Unbroken (Sequel To Love Is Definitely Not Always Fair)

Ch. 10 - A slight sense of Deja Vu

Jay’s P.O.V

That night, I lay on the sofa, having chosen to stay with Sarah-Jane instead of sleeping in my own bunk, my arms curled round her.

Laying here, just holding her, it brought back very familiar memories. Memories of about two years ago. Of being in a similar position… but the circumstances we different…

I held the small girl to me, looking at her recently tear stained face. A tear trickled down my own cheek, as I looked carefully at each bruise, every scar, all her burns. Each on yet another mark of how cruel the world could be on such soft skin, thickened with time, with each yell, every shout, all the abuse that had been hurled at her.

But I knew there was more.

Slowly, but gently, I lifted her shirt up, only to see more bruises and scars over her torso, standing out on her visible rib cage. But my eyes were drawn to a certain set.

Five branded fingers on her side, the dark marks standing out on the pale skin. I felt physically ill. I wondered why she had never left.

Then, I remembered.

Her little sister.

She stayed for her sister, who she cared for so much, who she wanted to stay safe and happy. For who she took most of the beatings, who she tried to protect. Who she loved so much, she didn’t want to be separated from, so she stayed, planning, once she was 18, to leave and take her sister with her.

But it hadn’t worked. And now she was running. She was so small, so lost. So alone.

No. I would take care of her. Maybe even adopt her.

She gently snuffled, cuddling closer. I pulled my arms tighter round her, tugging her gently on my lap. Smoothing her hair down, I sighed.

Not tomorrow. I would think on it, and discuss it with Dahvie.

And with that, I fell asleep, the warm, comforting small weight on my lap of a girl who I would protect.

I nearly did adopt her. After she had fallen asleep the next night, I had told Dahvie of my plan, and he had who heartedly agreed with me.

I would of done it the next day… but that night… I’ll never forget it.

I laid on the sofa opposite her, watching her chest gently rise and fall in a slow rhythm as she slept. I had stayed there, in case of another nightmare.

My eyes took her all in, her sleeping face, her curled up body. Tomorrow, I would take her to the Orphanage, and adopt her as my own daughter.

I gave a smile at that thought, of having a little girl to love and care for, to spoil and coddle, to protect. To be there for her when she was upset, and to watch her grow up.

And with that, I fell asleep.

‘Ooof!’

I was awoken by a noise. Before I could even full wake, I instinctively called out ‘Sarah-Jane?’

No answer.

My eyes flew open. Her sofa was empty.

‘Sarah-Jane?’ I called, thinking maybe she had nipped to bathroom.

It was then I saw the open window, the curtain fluttering in the breeze.

‘Sarah-Jane!’ I practically fell off the sofa, and ran to the open window, only to see a small figure swallowed up by the bleak city.

‘SARAH-JANE!’ I screamed desperately out the window, in hope she may hear me, she may come back. She’d hug me and say she was sorry. I’d tell her my plan, and she’d love it. I would adopt her tomorrow and be her daddy… a proper daddy…

‘Jay!’ Dahvie was next to me, as I fell to my knees.

‘Sarah-Jane…’ I whimpered, tears running down my cheeks.

Through blurry eyes, I suddenly saw something.

‘Jayy?’ Dahvie’s voice was mere background noise as I picked the folded piece of paper with mine and Dahvie’s name on, reading it.

‘Dear Jayy and Dahvie,

I want to first thank you, for everything. For putting up with me. But I can’t stay here. If the police come looking for me, you two will get in trouble, and I’m not worth that. So I have to leave.

And Jayy, I heard your idea. I love the idea of you adopting me, but I can’t let you. You’ll get sick of me, like everyone else has. I’m not worthy. I’m just a burden.

I’m sorry, but this is the best way. I will always remember you both, and always think of you as a daddy Jayy.

Sarah-Jane.’

I remember spending that night crying.

I gave a small shudder, and looked down at Sarah-Jane, as she gave a small snuffle, cuddling closer. Tracing her cheek, I gave a small smile. I may not have been her daddy, but she thought of me as one. That’s all that mattered.

She shuffled slightly, and I pulled her onto me, as she curled up, her head on my chest. I smoothed her hair down, and gently kissed her forehead. I looked into her sleeping face.

‘Sarah-Jane?’ I whispered.

‘Huh?’ she mumbled. ‘What Daddy?’

She remind me of when she stayed at ours, and she woke up in the middle of the night, scared of the dark, and would come to find me. She always called me Daddy then.

‘Y’know what you ran away those years ago?’

‘Uh-huh...’

‘Did you really think we’d get sick of you?’

She sighed. ‘I did.’

‘Well, you were wrong.’ I chuckled, kissing the top of her head.

She rolled her eyes, and shut them again, leaning her head back on my chest, and was soon back asleep.

I smiled too, and soon fell asleep myself.

***

Ugh, sorry for just a bit of fluff currently, but I kinda felt it needed to be expanded on about the relationship between SJ and Jayy... oh who am I kidding, I just felt like this story needed some fluff and I cannot think of anything else to write :/