One Hope {A Lachlan Fanfic}

Forty

I rub my eyes, waking up in my dark bedroom. I smile to myself as I remember Lachlan confessing to me, and touch my lips to reassure myself that everything that happened was real. I sigh in happiness, rolling on my back and to the edge of the bed, lower half of my of my body on the bed while the upper is dangling. I grab my phone, checking my messages and notifications while humming.

Once I'm finished, I walk downstairs and grab a bowl of cereal, as it is 9 in the morning, and sit down and eat. I hear the familiar sound of Lachlan raging and I giggle.

It's so funnyyyyyyyyyyy

The sudden sound of my phone going off catches my attention. I pick it up without looking at the caller ID.

"Caitlin." The all too familiar sound of my brother's voice rings through my ears.

"What's up, Ben? Haven't heard from you in a while." I casually say.

"Listen..." He says, getting serious. "Everything's been crazy over here, and I think Autumn and the guys have been trying their best to shield this information from you..."

"Go on." I urge him to continue, although I don't really want him too.

What could be so bad that it is shaking him up like that?

"Alex... Well... The prosecution wants you to testify against him for sexual harassment and domestic abuse, along with lesser charges." He says, causing my eyes to widen.

"W-what?" I ask, not comprehending what's going on.

I can't do that, can I?

My heart starts to pound, for Lachlan or Alex I do not know.

"And... Dad just got admitted into the hospital. He's been diagnosed with lung cancer and only a month to live."

My eyes widen even more, if that's even possible, and I shake my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts of pity for the man who ruined my life.

"Caitlin... He-dad-he wants to see you. In person." Ben says, and I shake my head in disagreement.

"I-I can't."

"Why?" He asks.

"I-I just can't go back to the man that caused my whole life to flip around in one night. And, besides, I'm with Lachlan now. I can't just leave him after promising to stay."

"It'll only be for a month; the trial for Alex will also be held in the timeframe." He says. "And Lachlan can come too."

"I-I don't know..." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I-I just don't know."

"The trial is in three weeks. The lawyers would like to see you a week before then." He says, hanging up without another word.

I frustratedly groan, not willing myself to scream as Lachlan is still recording. But, it seems he heard, as I feel him pull me into his chest.

"What happened?" He whispers into my hair.

"T-they want me to go back. Alex's trial is this month... And dad... Only has a month to live." I cry, not only for the fact that I have to embarrass myself in front of the jury, but also surprisingly for the fact that dad is sick.

He ruined my life, why am I crying for him?

And then I remember mama's last words.