A Cliche Love Story

Chapter 27

Grace was sitting in front of the TV in the living room, watching Looney Toons as Skylar, her parents, and Alex all sat around the breakfast table. Having already fed Grace, they started their meals, but Alex couldn't seem to relax enough to eat. Last night was still playing over in his head, his stomach still turning at his mom raising her hand to hit him. She would have succeeded, if Alex hadn't grabbed her wrist.

Thinking about Grace having to grow up with his parents filled him with a lot of anger towards the type of parents they had been to him. Mostly their lack of actual parenting came to mind. They had abandoned both of them and when they were around, they were abusive and uncaring. Although he wanted to believe that people could change and that they could be good parents to Grace, the way they had approached obtaining custody of Grace proved that they were the same people that left him to care for his baby sister all alone. What if Grace truly did end up with them and they turned her against him? Even though he raised her and loved her with all of his heart, Grace was a child and she was vulnerable to the way their parents might twist things.

Skylar glanced over to see Alex gripping a fistful of tablecloth in his hand, his muscles tense, his breathing shaky. Her father was about to say something before he had noticed as well, but Alex didn't notice their concern. His nightmares were dancing around in his head and they had his attention.

Skylar gently worked his fingers off of the tablecloth and interlaced them with hers, holding onto his hand tightly as she moved her chair closer to his and rested her knee against his. He broke out of his daze and inhaled, turning his head to look at her.

"She is safe here. We won't let anyone take her away from you." Skylar's mom's voiced echoed in his ears as he watched her pat his free hand from across the table. His stomach settled and he gave her a silent nod and let himself relax slightly. Skylar squeezed his hand gently before letting go and beginning to eat her meal.

"If you don't eat, you won't have enough energy to make it through this and it's not going to be easy." Skylar told him softly, keeping her knee resting against his so she could be close to him.

All she received was a nod from Alex, and then he began to eat his breakfast.

This whole ordeal had also been eating away at Skylar. In the short time she had known Grace, she had grown to care very much for the little girl. No child deserved to grow up in the same situation that Alex had, and despite the difficulties both had faced, it was better that Alex had raised her. It was better that he had custody, but now it was all jumbled. The poor boy looked terrified, as Grace was his baby, and he was her protector. After they had finished breakfast, Skylar and Alex curled up on the floor with Grace and watched TV, after the little girl insisted.

Alex kissed Grace's head and wrapped his arm around her protectively.

After half an hour of cartoons and Grace's giggling, Skylar's mom brought up her tote of old toys and spilled them onto the ground for Grace to play with. While she was occupied, Skylar pulled Alex onto the couch and folded her arms around him. His head fell against her shoulder, and she could feel his eyelashes flutter closed. As her hands slowly ran through his hair, she felt him let out a big, shaky breath. 

Skylar could hear her father pacing in his office behind the living room. He was calling a lawyer who might possibly represent Alex and Grace, while also giving the family advice. The fact that her father was being so involved with the case, almost taking care of it entirely, meant a lot to her. Although Alex insisted her could handle it, Skylar's dad had insisted that he didn't have to be alone. 

With everything being taken care of, the couple peacefully dozed off on the couch to the sound of Grace giggling and her father's pacing.