{Trigger warning: This story deals with a lot of serious topics and situations. Heavy detail is included. Ranges from sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse of psychical and emotional, self harm, and suicide. Read with caution, this is your only w...
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Andy walks out of her bedroom. Her firefighter uniform gone. She got all the smoke off. Her mind was a running. It felt like a rollercoaster. Swirling around. Going up and down. It was a lot.
When she walks out though she glances into Y/n's room. Her door open, but she was lying in bed clenching to the stuffed teddy bear she's had all her life. Andy tilts her head to the side. The tears coming back all too quickly, but she reframes from going in the room. Instead, she walks away and out to the living room where Ryan's setting down two cups on the coffee table. Andy tilts her head and walks over.
"I made tea," Ryan says gently, setting it down then sitting down himself on the couch. Andy stays quiet and sits beside Ryan but keeps a gap between them.
The two stay quiet. Andy cups her hands together staring at the cup of tea. Her brown eyes focusing on one thing as she lets her thoughts take over her mind. Ryan reaches forward taking a hold of the mug in front of him and brings it to his lips taking a sip. Then another and another before placing the tea back down.
"She didn't mean what she said Andy," Ryan starts. "You have to know-"
"I just don't understand why," Andy cuts the man off. Her eyes staying focused on the mug. "I... I've given that girl everything."
"Maybe... That's the problem," Ryan suggests gently. Andy's head turns swiftly. Her eyebrows narrow and she glares at the man. Ryan hurriedly puts his hands up in defense. The two keeping their voice lowered knowing their daughter in the next room could possibly be listening.
"Excuse me?" Andy speaks through her teeth in a hushed forced whisper.
"I don't mean in a bad way. I mean in the way-" Ryan pauses, putting his hands down and readjusting in his seat. "Have you attempted to make some form of structure for her? From what you've told me she grew up in homes without structure, without stability."
"I know but I can't... I don't want to trigger anything."
"Andy, she wants you to take over. To step up," Ryan says easily still their voices low. "The look on her face in that hospital when I showed up and the first thing out of her mouth was 'where's Andy' I knew that there's something going on. She needs you, Andy. You can't play the friend anymore."
"I-" Andy stops, gathering her thoughts. She moves in her seat letting her head move. Her eyes trailing over to the hall to where the bedrooms sit. "I don't know how to be a mother Ryan. Not when I haven't been in this girl's life since birth... I've failed her. I can't even protect her. From other people or from herself. I can't...I can't do this. Why did I think I could do this? My father was right..."
"Hey, hey, hey," Ryan says, moving in his seat. His full body turning to face the woman. "You can do this. You've been doing it since you saved her."
