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Chase's POV

Mommy is throwing things again.

I cover my ears as she screams at my dad. "Mommy, stop!" I yelled, running to her feet, but she just pushes me away. I cried louder as glasses went flying and daddy's favorite coffee cup breaks.

I don't know what's going on but I see suitcases. Why is mommy and daddy fighting when we're going away? I see mine, a blue suitcase with Spider-Man hanging upside down. I run down to my room and grab my pillow and sit like a good boy by the door. Maybe that will make mommy stop yelling.

"Please don't leave me, Cindy!"

"Why isn't Daddy coming with us?" I asked Mommy when she came into the living room holding my sisters hands.
"Girls, go out to the car." She pushes them out the door and I follow them. "No, William, you're staying here." She grabs my arms and throws me backwards. I land on the ground and start crying. 
"Don't push him!"
"Oh, now you care about your children? Should have that about that before you ruined everything!"

I get up and run out the front door. "Mommy!"

"Go in the house, William!" The car door slams in my face as Mommy starts the car.
"Mommy!" I start running as the car goes down the driveway, but I trip over my shoelaces. "Mommy! Come back! Don't leave me!" I can't see because of the tears in my eyes, but I run anyways.

"Chase! Get back here." Daddy yells for me but I keep running. "Chase!"

**

"Chase! C'mon, wake up." I blinked my eyes open to find Gabby's staring down at me. "Oh my gosh, Chase. You scared me! Are you okay?" I closed my eyes as it was too bright in the kitchen and then winced when her fingers brushed against a sore spot at the back of my head as she helped me up. "I think you hit your head. Gosh, I'm so sorry I wasn't here to catch you! I just wanted to make sure your ex left. I'm so sorry!" Gabby engulfed me in a tight hug from where she propped me up against the wall. "Chase, talk to me, are you okay?"

I couldn't talk, I couldn't. Instead, I grabbed her and kissed her hard and then placed my forehead against hers.

"What was that for?" She breathed. I closed my eyes, trying to straighten out my thoughts but they're just all over the place.
"For everything." I looked into her eyes and saw the confusion, but underneath that, I saw her love and adoration.

Apart from family, she was the only person to ever tell me she loved me... and she's here.

"I didn't realize why I was so broken when I met you. I thought I was going through the motions of a break-up, but it was much more than that. It took Josie walking away from me again to trigger the one memory I suppressed as a child." I swallowed, holding back the tears that wanted to come.
"Chase, you don't have to say anything." Gabby brushed my hair off of my forehead.
"But I want to, I need to. My mom abandoned me and my dad when I was just 5 years old." Gabby gasped and grabbed my hand. "I didn't know it at the time what was happening. I just thought the whole family was going on a trip. I didn't know why she was yelling at my dad, or why my sisters got in the car and I didn't. I don't know why she left us, my dad never told me and frankly I don't care. I haven't seen or heard from her or my sisters since."
"Chase, that's terrible. I'm sorry that it happened. A child should never have to go through that experience."
"And because of that, I feel like everyone I let into my life, leaves, and it's all my fault."
"Chase, look at me." I blinked away my tears and found Gabby's kind eyes.
"It's not your fault. I don't want you to think that. Your mom was a horrible mother for abandoning her child, that is not your fault. Josie walking away from you is her mistake, and her coming back here today to try to get you back is proof of that. You're better than her, and I will tell you that every damn day if I have to. People walk out of your life because they're no longer supposed to be in it and that is not your fault."
"But it hurts so much."
"It's going to hurt, until it doesn't anymore, but that's why I'm here. I'm here for your ups and downs and I'm here for the pain and struggles. I made the stupid decision to walk away from you once before but we worked through that situation and now look at us. I'm sitting in the middle of a massive kitchen holding onto a man that I so desperately love and comforting him. I'm here until you no longer want me, Chase, I promise you that." Gabby hugged me tightly and I swear her hug was strong enough to break me, but somehow, it was strong enough to make me feel stronger.
"You promise?" She grabbed my hand and placed it right above her heart.
"With all of my soul."

I took a deep breath and hugged Gabby. "You're my safe haven and I promise to never let go, you're way too important to me."
A tear fell down her cheek as she smiled up at me. "No one has ever said that to me. You're my safe haven, too."
"I love you, Gabby, so much." I pulled her into me, kissing her gently until she let out a breathless sigh.
"Say it again," I smiled against her lips, cradling her face in my hands.
"I love you." I brushed my nose against hers, "I'm completely and utterly head over heels for you, Gabby." I barely got the words out before she closed the gap between us.

I felt my heart surge when I kissed Gabby; it bloomed from the darkness and gather strength as it grew. I know one kiss wasn't going to heal me completely, nor a hug or a promise - but it was enough, and that's all I need for right now.