****This chapter takes place between Shawn and Beth's POV when they were teenagers in high school. I thought it would be nice for readers to see how they saw each other back then.****
Shawn's POV
Another beating from hell today. I have bruises on my face and ribs from the last beating. Old cuts have reopened as I try to get up off the floor. Trey, the asshole who beats me, is the principal's son and he gets away with everything. He's the biggest bully in the school.
He started beating me after he caught me with an erection during cheer practice. I came to secretly watch Beth cheer and never had the guts to tell her how I feel. She'd added some erotic moves to the routine and you can guess the rest.
"Oh my God," Annie chokes when she finds me in the empty hallway after school. "Trey again?"
"Trey and some of his football friends," I groan as she helps me to my feet.
"You should stay home tomorrow. Mandy told me the guys had someth
Melanie's POVBeing that my dad is intersex, she and my mom were okay with me liking girls when I came out to them a few months ago. I know I'm only fourteen, but I've known I liked girls for two years now. I've only had one girlfriend, but she died in a car accident, six months ago. Her parents were on their way to our house for a dinner when a drunk driver hit their car head on. Amy and her parents were killed on impact, three streets away from our house.It's the fourth of July and my parents were dragging me out to the fair. I wasn't really in the mood to go, but they told me there would be plenty of cute girls to distract me from Amy. I was glumly walking around with them and they gave me money to buy tickets.I give them a defeated sigh and they tell me to meet them at our usual spot for fireworks. I nod and make my way to the ticket booth. Walking with my head down, I bump into someone, knocking them down. "I'm sorry," I say quietly as I hold my han
Abbigail's POV I was in the closet a few days later, feeling around for an old box when the smell of orchids fills my nose. A smile forms on my lips and turn to give her a kiss. "Will you help me find a box? It's old and the top is starting tear at the edges. When you find it, open it," I say softly and wished at this moment I could see her reaction as she sees what's inside the box. I sit on the bed and wait for her to find the box that contains items from the night we met. I had a dream about our night the other day and made me remember I still had the soldier bear, bracelet and left over tickets. I even had Beth print out some pictures I took on my camera that night and had them in the box as well. I feel her sit next to me and hear her gasp in surprise at what was in the box. "The look on the guys face when I shot all the targets was priceless," she chokes with a laugh. "I can't believe you kept all this." "I used to close my eyes and think
To my dedicated readers,I'm sorry for the lack of updates these last few weeks. I'm a single mother of two children, 5 and 3. My 3 year old has recently been going through some intestine problems and nearly required surgery. Thankfully she did not need it. New chapters will hopefully starts rolling out soon, but unfortunately they will be slow. My main focus is on my children as much as I love writing, but my children come before my books.Things are starting to turn for the better and hopefully stay this way. Please forgive me if you're not patient with waiting for updates, I understand what it's like to get caught up in a good book and having to wait endlessly for an update.Thank you
Shawn's POV I was making breakfast while the others were still sleeping. It's been a few weeks since Abbigail lost her sight to a cancerous tumor on her optic nerve. The kids have gotten used to her not being able to see them and do their best to help her. She's even starting to get used to being blind again and recognizing the kids as they approach her. As I was placing food on the table everyone was slowly emerging in and taking what they wanted. I watch as Alex fixed a plate of Abbigail's favorites and places it in front of where she sits. I stood by and watched as she poured a glass of orange juice and places it next to the plate of food she fixed. Beth and Melanie walk in and notice Abbigail's breakfast was waiting for her, but didn't see her in the kitchen. Alex leaves the kitchen and I tell them what Alex has been doing this morning. She's never done this before and I'm curious to what she's going to do next.Moments later she walks in, guiding Abbigail. Abbigail stumbles a
AbbigailI woke up a few days later, my head was pounding and my eyes were burning. When I open my eyes I could see, but was almost as if my eyes were wrapped in thick plastic or looking through a very unfocused camera lense. I know I'm alone because everyone's sent was faint. I break into uncontrolled sobs and moments later Shawn's strong vanilla and lavender fragrance fills my nose as she takes me in her arms."Will you rub my head please? I have this awful headache," I choke between sobs and keep my blurry vision to myself. I don't want to risk telling someone if this isn't permanent.She does as I asked and I groan with relief. I smell orchids as Melanie walks in, placing a baby aspirin in my hand and a glass of water. They both have been on top of my headaches making sure I'm relaxed. Beth naps with me and massages my neck and shoulders so I can sleep. "Thank you," I choke with relief and Shawn stops massaging my scalp. "Where's Beth?""Having a snack in the kitchen," Melanie say
AbbigailIt's been two months since I regained my sight and watched my granddaughter born. I still haven't told the kids or my parents and those who knew respected that. Thankfully since my sight restored I haven't had a headache and I know the others were relieved. I just got off the phone with Doctor Byrne and he said he wanted to see me as soon as possible.I was on my way with Shawn and I was nervous about why he wanted to see me. He did a blood test a few days ago and haven't heard from him until now. Shawn could sense I was freaking out and takes my hand. I let out a calming breath as we pull in his office building. We make our way to his office and he had a neutral look on his face. It didn't ease my nerves as I crush Shawn's hand. She winces and I let go.Doctor Byrne motions for us to sit, but I was too anxious. He takes notice of this and smiles. "I called you here, because I thought it was better said in person," he says with a genuine smile and I let out the breath I'd bee
ShawnI must have watched the videos a dozen times and it sickens me to know a mother can run over her own child like that. It wasn't even only her child, but her unborn grandchild. Was it because the "father" was an intersex woman? It shouldn't matter! How can she live with herself after what she did?And poor Skye, I can't imagine how she must feel. I don't even know how to tell her and she's on her way. I even called in a little help from senior Detectives, Jennifer and Elliott. They've been on the job a lot longer than Melanie and I and I wanted the best for our friend. A soft knock brought my attention to the door."You wanted to see me Shawn," Skye says confused.I motion to Melanie's empty chair and she sits down. Melanie had gone up to lay with the girls while I talk with Skye. Before I could say anything the doorbell rings. "Wait here," I say softly and she nods lightly. I answer the door and two older women in sharp suits flash their badges. "Thank you for coming. My wife ha
AbbigailSince meeting Jessie and Elliott, the baby only calms down for either of them in the last two weeks. Shawn wasn't bothered by it and Jessie was more than happy to help. I haven't spoken to my father since the day Shawn hit him. He's been ignoring all my calls and it's been stressing me out. Shawn is afraid of me going into early labor and the baby not making it.My stress levels were at their highest yesterday when my father finally answered my phone call and started yelling at me drunkenly. He said some things I won't repeat because I'm afraid of jinxing the possibility of it happening. Shawn wasn't able to calm me down and called the only people who have been able to help, Jessie and Elliott.When they got here I was feeling light cramping and the moment Jessie placed her hand on my stomach, the baby calmed and the cramping subsided. Elliott looks at Jessie with tears in her eyes and it told me this happened to them too, just maybe a different trigger. Shawn lets out a reli