Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 24

After we showered and changed we headed downstairs. Flynn administered my meds and I happily obliged. "Honey, are you feeling okay?" Mom asks.
I smile at her, "Oh yeah, I'm good." I slide my hand in Flynn's back pocket and hear him growl.
"I thought I heard Flynn say you were sick." Her brows pinch together. Concern edging her face.
"I was but I'm fine now. Maybe it was that manky terrine," I shrug. I only had a mouthful but it was gross. That shouldn't even be classed as a food. Whoever decided to make it a thing needs to question their career choices.
She nods but it doesn't ease her worry. Next I'll hear 'maybe I should call Alec.' I swear to god she must have a crush on him if she's always going on about him.
Something flashes in her eyes but it seems like she lets it go and I'm thankful.
We sit down at the breakfast table and Mom serves food. I help Miley get some food before I heap my plate up. Mom's worried gaze seems to dissolve once she sees me scoffing my face. See, I'm all good.
I grab Flynn's coffee but he quickly places his hands over mine and prizes my hand away and downs it. I huff, I'm sure a mouthful won't have hurt.
A phone rings and I look at Ruby who's frantically fishing her phone out of her pocket. She frowns at the screen. "Sorry, please excuse me."
She gets up from the table and leaves the room quickly. I notice Tyler following her with his eyes. Bless him, he has it bad.
I hold my tummy as I lean back in the chair. "You feeling sick again honey?" Mom asks.
"Nope, just feel stuffed." I smile at her and she returns with a heart warming smile. "I love you."
"I love you too, Honey." It seems like there's more she wants to say but she doesn't. Ruby returns to the room with red eyes. Who the fuck made her cry? Literally makes my blood boil.
Tyler takes her hand in his and she looks at him with sadness in her eyes. "What's wrong?" he says softly. She glances anxiously around the table.
"Was it Dad again? What did he say to you?" Riccardo grits out. Strangely I forgot he was even here.
"Yeah," she sighs. "He wants me back earlier than we agreed." I feel like there's more to the story but she's not saying.
Let me at him any day! I'll show him exactly what a coward screams like. My hands grip the edge of the table until my knuckles go white. "How early?" Tyler asks.
"Tomorrow," she whispers. Flynn places his hand over my left hand and I loosen my grip on the table.
Flynn lowers towards my ear and his breath tickles my skin. "Stand down, my little baddass," his voice full of amusement. I bite my lip trying to control my rage.
I don't know much about what Ruby's Dad does to her but just the knowledge he's made her cry is enough ammunition for me. I'll make it my goal to get her out of the clutches of her father.
"We were heading out the day after anyway. Why don't we all just go home then? Sound good?" he looks at us and I shrug. Getting Miley settled at home is probably the best place for her.
"No, I can't ask you all to do that." She blushes. Damn, she's cute. "Ricky will take me home, won't you?" she looks at him expectantly.
He shoves some bacon in his mouth with his fingers. "What's in it for me?" he raises his eyebrow at her. Her bottom lip trembles as if she's going to cry again.
I want to slam my fist on the table but I don't want to scare Miley. "Oi, you little weasel," I growl. His eyes flash to me in excitement. He doesn't give a shit.
"Lee, don't be rude," Mom scolds. I don't acknowledge her. I'd call him much worse if Miley wasn't on my lap.
I narrow my eyes at him. "If your sister asks something of you, then you do it," I spit out. "It's what men do, or are you a boy?"
He scowls back at me but I honestly don't care. "I'll happily show you how much of a man I am," he winks at me.
"I don't lower myself to little boys." He continues to scowl at me. "No worries though, cause we will take her. You can scurry off into whatever hole you came from."
"Lee!" Mom scolds again. I look at her and smile sweetly at her. She sighs and turns to Riccardo. "I'm so sorry about my daughter's manners."
I scoff loudly, "Manners? It should be him apologising to Ruby. But hey ho, I don't expect anything less from a boy."
He bursts into a bellowing laugh. "My daughter had a point," Dad mutters. I scan his face and there's a hint of amusement on his face too.
I lean to my right and place a sloppy kiss on Tyler's cheek. "I love you." I feel lucky to have a brother like him. He's holding Ruby's hand but he also grabs my hand with his free hand.
"I love you more, Lee Lee," he grins and then once he's satisfied that he won the argument that I wasn't having he reverts his attention back on Ruby.
We pack our bags for swimming and we're out the door. Mom and Dad drive Miley, Flynn and me. Whilst the other three go in Tyler's car. Flynn grabs Miley's car seat out of Tyler's car and puts it in Dads car.
Once it's in, he straps Miley in. I clip myself in the middle seat and cross my leg. Although it's easier being in a car, I wish I had Rosie with me. It's bringing back painful memories of the last time we went to lido.
I watch as Flynn slides in next to me. As if sensing my growing anxiety he slides his hand on my leg. He belts up with one hand making it look easy.
Mom and Dad are already in the front. Dad sets off to the lido. I start bobbing my leg.
An hour of torture later and we're at the lido. I climb over Flynn in my eagerness to get out. I put my hands on the cool car and take a few deep breaths. Flynn strokes my hair out of my face and holds it in a makeshift pony tail.
His touch is soothing, I notice Mom helping Miley out the car. Once I've regained control of my stupid body I stand up straight. Flynn slides his hand in mine and Mom carries Miley.
Flynn and Dad grabs the bags and we walk to the entrance where the others are waiting for us. We all fall in step into the building.
