Family. (DNF angst)

Chapter 27: Accept.

Last chapter✌️

♡George pov♡

"I wanna go home." I groaned, laying against Clay.

He wrapped his uninjured arm around me. He kissed my cheek.

"I know, love. I do, too." He agreed.

"I miss my baby." I mumbled.

He gave me a soft smile.

"I miss my baby too." He replied.

I smiled.

He really does see her as a daughter. I think it's so sweet.

"You know, while you were gone, she slept in my room almost every night. She said she was scared of Tony coming to get her, too. The circumstances were sad, but I was happy she found comfort in me." He told me.

I smiled at this.

"Every night she clung to me and told me she loved me before she fell asleep. I always said it back, of course. It was so sweet. I'm so glad she's accepted me as a second father. She's a bright kid." He told me.

I hugged him, and he returned it.

"I love you." I stated.

He gently kissed my neck.

"I love you too." He replied.

We stayed embraced in each other's arms, talking quietly and exchanging "I love you's" and kisses on each other's cheeks.

"Is there a reason you haven't kissed me on the lips?" He asked softly.

I nodded. We were both sitting up, facing each other. One of my legs was on his lap, and the other was next to him. He gently rested his hand on my thigh, rubbing his thumb against it.

"I want to know, but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He said.

I nodded and looked down, fidgeting with my sleeves.

"He kissed me on the lips when he took advantage of me." I admitted.

I shifted uncomfortably.

This is the first time I've verbally accepted that it wasn't sex. He raped me, and I had to accept that. I can't change the fact that it happened. I know it wasn't love. Tony didn't love me.

"Hey, I'm proud of you, George." He said softly.

I looked him in the eyes.

"For what?" I asked.

I don't think I did anything worthy of him being proud of me.

"For accepting what really happened. This is the first time you've actually said he took advantage of you. You said it in a way that you understand it was wrong. You didn't say "when we had sex," this time." He explained.

His hands moved to my hips, pulling me closer to him before his hand moved back to my thigh.

"I know it's wrong now, and I know he didn't love me. It feels good not to be in denial anymore. I didn't want to believe I wasted two years of my life on a man who didn't love me. Plus, he manipulated me into believing that's what it was. Now that I'm with you, it made me realize this is what love actually is. Love isn't being belittled, beaten, or raped. It's being complimented, touched gently, a soft voice telling me good morning, gentle kisses, and someone who loves my baby as if she was his own." I ranted.

He smiled wider than I've ever seen him smile.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me, Clay. I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. You're truly such an amazing man. You make me feel a way I've never felt before, and I love it. I love you." I said.