If I Can't Have You || (N.M.)

Chapter 6

"What happened?"

I turned my head away from the empty spot that Cal had just been standing in and faced Nate.

"I- It was my fault." I started to say, but Nate came toward me and placed both of his hands on my arms.

"No," he said sternly, "when a man puts his hands on you like that, it's never your fault."

I could feel the tears preparing to fall and when they did, they stung against my bruised cheek. Nate pulled me close and allowed me to cry into his shoulder. His shirt was covered in dirt and he smelled like sweat from a hard day at work, but I didn't care. I just needed to feel him rub his hand on my back; to know that he was there.

"He's never blown up like that before," I sniffled before stepping away so that I could pull myself together. I had to get serious with him.

"Nate," I looked him in the eyes so he could see that this wasn't a joke, "you and Miracle have to leave."

He frowned and tipped his head to the side, "What?"

I had wiped my tears once, but they were already trying to force themselves out again. Biting my bottom lip, I held them in and tried to appear strong.

"If Cal comes back," my voice cracked, "I don't want him trying to hurt you two."

"And if Cal comes back," Nate raised his voice, "I don't want him trying to hurt you."

I looked down at my feet, trying to avoid eye contact at all costs.

"I'm not leaving you again," he said, coming closer and tilting my head back up. "Not like this."

That's when I felt a pair of little hands grab at the bottom of my leg.

"Sanda?"

Looking into her watery eyes broke my heart. I bent down to bring her into a meaningful embrace and Nate joined us to, holding onto both of us as tight as he could.

"Sandra's okay Mir," he said softly to his daughter, "we're not letting anything happen to her."

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That night while Nate took his shower, Miracle and I hung out in my room, jumping on the bed like maniacs.

"Jumping!" she screeched as she hopped up and down.

I laughed before plopping myself down on the bed and giving a tired sigh. "I think I'm all jumped out now."

Mir just continued to bounce and giggle and giggle and bounce. I found myself wishing that I still had that kind of energy.

Nate came in with his sweats on while I was laying down and chuckled. "She wore you out all ready?"

I sat up and shook my head, "How do you do it?"

He shrugged cockily, "I'm a pro."

I laughed and rolled my eyes then threw a pillow in his direction. "Oh, shut up!"

Nate raised an eyebrow then started to approach me, "That's the game you wanna play?"

I grabbed another pillow to cover me, but Nate was fast and I felt a soft bop on the top of my head before I could even put my makeshift shield to use. I tried to tackle him but he saw it coming and pinned me down to the bed, tickling my sides.

"Mir, help!" I cried.

Nate looked up at her and smiled. "Mir, Bubble Guppies is on!"

"Guppies!" she shouted before hopping down from the bed and rushing to the living room.