Completed Heart

Chapter 52: Protection

Chapter 52: Protection

When I woke up again, no one was there with me. Someone had lay me down in my bed and wrapped the duvet around me. I climbed out of bed slowly and pulled off the covers. I carefully stood, feeling dizzy. Did last nigh just happen? Did Harry really stay with me? I looked down. Did I really sit on Harry’s lap in nothing but a tight tank top and underwear? I blushed, embarrassed, even though I was alone in the room. I walked over to one of my unpacked boxes and pulled out a robe. After tying it around myself I unlocked the door and stepped onto the cold hallway floor.

Someone was cooking. A delicious smell invaded my nostrils and forced me into the kitchen, where Liam stood with his back to me. He was in his pj bottoms and had no shirt on.

“Watcha cooking?” I asked quietly. He spun around with a spatula in his hands, grinning.

“Waffles, I know they’re your favorite!” I laughed with him. We had argued last night. We had really gotten into it, but still, here he was, cooking me my favorite breakfast. I walked up behind him and gave him a quick hug. He wasn’t able to turn around and reciprocate it because he was cooking, but that’s ok.

“I love you,” I murmured as I let go of him and leaned against the counter next to him.

“Love you, too, babe.” He turned to kiss my forehead quickly before turning back to the waffles. He turned off the stove and flipped the waffles onto two plates. He held one up to me and then reached up into a high cabinet, pulling out maple syrup. He motioned for me to go over to the table.

“So, what’s the plan?” I asked after I sat down. He tilted his head as he swallowed his bite.

“Plan for what?”

“For today.” He nodded his head, thinking.

“Uh, I don’t know. I was thinking sightseeing, or shopping, if you need clothes or furniture or whatever. It’s totally up to you.” I nodded, both of those options sounded nice.

“The boys may tag along, though. I don’t know if all four of them will come, or only one or two, or none of them. Their days consist of waking up and doing what they want.” He shook his head disapprovingly at their lifestyle. He looked up at me from his waffles when I didn’t answer. I saw a flash of worry cross his eyes.

“Have you been crying?” He asked.

“I had a bad dream. Why, are my eyes red?” I tired to rub my eyes, but he grabbed my hand.

“I just noticed. How come I didn’t see before? When did you cry?” He seemed worried.

“Last night, or rather, very early this morning.” I pulled my hand away from his and rubbed my eyes.

“Why? What was so bad in your dream that you were crying?”

“It was nothing, really. It was just a little scary.” I lied, trying to give him a reassuring smile.

“You’re a bad liar.” He said softly.

“I know.” I admitted. He looked at me with his big brown eyes as sympathy crossed his face. He got up and came over to my chair, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Please tell me. I want to know… I can help” He murmured softly. I decided to just tell him my dream. He would get mad and upset at Tyler and then try to get over comforting and whatnot. Afterwards he would watch me closely for three and a half hours and then get over it. This was the Liam overprotecting cycle; I knew it like the back of my hand.

“It was a memory,” I started. I would tell him the dream, not who was there to comfort me when I woke up.

“Oh. A bad memory? Or a good one? So good that you started to cry because you miss the old times…” He was referring to the pre-One Direction days. Of course he would find a way to blame my sadness on himself.

“NO. No, Liam, no. it was about, er, Tyler. He was…” I choked a little, “beating me.” Liam froze; the cycle began.

“He… What was he doing? Specifically…” He asked me. He wanted to know how Tyler had hurt me.

“Liam, I can’t.” I whispered. I was fine talking about it, but I didn’t want Liam to know. I didn’t want him to get upset and blame himself again.

“Susan, you can. I know you can talk about it, stop protecting me.” He ordered. Fine, be that way Liam.

“He was calling me a, uh, slut. He told me I wasn’t good enough.” Liam squeezed me into his chest.

“None of that is true; you are too good for him. You aren’t a slut. Don’t listen to him.” I nodded.

“Was that it?” He pressed.

“No.” I admitted.

“Go on.” He ordered softly.

“He was kicking me. I was on the floor. He kicked me really hard in the back. It was the pain that woke me up.” I told him.

“Did he really hurt you like that?” He asked through clenched teeth, trying to sound calm.

“Every day.” I whispered.

“The police station called and say they have him; his trial is next week. He can’t hurt you anymore. I’m here. I’ll protect you.” Was his response. I nodded, not sure of how I felt about this. Tyler had hurt me; my physical scars had started to heal, but I knew there were emotional ones that had not yet surfaced.

I’m coming up with Zayn!  xx Harry

I pulled out my phone when it buzzed on the counter. I smiled as I saw his text and waited for the familiar buzz of the elevator. I showed Liam the text as he got up and cleared our plates. I stood up with him and tightened my robe; I saw Liam nod and smile in the corner of my eye as he saw this. I heard a buzz and then the doors dinged open: No one was inside. I went over to the elevator, curious. As I peered in and looked to the left, I heard a growling sound behind me. Before I could turn around, I was off the ground and on someone’s shoulder.

“Don’t play too rough boys,” I heard Liam call for the kitchen. I figured it was Zayn who was holding me because I heard Harry chuckle from somewhere to my left.

“Can you please put me down?” I asken impatiently, although I couldn’t hide my smile at the antics.

“Hmm, should we Haz?” Zayn marched me over to the TV room.

“Not yet, Zayn. We need leverage over Liam. His sister is good leverage,” Harry responded in mock seriousness. Zayn stood there with me slung over his shoulder, as I looked up Harry came from behind Zayn and winked on me.

“Good morning Susie Q. No hard feelings, right? We just need something from Liam. Well, I do at least; Zayn was just bored.” I shook my head, whatever.

“Although I am enjoying the view, love, maybe next time you should wear longer, er, shorts and a more, uh, secure robe.” Zayn chuckled. My robe had risen up to my waist and my ass was only covered by small and tight shorts. So, pretty much it was on display.

“Liam,” Harry called into the kitchen, glancing back at me as he went, “We have your sister! We are willing to trade her for one thing; Lou and I need to take her for three hours today. Is that alright?” I heard Liam laugh at Harry’s ultimatum.

“Ok! Bring her back by four because Danielle is coming over around then!” Liam called back. My stomach dropped, Danielle was coming over? What if I didn’t impress her? What if she didn’t like me.

“Er, Zayn. Liam agreed, you can put me down now.” I muttered, pounding him on the back.

“If you insist!” He laughed and threw me onto the couch. I fell on my back and tumbled off of the couch.

“ZAYN!” I yelled, but as I looked around I saw that the two boys were already on the lift.

“We’ll pick you up in a half hour, babe! Be ready!” Harry called as the doors shut.