Chapter 31 - This place is the same as it ever was

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August 5th 2020

- Karlie -

We sat through an hour of questioning as Lilah told the police everything and answered all of their questions. She was incredibly brave as she told them about the weeks of abuse she suffered at the hands of her aunt's boyfriend and how they would drink and argue and she would try to stay out of the way, but it wasn't so simple when Ronnie would go to work and leave her with him. She told them that he would take drugs and on the day she ran, he tried to get her to take them too, but she said no and he got angry and hit her - so when he passed out, she gathered what she could and then made sure she had enough money for a bus ticket. It broke our hearts to hear what she'd been through, but it hurt worse when she admitted that she was terrified to come back to us because she thought we'd be mad at her for leaving her aunt's.

The police took the evidence of Lilah's injuries gathered by the nurses and ensured us that they were going to do everything in their power to prosecute. Then Taylor went away with Ms Murray to discuss what will happen once Lilah is discharged later on this morning.

"Will they send me to another home?" Lilah looks up to me as I hug her, the teen has been a little clingy but after what she's been through we aren't surprised. "I hope not, Li," I sigh as I soothe my fingers through her hair, "Taylor will work it out, she always does, I promise." I have every faith in the fact that my wife is lecturing the social worker on how they didn't vet Ronnie properly and Lilah's been through enough without having to adjust to a whole new family dynamic. There's nowhere better for her right now than with us.

The teen stays curled into my side as I grab my phone to text Selena and check on the little ones. "You guys got married?" Lilah notices my lockscreen and I smile as I nod, "yeah, we got married in New York a few days ago," she cracks a small smile as I show her a few pictures, "it's about time," I laugh as she looks up to me - Taylor told her our whole story.

"Ro kept asking for you, she misses you," I find a picture of the two kids and I peek down to Lilah as she smiles sadly, "I miss her too." She was alone for so long and then when she came to us she was part of our family, she never should've left.

The door opens and we both look up as Taylor comes back in. She's still dressed in the sweats and hoodie she was in yesterday and she looks exhausted, but there's so much determination and power in her eyes. "How are we doing?" She sits by our feet and Lilah gives her a soft smile as she nods, "I'm okay," I rub her arm as I kiss her temple, she's been so incredibly strong through all of this.

"What did the social worker say?" Lilah looks to Taylor and the blonde gives her a comforting smile, "you're coming home, Li, we've got you," they both tear up and Taylor gets up to move to the other side of the teen so she's sandwiched between us, "we've got you, Lilah," Taylor takes my hand as we both hug the girl, she's safe now.

- Taylor -

Lilah was given the all clear and perscribed lots of rest and calm - which might not be easy to come by at home, but at least she'll be home.

"Ready?" The teen is cuddled into me in the back of the car and she nods as Karlie parks in the driveway. "The kids should hopefully be asleep still, so we can all get a little sleep too," Karlie chuckles in the front seat as she sighs and I nod, kissing Li's forehead before we all unbuckle and get out.

We stay quiet as we go inside, "do you want water or a snack or something?" I look to Lilah as she looks around, it's only been a few weeks but home feels foreign to her. "Just sleep," she gives me a tired smile in return and I nod, "I'll go and make your bed." I kiss Karlie and then let go of Lilah to go upstairs, grabbing sheets from the linen closet as I pass it.

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