Picture Perfect

Chapter 16: Finally Standing Up For Herself

          "Where are you going?" Deagan's mom asks as she sees Troy carrying their bags down.

          "We're going to go home."

          "Deagan, you've been here for two days. We haven't seen you in years, and that's all we get because your boyfriend's ego got hurt?"

          "I have a lot of work to do back home," Deagan says softly, afraid Troy will say something.

          Looking from Troy back to Deagan, "Honey I was always so proud of you that you used to stand up for yourself and what you believed in, but now I don't know what happened, do what you want," her mother says not caring if Troy says anything.

          Rolling his eyes, Deagan hearing Troy mutter, "Bitch."

          "What did you just say?" Deagan asks Troy.

          "What? It's true."

          "You know what? You can catch a plane back to Los Angeles. I'll leave when I want to leave."

          "Really? So that's how it's gonna be?" Troy asks, giving her a look.

          "Yeah, that's how it's going to be. Don't talk about my family and don't call my mom a bitch. Take your ass on that plane and go home. Calm down, and then you call me when you feel like apologizing."

          With that, Troy turns and walks out, leaving Deagan standing there, her mother standing behind her.

          "I knew you were in there somewhere," her mother smiles at Deagan, really proud of her daughter for standing up for herself and her family.

          Hugging her mom as it has been a very long time since she has fully embraced her mom in a tight hug. "I'm sorry."

           "Thank you, but I don't think I'm the only one you owe an apology too," she hugs her back, Deagan nodding her head knowing Chase, her sister and her brother all need apologies.

           "Go get some rest for now. You can do that in the morning," kissing her daughter's forehead.

          "I have to tell you something first," Deagan chimes.

          "Yes, what is it?"

          Taking her mom's hand, she escorts herself and her mom upstairs. Once inside the bedroom, she digs through her suitcase till she pulls out a Victoria's Secret catalog and handing it to her mom, sitting down beside her on the edge of the bed.

          "Deagan honey, you told me you wouldn't get into this type of thing."

          "Page six," is all Deagan says crossing her arms, knowing her mom would flip out if she saw the CD she showed Troy. Deagan watches as her mother flips to the page, scanning it seeing her daughter on the page along with another model, modeling the lingerie sets.

          "Well," her mom starts, "it looks nice, but maybe we shouldn't show your dad, and maybe you should take some time away from LA for a while."

          "How about this," Deagan says, relieved with her mom's reaction, "I do have a shoot that I have to fly back for but how about I come back for a couple of weeks after I complete it?"

          "Okay, that sounds like a great idea."

           "I'm sorry still. For not coming home sooner," Deagan says again, wrapping her arms around her mom again.

          "I know baby, you've just missed so much."

          Deagan finally gets settled into the bed about an hour later, nobody knowing except her mom that she sent Troy back to LA.