Thick As Blood {A Menendez Brothers Fic}

29. Survival

(July 31st, 1989)
I always knew that Aunt Clara would have a plan set in motion for if something tragic were to happen. I just never realized that even she felt a change in the air, threatening to take us all out with one single swoop. Her plan consisted of making sure Ava and I were well taken care of. Unbeknownst to my father, she had left me everything in her will. Her fortune she worked her entire life for as a professional model, actress, even a stint as a singer. Retired at the time of her death, she had gained enough money that she knew would help in some way some day. And this seemed to be it.

"You also have gained ownership of her home in Florida. She wanted you girls to have somewhere safe to call home, is what she always told me. She put the house in your name, along with Erik Menendez. And left funds for you, Ava, and Erik and Lyle Menendez." Completely speechless from the revelation that I had inherited so much in such a short period of time, I could barely focus on the task at hand. I had money, money that could make a way for Ava and I to actually be free from our father. But where I was 18, my sister unfortunately wasn't. I couldn't legally take her from this home without our father knowing and dragging us back.

"Aunt Clara was—was a gem. She always loved us when no one else did." Tom, her lawyer of many years had come by the house while my father was at work for the day to bestow upon us this rather shocking news. Even he knew how evil my father could be. And he did everything in his power to avoid him.

"I know Ana. Which is why I brought you the keys today. And the money is available to you starting tomorrow. I promise, it'll get better. Just—just get away from here. Yeah?" Without further discussion on the manner, he took his leave with the keys dangling from my index finger as a sign that this was really happening. That this, wasn't just a simple fantasy. Even from heaven, Aunt Clara had the last laugh against my father. And Tom was more than willing to deliver. Having known me since I was a mere toddler, he knew bits of information about my home life from Aunt Clara. And even he felt an obligation to find me an escape.

"What am I going to do.....?" I whispered into the dimly lit foyer of my home that never really felt like home, tears brimming on the surface from the many emotions threatening to strike. I wanted to save Ava. I wanted to save Erik. I wanted to save Lyle. The last thought on my mind was saving myself. Because they're my top priority. And that would never change.

"How did it go, beautiful?" Quickly wiping away the tears strolling down my cheeks, I turned to Erik who had been up in my room while I had my meeting with Tom. Seeing the pure conflict in my features, he knew I was stressed, fearful, anxious.

"I inherited everything..... but nothing all at the same time. Aunt Clara is still...... looking out for us. She gave us a house, Erik. A house. She put it in both of our names. And left all four of us money." Rather speechless himself, we both came to realize what she was insinuating by doing so. She knew we have been dreaming of a future together, outside of Beverly Hills and all the glitz and glam that we had grown accustomed to. But despite all that glitz and glam, we wanted something else. Just as long as we are together.

"She left us her house....?" Erik was far from materialistic. He didn't care about the money, only for the simple purpose that it would help us survive. But what he did truly care about, was the thought of us together. In his mind in that very moment, was a dream we had both been dreaming since we first knew that this was far more than a friendship.

"She did. This could be our opportunity, Erik. We could leave. Run. We could—we could stay in the house. Our house. I just— how am I going to get Ava away from my father? He would never give me the satisfaction of taking her." Upon the trembling of my voice, he softly folded me into his warm embrace with his soft lips lovingly landing on mine to ease my fears and melt my heart. Erik knew how to show me real love. He didn't shy away from it, even if it could cost us everything.

"You're leaving sissy.....?" Gently breaking apart, I was greeted with the saddest pair of eyes I've ever seen. The innocent eyes of Ava, who knew how much she means to me. I quickly took her into my arms once she had fully walked down the stairs towards Erik and I, noting Lyle coming in through the front door with the key I had given him, along with one for Erik mere days ago when I felt we needed extra protection.

"Peanut, I could never leave you. That's not all what I mean. Okay? No matter what, we will be together." Picking her up to wrap her fully in my embrace, I could just feel her eyes betray her from the tears falling to the ground.

"Your sissy wouldn't abandon you. Okay, Princess? None of us will." Lyle said in the most gentle tone imaginable, softly ruffling Ava's hair to earn a little smile once she realized her Lyle was here. Switching embraces, she practically leaped into Lyle's arms with her tiny hands connecting behind his neck to hold on for dear life.

"I have a match tomorrow. I want you and Ava there, okay? We can just make a day of it." Erik said to try and lighten the mood. Gently placing my head atop his shoulder, he laced his arm around my waist to bring me in closer to his embrace. But the sudden calm would quickly be taken away upon the arrival of my father. His immediate reaction to us all four standing there was enough to cause a silent explosion to occur. He saw the coziness of Erik and I, and wasn't pleased.

"We're having dinner tonight with your parents, boys. I think you should leave. We'll be over later." Fear stricken, I could barely let go of Erik, my eyes catching the dark brown ones of Lyle from across the way, and he saw just how scared I truly was. Deeply bothered by how terrified I was from this man that was supposed to be my father, he wanted to protect me, just as much as Erik did.

"I'll see you soon, okay? Don't forget though. We're going to Florida soon to oversee Aunt Clara's belongings." I whispered in Erik's ear, just as my father left to retire to his study until we left in mere hours, Erik hugging me tightly to him as if he never wanted to let go.

"I can't wait." He softly said before Lyle and Erik left the house, not really wanting to. But never wanted to make things worse for us girls. The entire way up the stairs, I softly cried with Ava in tow. Because I felt as if I was letting her down. Letting Erik down. Letting Lyle down. I just wanted to get Erik out of that horrid place he's trapped him, to save him. Because I was utterly terrified of losing him.