Fight For Her (Devil's Right Hand MC #2)

Chapter 29

Hey Babes! I finished finals and I am officially entering my last year of Grad School!! I'm hoping to get this book wrapped up this week so stay tuned! This is just a short little chapter, but I promise it will amp up form here. Also, please don't hate me too much after this hehehehe. Love you all!

Brenna's POV

When Hazel was learning to walk, I lived in a constant state of anxiety and worry. She was so small for her age, yet determined to try and move her little legs like all of the other babies at her daycare. For almost a month, she would pull herself up, take half a step, and fall on her bottom. Every time she fell, she would cry, but not from the pain, from the failure. I don't know the science of this kind of thing, but she inherited my stubbornness and determination.  That determination led to seven falls in the course of two months. It seemed like every time I answered my phone a person was on the other line telling me that my toddler fell and bumped some part of her body. Of course, walking is a necessary skill for her to master, so I knew that the only way to handle the fear and unsteadiness was to ride it out.

This was my introduction to riding something out that could hurt my child. Every sharp corner or throw rug looked like a weapon of mass destruction in my eyes, but I knew I couldn't do anything about it. I knew I had to just support her and hope for the best. Just like I have to do now.

It is Hazel's third visit with Joey today, and I wish I could say it was getting easier, but it's not. She is throwing temper tantrums before the visits and I feel like I'm suffocating the entire eight hours she is gone. Being at the clubhouse helps distract me, but it's not enough. Nothing can distract me from the fear bubbling just below the surface.

"Morning, Babe," Kade smiles as he walks into the kitchen where Hazel and I are eating breakfast.

"Pancakes are in the microwave," I reply as Hazel jumps down to hug him.

"Don't -orget bout me!" Hazel yells as she pulls on his pant leg.

"Forget about you? Never!" Kade laughs as he bends down and hugs her, which soon turns into a tickle fight. Every time they interact, I can't help the huge grin that appears on my face. I fell in love with Kade long before he even met Hazel, but seeing the two of them together makes me fall a little harder every day.

"We go to the swings today?" Hazel asks she as continues eating her pancake.

"No, baby, remember, today is the day you have to go see Karen and Joey," I reply as I wait for the meltdown. At the last visitation, she threw a tantrum the entire way to the clubhouse and Grace said that it took two police officers and Karen to peel Hazel off of her.

No kid, especially my kid, should have to go through this, but we don't have a choice.

"I don't wanna," Hazel pouts as she throws her pancake down on the floor.

Great, now she's acting out. This is benefitting her so much.

"Didn't you say that Karen made you pizza last time? That's your favorite!" Kade tries to encourage her as we shoot each other looks of uncertainty.

"I don't like it there," she argues as she crosses her arms over her chest. Yep, she's definitely my daughter.

"Why don't you like it there, Munchkin?" I ask.

"Karen doesn't let me play outside or draw with markers, or even play with play dough!" Hazel pouts as I release a breath I didn't know I was holding in. Karen being strict is something we can handle. It is much better than the alternative.

"Well, what do you do?" Kade asks.

"We just watch TV and sometimes we play dolls, but it's really boring," Hazel replies.