Wren's P. O. V.
It had been two days since Jack left. Aspen kept me busy, but I still missed him terribly. Daniel took us to meet his family and Anna, Aspen, and I spent the whole day laughing together. Jack was doing the same with his family, over 2000 miles away.
I was counting down the days until Jack got back. I was absolutely miserable on the fourth day. My head was pounding, I couldn't sit up without falling over, and I spent almost the whole morning trying not to throw up. I just wanted Jack to comfort me. Aspen did what she could, but it didn't help much.
"Do you want me to get some food, since you're stomach is feeling better?" She asked that afternoon.
"I guess. You can go wherever."
"Okay. Text me if you need anything." She grabbed her purse and walked out to her car. I sighed and put my hands over my eyes. My phone buzzed next to me so I picked it up, answering the call from Jack.
"Hey babe," he said.
"Hi," I said quietly.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like absolute crap."
"I'm sorry."
"I just wish you were here."
"Me too. Just a few more days and you'll be back in my arms again."
"I don't think I can wait that long." I heard the doorbell ring. "I have to go, someone's at the door."
"Okay. Will you call me back?"
"Yeah of course. I love you. Bye." I hung up and slid my phone into the pocket of my sweatpants before slowly walking down the stairs. The doorbell rang again.
I finally got to the door and I opened it, shielding the sun from my eyes. My hand dropped, along with my jaw, when I saw my dad standing at the door. I tried to slam the door shut, but he stopped me.
"You need to leave. Now!" I said, tears spilling from my eyes.
"Wren please just let me say one thing."
"Why can't you get it through your head that I don't want to talk to you? If you cared about me at all, you'd leave me alone!" I pulled my phone out of my pocket. He pushed through the door and grabbed my wrist, making me drop my phone.
"Who you trying to call? Your stupid boyfriend Jack? Doesn't he know that you're my little girl?"
"Stop! Please just stop! Don't hurt me again!" I screamed hysterically, my tears dripping onto the floor.
"Shut up and listen to me!" I pushed away from him with everything I had, but he was stronger.
"Dad please!" He pushed me onto the couch. "Help!" I shouted. He tried to grab the hem of my shirt, but I pushed him away.
"Wren!"
"Stop! Just leave me alone!" I hit and kicked the air trying to get him away from me.
He held me down and forced me to take my shirt off. I thought it was over. There was nothing I could do. Then I heard the door open. I screamed again and I heard footsteps running. Someone pulled my dad off of me and Aspen had helped me stand up. She took me to my room, and when I looked back at my dad, I saw Daniel punching him repeatedly until he stopped trying to fight.
"Shhhh," Aspen said as I sat on the bed. My shoulders shook and my chest was rapidly moving up and down. Aspen had given me a shirt and now she was rubbing my back, trying to calm me down. A few minutes later, Daniel came into the room. He took Aspen's place and held me in his arms as I cried into his chest.
I either fell asleep or passed out, because when I opened my eyes I knew I was dreaming. Someone had their arms wrapped around me, but it wasn't Daniel. I saw the curly hair from the corner of my eye and wished it wasn't a dream.
"Hey babe."
"Am I dreaming?" I asked. He chuckled.
"No, you're not. I'm actually here." He smiled down at me. I smiled and reached up, putting my lips onto his. I ran my hands through his hair and he kept his on my cheeks. I noticed Daniel sitting next to Jack.
"When did you get here?" I asked.
"Aspen called me after...it happened. I got on a plane and flew here as soon as I could. I got here and you were asleep."
"What happened to my dad?"
"I called the cops and they took him away. He'll be gone for at least another ten years," Daniel said.
"Does Em know?" I asked.
"She's in the living room with Charlie." I started to sit up, but Jack stopped me. "You should be staying in bed. I'll bring them in here."
"Okay," I sighed. He kissed me again before leaving to go get them. I slowly sat up and looked at the time to see it was ten.
"Thank you so much Daniel. I don't know what would've happened if you weren't there to save me," I said quietly.
"You're welcome Wren." I scooted closer before wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
Soon Jack brought Em and Charlie into our room. He came back to his spot next to me on our bed.
"Wren, I am so sorry." Em came rushing to my side. She hugged me tight.
"It's okay Em."
"No, it's not. I should've listened to you. He messed up once, I shouldn't have even given him the chance to mess up again."
"You weren't the one who gave him a chance, the police were."
"No, he wasn't released for good behavior. I had visited him multiple times while you were away and he convinced me that he should be let out. He told me where to get the money, so I bailed him out."
"Why?"
"He was always good at lying. I guess I forgot that, seeing him in orange behind bars. He was acting like he did before mom died, and I missed that. I'm so sorry, I never realized how sick he actually was," she cried into my shoulder.
"Emma, it's okay. Really."
"This is the second time I let this happen-"
"It's not your fault. I'll be fine."
"I'm sorry," she whispered again.
*****
