First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 33

  I hang back as Dani answers the door because I want to make sure it's not Chris. The second I hear "Mommy!" shouted with joy, I know it's not. Relief washes over me, sharp and sudden, but I don't move until I see who else is there.

  KK barrels into Dani like a missile, nearly knocking her over. Her little feet barely hit the floor before she wraps her arms around Dani.

  "I missed you, Mommy! Can we go look at Christmas lights?" she asks, voice bright and full of excitement, like she's just been waiting to say it.

  Dani grins wide as she catches KK before she falls. "Hi, my baby! I missed you so much." Her eyes soften with love. "Someone else missed you too. We'll see about those lights soon." She glances over her shoulder at me.

  "TayTay!" KK squeals, releasing Dani and sprinting over. I crouch down, arms open wide. She launches herself into me, arms tight around my neck, her warmth grounding me.

  "I miss you, TayTay. Mommy said you were busy. Are you not busy anymore?" Her words come out small but urgent, like she's checking, hoping.

  Behind her, Dani talks quietly with an older woman, clearly Chris's mom. I catch a few words.

  "Was she good?" Dani asks.

  "She always is," the woman says quietly.

  I look at KK and smile. "I missed you too, princess and I'm not as busy now."

  KK clings to me as I stand. Dani steps aside to let the woman in.

  "Nora, this is my friend Taytum. She helps with Kadence sometimes," Dani introduces.

  We exchange quick hellos, but Nora's face tightens as she turns to Dani. "We need to talk, Danielle. Privately."

  Dani hesitates, glancing at me. "We can talk in front of Taytum. I trust her."

  Nora shakes her head slightly. "That's fine but not in front of my granddaughter." Her eyes darken with something heavy. I can feel the shift in the air, like something terrible is coming.

  I lean toward Dani. "I'll take KK upstairs." She gives me a small, grateful nod and mouths, thank you.

  "Okay, princess," I say softly. "Let's go to your room and get your things put away. Then you can tell me all about your day."

  KK nods and hugs my neck tighter as I start climbing the stairs.

  The hallway feels colder than before. I can't shake the heaviness creeping over me. I try to focus on KK's bright eyes and soft voice, but the weight of what's coming gnaws at the edges of my mind.

  "TayTay, why can't you be my mommy?" The question stops me cold. Dani is her world, I know that.

  "You already have an amazing mommy who loves you very much."

  KK giggles. "No, silly. My other mommy. I love mommy, but I want you to be my mommy too. You have two mommies and they're nice."

  We reach the top of the stairs. I pause, searching for the right words. "You already have two parents, princess."

  KK hugs me tighter. Her voice is quiet, sad. "I don't want daddy. He... he says I'm annoying and a bother. He makes mommy sad and... he hurt mommy."

  My stomach drops. "What do you mean, he hurt her?" I ask, setting her bag down in her room.

  Her voice trembles. "He was yelling at mommy. I went downstairs even though she didn't know. He... he pushed her. Against the counter. I saw him."

  Tears spill down her cheeks. Rage bubbles under my skin, but I swallow it down. Right now, she needs comfort. I scoop KK into my arms and rock her gently, swaying as I whisper soft words until her breathing slows and deepens. Exhaustion pulls her under, and she falls asleep in my arms.

  I carry her carefully to bed, tuck her in, pull the blanket up to her chin, and kiss the top of her head. "Sweet dreams, princess."

  Quietly, I put her things away and toss her dirty clothes in the hamper. Just one less thing for Dani to worry about. I leave the door cracked open, just how KK likes it.

  As I step onto the stairs, a sharp cry cuts through the quiet. "No!" Dani's voice breaks, full of pain and shock.

  I sprint down two steps at a time and rush into the living room. Dani looks pale, her face drained of color, like she's about to be sick. I sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders. Nora's eyes shimmer with unshed tears.

  "Dani, are you okay?" I ask quietly.

  She barely shakes her head. "No... Chris lied. About that night. At our friend's wedding."

  Suddenly she stands, her legs shaky, and stumbles toward the bathroom. "I'm gonna be sick."

  I move to follow, but Nora's hand on my arm stops me. "Give her a minute."

  I hesitate, then nod, waiting in the living room.

  A minute later, Dani reappears, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She sits back down beside me.

  "Do you need anything?" I ask, trying to read her hollow expression.

  She opens her mouth, hesitates, then instead reaches for an old phone on the coffee table and hands it to me. I flip it over and tap the home button.

  The screen lights up with a paused video. A woman lies motionless on a bed. I press play.

  Chris walks into frame shirtless. He strips down to his briefs, climbs onto the bed, and touches her. He lifts her dress, exposing her. She doesn't move. Doesn't speak.

  Then he speaks.

  "Damn Danielle. Too bad you won't get to enjoy this. But at least I finally get what I've been wanting." He slides his hand under her underwear. "I should've drugged your drink a long time ago."

  I pause the video, refusing to watch further.

  "Dani..." I say softly.

  She shrugs, staring into her lap like she's somewhere else. "Yeah..."

  She's not okay. Not even close. I offer my hand and she takes it.

  Nora walks over and sits on the coffee table facing us.

  "Danielle, it's your choice what you want to do with that video. John wanted to go to the police himself. I had to stop him. But we'll support you either way. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what you're going through. I want my son in prison for what he did to you but this is your call."

  She stands. "I'm going to head out and give you space but call me if you need anything. I love you. Tell Kadence I love her too." She turns to me. "It was nice meeting you, Taytum. KK talks about you all the time."

  I start to rise, but Dani grabs my hand. Nora catches the gesture and mouths, It's okay, before quietly leaving.

  As the door clicks shut, I turn back to Dani.

  "I'm here Dani. What do you need?"

  She looks up, then quickly away. "Will you... never mind. It's just silly."

  I brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Hey. Look at me." She meets my eyes.

  "I promise, it's not silly. You can tell me."

  Dani's voice cracks. "Can you... just hold me?"

  I don't hesitate. I pull Dani into my arms and hold her tight. As long as she needs.