Help Me Through This

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chloe's POV

When Jeff and Tyler bursted through the door I would've jumped for joy.

If my father wasn't holding me to the ground by my neck.

Everything that happened after they came to my rescue blurred together. Suddenly, I felt Tyler gently pick me up. I buried my head in his shirt as he carried me over to my bed. He put me down and even though he pulled my blanket up to my chin I was still shaking from fear.

My eyelids got heavy. Just as I was about to give into the sleep, I felt my limp hand get picked up. I felt a pair of lips kiss my knuckles making me smile. The last thing I heard before I gave into the darkness was Tyler whispering, "I will not loose you again."

"Mark!! Be careful!"

"Come on, Katherine. She's fine! Right Chloe?" My father laughed holding me on his shoulders.

I giggled as he danced around.

"Let go get...... Ice cream!!!" He yelled playfully.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Please Momma!!! Please!! I'll be super duper uper super good!" I batted my little 6 year old eye lashes at her.

"Okay. Fine." My mom tried to be annoyed but cracked a smile.

Mommy grabbed my right hand and daddy grabbed my left hand. They swung my arms as we made our way to the car.

The whole way there we sang along to my favorite CD; Disney. I was in the middle of  dancing and singing along to "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" when the car stopped.

"Guess what Chloe!!!" My dad turned around in the driver seat and smiled.

"What?" I asked innocent and a little confused.

"We're here!!"

"Where?"

"The ice cream shop silly!" My mom giggled.

My eyes got big. My parents laughed as they helped me out of the car. "Stay close, baby girl." My mom said grabbing my hand.

"I'm never ever ever going to leave you guys!! Ever!!" I giggled.

"What about when you get married?" My mom chuckled.

"I'm not getting married." I said matter of factly.

"That's my girl!!" My dad reached down and gave me a high five. When he stood back up, he got a disapproving look from my mother.

"What?" He asked innocently. "I'm a DADD. Dad Against Daughters Dating."

"She's six, Mark." My mother teased.

"Yeah but she won't always be." He sighed messing my hair up.

"Daddy!!!" I whined. "You're messing up my hairrrrr!"

"Sorry!!" He put his hands up in surrender. I skipped ahead of them leading the way into the ice cream shop.

"She won't always be." He whispered.

I jolted awake with silent tears streaming down my face. I looked around the room but stopped when I noticed someone asleep in the chair beside my bed.

"Tyler," I tried to say but nothing came out.

My voice....It's gone.

Tyler woke up as I started to freak out. "Chloe!" He jumped when he saw me awake. He stood up and walked over to me pulling me into a tight hug. I didn't know how much I needed it until his arms pulled me close.

"I'm so glad you're okay," he whispered. "I don't know what I would've done if anything had happened to you." I could feel his chest shake as he ran his hand through my hair.

After a moment of silence he whispered, "Was that you're dad?"

I pulled away and nodded. I opened my mouth but closed it with tears streaming down my cheeks when nothing came out. "You can't talk can you?"

I sadly shook my head no. "That's okay," he shrugged. He looked at my face, studying me. Suddenly his lips crashed onto mine.

I relaxed as our lips moved in sync. I felt his hand brush my cheek and slide down my neck. I gasped when his fingers brushed over the fresh bruises.

"I'm sorry," he gasped as he pressed his forehead to mine. I sighed. If I could talk I would tell him he had nothing to be sorry for. Instead, I pressed my lips to his.

We were interrupted by Tyler's phone ringing. "Hello?" He answered.

I couldn't hear the person on the other line. I sat and watched Tyler's expression change.

"When? That soon? Okay. I guess. Wait, as long as you and I are there." Tyler mumbled a few words before hanging up.

"Everything okay?" I mouthed.

"That was Jeff. Your father was taken into custody. He's being tried for child abuse. There is a court case tomorrow to get his rights over you taken away."

My eyes widened. "But....that means...." I tried to say.

"Hey," he soothed grabbing my face in his soft hands. "It's going to be okay. Jeff and I will be there the whole time. I promise. I'm not leaving your side. Not again." He said the last part softer.

"Tyler," I whispered. I pulled him closer so I noses were touching. "Thank you for saving me."

"I couldn't leave a damsel in distress." He smirked before closing the distance between us.