The Rolling Saviours

Chapter Seven

"Alyssa. Alyssa, wake up."

Theodora's voice pulled her out of a dream. A bad dream.

Shaking, she sat up to see her adopted sister sitting next to her, blonde hair dishevelled and concern in her eyes.

"I woke you. I'm sorry," Alyssa whispered.

"You were crying Alyssa," Theodora said softly, gently taking her hands.
"What's wrong?"

"Bad dream," she mumbled, ashamed of herself.

"About?"

"My father beating the hell out of me," Alyssa whispered, trembling.

Theodora pulled her gently to her feet, putting a dressing gown round her shoulders before shrugging on one herself.

"C'mon," she murmured, leading Alyssa from the room.

They walked across the landing and Theodora nudged a door open.
"Mum?"

She quietly crossed the room to the bed, sitting down and gently shaking the sleeping body occupying it.

Patti stirred.
"Fuck off Keith," she mumbled.
"Just get into bloody bed."

"It's me, Theo. Wake up please."

Patti slowly turned onto her back and reached out for the lamp by the bed, flicking the switch on.

"Theo?" she murmured, shielding her eyes as the light came on.
"What's wrong?"

"Alyssa had a nightmare about her father," said Theodora quietly, blinking as her eyes ajusted to the sudden light.

"Come here Alyssa."
Patti lifted the covers, inviting her into bed.

She hesitated before burrowing into the bed with her, curling under the covers.

Patti wrapped her arms around her gently, rubbing her back.
"Cry if you need to," she murmured.
"I don't mind."

Alyssa broke down, sobbing hysterically into her shoulder, body shaking with sobs.

"What's going on here?"
Keith's voice sounded quietly from the doorway.

"Nightmare. What time is it anyway?" Patti asked.

"Quarter to three, or thereabouts," Keith answered as he crossed to sit on the end of the bed at his wife's feet, Jack the terrier beside him.

His gaze rested gently on Alyssa.
"You alright?" he asked softly.

She shook her head, face hidden against Patti's shoulder.

"Will I make you a cup of tea?"

Alyssa nodded silently.

The bed creaked slightly as Keith stood again and left the room.

He returned after few moments, passing her a steaming mug of tea.

She thanked him quietly, taking a slow sip, hands wrapped around the hot mug.

Theodora continued to rub Alyssa's back as she took another sip of her tea, trying to calm herself down.

Keith raked a hand through his thick dark hair, eyes fixed gently on her as he raised his mug to his lips.

"Feeling any better?" Patti asked softly after several moments.

"A little," Alyssa murmured quietly, setting her tea aside for a moment.

"Your father can't get you here. I promise," Keith said, laying a gentle hand on her knee, his wedding ring glinting in the lamplight.
"For a start, the gates can't be opened except by a code or a remote. And if, by some miracle he did manage to get in, the dogs wouldn't let him this far. And if they failed, I've got a few little firearms hidden in the house."

"Firearms? Guns you mean?" Alyssa murmured.

"Yeah. Long story involving many misadventures in the 70s. Before I settled down."

"Before you met me in other words," said Patti with a slight smile as she kissed her husband's head.

"Exactly," Keith responded, returning her smile.

His eyes returned to Alyssa.
"So, your father can't hurt you anymore. I promise."

She nodded and suddenly threw her arms around Keith's neck, almost spilling the tea he held.

He chuckled, an arm wrapping around her.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me," she murmured.

Keith smiled gently and softly kissed her head.
"Welcome to the family, Alyssa Richards."

Patti looked at her.
"Do you want to sleep in here with us tonight?"

"Am I allowed?" Alyssa asked.

"I offered. Of course you're allowed. You're a Richards, and therefore always welcome in this bed."

Keith glanced at his wife, a smile playing on his lips.
"Shouldn't I put you out of the bed then darling?"

She smirked.
"Absolutely not."

Alyssa glanced at Keith, biting her lip slightly.

"What is it?"

"Do you all live here together all the time?"

Keith shook his head.
"Absolutely not. I'd murder people if we all lived like this all the time. Evercreek is owned by us all and we do spend quite a bit of time here, especially when we're working on new recordings but we all have our own separate houses and lives too.
Patti, the girls and I have three places.
One in Connecticut, one in Jamaica, and Redlands, in West Sussex."

"What about school?"

"Here in England," said Theodora.
"We go to an ordinary public school not far from here."

"Remind me to get Alyssa enrolled for next term," Patti muttered, stroking Jack as he nudged his way under her hand.

Theodora nodded.
"I will."

Patti yawned, shifting over and gesturing to the space between her and Keith.
"In you get Alyssa. Theo, turn the light off."

Theodora nodded, kissing her mother's head as she got up, turning the light out before quietly leaving the room.

Alyssa curled up, feeling Keith shift slightly beside her, his arm still around her.

"Comfy?"

"Yeah."

Patti flipped over, lying with her back to Alyssa.
"Did I do something wrong?" Alyssa whimpered.

Keith chuckled, pulling her closer.
"No. She usually sleeps on that side so I can spoon her when I come to bed. But I can't spoon her with you between us."

"I'll move," she murmured.

"No you won't. Patricia will be fine without spooning tonight."

"Oh, will I?" Patti murmured teasingly.

"Yes. I'll spoon our daughter instead."

"Our daughter."
A bubble of happiness rose in Alyssa's stomach at those words.

She was accepted. A part of the family.

A/N
Happy birthday Keith Richards!
And happy wedding anniversary to Keith and Patti!!