Hope Shepherd

Nightmares

A/n Thanks everyone for reading I've decided to establish a posting schedule which will be every Saturday and if I miss it a chapter will come out either Sunday or Monday. Happy Reading!

POV Hope: I dreaded going to bed. The past few nights I've been waking up either sweating or paralyzed in fear. I haven't told Amelia or Owen, but I know they know I haven't been sleeping. I got ready for bed tonight, pulling my pajamas on. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" Amelia asked looking at my under eyes. I nodded hoping that she would drop it. "Good night, honey. Sleep well alright?" Owen said patting my shoulder. I climbed into bed leaving my lamp on and I read a book to fall asleep.

POV Amelia:

11:00 pm

Amelia's dream: I was tied to a chair and this time Hope and Owen were there too. Omar held a gun to their heads. "No don't do it! Take me instead," I yelled. Omar walked over and grabbed my shoulders.
The dream melted around me and I saw Owen shaking me. "It's okay Amelia it's just a dream," he said soothingly. I gasped shallowly breathing. Owen's concerned eyes danced over my face. He wiped the tears off my face that I didn't realize I had. I lay back down on my side calming down. He wrapped his large arms around me and gave me a kiss. I tangled my legs in his needing to feel that he was there. "I love you," Owen whispered in my ear and I clutched his hand pulling it to my chest. I felt his tough skin touching mine and I drifted to sleep.

POV Hope:

1:00 am

Hope's dream: I was back in the room again and he was coming back. He hit me and held a knife in his other hand so I would stay silent. I shivered and he glared coldly at me. My legs clenched as his eyes raked over me. He suddenly jerked around looking at something then drove the knife across my abdomen.
"Ahhhh" I woke up screaming. I shot up from my bed. I was breathing hard and there were tears streaming down my face. I latched my hand onto the bed post trying to stay upright. Suddenly Amelia and Owen burst into the room.

POV Amelia: It was around 1 AM we heard a loud scream. Owen and I both jerked awake again and we gave each other one look and ran to Hope's room. She was breathing shallow breaths and clutching her lower belly. We ran over to her and I hugged her. Owen attempted to touch her hand but she pulled away quickly. "Sorry," she whispered turning her head away. "No, no, it's okay. I'll leave you both here. I love you," he said and got up to leave. Owen patted me on the back before exiting the room. "It's okay your safe now, he's not gonna get to us again," I assured Hope. I wish I could promise that he wouldn't get to us again but it's hard to say that when I don't even quite believe it myself. She clung to my waist hiding her face in my shoulder. "Amelia," she whispered. "Hm?" I replied distantly. "I don't want to go back to sleep," she said. "That's okay," I responded. I lie in her bed and she crawled into my arms. She cuddled me. Something we haven't done since she was 5 and was afraid of the monsters in the closet. I couldn't believe that she was 15 now. She started gasping for air, I looked down at her seeing the panicked look on her face. I hoisted her up leaning her body onto my chest, "shuuuu it's okay. Listen to my voice okay?." I placed my hand on her head. I slid us both down the bed so we could try to sleep. "I love you mommy," she whispered half asleep. My mind shot awake, did she do that on purpose? "I love you too Hope," I replied gently. She knew she could call Owen and I mom and dad if she wanted too but she never did. It's been so many years I just assumed she didn't want to call us that. "I'm sorry it just slipped out" she panicked realizing what she had just said. "It's okay no need to apologize. I like being called that, but do it only if you want to," I smiled. She looked at me seeming to have some hesitations. "I won't ever replace your birth mom, if that's what you're worried about," I assured knowing that was a common issue among adopted children. Hope nodded taking the information in.

POV Hope: As I lay in Amelia's arms and I started to fall asleep, I can't believe I just called Amelia mom... I hadn't meant it, I was just thinking about my parents, if they were here instead. But then I wouldn't have Amelia. I don't think I regret calling her that. Maybe it was time that I did. She's been by my side for so long. She brought up that maybe I had a fear of replacing my mom... and I think she's right. I don't want to lose the memory of my parents and I want to hang on to them as long as I can. "It's not that I don't want to call you mom, I just don't want to forget them," I whispered to Amelia. "Your parents will always be special to you, and we have a scrapbook of all the pictures of them. You can take it out whenever you want," she offered gently. I nodded making my decision. "Goodnight mommy," I decided turning around sleeping with my arms wrapped around her waist.
POV 3rd person: Amelia smiled to herself liking the new name she'd received.