You Never Know (Random Updates)

Chapter 39

Gabe inhaled sharply. Movement behind the little boy caught his attention but he refused to focus on Luke standing in the doorway with his mouth wide open and kept his eyes on the child. "What do you mean?"

"She scare you be mean her and me. No want go you home but Hi Hi nice give secon chances. Hi hi fink you maked missakes but scare," He crossed his tiny arms over his chest. "No be mean Hi Hi no more."

Gabe's eyes watered at the realization of how far they had gone to hurt this poor woman. She was innocent and they allowed themselves to be deceived. "I promise we will never be mean to her again," Gabe whispered as he blinked back his tears. He cleared his throat, "and we will apologize to her also. We want to be friends with her."

"And you," Luke whispered as he walked over to them. "We were told mean lies about Hi Hi and we are very sorry for believing them. We would like to try and make things right."

Liam looked at him then nodded, "Me beweeve you. You nice me."

"Thank you," Gabe murmured. He had to admit to himself he was a little jarred that this small child had such power over him.

"Come on, Little Dude," Luke smiled as he held out his hand. "How about we go get a snack and wrap the present you got Hi Hi before she wakes?"

"Otay," Liam beamed as he slid off the bed. He slipped his small hand into Luke's hold and followed him out of the room.

"I'm so fucking sorry, Bunny," Gabe whispered as he let a tear drop onto her hair. "So fucking sorry. I'll make it up to you, I fucking swear it."

A cute mewling noise left her lips as she pressed into him for a second before relaxing into his hold again, making him smile at her cuteness. He started rubbing her back again, cherishing the sigh of happiness that came from her. He swore he would do anything to make her feel safe and happy with them every single day.

"It's time to wake up, Bunny," a warm voice broke through Heidi's sleep, making her pout. A chuckle surrounded her. "I'm sorry but if you're going to sleep tonight, you need to wake up. I have a yummy snack for you."

"No," she pouted as she rubbed her face against the soft fabric she was sleeping so comfy on. "Five more minutes, Lee Lee, then we play."

"Try again, Bunny," the voice said as a heavy hand started moving her hair off her neck. She tensed as her brain finally woke enough to register she wasn't laying on her pillow or in her bed. "It's okay, you're safe. Liam is eating a snack with the rest of the family. He's safe, you're safe."

"Coleman," she whispered as she spotted the orange hoodie draped over the back of a gaming chair. Only one person was able to pull off the color orange.

"Gabe," he corrected. He really wanted to say something else but he knew now wasn't the right time. He would have to gain her trust before he brought that up. The door creaked open, making her tense even more. "Shhh, you're okay," Gabe murmured as he saw Sean walk in. "It's just Doc, you know Doc."

"Hey sorry, but it's time to replace her bandages. I need to check and make sure there's no infection," he whispered. "Plus it's time for some more pain relief medicine."

"M fine," she murmured as she slowly sat up.

"Hey," Gabe said as he held her face in his hands, "please let Doc check, Heidi, I don't want you to get sick because of that asshole. How about we make a deal? You let Doc check your wounds and I'll make Luke make you another rainbow yummy. How does that sound?"

She nibbled on her bottom lip as her mind battled itself before she nodded, making Gabe beam with happiness. "Great," he smiled. "Be a good girl and go potty and I'll go tell Luke." He moved her off his lap then held her hands as she slid off the bed and stood. "I'll be right back." He forced himself not to kiss her cheek before turning to leave the room.

She cleared her throat nervously as she walked past Sean to her bathroom and shut the door behind her. Confusion filled her as she did what she needed then started washing her hands. She turned to dry her hands then froze. There on the floor was her purse. It would be so easy to...it would make things so much easier if she...

"Heidi?" A voice asked with concern as a knock hit the door. "You okay?"

Sean took a step back as he heard the water turn off and a moment later the door open. "Yes," Heidi murmured as she pulled the ends of her sweater sleeves over her hands and grasped them tightly. He watched as her eyes darted around the room as if to make sure she was actually in her own room.

"I'm going to turn on the light so I can look at those scratches better, okay?" Sean asked as he backed away from her. He forced himself not to react at the relief that filled her eyes as the space between them increased. He waited until she closed her eyes before flipping the switch, filling the room with light instead of just having the soft glow from her desk lamp. She opened her eyes and bit her bottom lip as she watched him watch her. Sean smiled gently, "Let's get this check up over with so you can go be with Liam in the common room. I'm pretty sure Luke is sneaking him more snacks as we speak."