US woman who hired bodyguard after escaping abusive relationship found herself falling love with him

A woman who hired a bodyguard after escaping an abusive relationship found herself falling love with him - now the pair are happily married with a family.

Elise Stevens, 35, was left terrified for herself and her daughter, Gracie, 13, after fleeing a violent partner in November 2008.

Friends recommended she hire a bodyguard for safety. Taking their advice, she sought the protective services of her friend Derek Stevens, 35, who moved into their new home in December 2008.

But after spending so much time together Elise started falling in love with her bodyguard - like Whitney Houston in the classic film 'The Bodyguard' - and she admitted it to him.

Due to her feelings and how attached her daughter was becoming with Derek, she gave him an ultimatum - to be in a relationship with her or to end the protection arrangement.

At first Derek broke it off but he called back two weeks later confessing he was in love with Elise too.

In March 2009, the pair were married, and they have since gone on to have their children - Rhilynn, 11, and Trask, eight.

Elise, an autistic specialist, from Union, Oregon, US, said: "After being in abusive relationship it's drilled into you that you will never love again.

"I never expected to have that again.

"I was too proud to have someone help me, but I knew it was the right thing to do - so I hired Derek as a bodyguard.

"But I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him.

"He made me feel so safe, comfortable and protected.

"People ask me if I would change the violence, I went through but I wouldn't because it gave me Derek and my family."

Filmed within February 2022.