Protection

Please...

Nikki's POV: This just doesn't seem real or far that this is happening. It feels like one minute everything is perfect and fine then bang everything crumbles around me. When me and Brie were finally calmed down we changed into our pajamas and went to lay down on the couch to try and fall asleep. Me and Brie slept together holding on to each other just knowing the road ahead of us is going to be very hard. I could barely sleep that night, all I could think about was what will happen to me and my siblings. As the night went on I slowly fell asleep with tears falling down my cheeks. I woke up the next morning still next to Brie and smiled and hugged her tight when she started to wake up. When she saw who t was she hugged me back even tighter.

"Ok Brie I can't breath let me go." She released from the hug and we both start to laugh. We sat up and saw JJ sound asleep next to us. "God JJ is just to young, one of these days he's going to find out that we have been lying to him these past few years." Brie just looks at him and brushes the few hairs on his face behind his ear. "Maybe we should tell him what's been going on?", I couldn't believe what she just said. JJ is only 8 years old he is much younger than I was when I started to figure out what was going on. "Think about it, it's not getting any better. Plus he can't keep believing that dad is at work he needs to know the truth and see day for what he truly is. And mom, we shield him from all of this but don't you ever think we have never been shielded from any of this. I get he's young but he's a different kid. He understands a lot, who was the one that hugged and held your hand at Pop-pop's funeral?" What Brie is saying is true JJ is a pretty mature kid, yes he has his moments as do I but he deserves to know what has been going on. "JJ, he held both of us when I thought no one would, if we go home later we will do it when it's just us three. I just don't want him to think differently of our parents and seem them as something that they aren't." I sigh and then think of something else to say, "I know we see them as bad people because they have caused us pain but it just seems different for JJ. Plus we shouldn't be the ones to tell him, our parents should be the ones actually telling all of what has been going on." We both nod our heads and finally get up from the couch and begin to make some pancakes for all our cousins, aunts, uncles, and especially Nana.

Once breakfast was done Uncle Mike drove us home. Dad was at the door when we knocked about three times before he finally opened it. "Are you guys hungry, I could make us some eggs?", dad asked us as he started to walk towards the kitchen. "No me and Nikki made pancakes at Nana's house for everyone", Brie said and he looked pretty shocked that we knew how to cook. "Wow, how did you girls learn to cook, maybe you should make dinner tonight!", he said in a surprised way that sent me in a very bad mood when I accidentally mumbled something under my breath, "Well maybe if you and mom were normal and made dinner for us we wouldn't have to learn and do it on our own." He looked behind his shoulder at me, "What did you say Nicole?" I said it basically whispering how did he hear me say that? "I didn't say anything, you must be hearing things.", trying to play off the fact that I kind of bashed him and mom, but he didn't buy it. "Brianna could you and JJ go play down in the basement for a little bit I want to talk to Nicole for a few minutes." She looks at me concerned but I just mouthed it will be fine and she left.

"Well you wanted to talk to me, speak" I know that was harsh but I'm done with dealing with his crap. "You have a very bad attitude lately and I want to know why." I can not believe him, all that has been going on is his fault he did this to all of us. I finally speak, "I have an attitude because I'm sick of my life. I'm sick of taking care of mom when she is black out drunk. I hate that I have to see her that way. I'm done with making decisions that you guys should be making for my future. And the worst is that you are blinded by all that you have done. You tore this family apart, you left mom here to take care of us when she needed you the most. Did you ever think how this effected me and Brie how we are the ones mom and JJ rely on. No because you are to busy being with another woman. What are you surprised I said that, I'm not stupid I started to realize that work shouldn't be this long and plus I told your little whore to stop calling our house. You won't learn, the stuff you do to make yourself happy effects others. I'm done with you." as I walked away he grabbed my arm. I always had a fear of my dad but when you tell him off he gets more aggressive and angrier. He put both of his hands around both of my arms and pulled me close to his face and started to shake me as he yelled in my face, "Don't you ever speak to me like that, you hear me. Yes I fucked up but I had my reasons. But I will not take your abuse and talk down to me. Let's go your grounded for the whole day." He pulled me by my arm all the way upstairs to my room. He swung the the door open with his foot and threw me on my bed and slammed the door shut. I didn't want to cry but it just happened on it's own.

A couple of hours went by and I heard JJ and Brie talking in the hall way outside of my door. With the little bit of energy I had in me I got up and walked over to the door. They both smiled and came to sit with me on my bed. Having my siblings hug me and comfort me is the only thing I need in my life. Brie looked up at me and could tell I had been crying and she knew when JJ was gone and in bed later on I will tell her what our dad had said and done to me. "Can we watch a movie up here and cuddle?" JJ ask so innocently and I just couldn't say no since I was thinking the same thing. "Sure you pick." Once he found a movie he liked along with me and Brie we started it and cuddled under my comforter. These are the moments I love when it's just us three no one else and we can just forget about the world around us and be kids. At some point when I didn't hear laughs I looked down and saw JJ fast asleep and Brie slowly starting to fall asleep. I smile at them resting on either side of me. And slowly I drifted off and for once felt at peace and not stressed.