"Somebody shut up that damn beeping," I groan, the irritating noise stirring me awake.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0zxOJ5lyO
"Hello to you, too."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uBIK3MJaY
I jolt upwards, ignoring the sharp flashes of pain and the feeling of pins and needles that erupt all over my body, and nearly succeed in falling off of the hospital chair. Speaking of which, how did I end up in a hospital chair? The last thing I remember is being in the hospital waiting room and receiving the news...copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0navQTW0OJ
"Why the hell are you breathing?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhs0ORDyXf
Raised eyebrows are all that I receive in response before Nick and Dallas walk in.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZq4pPAQXu
"One of you," I say, pointing between the two of them, "needs to pinch me so that I wake up."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Wb7XqjF7
Dallas' eyebrows knit together in confusion. "But you are awake."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ThJkhZqPS
"No. If I was awake, that"-I point to the cardiac monitor-"wouldn't be beeping, that"-I point to the bed-"wouldn't be breathing-"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL74bHbRkr
"I'm a that now?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ0LD40Rlg
"- and-"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fvzlv6vNR
"Darling," Nick places his hands on my shoulders, "breathe."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bswgc8f0a
I shake my head. "Maybe I'm going crazy." I skim my eyes around the room, searching for something that could wake me up; I notice the nurse call button on the bedside, and I lunge for it, but Nick holds me back.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UsvQ9NV24
"Bailey, you're not dreaming," he insists.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡY22RrEe75k
As he forces me back to my chair, Madison enters the room, popping open a can of soda.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡffLp0ySFPp
"I told you all that she was going to freak out." She shrugs, taking a sip of her drink. "Are Sara and Jordan still not back yet?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡev69mqkHzC
"We're right here," Sara grumbles, entering the room with Jordan in tow.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO2uIhBxAn
"It takes thirty minutes for you two to get to the bathroom and back?" Maddie quirks an eyebrow.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF6s2IJIz5
"We got lost," Jordan sheepishly explains.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9cdnsDghx
Sara grimaces. "We didn't realize that we were in the wrong room until the old guy told us to change the channel and give him a sponge bath."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FFasTva9T
"Wonderful," I dryly comment, then return my attention to the hospital bed. "Why the hell are you breathing? I was in the waiting room, almost asleep, when I heard the doctor or somebody say that someone had died. I fell asleep before I could hear anything more, and I just assumed-"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYXbs5kjw9
"Wait," Demi holds up a hand to stop my rambling, then she turns to Nick, "you let her fall asleep thinking that I was dead? What the hell is wrong with you?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTJUtxaHJL
Dallas snorts, placing a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhW5mbsdwT
"I thought that she was already asleep," Nick defends.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡN73MJL4iCB
"Nobody cares," I wave off his defense, "Who died then?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡDephZrNDLr
Demi sinks her teeth into her bottom lip.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGvzeyrh0j
Realization causes me to gasp. "It was Matthew, wasn't it?" I murmur, and Demi nods slowly, almost guiltily. I fall silent, staring at the floor. "Is it bad that I feel relief?" I almost whisper, looking up at Demi with tears blurring my vision.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6FGqF1TTU
"C'mere, baby-girl." She moves over, patting the empty space beside her.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUukpnHJyP
I hesitantly climb onto the bed, being careful not to hurt her. She tilts my head so that I'm looking directly at her.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QzuBlYz1E
"That man has made your life a living Hell. He stole your childhood and your innocence, and I'll be damned if he continues to torment you for the rest of your life. Your nightmares, that I doubt are about anything other than him, kill me. It kills me to see that you're suffering like that, and-"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡV33kPLba1D
"The nightmares?" I allow the corners of my lips to curl upwards, forming a small smile. "But you and Nick help me with those. Your singing breaks apart the memories so that I don't have to relive them."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2OUKoYWyt
She returns the small smile, wrapping her arms around me tighter. "That's great." I don't miss the lack of enthusiasm in her tone.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL6yD9Lhvt
Before I can ask her what's wrong, someone knocks on door. I turn around to see Demi and Nick's lawyer dude who's name I couldn't remember if my life depended on it.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡIee45ywCDa
Was it Gerald? Harold? Harry?copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpONQhG2ke
