Broken but not shattered

Chapter 12

Reece's POV

As I walked up the stairs, I felt my nerves getting the better of me. What if she looks at me and sees my father? What if I am my father? He was the person who raised me. What if I am more like him than I thought? I physically shake my head. This isn't about me; I need to be here for Siobhan right now.

"Hey, Siobhan, can I come in? I have your lunch." I knocked and waited for a response but got none. I tried knocking once more, but still nothing. I slowly opened the door, peeking my head in, to find Siobhan sleeping fitfully. I didn't want to startle her, but I could tell she was having a nightmare. So, as quietly as I could, I walked to the side of the bed she was sleeping on and kneeled on the floor. I hoped when I woke her up, it would be less intimidating. Never touching her, I didn't know what would trigger her. I gently said, "Siobhan," but she remains asleep, and I can tell her dream is worsening.

"Siobhan, wake up. You are having a nightmare." Still nothing, so I gently put my hand on her shoulder, shook her slightly, and tried once more "Siobhan". That did it. She shot up like a rocket, and I could see the panic in her eyes staring at me.

"Siobhan, hey, it's just me, Reece. You're safe," I tried to comfort her, but I didn't know what to do to help her. She and I have never had a good relationship. This is a job for Marjorie or Vivian. As much as I want to help her and show her that not all Knight men are monsters, this has to be about her and not me. Slowly, I get up from my kneeled position on the floor and say, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come. I'll go get Marjorie." I head for the door but am stopped in my tracks when I hear her say, "No, don't go. I was just startled, that's all."

"Are you sure? I can leave if I make you uncomfortable; it won't hurt my feelings. I just want you to feel safe." I said, hoping to show her she has a choice, cause I'm sure my father ripped that away from her.

She looked at me with a confused expression and asked, "Why would you make me feel uncomfortable or unsafe?" This took me back. I was sure she would yell at me to get out, but she seemed ok with me here.

"I don't know. I thought- I thought if you saw me, you would see my father. Another version of the man that has caused you nothing but pain." I said, looking down at my hands.

"Reece, I'm not going to sit here and say we had a close relationship or even a good relationship, but I never saw you as another version of him. If anything, you are who you are despite your father. You are nothing like him, and after what you and Autumn did the other night I don't think there are two people I feel safer with right now." she paused "No to mention that out of the four people that know you and Autumn are the only ones that truly know what it's like to live with him. You two are the only ones other than maybe Mia that when you look at me, you don't see him and what he's done; you see me. I also know you won't look at me like I'm broken. So no, you don't make me feel uncomfortable. You make me feel like I could actually survive him." She finishes

"I don't even know what to say to that. I have always thought when people looked at me they saw my father, till Marjorie at least. So thank you, Siobhan." I said, looking into her eyes.

"Reece, I can assure you. No one sees your dad when they look at you, and anyone who knows your dad knows you are a better man than he could ever be. And anyone lucky to know you knows you try your hardest to make up for what your father has done." She says with a very small smile.

"Thank you, Siobhan, anyway enough about me. I brought you your lunch." I said, realizing we got very off-topic.

"I thought Marjorie was bringing it up?" Siobhan questions

"She was, but she thought I was a better person for the job. I'm not really sure why, and she did not explain, but I did hear her say something as I was walking up the stairs."