Everyone was called and told about the incident with Brian. Christopher was most affected by the news, as he had nothing but bad memories with his dad. Not that his sister or his mom didn't, but especially after being kidnapped by him, he could feel the fear building up inside of him at the idea of his dad being back in town. Although he was worried about his mom, he didn't want to go to the hospital and see her beat up again. Penny and Ezra stayed back at the house with him, and tried to keep him busy.
Taylor called Arielle as he drove to the hospital, and met her there. Not wanting to give her the details over the phone, he explained there was had happened. She panicked, and he had to talk her down. As soon as she was calmed down enough, they got someone to lead them to her mom's hospital room.
With tears in her eyes, Arielle walked in to see her mom with a bruised up face. " Mom, are you feeling alright?"
Ashley looked into her daughter's eyes, and it was obvious to her and Taylor that she had been crying too. " I... I am okay. I'm just... so tired of... being hurt by that man, and of... of living in fear. I don't think that I.. can do this anymmore." She sobbed, barely able to catch a breath. Tears streamed down her face.
Running into her mom's arms, she gave her a big hug. " Have they told you if the baby is okay?"
With a nod, she hugged Arielle back. " The baby is fine. But when they do release me, they want me to take it very easy. They said too much more stress wouldn't be good for either of us."
Taylor came over to give her a little hug, and kissed her on the cheek. Although he had a hard time getting along with her these days, he still cared for her. " I'm glad you and the baby are doing alright."
" Thanks." She hugged him back, and gave him a little smile. " Where is Christopher?"
" He didn't want to come, mom. I'm sorry. I think he is just feeling so overwhelmed right now." She took her mom's hand in her's as she sat beside her in a chair. " And he really didn't want to see you like this again either."
" I guess I understand." Wiping away her own tears, she let out a sigh. " Is he okay?"
Taylor nodded. " Yeah. He's freaking about what happened to you, but Penny and Ezra are with him."
Taylor and Arielle visited with her a few more minutes before a nurse came in to tell them they should let her rest. They asked if they could check on Natalie, and were told it was fine. She seemed to be doing okay herself, but she had been given something for the pain.
About an hour or so later, both were released, and Arielle brought her mom home. Not wanting to leave her alone, she had insisted on it. She stayed the night and made up stir fry for dinner. When they were finished eating, they settled in on the couch to watch Beauty And The Beast.
Back at Taylor's, Natalie was resting in bed with a good book while he worked on dinner. She was so engrossed with it, that she didn't ever hear a knock on the bedroom door. Then she heard Christopher's voice, and she jumped a bit. " Natalie, can I come in?" He asked.
" Of course. Come on in." She put her bookmark in place, and closed the book. " How are you doing, handsome?" Giving him a little smile, she patted a spot on the bed next to her to let him know he could sit.
" I'm okay. Just worried about you." He sighed, and sat down. " Are you feeling alright?"
" I'm starting to feel a bit sore, but I'll be okay." She gave him a hug. " You should probablly give your mom a call. I know she would love to hear from you."
" I know. But I just... I feel like if she hadn't gotten involved with my dad, then..."
" Then you would never have been born, honey. And besides that, sometimes it turns out that you don't know someone the way you thought you did. She couldn't have known he was anything like this." Natalie interrupted him. " It isn't her fault he is abusive. Now please just giver her a call." She handed him her cell phone.