He cautiously steps into the room. "I hope that I'm not interrupting anything."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kmghJS5XG
Jason? Jack? Garfield? No, I think I would remember if he was named after a cartoon cat. Jeff?copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGKU6ECN5w
"You're not interrupting anything at all, Geoffrey," Demi reassures.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡguSx3NcZ8s
I was close.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVTmi9V5SB
Geoffrey claims the chair that I was previously occupying, seemingly too awkward to be a lawyer. Then again, who am I to judge?copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9G86OYS2O
"I spoke with the judge," he begins, his attention on both Demi and Nick. "He believes that, given the circumstances, a trial won't be necessary. He's going to review the evidence and hear our cases before making a ruling."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21VkuGOkE9
By the time that he finishes, my eyebrows are furrowed in confusion, and a deep frown has morphed my lips. "Wait, what? Why was a trial even an option?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkZp2p8Yzr
"Bailey," Demi gains my attention, "Matthew's dead."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡplFAWBNbu3
"Yeah, so?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNzcaLn7EM
"She doesn't understand," Nick says.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg8uQu6v3s
"I understand perfectly," I defend, shooting him a glare. "The guy who molested me is dead." I hear gasps from behind me, but I pay them no mind.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡl92qec32DR
"But you don't know how he died," Nick states.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b5DDwN7KY
"I don't care! I just know that he can no longer hurt me. I no longer have to worry about him finding and hurting you all."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFjwG6MS9i
"Can I tell her?" Demi questions Geoffrey, and the man slowly nods.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1kRgqUMyn
My eyebrows knit together once again, and I can begin to feel a headache forming. "Tell me what?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrZa3IDsrp
Demi takes a deep breath, only heightening my anxiety and worry. "The shot that you heard before the phone call ended was nothing but a rouse. He shot a tree, then ended the call. I used that split-second opportunity to run, but he soon caught up to me." She pauses. "I don't even know if I should be telling you all of this," she groans, dragging her palms down her face.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCQXqv6OT
"Go on," I mumble, wanting to know what Matthew put her through, wanting to know what I caused, as if I need more guilt weighing me down.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeaUCwKLuJ
She takes another deep breath. "He grabbed the hood of my jacket and slung me to the ground. I landed on my back, so, when I tried to get up, he climbed on top of me."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUihtUpuu0
I squeeze my eyes shut and lower my head, trying to prevent the flashbacks from occurring.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVObOB5Tf0
What if he did the same shit to her that he did to me?copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7GLp5wMqw
"Hey, baby-girl," Demi coos, tilting my head upwards so that I'm facing her again. "Why are you crying?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLgYHs0yWN
I don't realize that I'm crying until my fingertips come into contact with my wet cheeks. I shake my head, unable to voice my thoughts as I continue to cry. Realization flashes across Demi's face, and she brings me closer to her, shielding my face in the crook between her shoulder and neck, my tears soiling her hospital gown.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvtmn6GC24
"Oh, God, baby-girl, no, no, no. I know what you're thinking, and that didn't happen." A relieved sob slips past my lips. "He stabbed me a couple of times," she murmurs, and I hastily back away from her, afraid that I'm hurting her, but she places a firm grip on both of my shoulders, thus halting my retreat. "You're not hurting me, Bailey."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n9brdN80w
"But you said-"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK81oWpac3
"The wounds aren't even that deep." She shakes her head. "He was probably just trying to stun me enough to shut me up."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pi181PALL
I sniffle. "You were screaming?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEAVtTxKY9
She nods.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkMqRsd92p
"So," I hesitantly speak after a pause, "what killed him?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIzD0ypk1G
She sighs. "His gun went off during the struggle. I didn't realize what had happened until my ears were ringing and his blood-" she cuts herself off, releasing a shuddering breath. "Then I heard the police sirens."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgfntxsFJZ
"Who told the police your location? Neighbors?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxMjnGJkaB
She nods and combs her fingers through her hair. It is then when I notice the cuts and scratches on the outside of her forearms - as if she held her arms up to protect herself.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡktEaGPJOY3
"You fought back?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyNHJBMbG3
"I fought like hell." One side of her mouth quirks upwards. "Don't think that you can get rid of me that easily."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡakQL9QMAE2
