Chapter Eight
Why Didn’t You Push Her Away
Vaughn’s POV
I cradled her in my arms until the ambulances arrived. Once the Paramedics arrived I never got to see much of her after that until she was stitched up and in a hospital bed. I Still am trying to wrap my head around the fact that her own father would do this to her. I watch her sleeping form and I place my hand gently on her cheek caressing it. I hear scuffling footsteps behind me.
“She just left and bolted. I’m glad she is safe.” I hear the voice of Serenah.
“The important thing is that she is okay. Now are you?”
“I’m fine Amiliee` I’m more worried about Sydney.” She says frantically.
“Calm down. Does he do this to Nadia as well?” My mother asks her concerned.
“No. And that is the weird thing. It is always Sydney and I.” She says softly.
“Maybe there’s a reason for it all. How is she Michael?” Maman turns to me.
“The Doctor’s say she has concussion and they want her to stay overnight. Other than that they said she would make a full recovery.” I say to Maman.
“See Serenah, she’s okay.” Maman says to Serenah reassuringly. She rubs her back gently.
“Still I worry. I’m worried he’s going to kill his daughter someday.” She says to Maman with tears rolling down her face.
“He won’t if you tell the police.” Maman says to her in low voice.
“No!” She says to Maman, yelling slightly and pushing her away.
“Why?” Maman says perplexed. Man why wouldn’t she tell? And then I remembered Sydney’s reaction as well. They’re both worried about the same thing. But what it is I have no idea.
“Because, I love him.” She says to Maman honestly.
“How can you love a man who does this to you?” Maman says, confusedly.
“He is not always like this. There is a reason for it all. I know there is and I intend to find out so I can help him through it.” She says to Maman softly. Maybe that is what Sydney believes too. I gently stoke her hair lovingly. And I sigh not knowing what to think.
“I don’t know how you do it Serenah. No matter how bad a situation or a person is, you still seem to find the good in them all.” Maman sighs softly. I felt as Serenah puts a soft hand onto my shoulder.
“Thank you for looking after her. I owe you so much.” She says to me gratefully.
“It’s okay, you don’t owe me anything.” I say to her smiling slightly at her.
“I’m going to go home I have a splitting headache so I need some sleep. Could you give me a call when she wakes up please?” She says to me politely.
“Yeah, no problem.” I say to her kindly.
“How you getting home?” Maman asks her.
“I’ll take a cab.” She says simply.
“Heavens no. I’ll take you home.” Maman says to her in a motherly tone.
“No it’s okay, I’ll be fine.”
“No I insist.” Maman says to her softly guiding her out of the room.
Nadia’s POV
“It’s okay Sammy, don’t cry.” I beg to her small form buried deep within her Mickey Mouse pillow.
“Why did daddy do that to mummy and Sydiee?” She says to me getting up and looking into my eyes.
“I don’t know.” I say to her honestly. I wish I knew but I don’t.
“Why does daddy get angry?” She says to me in her cute voice.
“Because sometimes adults get angry.” I say to her simply. Yeah they do but not this angry without a good reason.
“Do you get angry?” She asks me. What is this 20 questions?
“Yeah, sometimes.” I say to her sighing.
“Do you hit people?” She says to me as she plays with her blonde hair.
“No,” I say to her softly stroking her hair.
“Then why does daddy?” She says chucking a slight tantrum.
“I honestly don’t know.” I say to her with a tear running down my face. Look at this, she is only 4 years old. She shouldn’t have to live with this chaos. What effect is this going to have on her, later in life? This is not what I want for my baby sister. “I think it’s time for bed sweetums.” I say to her sweetly.
“Kay.” She says yawning. I pick her up and I pull back her covers and I place her in her warm snug bed. I tuck her in
“Will I ever be like daddy?” She says to me tiredly.
“Never.” I say to her hugging her fiercely. “Never,” I whisper.
***
“Nadia!” I hear Serenah call. Over the past few weeks I have finally become to respect her. Don’t know why I never respected her.
“Yeah,” I call out to her.
“Could you run me a tub, please?” She says. I hear the sheer exhaustion in her voice.
“Yeah, no problem.” I love her. I don’t know what I would do without her. I turn on the taps and I place some bubble bath solution in. By the sounds of it she really needs a good relaxing bath. I hear her open the door. I look up at her to see that she is completely bruised and battered. With no hesitation she trips down. I don’t particularly mind at all. She steps into the tub and let’s herself fall into the water.
“Thank you.” She says to me contently.
“No problem.” I say again slipping out of the bathroom. I make a silent vow. I will find out what’s wrong with dad. It’s time I held this family together.
Sydney’s POV
I mull over the last few hours of my life. So emotionally draining. And for the first time I realize just how bad it all is. I knew it was bad, but not this bad. That look he gave me. I cannot shake it from my mind. Was he trying to tell me something? Was it a silent plea for help? Or was it because he doesn’t care? I sigh. I need a distraction. And without a thought I find myself signing softly to myself.
The trouble with love is,
It can tare you up inside.
Make your heart believe a lie.
It’s stronger than your pride.
The trouble with love is.
It doesn’t care how fast you fall.
And you can’t refuse the call.
See you got no say at all…
The sound of footsteps stops me.
“Wow.” He says, smiling with his lob sided grin. “One of your songs you’re performing.
“Yeah, for Rock Eisteddfod.” I say to him smiling.. The moment he gets closer I grab him by the neck and I pull him down to capture his lips in mine in a heated kiss.
“What was that for?” He asks breathlessly.
“My thank you present.” I say to him smiling.
“Really.” He says cunningly.
“What are you up to Mr. Vaughn?” I say to him suspiciously as I peck him on the lips.
“Nothing.” He says innocently throwing his hands up.
“You’re up to something and I’ll find out.” I say to him giving him a playful death glare.
“Oooooh I’m so scared.” He says to me jokingly putting on an act.
“Well you better be, or else.” I say to him, challengingly, jokingly.
“Or else, what?” He says to me cockily.
“I won’t ever kiss you again.” I say to him jokingly.
“Ooooh now there’s a threat, I better rethink my course of action.” He says slowly bending down to my face.
“That you better.” I say to him capturing his lips in mine once more. He sits on the bed and puts his arms around me. We just sit there for what feels like ages with Michael stroking my hair softly. I breathe in his unique scent and I know I can’t delay it any longer. I feel the hot tears trickle down my face. “Why didn’t you stop kissing her? Why didn’t you push her away?”
TBC
A/N
So now I probably have you guys all wondering with that cliffhanger. You will be confused now on how it is possible but it’s the small details I know the majority of you won’t have picked out in the previous chapters. You all are just going to have to wait and find out.
always
~elle