Stay Together For The Kids - Michael Clifford Fanfiction

Restraints.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." I run my hands past my temple, trying to ignore the headache.

"Take your time."

Keisha, the police officer who had found and looked after Ruby yesterday, sits across from me.

I look down at the sheet in front of me. It is a typed out affidavit of yesterday's events. At the bottom is where I am to sign my name. At the top, all it reads is 'Intervention Order'. It makes me feel sick.

"Do you think there's any other way to keep Michael from doing this without cutting him out of my life completely?" I ask her for the hundredth time.

Her response is the same. "No." She says softly.

I close my eyes, and try to get my head around everything. The thoughts aren't going in the right order anymore. Everything is chaos, everything is scrambled. It's hard to concentrate in any one thing anymore.

"We can continue this tomorrow?" Keisha offers, noticing my distress.

"No." I say firmly, determined to make it through this. "No, I'm just tired from work."

"You were at work today?" She asks, surprised.

I smile slightly. Everyone's reaction to me working had become the same. I was used to it now. Almost expected it. Of course, no one at work knew that Michael had attempted to kidnap our daughter.

"Work doesn't stop, just for crazy ex husbands."

"Actually, have you filed for a divorce yet? It might be wise to do so soon, the intervention order will almost definitely be put in place, but just to be sure."

I grimace at the thought of having to go to my lawyer. And, more importantly, the cost that's involved.

"Yes, I suppose I should get onto that." I agree.

I look down at my paper and without hesitation, sign my name on the dotted line. I care a lot about Michael. But I care about my own wellbeing more. Hell, wasn't the whole point of leaving him about my safety and sanity?

"Well, thank you for everything." I say to Keisha, as I follow her down to lobby.

"It's ok," she smiles. "I'm sure I'll be in touch soon."

"Can't wait." I joke. In a way, I'm not joking. I wish that I didn't have to go through all of this. But if I had to choose anyone to take care of all this stuff, it would be her.

"Listen, I know I'm not here for advice, but I think you should take a break. I don't think anyone would blame you for taking a few days off." Keisha says softly.

If only she knew my boss.

Instead of telling her this, I smile sweetly.

"Thanks, I'll try to remember that."

I push the wooden door open, and hear it creak in the night. Mums house had never been one for quiet entry's, much to the disdain of my sixteen year old self.

I walk into the lounge and almost die of fright. Mum is sitting on the couch, watching TV and sipping on wine. She barely glances up to me as I walk in. I'm actually reminded of the days I would "creep" inside, only to find mum sitting on the couch ready to give me a lecture. Old habits never change, I guess. Not between mum and I, anyway.

"Hi." I say quietly.

"Hi." She manages to murmur back.

She sounds exhausted and it scares me. Mum doesn't get tired.

"Are you ok?" I ask, wondering what she is doing up so late anyway.

"Yes, just a little tired I guess."

Something is definitely wrong.

I walk over to the couch as sit across from her.

"How was work?" She asks, before I manage to get a word out.

"Good, good. I got my job back." I manage to smile.

"I'm really proud of you, sweetie." She smiles back. But she seems sad.

"Mum, what's going on?" I ask.

Mum looks back at the TV and takes another sip.

"Nothing, I just couldn't sleep. It's been a long day."

I can tell Mum will continue to act as if nothing is wrong, so I give up.

"How was Ruby today?" I ask, changing the topic.

"Little angel after you left. She was not happy with you this morning." She chuckles.

"I remember."

I stand up to leave, to finally head to bed.

"Lily." Mum calls out, just before I reach the hall.

I turn to see her looking at me, still from the same position on the couch.

"I just hope you know I'm proud of you. Really proud. The way you've handled everything with Michael, I know it can't be easy. I know, because I've been there. Your father wasn't a great man to me but he loved you. And I love you too. I just want you to know that, ok?"

I'm taken aback, but overwhelmed with gratitude towards my mother.

"I love you too, mum." I say with a quick smile, before heading down the hall to Ruby.