Dream Big (Sequel to Dreamer)

Chapter Four

Tia's POV

I gently shake my foot, anxiously waiting for my doctor to come in. This was my last appointment, so I hoped, that dealt with my surgery. I had recovered quickly from it, and was awaiting the okay to get back to my hectic life without restriction. I had five kids to take care of, and that was when Freddie and Carter weren't over. Let's not forget the girls who literally chased Jax around. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Then the door opened. Dr. Ray smiled at me, holding her iPad with my information. "Hi, Tia. I understand that you're in a bit of a hurry, so I'll make this quick. Everything seems perfectly fine. You've had a remarkable recovery, you may resume your normal life as you did before. Although if you do feel anything unusual you should seek help." She told me, and then I was free to go. I thanked her, and I headed out the door. I headed straight for my mini van, and quickly left the doctors office. I was borderline speeding as I raced to the elementary school. All of my kids decided they wanted to do after school activities. I picked Desiree up from cheer, Jackson up from pee wee football. Then I went to the middle school and picked Lexie and Freddie up from choir, and Jax up from baseball. Then I rushed to Shawn's record label and picked up Carter. I then went to Taco Bell, ordered out what seemed to be the whole restaurant for my family of seven, Shawn's family of two, Louis' family of two, and Katelyn. This was my life. I felt like I was running a circus sometimes. As soon as the car stopped all seven kids bolted out. I yelled at them to slow down and told them to stop doing that every time we were in the car. I got out myself, grabbing all four giant bags of food. I carried the bags inside, noticing that the last person in left the door open and Jax's key was in the knob. I sigh, placing the bags on the kitchen counter before grabbing Jax's key and shutting the door. Suddenly, Desiree began to scream. I ran upstairs to see why. I picked up my little girl, checking to make sure she was fine, only to see the reason she screamed was something she saw. Lexie was bright red, and so was Freddie. His hand was on her cheek, and there faces were close. He was about to kiss her. I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle the giggle threatening to spill from my lips. I turned away from the blushing preteens, carrying my daughter downstairs. "That was gross, Mummy!" Desiree exclaimed. "You know you had a boyfriend at one point." I tease, remembering her 'boyfriend' of one day from last week. "Yeah, but Jay wasn't icky like Freddie." She says, making a face. "How is Freddie icky?" I ask, confused. "Lexie said I'm not supposed to tell you." Desiree says, and I set her on the counter. "I won't tell her you told me." I say, putting my pinky up for her to lock our fingers. She does. "I don't really understand what he meant cause I do it all the time, but Freddie kept asking Lexie to send him selfies." Desiree explained, and I froze. "Did she send them?" I ask, panic rising in my chest. "No, and because she wouldn't Freddie said he was gonna hit her." Desiree explained, playing with her skirt. I nod, "How do you know this?" I ask curiously. "I can read, Mummy. They were in her text massages." Desi says, miss pronouncing the word messages. "Thank you, honey." I say, digging a cookie out of the cookie jar. I handed Desiree her favorite cookie, and then I moved to start unpacking the food. I set out the tacos, the nachos, and the burritos and got out the gallon of sweet tea and the gallon of unsweetened tea. Then I got Desiree off of the counter, and we walked upstairs together. I asked her to get Jackson and Carter out of the play room for me. I went to the room next to the play room, only to see Jax beating up Freddie. Lexie was in the corner crying, her shirt ripped and her nails blood stained. I rushed in, picking up the twelve year old. "Jax! Jax!" I yelled, and he stopped. He was panting, and red in the face. Freddie was covered in bruises and his face was bleeding, mainly his nose. I covered Lexie's face, that way she wouldn't have to see anything. Jax still has Freddie pinned down, and I let my eyes wander to the jump rope under Lexie's bed. Jax got my hint, and nodded. Bridal style, I carried Lexie to Jax's room. On my way out I almost tripped on something, her torn underwear. I kicked them behind the door, wondering how I didn't hear them. I lay her down on the bed, gently stroking her hair. "You don't have to talk about it." I say quietly, kissing her forehead. "I'm sorry..." Lexie sobs, and I gently shush her. "It's not your fault. You're twelve, far too young for that." I explain, soothing her. Freddie was a thirteen year old boy. He hadn't