Despite her attempt at getting me to do so, I can't manage to smile. "This is all my fault." Another sob wracks my body as my vocal reminder renders me nearly breathless. "Everything is my fault."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDaw9ivejm
"No, baby-girl," she says, wrapping her arms around me again, "don't think for one second that any of this is your fault."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0UIkhZXWr
"If I had never insisted on meeting you that day, none of this would have happened. I wouldn't have caused you so much pain."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEV36Ri8LY
"I didn't realize it at the time, but you meeting me that day was one of the best moments of my life. You've caused so many amazing, wonderful things to happen, Bailey, and you don't even realize it."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u4N4Zolg7
"Mom and I have a better relationship because of you," Jordan pipes up, and I break away from Demi's embrace to see the sincerity in her eyes. "God only knows what pieces we'd be picking up in the future if it wasn't for you."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3WnT1N4uQ
"Dallas and I have nieces to spoil now," Maddie shrugs.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWg5zBUeeW
"I have," Sara pauses, as if contemplating on what to say, "I have support. You're there for me," she smally smiles, seeming as if there is more she wants to say. "Dal, I'm gonna go see if either of my parents are on break."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡKohJN3HdqM
"Okay," Dallas nods. "But be careful."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YaZz4aIgw
"We're in a hospital," Sara laughs as she's leaving. "The worst that can happen is that I drown in antiseptic."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnkI1pccjR
I'd be lying if I said that her departure doesn't disappoint me a little bit.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BF5iNVJlI
I really need to stop being so sappy.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXzlJn9JvA
There's a slight pause before Nick breaks it.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbhFdbTKgb
"I got my daughter back." Nick grins at me, picking up right where our original conversation left off. "Bailey, when your mom left, I thought that I'd never get the chance to meet you. You give my life a purpose." He glances longly at Demi.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6tgaienhk
She giggles. "What are you staring at?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡOepRzLiIrO
Returning his attention to me, he asks, "You do realize that your mom and I wouldn't be together right now if it wasn't for you, right?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B2U9pxldp
"You two would have found your way back to each other," I insist, but he shakes his head, and Demi sighs.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPIsA55sOQ
"Bailey, we weren't even on speaking terms before," she admits. "Your dad hated me."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Du1HYSgLX
"I didn't hate you," Nick contradicts. "I resented your decision. I resented your decision so much that it blinded me from seeing how much you were hurting."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI6USSE2fR
"We all blame ourselves for something that we had no control over," Jordan interjects.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxfO1wCzOR
"Yeah, baby-girl," Demi nods, her eyes solemn. "That's exactly it."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC7rjScY8L
"Wait," I turn to Geoffrey, a thought occurring to me, "what Matthew said on the phone about Demi's divorce-"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pj3LUp7Br
"It was the truth," he smiles, "Demi is no longer married to Wilmer Valderrama."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d7ovQiSdp
I can't help the grin that spreads across my face, and I'm relieved to see that Jordan is smiling as well.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZrBowc4G9
"Jordan, you're okay with that?" Demi softly wonders.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG8eAtFMSQ
Jordan nods. "You're happy. That's all that I've ever wanted."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYdMUxcVyT
"I second that." I pretend to raise a glass in the air, as if to toast.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45yP68ibNg
"I think we all third that," Dallas chuckles.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYBUW4RgRk
"I don't think that I do," Nick jokingly shakes his head.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOwUJtwVRa
"Oh, really?" Demi arches an eyebrow, and he nods.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWMCf06unU
"I think my goal in life is to make you miserable."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI7z7lQu6F
"Can I let you in on a secret?" I can tell that Demi is trying not to laugh as she beckons Nick closer to her. "You're failing. Significantly."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKyAiD0G5X
Nick quirks an eyebrow as if this is news to him. "How so?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2T97clcqe
Demi hums thoughtfully. "You've made the past twenty-one years of my life worth living. Despite me cutting you off multiple times, despite all of the shit that I've put you through, you never gave up on me. Even when I had myself convinced that I wanted nothing to do with you and that our relationship wasn't worth salvaging, you never left my mind."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXnEpo6CwF
"Just kiss already and get it over with," I groan.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhP0iUuA61
