I see where he’s coming from, but still I can’t help that I want to be close to my sister. All this time I have mourned for her, I have wished to see her just one more time. We have so much that we need to talk about, a small part of me wants to yell, kick, and scream at her and tell her how stupid she is for leaving. Another part of me wants to hold her close to touch her, smell her, and now they’re going to rip her and Katie away from me once more. I want to get to know my niece and hold her close for all the years I’ve missed out on. My heart begins to crack like it will break all over again. Before fear fills me at that thought, knowing the pig knows where she is. I sigh,
“Okay, as long as I can still contact her or you.” I glance at Abby, who’s sitting there quietly looking between Blake and me.
“I’ll need at least a day or two, to secure a place safe enough for her,” Corban says. “I’ve just recently signed a deal on some apartments not too far from here, so we can use one of them for the time being.”
Blake nods in agreement. I walk around and sit down on the couch, exhaustion setting in all of a sudden.
“Katie, did you wanna come and help me finish the pancakes?” I ask gently. She turns eagerly nodding her head. Jumping up, she races over to me, taking my hand, pulling me up and dragging me along behind her back to the kitchen. I catch Abby’s face as Katie pulls me out of the room, a bright smile crosses it.
I can only hope that bringing her out of hiding was a smart idea. I don’t want to lose her all over again. Where will this little one, clasping my hand, end up? A new determination settles within me. I will not allow any harm to come to this little princess or her mother. I really hope that Blake is good at his job.
Katie and I continue to cook our pancakes. It’s quite a challenge with a broken wrist, but Katie’s a huge help. As fast as we’re cooking them, they’re walking off the plate. Katie’s tiny, but she can put a decent helping of food away in that little tummy of hers. She prepares plates of food for Abby, Blake, Corban and myself. For a little girl her age, she’s very bright. I’m so happy that she can be a part of my life, and I really look forward to getting to know her better.
After breakfast, we settle in for a quiet day. We sit watching a movie that Katie has picked. I can’t say I am actually paying attention because my mind is preoccupied, focusing on this continuous nauseating feeling that sits in the pit of my stomach. A sharp knock followed by loud arguing voices booms outside the closed door, startling all of us. Blake jumps into action, ushering Abby and collecting Katie off the floor. He wraps her securely in his arms and they go straight to my room, quickly shutting the door behind them. Corban goes to see what all the arguing is about. My heart pumps with nerves.
As he gets closer to the door, I recognise the voices. Corban opens the door to an argument between Flick and Athena, with Rachel trying to shut them both up.
“What’s going on?” Corban’s tone hard, catching the girls off guard. They stop and turn toward him. Flick sees me first, barging past Corban and actually pushing him aside. She engulfs me in her arms, crushing the air from of my lungs.
“Oh, thank goodness you’re all right! You had me so worried,” her words spewing from her mouth with excessive speed.
“You’re squishing me,” I manage to breathe out. She quickly releases me. Looking me up and down before noticing my wrist in a cast, and her hand flies to her mouth.
“Oh Mel, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. What was going on out there?” My eyes dart between the three of them. Rachel and Athena stand there looking ashamed and say nothing, but Flick is quick to answer.
“I don’t know why this one is here,” she stabs her finger towards Athena, anger evident in her face. “How did she know that you had injured yourself?” I hear the disdain in her voice. She genuinely dislikes Athena. I can’t say I’m a huge fan either, but I’m playing nice for Corban’s sake. She is his sister after all.
“I didn’t know she’d injured herself. I was coming over to see if she wanted to go out for lunch!” she yells back at Flick. The tension in the air is swirling around the room like a violent tornado.
“Girls, just stop it. You’re both carrying on silly,” I say, wearily rubbing my eyes in frustration. I don’t need this crap right now. “Thanks for the offer, Athena, but today is not a good day. I’m not feeling very well, and Flick, you just need to calm down,” I snap at them both. They’re carrying on like eight-year-old girls. My neighbours probably think we are all crazy.
Both girls look embarrassed, their faces hang in shame.
“Is there anything you need, Mel?” Rachel asks quietly, her face full of concern.
“No, thanks. I’m right. I’d just like a quiet day at home, with Corban. Last night actually took it out of me.” If only they knew the entire events of last night, they’d probably think I was crazy, but the proof is standing quietly in the other room.
I hope they take the hint and go, or at least Athena does. A feeling of unease settles within me when it comes to her. I really want to give her the benefit of the doubt, but this anxiousness won’t recede. It’s like something gnawing away at me.
As if reading my mind, Athena comes over and gives me a small awkward hug. “If you need anything, please let me know. I’m happy to help.” She gives a smile which seems to be fake and turns to leave, giving Flick an evil glare which Flick returns.
After she’s gone, I release a breath of relief. I would like the girls to meet Abby and Katie since I know I can trust them.
“Girls, come sit down. We have a few things to tell you. Just give me a minute; I want to grab something from my room.” I turn, walking away. I’m sure Corban will get them settled.
In the bedroom, I walk in to see Abby on the bed and Katie playing on the floor while Blake sits on the side holding Abby’s hand. My heart swells seeing that things haven’t changed between them in three years. I wish she’d told me about them back then. I really like Blake, he’s her safety net just like Corban is for me. I really hope I can talk to her before she has to leave again.
Chapter Four
Abby
Sitting in Melodi’s room like a ball of nerves is wreaking havoc with my stomach. All I can hear is a bunch of loud girls, and can only hope that none of them come barging into the room needing something. I begin to pace around the room glancing down at Katie sitting on the floor playing with her raggy doll she carries everywhere. She’s had that thing since she was born and won’t go anywhere without it. There have been many tears, on occasion, over leaving her doll at home. There’s tension rolling off Blake as he’s in protection mode ready to pounce if the need arises. I love him for his protective streak and his watchful eye over Katie and me.
Walking over to him by the door, he waits and listens not noticing me approach. When I reach out and lightly touch his arm he turns so fast, he frightens me a little and I jump back a step. Quickly, he wraps me in his arms and immediately I’m in the one place where I feel calmness, serenity and security.
“Sorry, Abs. I’m a little on edge. Just the thought of that deluded man hanging around, the thought of you hurt…” He stops; the emotion in his words causes a lump to form in my throat.
“It’s okay, Blake. I know you’ll protect us,” I assure him, lightly pressing my lips to his cheek. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, relishing in the small gesture of my soft kiss.
“I’m sorry I let you down before, and now Melodi is in danger. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to you, Katie, Melodi, or her babies.”
So much weight is in those words. It shatters my heart to think he’s carrying that guilt around and that he thinks he’s let me down. He tried so hard, he put his job on the line, and he was ready to give everything up for me.