Protected

.12.

I wake up early the next morning to make Hector is birthday breakfast which will be pancakes, sausage and his regular coffee. Holland was up and when I told what I was doing he asked if he could help so I said yes. But I'm starting to think it was a bad idea. He can't cook. Like at all. He burnt the first two pancakes so I moved him to cook the sausage but he burnt those as well so now he is brewing the coffee. Who cooked before I got here? Did them even eat or did they just order everything. I flip the last pancake then place it on top of the first two that were on a plate. Next go the two pieces of sausage. I turn to Holland just as he pours the coffee into a mug. I grab the mug before he does anything else. Hector has a very specific coffee taste and if you even try to match it you won't get it right. I put three packets of sugars and a bottle of creamer on the tray that the plate was on.

I grab the tray making sure to balance and don't spill anything while walking up up the stairs turning the corner and heading to Miles bedroom. Apparently Hector decided to take Miles bedroom instead of the guest room near my room but it's whatever. Holland trails behind me but when I get to the door he walks in front of me and opens the door. I whisper a thank you so I don't wake Hector up yet. Holland quickly slides open the curtains lightly up the room a little bit. I gently place the tray of food on the night stand then sit on the edge of the bed next to a sleeping Hector. Miles is beside him an arm over his chest and his face practically in Hectors neck.

Holland stands at the end of the bed shifting from foot to foot and I understand why. Hector is not a morning person, he can get extremely grumbly like me. Especially if he doesn't have his coffee but there are some mornings he will be in a good mood.

I shake him gently taking a quick glance at Holland who stares at Hector's unmoving form. I shake him again but this time he grumbles moving to lay on his side stubbornly keeping his eyes closed. "Hector" I whisper shaking him yet again. He grumbles again snuggling into Miles side who is also starting to stir. "Come one wake up" Hector peeks up at me and I smile. "I made breakfast with Hollands help" Hector rubs his eyes then slowly sits up with a yawn. "Happy birthday" I say with a smile. Hector smiles and gives me a hug which I happily return. I motion towards the tray with food then move so Holland can sit where I was sitting.

Hector giggles as Holland kisses him all over his face. "Happy birthday my love" I hear him murmur with a small smile. It's the first time I've ever seen Holland smile. Miles groans digging his face into his pillow. "Miles, wake your ass up" Holland grumbles as Hector grabs his coffee making it just right. I smile the walk of out the room immediately running into Christopher.

"Good morning Tristin" He greets. He is already changed and ready for the day. "Good morning" I say back. I look at his face and I realize he shaved. Like shaved shaved. No more beard it's hairless and it looks weird. I reach up to cup his cheek which he lets me do. I stare in awe at how much younger he looks. Of course he looks good with a beard but without it he looks cute. "You shaved" Christopher grabs my hand lowering it but still hanging on to my hand. "Yeah, thought it was time for a change" he said his other hand rubbing his jaw. "Feels weird though" I giggle and wrap my arms around his neck. "I'll miss it. Felt good when you kissed me" I admit softly. He leans down kissing me softly but he cuts it off stepping away from me. My arms drop as I stare at him confused. Why did he pull away?

"Did you get Hector a gift yet?" Christopher asked making the silence go away. I rub the back of my neck looking at the ground. "No, I am making him his cake. That's what I normally do and he knows that. I wasn't allowed to spend money on friends when I was with Joey so Hector has gotten use to me not getting him gifts" I mumble starting to walk past Christopher. As I walk down the steps Christopher grabs my bicep following me down. "Did he let you do anything?" He asked stopping me once on the ground floor. "Not really. I cooked and cleaned for him and when he wanted...you know...pleasure" Christopher steps in front of me looking down at me with a serious expression. "What if you didn't want to give him pleasure?" He asked next. He already knows all this why is he asking.

"I didn't have a choice. Why are you asking? You already know this" I ask him back. His hand tightens in my biceps. "No, I only knew of the first time when he actually raped you. But your telling me if you didn't want to have sex with him, he made you...again?" Why does he keep saying it was rape? Joey didn't rape me. "No...wait...yes? No! Joey didn't rape me" I stumble on my words. This is making me uncomfortable. I go to leave but Christopher had a tight grip on me. "Don't lie to me" He growled. "I'm not lying and please let go my arm is starting to hurt" I whimper tugging my arm. Christopher let's go of me and I rush off towards the patio doors that lead outside. It was still morning and it was cloudy today but I checked the weather and it said it's not going to rain.

I step outside making sure to shut the patio doors behind me. I see Sadie watering the flower beds with a small watering tin. I sit in one of the lawn chairs watching as she smells a flower then moves to the next bed. She starts humming like she always does when I hear the patio door open and close. Hector bounces over to me sitting on the same chair so I make room for him. Hector lays his head on my shoulder sighing softly but I know he is smiling. It's the moments like these that I like to keep. They are precious and I love them especially with Hector.

He knows just when I need him to make me feel better. Even if it's his birthday. "Did you enjoy your breakfast?" I ask. Hector nods snuggling closer. "Amazing as always" I smile. Sadie spins around smiling when she sees us then she walks away probably to put the watering tin away and finish her chores. "Okay this is the only time we get serious on my birthday. I didn't get to say it yesterday but Joey will not get you Tristin. No matter what, you are safe here with me, Miles, Holland and Christopher" He said looking up at me. I nod my head trying to believe him. I really want to but something in my gut tells me something bad is going to happen and I don't know if it has to do with Joey or not. I shake the feeling away then focus on Hector. "Serious moment over, now let's celebrate your birthday" I say sitting up. Hector squeals grabbing my hand and pulling me inside making me laugh.