Broken

Chapter 3 - Cookie

Arriving at Tom's house, I was exhausted. I was sore. Steve had another go at me that morning, getting my ribs and stomach. I couldn't deal with it anymore.

Tom helped me get my bags inside, taking them to his spare room. He told me to use Tessa's old bed for Milo, which he lugged in from the garage. Nikki must have heard us arrive, as she came running down the stairs.

"D! Honey, how are you?" She pulled me into a hug. She must have felt me wince in pain, as she pulled away, studying my face.

"Again?" She could see the pain in my eyes.

"Yeah." I whispered, leaning my forehead on her shoulder as she rubbed my back gently.

"Oh, D, it's gonna be ok. You're safe here. No one can get you here." She led me into the kitchen, and made me a cup of tea.

"I'm so sorry to intrude on you like this, unannounced." I hugged my tea to my chest, the warmth spreading throughout my entire body.

"Don't you dare apologise, Darya. Don't you dare." Nikki handed me some painkillers to ease the pain I was in.

"I've missed having a full house since Sam and Harry moved out." She smiled wistfully as she missed her twin boys.

"Exactly. And it'll be nice for mum to have another girl in the house." Tom laughed as his mum agreed with him, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah. It's ok, Darya. You're like a daughter to us anyway. You're family. We're not gonna abandon you. You hear me?"

"I hear you." I smiled gratefully at her. She was like my second mum. No one could ever replace my real mum, but Nikki was like a mother. She was always looking out for me, always making sure I was cleaned up properly after I took another beating from Steve, always making sure I had a full belly before going home.

"Right. Let's get you to bed, and we can discuss this with Dom in the morning, so that he knows what's going on." Nikki guided me upstairs, Tom hot on her heels.

"You have no idea how much I appreciate this, Nikki. I am forever in your debt." I looked up at her pulling the covers back on the bed as I unpacked some pyjamas.

"Oi, I was wondering where that shirt had gone. Should have known you'd have it!" Tom winked as I pulled his old footie shirt out of my suitcase, and a pair of shorts.

"Sorry, mate. It's so comfy!" I laughed.

"Well I can't very well take it away from you now, can I?" He helped me put my things in the cupboard.

"Right. I'm off to catch up on my beauty sleep. Night, D." Nikki slipped out of the bedroom, tip toeing back to her own room.

"I'd better get to bed too, D. Leave you to get some rest." Tom started making his way to the door.

"Tom?"

"Yeah?"

"C- never mind." I threw my hair into a messy bun.

"What? D, what is it?" He sat on the edge of the bed next to me.

"Can you stay with me?" I asked quietly.

"Of course I can. Scoot over." He slid into bed beside me, wrapping his arms around me. I laid my head on his chest, my hand lying on his stomach. I could hear his heartbeat, steady, strong. He gently kissed the top of my head.

"I'll always stay, D. You're safe now. I've got you." He whispered, stroking my hair.

"I love you Tommy." I could feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier, drifting off to sleep.