His Daughter

Chapter Twenty Three

Grady drove me back to the familiar house that was made of gray bricks. I was so nervous, my fingers were trembling.

"Hey," Grady said, noticing that I was scared and putting his hand in mine, "it's going to be alright. Steve is a good guy, and he could never be mad at you."

"I don't know. I messed everything up bad." I said back.

"Don't feel guilty. Everyone is human, and we make mistakes." he said, smiling at me, "now go." he let go of my hand and unlocked the door.

"Thanks again. For everything."

He just nodded and waited for me to get out of the car, before putting it into reverse, and leaving the driveway.

Just then I heard the front door open, and I slowly looked up to see Steve running at me.

"Aria!" He yelled before pulling me into the tightest hug I had ever received. I could feel him crying on my shoulder.

"Hey, Steve. I'm so sorry." I hugged him back feeling tears pooling my own eyes.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again!" He said pulling out of the hug, looking at me. I just smiled back and nodded.

"It was John. He... he kidnapped me."

Steve just nodded, a sign for me to continue.

"And then I went to juvie for stealing food." I sighed, "and it wasn't just John who kidnapped me. It was..."

"Emily!" screamed a voice, coming from the front door. I looked up and saw Aunt December. I was so shocked, I gasped out loud.

"Emily, I have been worried sick." she came walking towards me. I noticed that she had a cast on her leg, and almost her whole face was purple. I could clearly tell that it was from someone hitting her.

"I just wanted to say, I am so sorry for everything I put you through and I messed up badly! I don't understand what made me do it all but over the years I've realized how many mistakes I've made! It's okay if you can never forgive me," She started to sob. I just nodded and smiled at her. I didn't want to say I forgave her because that would take awhile. But if things went at the rate they were going at now, then someday soon I would learn to accept her mistake.

I then pulled her into a hug. I was so glad that she wasn't still with John and Dave.

"I told Steve everything. How I helped too." she looked at Steve, smiled, and grabbed his hand.

"So it seems that you too have made up?" I said, feeling happy for them. After feeling like I ruined everything in their relationship, it was almost a relief.

"Yes. and I am so happy that you are back home and safe." December replied.

<<<>>>

That night we talked about everything. From John kidnapping me to juvie, and to Mack. I went to bed, and I couldn't help but feeling like a happy family again. I was thankful to be back in my soft bed, and not in juvie.

<<<>>>

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of bacon. I was so happy to be home. I shot straight out of bed and headed downstairs. I could see Steve and December sitting at the table with each other, talking in hushed voices excitedly. They saw me enter the room and immediately stopped.

"Good morning Aria!" December said. She must have caught up with calling me that and stopped the old habit of calling me, Emily.

"Good morning," I said looking at them suspiciously.