Logan

124. Safe

*Ripley's POV*

Natalie was in my house. In my house, somewhere she should feel at home, in a place where she should feel secure. It took me everything not to drive to wherever Craig Koughlin lived and punch him to a bloody pulp. Yet as I sat in my room, I cried. I really thought I was doing something righteous by letting her stay with her mother and Craig, I regret that now. I can't help but feel as if she's had to endure worse by her father than just the occasional jab at her weight, or how she looks.

"Hey, what if-" I looked over to see she'd slumped over on my shoulder and was sleeping. I breathed a sigh of relief to see her look so content. I sat for a while, but I knew she shouldn't be sleeping with her neck like that so I sat up and laid her on the couch.

I thought maybe I should let her sleep there, or I should put her in the bedroom I made for her? No, too soon, I shook my head and went into the guest bedroom, and pulled back the blankets and sheet. I hope she doesn't wake up when I try to lift her. She must have been exhausted, because when I accidentally bumped her leg on the door she didn't even flinch. I set her down easy, and tucked her in. I had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, something bitter like regret or resentment. It went away the moment I looked up at her, peacefully sleeping. Her pulse was steady, breathing well, and I didn't see her face twitch.

The shrill sound of my phone in the kitchen broke through my thoughts. I shut off the lamp as quick as I could and managed to close the door without slamming it on accident. When I finally got to the phone it stopped. I looked at the number, it was local-

It started ringing again, and I answered without hesitation, "Hello, this is-"

"Captain Ripley! Uh, I need help. I know I should call the police but she hasn't been missing for 24 hours and I-" his breath came in gasps, "I-don't-know-what-to-do," it was Alex. I knew it was him from the sound of his articulation, Betty did the same thing. "She went to the mall and there was blood on my car, and I couldn't find her. I texted her but then she-she stopped answering."

"Alex, listen to me. I want you to take a deep breath, okay? Through your nose, then exhale through your mouth," I talked him through the breathing and then after a few moments, I spoke to him, "She's here right now, with me."

"She's there?" I heard Alex crying, "I should come get her."

I shook my head, "Alex, kid, she's okay, she fell asleep a little while ago. I'm recommending she sleep it off here, she's in my guest bedroom."

"I don't know, that's a lot to ask from you," he sighed, sniffles in the background.

"It's not a problem at all. Oh, you'll be glad to know I got her to eat something."

"Really?" I listened to him as he then told me about the funeral arrangements for Logan, and eventually his voice calmed. "I'm so relieved you were able to get her to finally eat. I was worried I would have to take her to the hospital."

I cringed, "She's just sad, and scared. Everyone works through their grief in different ways."

"Okay," he sniffled, "Uh, so I'll see her tomorrow then."

I nodded, "Tomorrow."

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*Natalie's POV*

I felt the callus on his fingertips as Logan's hands glided down my leg. I looked into his eyes, the tendrils of his hair curling around his face. He was inside me, the other hand on my neck, tilting it back to make eye contact.