Shattered Perfection

Nineteen

Vivian stepped into the kitchen and rubbed her tired eyes. Winter was sat at the table, his chin in his hands and deep in thought. 'Where's Autumn?' Vivian asked.

Winter looked up, 'oh hello,' he said, 'Autumn is in the gym beating the punchbag and pretending it's her father. How's Siobhan?'

'Asleep, exhausted and in pain.' Viv answered.

'A difficult day.' He mused. She nodded.

'Can I help with dinner?' Viv offered.

'Of course, let's get cracking.' He'd decided they all needed comfort food so was making beef stew with red wine and dumplings. They got to cutting up veg and browning meat. Once it was in the oven, they cleared up and sat in the living room.

Winter cleared his throat, 'was it as difficult for you as it was for me to hear what they endured?'

'Heart breaking.' Replied Viv rubbing her hand over her eyes tiredly. 'Did you see Reece and Mia?'

'Yes, they're angry. Angrier than I've ever seen them and determined to see dear Papa behind bars.' Autumn came in after her workout and freshly showered. She sat next to Winter who lifted his arm for her to snuggle under.

'Alright my love?' he asked.

'Better,' she answered simply.

The peace was shattered by screaming from upstairs, 'Siobhan.' Viv said as she leapt up and raced up the stairs taking them two at a time, followed closely by Winter and Autumn. She burst through the door to see Siobhan in full panic attack, her eyes wide staring at something they couldn't see, her hair was plastered to her head with sweat and her hands were clawing at her throat. She had stopped screaming by this point, her mouth open and her breathing coming in gasps like she couldn't get enough air in. Viv approached her carefully.

'Bon bon, it's me. You're safe and sound at Autumn and Winter's house. There is no one here to do you any harm. You're safe. Breathe Siobhan, breathe.' Her voice was low and gentle as she tried to reach Siobhan in her panicked state. She gently placed her hands on Siobhan's hands to stop them from scratching her neck any more than they already had. Siobhan jerked violently at the touch but Viv kept her hands there, her thumbs rubbing gently. 'My love, slow your breathing down like mine.' Viv continued. She looked over her shoulder at the pair in the doorway, 'it's ok, I've got her.' Winter nodded.

'If you need anything, call out.' He put his arm around a shocked looking Autumn and they returned downstairs.

Siobhan's eyes were still glassy and staring over Viv's shoulder. Viv pressed a hand to Siobhan's chest, holding her other to her own chest. 'Breathe with me my love, I am here, you are safe.' She kept up the quiet litany, hoping that Siobhan would hear and it would help. Eventually, Siobhan's breathing slowed and her muscles unclenched. Her head dropped onto Viv's shoulder, exhausted. 'Well done my darling,' Viv continued stroking the back of Siobhan's head.

Finally, Siobhan started thinking more coherently. She had been dreaming of Roger assaulting and choking her. She had woken to find she couldn't breathe, the bedclothes had wrapped themselves around her flailing legs pinning her down. This had made the panic worse. Viv helped her untangle the sheets. 'I'm sorry,' she whispered. Viv almost didn't hear her.

'There is nothing to be sorry for. Of course, talking about it today will have brought up some memories. It's totally understandable.' Vivian continued to hold her hand. She put her other hand around her shoulder and rubbed her back. Siobhan's top was damp from sweat. 'Bon bon, do you want to have a shower? It might help relax you some more.' Siobhan nodded into Viv's neck where she had buried her face. She was breathing slowly in and out, Viv's scent helping to calm her. Viv helped her to stand, Siobhan's legs were shaking and her back ached. They made their way slowly into the bathroom.

'Let me have a look at your neck, Bon, you were scratching at it pretty hard.' Viv said. Siobhan sat on the bathroom counter while Viv washed her hands and collected some cotton wool and antiseptic. She looked at the long red scratches which were beaded with blood. She ran the cotton wool soaked in the antiseptic across some of worse scratches. Siobhan hissed in pain. 'Sorry my love' whispered Vivian. She noticed that Siobhan would not meet her eyes, looking anywhere else but at her. She stopped and put her fingers under Siobhan's chin and lifted slightly. 'What is going on in that beautiful head of yours?' She asked. A faint blush rose in Siobhan's pale cheeks. After a few moments she locked eyes with Viv.

'You shouldn't have to do this for me. I'm sorry I'm taking you away from your child and putting you in danger. I'm dirty and disgusting, letting those men do whatever they wanted. You should be running from me.' She said softly. Viv stood very still in front of Siobhan.

'Siobhan, taking care of people is my job which I love so taking care of you is no chore. My child is currently being spoilt rotten and is loving it, I spoke to him earlier. Stephen has taken them to the zoo and the park and he's allowed chocolate spread on toast for breakfast, he's having the best time. You are so far from disgusting. You are strong and beautiful. I know the people we're dealing with are evil and powerful but running away? Never. I would only ever run to you.' She leant forward and pressed her lips to Siobhan's. She dropped the cotton wool and ran her hands into Siobhan's hair as the kiss became more passionate. Siobhan's hands gripped Viv's hips as she came to stand in between Siobhan's knees. After a few moments they broke apart panting. Viv licked her lips and hummed. 'You are gorgeous and when you are feeling better I can't wait to explore you further.' Siobhan squirmed as heat shot through her. She had never felt like this before with any man. 'Now, stop distracting me with your beauty and let me finish my work,' Viv said mock sternly. The corner of Siobhan's mouth lifted slightly in a small smile. 'That's better,' said Viv. She finished cleaning Siobhan's neck and got the shower ready for her. 'Do you need any help getting in?' she asked.

Siobhan was still ashamed at the injuries on her body. Despite Viv having seen them she still wanted to hide. She could do this. She needed to do it by herself. 'I'm ok I think.' She replied softly. Viv nodded.

'I'll leave the door open a crack and I'll wait in the bedroom if you need me. Just shout.' Siobhan nodded. She was left alone with the shower running and steam billowing. She quickly shed her clothes avoiding looking in the mirror and got in the shower cubicle. The hot water flowed over her head and helped wash away some of the tension she was carrying. Her legs still felt shaky and she was still fatigued. So she washed her hair and body as quickly as she could. Pleased she had achieved something, she turned off the water and wrapped a towel round her, grabbing another for her hair. She opened the bathroom door and saw Viv sorting out some clothes for her. Viv looked up and smiled. 'Feel better?' she asked.

'Yes lots.' Siobhan replied. Viv hovered nearby as she made her way across to the bed. She was still limping and her back still had a dull ache. Between them they got her dressed and Viv helped her down the stairs. 'Thank you Vivian.' Siobhan said just before they went into the kitchen.

'Don't mention it,' Viv grinned, Siobhan kissed her briefly on the lips and Viv's grin grew wider.

As they entered the kitchen Winter and Autumn were setting the table. 'Are you feeling any better Siobhan?' Autumn asked softly.

'I'm sorry for the commotion earlier, I'm feeling a lot better now.' She replied quietly.

'Siobhan, the atrocious things my Father has done over the years have left their mark on quite a few of us. Please don't apologise for anything. He's the one who should be begging for forgiveness.' Autumn finished her speech and went to help Winter dish up dinner.

As they ate, they discussed what Reece had found in the diary. Autumn was deliberately vague on some aspects on the advice of her solicitor who didn't want Siobhan to know some details until Roger had been arrested. Autumn and Reece were headed back to the police station first thing in the morning. They hoped Roger and maybe Janice would be arrested by lunchtime. Hope, Siobhan thought, is a powerful emotion. She hoped it was more powerful than Roger.