even been thirteen for more than a month. "Are you gonna tell Louis?" She asked, and I sighed. "I have to, honey, he tried to..." I started, but I didn't say the last word. It would've been too painful for the both of us. "Are you hungry?" I ask her, changing the subject. Lexie slightly nods, and I do too. "Okay; Louis, Chandler, and Shawn should be here soon." I say, still stroking her hair. There was a gentle knock, and I turned my head to see Jax at the door. "Dad- I mean Chandler, sent me up to let you know that he and Shawn are here, and that Louis' on his way. He asked about my face, but I told him it was something you needed to talk to him about." Jax said quietly, and I nodded. "Jax, can you get Lexie a change of clothes?" I requested, and I look at Lexie. "Yes ma'am, Lexie what would you like me to grab?" Jax asked, and she paused. "My pink sweatpants and a hoodie." Lexie whispered, and I looked over at Jax. I mouthed out to him to grab her a pair of underwear too. Jax nodded at us both, and then he left. "I'll step out when Jax gets back with your clothes. He and I will wait outside the door, okay?" I tell the girl, doing my best to comfort her. "Just Jax, please? I want you to tell Chandler without me." Lexie pleads, and I nod reassuringly. "Okay, I'll tell him while your getting changed." I confirm, and then Jax returns. "If you need me I'll be in the kitchen. I'm pretty sure Desiree, Jackson, and Carter are eating in the dining room already." I tell her, getting up. Jax hands Lexie her clothes, and then begin to walk out. I stop in the door way, looking back. Jax is hugging Lexie close, and Lexie has her arms wrapped tightly around him. Jax whispers something in Lexie's ear, but I can't hear it. I head towards the stairs, taking a deep breath before I begin my decent down them, but I'm stopped by a familiar voice. "Lexie wanted it." The voice says, and I glare at the person whom the voice was emitted. "The bloody nails and torn clothes say otherwise." I spat back, and then I left him. Freddie was tied to the bed, his hands behind his back. Once I reached the living room, which is where the stairs lead to, Shawn and Chandler were waiting nervously on the couch, their knees bouncing. "Chandler, I need to talk to you, Shawn, you might want to hear this too." I explain, grabbing their attention. Both men jump up, looking at me. I lead them to the kitchen, running my hands through my hair. "How far out is Louis? I need to talk to him alone, only after I talk to the two of you." I explain, my voice strong and angry. "Uh, he said he was twenty minutes away about fifteen minutes ago." Chandler said, checking his phone. I nod, sighing. "What happened, Tia?" Shawn asked, obviously worried. "It's Freddie." I start, gulping. "When I was unloading the food Desiree screamed from upstairs. I rushed up to make sure that she was okay, and I saw Freddie and Lexie about to kiss. Desiree hand seen them, and you know how little kids you with that type of stuff." I explain, sighing. "On the way back to the kitchen Desiree told me she thought Freddie was icky. I asked her what she meant, and Desiree told me that Freddie had asked Lexie to send him nudes. She declined, and kept declining, but Freddie threatened to hit her because she wouldn't. Knowing Lexie, she still didn't do it. I'm only assuming that she didn't. Desi didn't elaborate anymore on that topic. After I set out the food I went upstairs with Desiree, and sent her to get Jackson and Carter. I went to get Lexie since she was the closest, and..." I start, gulping back tears. "I saved her." Jax buts in, knowing I can't continue. Shawn, Chandler, and I look at Jax, his arm wrapped around Lexie. "Saved her from what?" Shawn asks, holding his arms out towards Lexie. Lexie runs towards Shawn, letting him hold her. "That's not what she wore to school today. Is that blood on her nails...?" Chandler asks, and slowly he puts everything together. "Oh, Lexie..." Shawn says, hugging her closer. "I'm home!" Violet yells, walking in. Katelyn had her today, she was learning to model with Katelyn. She was really into the whole modeling business. Violet, whom is now nine, came into the kitchen with Katelyn. "Mama, what's going on?" She asks, running over to a crying Lexie. "Sweetheart, Freddie won't be coming over anymore." Chandler explained. Katelyn came over to me, and Jax went upstairs. I assumed to keep an eye on Freddie. "What happened?" Katelyn asked me, and I sighed. "Freddie tried to... take things further... against Lexie's will. If Jax hadn't of stepped in he would have." I whisper back, and Katelyn hugs me.  Louis walks in, yelling his hellos. "Uncle Louis!" Carter, Jackson, and Desiree yell, running at him from the dining room. Chandler and I look at each other as Lexie hides behind Shawn.