There's still Christmas lights around the metal beams and a tree by the door in the foyer. Dad walks to the counter. "7 adults and one child for swimming please."
The receptionist nods as she chews on her gum. She clicks away on the screen and looks up as she places the card machine in front of him. I take Miley from Mom. Miley wraps her arm around my neck.
She's getting heavy. I start walking towards the changing rooms with Flynn behind me. His burning eyes on me the whole time. I walk in to a family cubicle because I just know Flynn will be coming in.
I don't need to be in a small charged space with him. I lock the door behind us and he sets the bags on the bench. I lower Miley on the bench and I cringe when it hurts my side.
I help Miley into her swimming costume. I gently tie her hair up into a ponytail. When I turn back around Flynn's already in his shorts leaning against the wall, watching me.
Even though my ribs are better if I stretch them a certain way it still hurts. Maybe I should have demanded to go to a store and get a full piece. Everyone will look at my bruises.
I sigh and lift the top over my head. I waste no time in getting into my bikini. I look down and see the bruising. I sigh loudly, I look hideous. I start shoving our clothes in the bag and before I even process what I'm doing I shrug on Flynn's top.
I smile, that's much better. "You know you won't be allowed to wear that," Flynn smirks. I stick my tongue out at him. Does it look like I care?
I unlock the door and shove the bag in a locker. Tyler pushes his way in and shoves their bags in. He puts in a coin and passes me the key.
I roll my eyes and bend down and attach it to my ankle. I stand up and hold Miley's hand. I'm just about to go in the shower with her when a lifeguard catches my attention.
"Miss, you can't wear a T-shirt in the pool," he demands. I turn to face him and I scowl. I hear Flynn chuckling behind me.
"You don't wanna see what's under here," I warn. He doesn't seem to give two shits though. I sigh and carefully lift it over my head.
His eyes widen so much so that I think they're going to pop out is his head. "What happened?" he gasps.
I try to cover myself up with Flynn's top. "My ex attacked me." His eyes look up and down my body and gulps. "Please can I wear it?" I plead with my puppy dog eyes.
"I'm sorry, it's policy, you can't wear it," he scratches the back of his head feeling awkward. Flynn stands in front of me, obviously getting annoyed with him staring at my body.
He grabs his top and then bends down and grabs the key. He stands back up and strokes my cheek. "Just get in the water, no one will see." I nod and walk Miley under the shower.
I shiver when it beads on my skin. I notice the rest of them waiting for us. "What was that about?" Dad asks when we reach them.
"Idiot wouldn't let me wear a top to cover my bruises. Then Flynn got bored of him staring at me," I shrug. Dad's eyes glare at the lifeguard. I walk towards the rapids and Miley starts resisting me.
I bend down to pick her up and she clings to me. "I've got you baby," I reassure her. I step into the water and wade in. She's clinging so tight it's hurting my bruised neck.
I'm chest deep when I let myself drift. It takes a good few minutes for Miley to calm down and loosen her grip. I teach her how to float in water by the time I feel a burning body on my back. I flinch slightly but he doesn't say anything.
We head into an off section which has Lilly pads in. Flynn lifts Miley up and helps her on one. She wobbles but she's grinning from ear to ear. Flynn's close with his hands out incase she falls.
She leaps to the next one and starts laughing. I lean against the wall and watch them both. It's moments like this that I love. Watching Flynn with his sister. He'd make a good dad and I can't give that to him.
A hand is placed on my shoulder and I jump. I look to see Dad grinning at me. Mom is with Flynn and Miley. "You know? I'm in awe seeing you all together. I'm so proud of you and feel so blessed."
"Me too," I agree. "Watching them playing like this—. No words can describe what I feel. Thank you for finding her and getting her out of there." I hug his waist and he embraces me. "I just wish I could give Flynn more."
I feel him looking down at me but I keep watching my two favourite people. "More?"
"Kids. We may not be together but it doesn't seem to matter. He's my soulmate. I can never give him his own kids. Does that mean I'll have to sacrifice what we have to let him have that?"
"Sweetheart. Flynn loves you so much. There are options. Adoption, surrogacy or trying IVF. I'll pay for anything your heart desires. You don't have to think about kids yet." I know but I feel like I couldn't drag this out if I needed to leave Flynn so he could have his own kids.
I look at at him for a moment but then look back at them playing. "I know I can't have kids, Daddy. It hurts so much. It's all I want, to feel a baby growing in my tummy. To have Flynn's baby."
I hold my belly, the baby I lost without even knowing they were in there. "Just say the word baby girl and I'll get you an appointment with the best gynaecologist in the country."
My womb is just too damaged to carry a baby. I love him so much for it but I know I'll never carry a baby. And it will only break me more if I miscarried. "Thank you," I say so I don't sound ungrateful.
He's right though, I'm not ready for more kids. I wasn't really prepared for Miley. I'm still at uni and have a two bedroom apartment. A part time job is not going to support us all.
We take Miley on some rides that she's allowed on. She was scared at first but then couldn't get enough of them. Her eyes were literally drooping so we decided to leave.
Tyler said he was starving so we are in the little cafe. Miley has fallen asleep on me after she ate her food. I'm sipping on a smoothie as she sleeps.
"Shall we go?" Mom asks. I nod and stand up. I walk to Flynn and he frowns.
"Can you carry her please?" I ask and gently transfer her into his arms. She's stirs and mumbles my name but she doesn't wake. We head to the car and I end up snoozing in the car.