his little girl // jiley

Chapter XXIX

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C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y N I N E
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Rileys POV

JAMES PULLS AWAY gently, and looks at me shocked. "What was... why...?" He say, completely and utterly confused. I bite down hard on my lip.

"I kissed you." I say.

"Well, I can see that." His eyes study me, trying to put it together. I don't tell him I've wanted to do that since, well, forever. And now I've done it and it's bittersweet — he'll find out.

The baby starts crying. James looks down at her and rocks her slightly. His expression softens. "Did you name her?" He asks me.

"Yes," I reply. "I like the name Lydia. The middle name I was thinking could be my granny's name — so Lydia Rose." I explain. I was planning on naming my kid after my granny since she died three years ago.

James smiles, but then he goes quiet. "And, um. What was he called?" I know who he's referring too, and it makes my chest hurt. He looks so sad when he says this I realise I've forgotten how much this would of hurt him too. I feel awful now that I realise how selfish I've been — of course he was affected. How could I not have realised?

"Jacob." I sigh. I named him a few days after he died, because for the few days straight after, I couldn't even think straight. Then I named him. I felt bad because I never told James.

"I like those names," James replies. "Riley, why'd you kiss me?" He asks it so suddenly I practically jump.

"I..." I look towards the door to see if it's closed. "I need help."

"What do you mean?"

"From him. You need to help me, please," I suddenly get really panicky.

"Riley, what are you talking about—"

"Him!! Alfie!!" I whisper shout. "Please help me, he... he..." I start breathing heavily.

"Riley, calm down," he puts the baby in her cot. "Tell me what's going on, and I'll help—"

"He wants to hurt me, James," I tell him. "Well. No. He wants more. He wants me dead."

James registers this for a while. "Riley, I had no idea," he pulls me in and hugs me and I sob into his chest.

"We need to call the police," James says. I shake my head.

"No," I say. "That won't help."

"What do you mean it won't help? What else could we possibly do?"

"Please, just let me move in with you, keep me away from him!"

"Okay, okay, I will," he says. "What about Hazel? What's he done to her?"

"A lot more than she's told you."

I can see the anger boiling in him. "I swear, if I get my hands on him—"

"James, don't," I sigh. "Just... go back out there and act natural. Don't tell anyone else!"

James nods. "Okay, I won't." He sighs slightly. Somehow, I finally feel safe. With him. And I just really want to get away from Alfie.

The door opens and we both jump. Eldon walks in with Hazel by his side.

"Riley!" She squeals. She runs over and hugs me.

"Hey," I smile. "You here to meet your little sister?" James and Eldon start to talk but I keep my attention on Hazel.

Hazel nods enthusiastically. "Yes!"

James picks Lydia up, and Hazel holds her, with James beside her to make sure Lydia doesn't fall, and Hazel looks so happy she might burst.

"Hazel, meet Lydia," I say.

"She's very pretty." She says.

"Takes after her sister," I say.

"Half sister, technically," Hazel points out. "I still don't understand that." She furrows her eyebrows. James rolls his eyes and smiles.

"I'll explain later," he says. "Again."

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Going home was hard. I need to protect Lydia form Alfie, because god knows what he's planning to do to her. I had to go to Alfie's house when I got out, and now that Im here he's not being very pleasant and I need James.

Alfie's – well, our – house is very fancy and expensively decorated, but it will never be as homely as James's apartment, with the ripped leather couch and broken appliances in every room. I may have complained back then but now I miss it more than ever.

I decorated a room for Lydia, but not too much becuase there's no way I'm staying here for long. In every corner of this house there's bad memories. Ghosts of the beatings I got, the words said. If Lydia has to grow up in this house I swear.

"Can't you make that baby stop?" Alfie growls as Lydia's wails fills the house.

"I'm trying."

"Well, try harder," he snaps.

I rock Lydia to sush her. She keeps wailing. I will her to stop because Alfie is getting really angry — I can see it.

I put Lydia down in the crib that I have sat in the living room and I sigh. "Alfie can't you at least help me take care of her?"

I regret the words as soon as they come out of my mouth.

"I think you're forgetting she isn't my kid," he seethes. "Why should I take care of someone who isn't even fucking mine?"

"I..."

"I SHOULDNT BE EXPECTED TO ANYTHING FOR THOSE GOD DAMN KIDS AND YET I DO EVERYTHING!" He yells.

"Alfie, calm down..."

"NO, RILEY. I DO EVERYTHING AND I GET NOTHING BACK!" He slaps me across the face and I gasp, stumbling back in shock. I glare at him with tears pricking my eyes.

He glares back, angrily.

I take Lydia down the hall and grab my phone. I shakily hit on James's contact.

He picks up quickly. "Riley? What's wrong? What happened?" 

I start sobbing. "I... I'm coming over... is that okay?"

"Yeah, of course, Riley," he says. "Please do. We'll talk then, okay?"

I nod. "Okay."

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Heyyy guys, sorry for updating again so soon but I'm in a writing mood... ps sorry I haven't updated my au book in so long... I need help with ideas so if u have any message me!! Thanks!!
- emma xx