Just The Two Of Us <Sweet Pea FF>

95. Moral of the Story

"Get out! I don't want you here anymore! I don't want you in my life!" Things fly out the door.

"Don't make such a big deal out of this."

"I don't want to hear it! I said out!"

The screaming doesn't stop, drowning out the rain pouring heavily from the cloudy sky.

"I don't ever want to see you again!" Sweetpea stands in the doorframe and watches his mother throw one last glance over her shoulder, picking up her things and leaving.

He heaves out heavy breaths, the rain glueing his dark hair to his forehead, crumpled in anger and hurt.

She has always disappointed him, his entire life. Of course, she pulled this new man, greg, into his home. This asshole thinking he owns the place. Of course, she stole money from him. Of course, she used that money for drugs.

Honestly the only reason he let her stay in the first place was because Julia suggested it. She didn't know. How could she?

He watches her leave, as long until he can't see her through the thick raindrops crashing to the ground like bullets. In his glare is an expansion of a cold emptiness, a complete disregard for his her wellbeing.

His hard expression only softens once he sees her.

Clutching her thin jacket to her tiny frame. Soked from head to toe and shivering. The trembling might be because of the freezing rain or her violent crying, wrecking her body with sobs. The pained grimace on her face, tugging at his heart.

"Julia?" His voice carries through the thick air.
She steps closer until she is standing right in front of his door step and he realises that she is having a panic attack.
"Shit, come in." He wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her inside the warmth, closing the door behind him and shutting the rain out.

"You're completely drenched," he shakes his head after sitting her down on the old, green couch. He gets a thick blanket and wraps it around her. She still shivers, her breathing shallow, staring and her trembling fingers.

Sweetpea crouches down in front of her, his hands resting on her knees to ground her.
"Hey, hey. Look at me." With a gentle hand he moves her chin to look up at him. Her eyes carry so many emotions, he can't even begin to understand them all.
"You're ok, I'm here. I got you, you're ok."

She blinks, tears streaming down her red cheeks, eyes not wavering from his stare.
"I am here now. I need you to take deep breaths and calm down for me. Think you can do that?” he asks.
She shakes her head, holding on to the blanket around her for dear life.

 “I think you can. How about you just follow me? Deep breath in.” he instructs. Julia takes a shuddery breath in, a hiccup shaking her body. “Now out.” he says, letting his breath out slowly.
"You're doing so good, keep going."
They repeat the motion a couple more times until her tears almost stopped and she is no longer in a full blown panic. 

"Are you back with me?" He asks her once her breathing is back to normal and she is calmed down. “Yea.” she mumbles out.

"What happened?" He sits down next to her, hand still on her thigh, rubbing soothing circles into her damp leg.
"How about we get you into some dry clothes and then you can tell me everything. Sound good?" He peeks down at her, she simply nods.

She follows him to the bathroom. He lets the water run, waiting for it to heat up while he undresses her. Once he finds the temperature adequate, they step into the shower together.

Keeping an appropriate distance, he lets her stand under the hot water, hoping it would soothe her shivering muscles. He lathers shampoo into her hair, taking his time massaging her scalp, raking his fingers through to untangle the knots. He grabs the body soap and rubs it over her curves, being as gentle as he could with her, making sure she feels comfortable as he touches her.