Gracie

Chapter 28 - Change Behaviour

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission in writing of Sarah-Marie or as expressly permitted by law or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Copyright department Sarah-Marie Productions. First published, London 2013.

Sarah-Marie Productions is a registered trade mark

___________________________

Liam's POV:

Paul stopped the car quietly, I looked over to my side, Gracie had rested against Harry, her hands placed in her lap, her eyes were shut and her breathing even. Smiling to myself, I unbuckled my seat belt and Gracie's, I opened my door, and reached over to Gracie and scooped her up into my arms, holding her tightly to my chest I stepped out van.
Gracie jostled in my arms, having a severe panic attack. She started to scream thrashing about in my arms

"Please don't hurt me, please don't."

"It's okay sweetie, I'm not going to hurt you, I'm just carrying you to bed, it's okay sweetie." I soothed.

My words had no affect, so holding Gracie tight to my chest I whispered the melody to 'Moments. The screams soon turned into mere sobs.

"It hurts, it really hurts." Gracie sobbed.

"What hurts sweetie?"

As Gracie didn't answer I knew what she meant.

"I know sweetie, I know, I'll make it better for you. Shhh" I soothed sitting down on the sofa.

"You hurt me, it hurts. Wh-y would you do that?" She sobbed.

I felt my heart drop, I hated the idea of me causing Gracie pain. I would never hurt Gracie, however I didn't argue.

"I'm sorry, princess. I'm sorry." I soothed, raising my hand to protectively cover her head and stroke gently at Gracie's cheek, which was resting on my shoulder as she sat in my lap.

"Hey now, sweetie, it's okay, I'm going to get you some painkillers, then we can cuddle and watch movies, or just sleep, does that sound okay?"

Gracie slowly nodded, then pressed her forehead back into my chest.

I manage to get Gracie to swallow some paracetamol and ibuprofen. As I pulled Gracie back into my lap I noticed she was wet, dripping wet from sweat.

"Don't hurt me, where you taking me, please don't"

"I won't hurt you sweetie, never. I'm just taking you to your bedroom to get changed.

Gracie flinched away from my touch as I lifted up the hem of her shirt carefully. She placed her arm over her eyes as her body trembled.

"Sweetie." I whispered quietly, my voice sounding low and sympathetic.

Gracie curled into ball against the bathroom door.

"Gracie baby ... You want to do it?" I offered walking towards the door. Still curled up she began to sob hard, she had cried so hard all day long she didn't have the energy, but she couldn't stay in her sweaty clothes.
I slowly approached and helped Gracie up, locking my eyes on hers I helped change Gracie into pyjamas, telling her exactly what I was going to do.

"I'm going to hold you now," I'm going to take this off," I'm going to put this on." I could see Gracie's tiny body tremble and tense, but she didn't push me away, she just watched me wide eyed.

Pulling Gracie back up to my chest more sobs escaped

"You can't fix me I'm broken."

Sighing I hushed her while brushing back her hair.

"You're not broken, you're not damaged good, you're beautiful, my beautiful princess, and I love you more than anything. Never forget that."

Carrying Gracie back down the stairs I headed for the cinema room. Gracie buried her head into my chest and allowed herself to relax.

"I love you dad." She whispered.

"I love you to." I whispered, lips brushing her forehead as I gently sat down with Gracie in my arms.

Zayn's POV:

Gracie changed over night. Almost like she got rid of her parents they couldn't hurt her, so she could do whatever and say whatever.

"Morning princess" Niall greeted Gracie as she walked into the kitchen.

She didn't reply.

"I've made your favourite for breakfast Princess ... PANCAKES!" He cheered.

Still Gracie didn't acknowledge him.

"Are you not talking today Princess?"

Again Gracie didn't reply, she just slumped down in a chair at the table. Niall tried again

"You don't have to go to school today Princess."

"FOR FUCKS SAKE, MY NAME IS NOT PRINCESS, IT'S GRACIE!"

Niall stepped back horrified, I was shocked, Liam came charging through the door

"YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO PEOPLE LIKE THAT IN THIS HOUSE, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME GRACIE?" He shouted.

Gracie didn't reply to Liam she just shrugged hers shoulders.

"Why don't I have school today!" She questioned Liam.

"Because I didn't think you would want to go, not after yesterday." He offered more softer.

"Well I want to go! And your not dressed I'm going to be late." She said sharply.

I jumped in, I was dressed

"I'll take you Gracie."

"Good lets go!" She demanded.

"You better lose that attitude when you return home tonight." Liam called to Gracie as we left the house.

Niall's POV:

After returning from the studio I went straight to Gracie's room, it was around 7pm, I wanted to apologise to Gracie for calling her princess, I really didn't know it bothered her so much. Opening the door to Gracie's room I was horrified.

Gracie had graffiti all over her bedroom wall, a poem actually.

"Gracie, what the? What you done? Liam will hit the roof!"

"So what! ... He can't hurt me!" She growled.

I could she Gracie had return from school with the same attitude, not knowing how to deal with it I went to find Harry and Zayn.

"We need to cover this up before Liam sees it?" Zayn whispered.

"Sees what huh?" Liam said standing in the door way.

"What! ... GRACIE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Liam yelled.

"What the hell it looks like. You removed my art things so I used the wall. Better than my wrists isn't it?" Gracie sarcastically answered.

I could see Liam was fuming, but he remained calm.

"Gracie get into bed now. I do not want to see you till tomorrow morning." He said firmly.

Gracie didn't move.

"NOW GRACIE!" Liam yelled once again.

Gracie jumped at his words and climbed into her bed. We left the room and Liam slammed the door closed behind him.

"What the hell has got into Gracie?" Liam asked.

Liam's POV:

I'd removed Gracie arts thing for the attitude she had the previous morning. I guess I should be thankful she didn't cut her wrists but graffiti on the walls, it couldn't go being unpunished. I decided to make Gracie scrub the wall clean and I removed her phone. Gracie surprisingly did as I asked and she didn't moan.