Beautiful Tradgedy

Chapter 6

Natasha and Molly were siting in the garden on a picnic rug, while Ryan sat on his seat swing working on some lyrics.

A marked police vehicle pulled up slowly on the drive and Ryan noticed the change in Natasha instantly. Two officers walked towards the front of the house, as Natasha quickly scooped Molly off the ground and rested her against her hip. Ryan was curious by a Natasha's reaction "Ryan Tedder?" The taller darker officer guessed and Ryan nodded quickly as his pen hit the table.

"We've had a report of a disturbance that took place a few night ago. We're just basically doing door to door enquiries to see if anyone heard anything" the officers explanation was enough to make Natasha relax, however it was also enough to raise Ryan's suspicions even further.

"No I haven't hear anything officer" Natasha was quick to answer and Ryan agreed that he hadn't heard anything either.

"Alright I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of your afternoon" The officer smiled and headed back to the car.

Ryan waited for the car to dissappear out of sight before looking at Natasha again "Everything okay?" He wondered and Natasha seemed a little on edge.

"Yeah, it's fine" she snapped a little "I'm going to get her another drink, come on Molly" she lifted Molly onto her hop and headed into the kitchen. Her heart was racing as she tried to unscrew the sippy cup lid whilst balancing Molly on her hip "Shit" she cried just as Ryan walked in.

"Hey let me" Ryan took the cup and filled it with some pre-made baby juice out of the fridge "Look I don't ran to sound rude but what happened before, I wasn't imagining it. You looked worried when they arrived and seeing as you're living here I need to know if I should be worried..."

Even though Natasha felt uncomfortable talking to Ryan, she understood his concern "Okay let just let me put her down for a nap first"

"Fine" Natasha's reply worried Ryan a little, he had hoped secretly he was imagining it all.

They sat in the lounge when she returned "Okay I probably should have told you from the beginning...when yo crashed into us we weren't exactly going on a normal trip...truth is we were running"

"Running? From what?" Ryan was shocked.

"More like who actually" Natasha paused "My ex...let's just say he's not exactly the friendliest of people" she lifted her top and revealed a small circle scar on her stomach "He did that last time I tried to leave him"

"He was violent?" Ryan asked and Natasha nodded "And then some, thing is I knew what he was like from the beginning. I was in love and stupid enough to think I could change him"

"So what happened how did you get away from him?" Ryan spoke gently and as calmly as possible considering how angry he was someone could treat a woman this way.

"I waited until he was out one morning and just upped and left. The money I had is mine, I just want you to know that" Natasha seemed nervous "I didn't steal it, I would never..."

"Hey it's okay, I'm not judging you" Ryan placed a reassuring hand on her arm "I just needed to understand thats all"

"And do you?" Natasha panicked "I mean I had to get out Ryan I couldn't stay there"

"Yeah I know" Ryan spoke gently "You're safe now, I promise no-one will hurt you or Molly while you're here okay"

"Yeah and thank you" Natasha smiled weakly as she looked into Ryan's eyes. It was so easy to get lost in them.

"For what?" Ryan wondered.

"For not freaking out, and throwing us onto the street"

"I think you've had your share of men mistreating you, I wouldn't do that" Ryan was such a genuine man and Natasha knew this now more than ever.

××××××××××××

Ryan was still struggling to end the song he had been working on, he thought he'd do better in the studio. As he racked his brain he was surprised to hear Brent's voice behind him "Hey" Brent said cautiously and Ryan lifted his head and smiled.

"Hey man" he grinned "everything okay?"

"Yeah I called by your house and Tasha said you were here" Brent explained as he sat in he chair opposite Ryan "Hey Ryan I'm sorry about what happened earlier, we had no right saying those things"

"No it's not you who should be apologising, I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I just felt like I was being cornered" Ryan half smiled "I get that it came from a good place"

"Yeah it did" Brent agreed "So how's things?"

"Alright, she opened up to me this morning" Ryan admitted and Brent looked a little shocked.

"Really? How?" He wasn't sure how his questions would be treated but run seemed relaxed and calm.

"She told me about herself a little, well more about why she was on the road that night really. She's was running..." Ryan explained and Brent sat forwards on his seat.

"Running, from what?" He asked and Ryan hesitated "Or who?"

"Her ex, he was violent. That's why she didn't tell me at first. She was worried he might find her" Brent listed as Ryan spoke.

"Makes sense I guess" Brent was still thinking "And the kid?"

"Molly" Ryan corrected him quickly "She didn't say alot about her, just that she needed to get out of that situation for molly's sake"

"So did she say how long she is planning on staying?" Brent paused when he realised his question had angered Ryan "I don't mean that in a negative way, I just..."

"No it's okay" Ryan relaxed a little "As long as she needs to I guess, I haven't really spoken to her about it if I'm honest"

"You don't want to make her feel unwelcome I guess" Brent sighed and Ryan nodded.

"Yeah something like that" Ryan looked at a picture on the wall and the inhaled deeply "She's had it rough and I guess I felt like I could help her...stupid right?"

"No man, it's just I hope she doesn't mistake your kindness for weakness. She's not the only one who's had it rough" Brent too glanced at the photo and smiled weakly. Callie's gentle eyes still moved him, even in a photograph...