Only Human

I Can Do It

"You're absolutely certain, Miss Sorenson?"

"Yes Mr. Blackbourne. I've learned a lot today and I honestly think that I have some clarity about the situation." I said, glancing around at the boys. "But we do need to talk about the secrets that I know you are all keeping from me." I raised an eyebrow at the slightly guilty look on Gabriel's face. "Any leverage that any of you can give me would be helpful." I said.

"We can brief you in the car on the way over." Sean said.

"Was he angry?" I asked. "I mean, in the message, was there a reason to incite such urgency?"

"I don't have enough of an idea of how he is." Mr. Blackbourne admitted. "He just seemed displeased that you weren't home."

"Again, could really be due to Marie throwing me under the bus." I muttered, glancing at Kota, Victor, Nathan and Gabriel. "I think we need to get going." I said.

"Someone will be upstairs and ready to come get you out if things go crazy." Sean said. "There's no other way we're doing this."

"I can do it." I stated. "But I absolutely appreciate the help." I said softly, reaching to my back to make sure the phone was still tucked into my waistband. "And it'll just be like going to see Principal Hendricks. I'm wired, and you'll have the cameras." I said.

"That's right Princess." Victor said as he gathered up a few things that he'd want, setting something on his phone to make a search while we were in transit to my house. We headed out, taking North's jeep as it would hold us a bit more comfortably.

"I can do this." I murmured, settling into my seat, tucked close to Gabriel as he absently played with my hair. I was giving myself a pep talk. "Meanie..." I said.

"Yeah, Trouble?"

"You looked like there was something on your mind earlier." I said, glancing up at him. "I... was there....anything that you picked up on that one time we went to visit my stepmonster at the hospital? You know, that time when I was supposed to try and find out my mom's name?"

He sighed heavily and waited the longest time to respond. He kissed my forehead. "Yeah, Trouble. That god damned bitch... fuckin' always got to make trouble for you Trouble." He said.

I raised a hand up and touched his jaw. "Just tell me." I said softly. "I've been through so much in the last 24 hours that bit more information isn't going to hurt me." I said. "And it could help."

He huffed a sigh and pressed a kiss to my temple before he started to let go of the secret he'd been holding on to. Kota and Victor fell silent as they listened to him recount the conversation between Marie and the step monster when they thought they were totally alone and no one would be listening.

"God this just gets worse, doesn't it?" I asked, earning surprised and shocked stares. "I'm allowed." I said. "1. This guy rubs off on me... 2. It's been a super long day of a very large emotional roller coaster. And 3. We're family. I'm not going anywhere which means that it is time for me to be who I am."

Victor smiled slightly. "What's that Princess?"

I shrugged. "Not entirely sure yet but I'm working on it." I smiled at them and curled more into Gabriel, one of my hands reaching out for Nathan's as he sat silently in the back seat with us.

I can do it

I can do it

I can do it