guarding my angel || "guardian angel" sequel

4

**Alex's POV**

Tonight, there's this big sleepover at the Curtis house. Everyone, including the girls, is spending the night, and to be honest, I'm not looking forward to it. Everyone just hangs out with their significant other, and it sucks having to wake up in the middle of the night because of the baby and see everyone laying on their loves.

Aliyah and I arrive last in an attempt to avoid seeing all the relationships as long as I can. When we get there, everyone is strewn about the house. Kayla motions for me to come sit with her.

I spend most of my time with Kayla throughout the night, but what's new. Aliyah loves her, which is a plus when I need to unload her to someone.

After a delicious meal of chicken wings and rice, we all go back to our own activities. Soda, Ponyboy, Johnny, Victoria, and Jess play cards. Bailey and Two-Bit watch Mickey Mouse. Darry and Lauren do something in the kitchen. Kayla, Aliyah, Lulu, and I sit on the couch.

"Are we doing anything special for her 5 month birthday?" Kayla asks. I shake my head.

"Her dad coming back might make up for the rest of her birthdays," I say with a sigh. Kayla gives me a sympathetic look. She's been so supportive throughout this whole thing.

"Alex, why don't you two go for a walk? You can just take some time to think and clear your head," Kayla offers. I take a deep breath and nod. It'd probably feel really nice.

I stand from the couch and run to grab a jacket for Aliyah. She squeals and grabs onto my shoulders so she can hold herself up. I grab her little coat and I throw on one of Dally's old leather jackets. I wave goodbye to everyone and walk outside.

I look down at Aliyah as we walk. What's going to happen in 5 years when she starts asking about where her dad went? Where her mom went? Where her second dad went? Am I supposed to tell her that she has a twin brother out there somewhere that disappeared when she was a week old? How could I tell her that they all left without making her feel absolutely worthless?

I just keep walking. I hold her against me tightly and promise to her that I won't leave too. She's my baby now, and I'm going to be the best mom I can be.

We keep walking for a while, Aliyah speaking in her baby language about the stars. I smile and wonder if Dally's out there, looking at the same stars.

Our beautiful moment quickly is ruined when Aliyah grows quiet. I look around to see if something could have scared her, but there's nothing there.

I turn back around and come face to face with a very tall greaser, holding a beer bottle.

**Dally's POV**

I can't take it anymore. One more day without at least seeing her and I'll go mad. I don't care what anyone thinks or says about it, I just need to see her and make sure she's okay.

I wait for the guards to leave for the night before making my getaway. A guy a few cells over told me about a back exit that's supposed to be for the security guards, but isn't used or monitored anymore. I pick the lock on my cell with my switchblade, follow the directions he wrote for me on a napkin, and successfully make my escape.

I quickly hop onto the train and ride for what seems like a few weeks before getting off in Tulsa. It's dark outside, so I quietly make my way towards the Curtis house.

I'm walking through the shadows of streetlights when I hear a scream.

Immediately, I think it could be Alex. But that's insane, there's no way it could be.

I keep walking, and the screaming gets louder. I hear loud cries and baby shrieks. My eyes grow wide and begin to use the screams as a map to whatever is going on.

Eventually, I find a tall greaser beating on a girl. She's holding something and screaming, "No, not my baby!"

My heart stops. That's Alex getting beaten.

I race over just as the greaser hits her on the head with what looks like a beer bottle. Her body instantly collapses, dropping the baby when she hits the ground.

I reach them all as the greaser heads for the Aliyah.

"Don't you dare hurt my daughter!" I scream through gritted teeth as I pull out my switchblade and stick it straight into his chest.