it's going to be crazy there and he needs all the help he can get,” Karly said.
“But you would be perfect for it,” Dana said.
“I don't think so, why don't you do it, Dana, you can wear two different outfits in the show, there is nothing wrong with it,” Karly said.
“Karly, the way the show is, there is no way she can get changed in time for the final walk,” Matt said.
“Babe, Hayley will be there to help backstage and Abby can help too, you used to be a model, show them that you still got it,” Luke said.
“Oh god please don't gang up on me,” Karly said.
“Baby, I know you can do this,” Luke said.
“Karly, you are the one we look up to, I've seen your photos from when you were a model, you were amazing, I think you were the reason I wanted to be a model to begin with,” Dana said.
“Karly, you still look like one of us, I know Henry will be please,” Matt said.
“Uggh okay fine, I'll do it, sheesh!” Karly said. Matt and Dana smiled and went to tell everyone. Luke smiled. Karly shook her head and went back to her paperwork.
“Karly,” Luke said.
“What,” Karly said.
“You're mad aren't you,” Luke said.
“I don't model anymore, it's been awhile,” Karly said.
“I know you can still do it,” Luke said.
“I know I can, I just like being behind the scenes, giving other people the chance to do what I did, to give them the spotlight,” Karly said.
“It's just this once okay, who knows, Heather might be back in time to do it,” Luke said.
“I hope so,” Karly said.
“Karly!” Henry said.
“Hi Henry,” Karly said.
“I heard the news, I am so happy,” Henry said.
“It's only if Heather can't do it,” Karly said.
“Still I am happy!” Henry said.
“I am still helping backstage along with Hayley and Abby,” Karly said.
“I need all the help I can get, my normal crew had other commitments, so I need the help,” Henry said. He looked at Luke.
“Don't even think it, he won't help, he'll be too busy watching me,” Karly said.
“She's right,” Luke said.
“Hey boss, there is an issue to take care,” Greg said.
“Okay, be back later, baby,” Luke said.
“Okay,” Karly said. Luke followed Greg out the door.
“Who was that who left with your hubby?” Henry asked.
“That's Greg, he works for Luke,” Karly said.
“He's hot,” Henry said.
“And he's straight and in a relationship with a girl named Ginger,” Karly said.
“Okay,” Henry said.
“Wait, what happened to David?” Karly said.
“I was just looking but I'm still head over heels for him,” Henry said.
“Don't scare me like that, Henry, I can't imagine you two not being together,” Karly said.
“I know, me either, I don't know what I was thinking looking at other guys, moving on, David will be helping out too,” Henry said.
“Good, I can't wait to see him,” Karly said.
“He misses you too,” Henry said.
“Okay, so I guess I should get fitted for the closing outfit,” Karly said.
“Yes, let's go!” Henry said. They went to the fitting area where she was fitted with the dress that was going to be the closer which was a wedding dress.
“You know I just got married right, how odd would it be for me to wear this after getting married,” Karly said.
“It is the biggest one here, so I have to put it on last, it's the start of my new bridal collection I'm working on,” Henry said.
“Fine,” Karly said. She got done with the fitting and went back to her office and sat down and finished some paperwork. It was time to leave and Luke hadn't shown back up yet. She called him but it went to voicemail. She left a message saying she was getting a ride home. She went out to where Hayley was.
“Hey sis, want to give me a ride home?” Karly asked.
“I was hoping to get one from you guys since Eric is stuck at the office,” Hayley said.
“Luke had to leave, he said he would be back but he's not,” Karly said.
“Hey guys,” Drew said.
“Drew, where's my husband?” Karly asked.
“He got held up one some business, so he asked me to give you a ride home,” Drew said.
“Hayley needs one too,” Karly said.
“Sure thing, your place is on the way to hers,” Drew said. They left and he took them home. Karly thanked him and went into the house and locked up and went to change and came back down and checked her phone and nothing from Luke. She began to cook dinner. The doorbell rang. She looked out and saw Austin and Abby. She opened it and let them in.

CHAPTER 51

“So, what brings you guys by?” Karly asked.
“Do we need a reason to hang out with our sis,” Austin said.
“No, Luke isn't home, and I can't get ahold of him, he sent Drew to bring me home,” Karly said.
“Probably something important,” Austin said.
“I just hope he's okay,” Karly said.
“I'm sure he is,” Abby said. They heard the front door open and close. Karly looked at them. Luke appeared in the doorway with blood on his clothes.
“Luke!” Karly said.
“It's not mine, I'm okay,” Luke said. He went to change and clean up and came back.
“Everything okay?” Austin asked.
“Yeah, just had to help out the cops with a situation that got out of control,” Luke said.
“Where did the blood come from?” Karly asked.
“The guy they were after,” Luke said.
“You killed him, didn't you,” Karly said.
“No, he fired at the cops and the cops shot back and hit him, he staggered into me and tried to get me to help him but I pushed him on the ground and held him until the cops got to him,” Luke said. Karly hugged him. He held her close.
“I'm just glad you're safe,” Karly said.
“I'll always come home to you,” Luke said.
“So, can we stay for dinner?” Austin asked.
“Sure,” Karly said. She got dinner finished and set the table and they sat down and ate and talked.
“Abby and I have some news,” Austin said.
“We are going to start trying for a baby,” Abby said.
“That's great news, I can't wait to be an aunt!” Karly said.
“How soon before I'm an uncle?” Austin asked.
“We are going to start within the next few months,” Luke said.
“I was hoping you guys would start at the same time so they can grow up together,” Austin said.
“Hmmm,” Karly said.
“What baby,” Luke said.
“Just thinking,” Karly said.
“Sis,” Austin said.
“I will think about it, first I got to get through Henry's show first, I might be walking in it,” Karly said.
“Really?” Abby asked.
“We have to be there, Abby,” Austin said.
“We were hoping that Abby can help them backstage,” Luke said.
“Henry's crew had other commitments, so Henry was going to be on his own back there,” Karly said.
“I will help, of course,” Abby said.
“What are you wearing in the show,” Austin said.
“The closer,” Karly said.
“She's walking last,” Luke said.
“Heather was supposed to do it, but she has mono and might not make it back in time so I'm on standby,” Karly said.
“Babe,” Luke said.
“We can't wait to see you up there, sis,” Austin said.
“Fine whatever,” Karly said.
“When is this taking place?” Austin asked.
“Two weeks, the 25th,” Karly said.
“Luke, we are getting front row seats,” Austin said.
“Yep,” Luke said.
“Guys,” Karly said.
“I can't wait to see my hot and sexy wife up there,” Luke said.
“My dress is too big to be that way,” Karly said.
“What kind of dress is it?” Austin asked.
“He's starting a new collection and he wants it to be a surprise,” Karly said.
“Either way, you will always be hot and sexy to me,” Luke said.
“That's my sister,” Austin said.
“My wife,” Luke said.
“I'm just kidding, I know you will always think of her like that,” Austin said.
“He better,” Karly said.
“You will always be my only one,” Luke said.
“So, you promise to never cheat on her?” Austin said.
“I made that promise the day I said I do,” Luke said.
“I love you,” Karly said.
“I love you,” Luke said. Austin and Abby stayed for a bit before heading home. Luke locked up the house and they went upstairs and she took a shower and they got into bed and went to sleep.