Hell and back [Dukesaw fic]

Family phone calls

Heather Dukes POV

Veronica lays her head on my stomach while I lay propped up and leaning back on a stack of pillows on my bed. The TV flickers as it plays some movie and I braid her hair.

She kisses my stomach and I quietly giggle, letting the messy braid fall down and starting another one. I'm grinning ear to ear as we lay down together. She wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me, sinking into my side. Shes so fucking perfect.

I pull her up closer to me, and she sneaks a kiss from me. When she pulls away I kiss back and hold her closer, pulling her on top of me. I don't want any of this to end. Unfortunately I still need to breathe, so I pull away with a gasp.

"God, I love you," I mumble as she trails kisses down my jaw and neck.

Before shes given the chance to react, the phone rings, and we both sit up. Whoever's calling better have something pretty important to say.

"Hello, Duke residence, Heather speaking. who is this?" I greet when I pick up the phone holding it to my ear.

"Hello Heather, this is Mrs. Sawyer. I was wonder a few things about Veronica. You said she was on a school trip correct?"

Shit.

"Yeah, she is," I lie, "what did you want to know?"

"I was just wondering when she going to be back. It's been two whole weeks already. And Veronica never mentioned any kind of trip to me."

"It's a back to back trip. They were all going to a... camping retreat! the first two, and... they're spending another two in Chicago!" I say frantically making things up as I go, "and you know how Veronica is. Always quiet and secretive."

Veronica smacks me gently with a pillow, and muffles a laugh.

"You sure are right," she laughs jokingly, "it's a good thing we all trust you, Heather. If this were anybody else, we would've thought she was just skipping class and hiding something."

I feel seriously guilty lying to Veronicas mom like this. She trusts me, and I don't want to loose that trust. Veronicas parents has always been like a second family; always letting me stay for dinner, spend the night, and being fine with me showing up unannounced.

"You can always trust me. You guys know how much I care about Veronica, right? You know I would do anything for her?"

"I know. You're a very good kid Heather. You sure care about her a lot. And you're always welcome over, even when Veronica isn't here. She isn't the only one who enjoys your company you know."

"Thank you," say feeling the corner of my eyes start to water, "I'll be sure to stop over sometime."

"Anytime, dear. You're like family to us."

This sets me almost over the edge, and I can't stop myself from letting tears stray down my cheek. I feel Veronica hug me from behind, and rest her head on my shoulder.

"Really?"

"Really. Now, you have a good afternoon Heather, we'll have Veronica call you when she gets back. Good bye."

"Bye," I manage to get out as I hang up the phone.

Do they really see me as family? I mean, we all hang out at Veronicas house, so why me? I don't get why they like me in particular. I mean, I'm nothing special, deep down I'm just like everyone else.

"Did she believe it? Veronica asks curiously craning her head farther over my shoulder to get a better look at my face, "I couldn't hear much, but I could tell you were talking about me."

I sniffle and turn my face from her, "yeah she did. She thinks you're in Chicago for another two weeks, so you can still stay her until then."

I'm hopeful that she'll still want to stay with me. With her whole deal with JD, she's really freaked out about it. She's been worrying her ass off all day.

Deep down I know that she can't stay here, but I can hope, right? I've seen just from today how he drags her around in the hall, how he kisses her possessively between periods, and how utterly petrified she always seems to be. But I know it's for my own good. I know I'd be as good as dead if it weren't for this stupid deal.

"Heather, you know I can't stay here," she says into me ear, "JDs deal is a lot stricter than I thought. If he knew I was hanging out here, let alone staying the night..."

"Yeah... I know. But your mom already thinks you're in Chicago for two weeks. She'll think somethings up if you go back before then."

"Well why did you tell her that! You know I cant stay here. I know how much you want me to, but we both know I can't."

"I'm sorry! It's just- I just wasn't thinking," I cry out covering my face with my hands, "I'm sorry!"

"Hey, now, it's okay, you're okay," she tries to calm me down, "I'm just worried, alright?"

She sounds frustrated as she hugs me close.

"It'll all be alright," She soothes me, "I'll make sure of it."

I sink back into her lap, and sob softly to myself. She leans her head over mine, and kisses the top of my head. I've never felt so loved. So safe, and protected.

"Does your mom really think of me as family?"
I bring up, seemingly out of the blue, although it's been on my mind the whole time.

"What?"

"Does she think of me as family?" I repeat, "she said so on the phone."

"I mean, I definitely think she does. She doesn't see through you like I do though."

I exhale sharply and laugh to cover up faint crying. But it's no use. I sob while I stare at the ceiling and Veronica runs her fingers through my hair.

"Hey, it's alright love, it's alright. Heavy topic?"

I nod my head while she holds me tighter and thumbs a tear off of my cheek.

"It's okay. You've got me, my mom, and my dad, and we're not going anywhere, okay? We're not going anywhere."

I chuckle breathlessly, soaking up reassurance like a damn sponge. I continued to cry in her lap, it's both a happy, and confused crying. It feels safe, knowing Veronicas parents are there for me. It's also scary in a way though. Scary, because what if they found out about everything that's been going on? They'd hate me for sure. And I don't want to risk loosing their trust, because what if I never get it back?

A/n dukes got mommy issues because plot reasons. Am I projecting onto her again? Maybe... am I also adding more and more plot details when I can barely keep up with the existing ones? Maybe... I'm like really tired rn y'all gn.