Danika

42

'its late but I stated I would go' Danika walked out of her villa and down to the sand. 'there he is. Thankfully its warm. He's really not ugly. I'm surprised he's single. But being with someone scares the shit out of me. I know April wants me to find something. I just don't know if I'm capable' Edison turned his head to look at Danika with his brown eyes. "Danika.. I wasn't sure if you were still coming" "the night ended a little later than expected. It's good they get along" "he didn't die. That's good" Danika grinned 'shes beautiful' "I hear you have asked about me" "guilty. You have been coming here for years. We spoke a few times but I really haven't had the chance to get to know you" "there's a lot really" "you come across very.. distant. There must be a lot of reasons" "and yet you always approach" "a sucker for punishment maybe. My life has been here. Grew up here, now teach kids at the very same school I attended. It's not a bad thing. Generations continue to stay" "it's a very beautiful island. I can see why no one wants to leave. No siblings?" "No. My parents are still here but don't venture out much these days. You?" "My father is back in America. My brother died in a car accident and my mother was murdered" "shit.. I'm sorry for your loses. I can't imagine how hard that must be. All of this leads you to being closed off?" "There has been a lot over the years" "feel like sharing?" Danika shrugged "I grew up with my mother and brother. My father was never home. He stated it's his career. I went to school like always and when I was home, Damon and I helped my mother. As time went on things never changed. I spent every second weekend at my opas and omas" "German?" "Yes. One night, my opa received a call stating my mother was murdered in our home. From there it was just Damon and I. Dad just continued to work. Six months after mom's murder, Damon got in a car with my father's men and ended up dead. They were all blind drunk. Being a boss, my father should never have allowed it but he did. Then it was just me. I repeated year twelve just to avoid working with my father and trained with the SF to protect myself. After school, they tried to force me to be part of the Hart's.." "I have heard of them. Not good men" "no. That's my former last name. Danika Hart. But I didn't want to be known as a hart. I have one. They didnt care. They brought April in as bait.." "no" Danika nodded "I got her out. She was bruised and the men that did it are dead" "from you?" Danika nodded "yeah.. it wasnt long after that, they had drugged my drink one night with a sedative. I woke up to being tied on the chair. Thankfully I had someone I knew in there that put knives up my sleeves and my signal watch on my wrist. I called for help silently, cut the ropes and killed the man who bruised April. Fought my father and got away to the other side. It was then that I found out they had cut me sixteen times, had their brand tattooed on me, they drugged me and one man tried to take advantage of me but he was stopped. My tattoos cover all of those scars. I continued to fight. I got Teresa and April to safety. They tried again the day I received my captaincy. Thanks to the SF for their help. It could've been a lot worse. But we walked out. One was shot but not dead. The others all died that day. I said goodbye to the SF and lived my life. I heard my father stopped hart but it doesn't make up for what he did. The SF have had contact with me but I don't know how to be in their company anymore. All of my life I have been alone. I swore to myself I wouldn't get married and have kids.." "due to your past?" "Yeah. I wouldn't know how to handle it losing another when it's not supposed to be their time. I protect April with everything I have in me. Shes witnessed enough. I'm not proud of killing those men but also relieved that they aren't a threat to me anymore" "if I had the guts, I'd do the same" Danika looked at Edison "nah.. softy" Edison laughed 'yep' "April?" "Ugh" "something I can do for you?. You are shit at sneaking up on me" April grinned as she walked to stand in front of Danika "no one can. Mom and dad are asleep" "and you are being a rebel sneaking out" "I'm allowed. I'm not allowed to go swimming on my own at night though" "good. Things can go wrong. I was explaining to Edison about our past" "still to this day I worry" Danika nodded "they'd want to have some balls coming here without a weapon" "you have them" "of course I have them. They are to protect you. You know where they are" "dad told me xavion stopped hart. Do you believe it?" "Honestly? I don't know. It could be a plan but then again, it could be that he has come to realise I'm never taking spot" "you were never going to. You have your life set out. What do you think about Noah?" Danika and Edison grinned 'she trusts danikas word' "you chose right, April. You two have always been close with many things. He's a good kid. It can stay that way" April chuckled "you'd have to wait until hes eighteen" "I told him I'm against him" "what? Why?" Edison's eyes widened "because your mom and dad aren't. He's going to receive noogies every now and then" "my goodness Danika. Don't scare me like that" Edison and Danika laughed "you said you can't swim alone?" "No" "and what if I join?" "YES. I will be back" Edison grinned as April ran off "I don't know. You would be great with kids" "feel like drowning tonight?" "Not really but a swim sounds great. Not a fan of changing nappies?" "Can I dunk the child in the sea to wash its rear?" Edison broke out in laughter as Danika removed her clothes. "wow" "the water is great" Edison grinned "what about promise rings?" "What's the promise? To always be fed and never thirsty?" "I agree with that. I want one" Danika laughed as she ran into the water followed by Edison. "Every three weeks you come here right?" "Four but stay for a week. Technically I could do two but I like experiencing things too and I need a spa day once every three months" "need?" "It's important" "to be relaxed?" "I wouldn't call it relaxing" "oh. OH" Danika grinned "I like natural women but not that natural" "so what about past men?" Danikas eyes widened "you haven't experienced that have you?" "No. I don't see it as a bad thing" "I agree. My guess is you are.. twenty five" "eight... Nine" "when?" "TODAY. DANIKA" "it's your twenty ninth today?" "Nearly over but it's been a good day" "that's not celebrating. It's a shame you aren't twenty eight today" "why?" "We could have my eighteenth and your thirtieth together" "you can't always.." "yes I can" Danika showed a gentle grin "either way, I will be celebrating with you" "I really need to thank you" "no.." "just shut up and listen" Edison grinned while putting his hand on danikas lower back. "You have done so much for me. Mom's right, you have been a parent to me. Even when dad turned his back for those men, you were there. You saved me from their cruel hands, helped mom and I find our peace. You have been here for every birthday, Christmas morning. You have let me be open with you without worry. Even though they are my parents, it's not them that I turn to. You have never judged me even when I was failing. You only picked me up and helped me move forward. You have always been family to me. I know you don't throw that word around but you did call me family. Your family. At the clinic.. faithful, Auspicious, meaning, impact, loving, yeomanly. They stand for family" Danika showed a gentle grin "you are only pushing.." April chuckled "well?" "Fine.. I do love you" "YES. I GOT IT" Edison and Danika laughed "I love you too by the way" "really?" April splashed water at Danika. 'those words.. I love that'.