Softly chuckling, Demi places her hand on my face and gently tilts my head to the side, away from them. I laugh as I remove her hand from my face. As she wraps her arms around Nick's neck, Maddie squeals.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO455vT2kb
"Ooh, get some, you two," Dallas laughs, causing Nick and Demi to separate and chuckle as they touch their foreheads together.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjiNLYGFiu
"No," I object. "There will be no getting anything."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgBF7gOFyV
Demi throws her head back and laughs. "That should be my line for you, baby-girl," she winks at me, and I roll my eyes. "Save the eye rolling for when you actually begin dating."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWwyYUaWER
"You know what?" I say after a pause. "I don't think I've ever heard you curse so much in one hour as you have today."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0JphrY1ei
"I told you, Bailey, that you are just like her," Dallas reminds.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMsYaSyxqQ
"You make weird observations," Demi chuckles at me. "I guess that's another one of your doings," she says to Nick.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYDAFXWE9p
"What?" He furrows his eyebrows in confusion.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVrrdNNH31
She smiles. "You're bringing the old me back to life."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1LvPSyJmk
He kisses her quickly. "Does that mean that you're going to come home one day with hair that has suddenly turned purple?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BVS9mKRyI
"Purple?" She laughs, and he shrugs.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFdbI5ckD3
"Your hair has never been purple before."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡoodkeeyzUh
"What did you do?" I ask. "Dye it every color of the rainbow?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MX3is4SWN
"No," she scoffs. "I've dyed it red and blue, though, and there was that one time when the blue kind of turned a little green."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAw5mBZ7h8
"You were insane, weren't you?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nG1pdTuqq
"Oh, very much so," she laughs.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIaetTcvMr
"Hey, mom," Jordan gains Demi's attention, "when can you leave?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLgE7rYhDo
"That's a really good question," she looks at Nick who shrugs and shakes his head.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq8rPuX6Eh
"I don't think the doctor ever told any of us," Maddie informs.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1NMUKQ1Wu
"Bailey, hand me the remote," Demi commands, pointing to the over-sized white device that looks more like an old telephone than an actual remote.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2LrD5xurg
"Why the hell does it have so many buttons?" I pass her the device. "That alone makes me nervous."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLjqrRjjCM
She rolls her eyes as she removes the remote from my grasp.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJkZWhGKcr
"Hey, Lawyer Dude," I gain Geoffrey's attention, "why are you still here?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj37g2AwA1
"I swear there's not a subtle bone in your body," Demi mutters.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k4ure5NAy
"I, um," he clears his throat, as if nervous, "I didn't want to ruin the happy mood you all were in." With that one statement, all eyes are on him.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAcO7qDurI
"What do you mean, Geoffrey?" Demi softly inquires.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnZ8PURwG4
It seems as if he has to force himself to make eye contact with her. "Your ex-husband co-conspired with Matthew to put you in harm's way."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJVjhKI3z2
The room falls silent. Demi stares blankly ahead. Jordan sniffles, then nearly runs out of the room.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyPMK6JAb7
"I'll-I'll go after her," Maddie says, her tone shocked, though I don't think anybody else is listening.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45cvlzDzaF
When Maddie leaves, Dallas shuts the door behind her.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqY5jJuFhx
"I know that I shouldn't be shocked," Demi's voice cracks on that last word, and it's evident that she's trying so hard not to completely break down.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNmoTxcPfU
"No, you really shouldn't be." Nick shakes his head and begins to pace back and forth, a habit that I've noticed he does when angry.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LiuBwlO5u
"Nick, calm down," Dallas softly orders, her effort proving futile as Nick continues to pace.copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3xSW40uhr
Nick suddenly stops pacing as he turns to Geoffrey. "Why are you telling us this if Wilmer's in police custody?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDJQ9Nqbn7
"That's just it, Nick," the lawyer sighs, "Wilmer Valderrama isn't in police custody."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpq0EyZ2iN
"Then where the hell is he?"copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCqhuEMT02
"He's missing." The man's eyes shift to all of ours, one after another. "And he's a threat to the safety of all of you."copyright protection95ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKJuLMFk2U
ns3.239.109.55da2
