Shattered

Chapter 12

I approach the door with Connor behind me. I open the door and announce that I'm there. "Oh, Brooke!" I walk further in to see my parents watching a movie together but I don't see Willow anywhere. "How are you ?" I turn back to her and smile. "It was good. We're going out to eat." I look around but I don't even hear her still. I figured she would've heard me by now and come running to greet me as always. "Where's Willow?"

"What do you mean? You said her father could spend some time with her today, right?" My eyes widen as I feel my heart drop into my stomach. "Her father? What are you talking about?" Mom and dad glance at each other for a brief moment before turning to me with confusion. "He came to the door and said he wanted to spend some time with Willow. He even said he had your permission." I start to panic, wondering where they could be right now. "Why would you let him take her?!"

"Don't talk to me like that and he's her father. He shouldn't have to stay away forever." I run my hands over my face. "He's the one who left! Which I was very thankful for! You know how much I hated him! Even when Emma was dating him." Mom stands up but I've already turned around and raced out of the house. "Brooke!" I ignore her, too worried about my daughter at that moment. I swing open the car door and practically throw myself inside. In another second as I twist the key to bring the car to life, Connor jumps in and quickly buckles in. I drive back and start racing down the street without an idea of where to go.

"Can you contact him?" I shake my head as tears spring to my eyes. "After he left, I deleted it. Took some time since Emma still held on but she did eventually." I hear him sigh as he pulls out his phone. He waits a bit before he starts to talk to Harmony, telling her what happened. After hanging up, he tells me she's going to help look with us. I feel grateful for the help but it does nothing to ease my panic and worry. Connor says nothing to try and ease my worry which I was also glad for otherwise, I would've yelled at him and possibly punched him.

"Do you know where he might go?" I shake my head frantically. "I haven't seen him for years. I don't know where he lives or where he works." Suddenly, my phone starts to ring. I turn towards it but Connor grabs it before I can. He answers and I listen in. "Hello?" I glance at him every few seconds and I watch as his face grows grim. "Who is this?" My eyes widen and I pull the car over and park it. I try to snatch the phone from him but his reflexes are faster than me and he dodges. "I'm a friend. Where are you?" I sit back, listening in anxiously. "You better stay right there." He glares outside before hanging up. He starts typing something into my phone. "What are you doing?"

"Drive, I have the address." I grab the wheel and start driving again as he gives me the directions." Eventually, we arrive and I park the car. We jump out and hurry towards the door, knocking furiously. "I'm coming! Don't put a hole in my door!" The door opens and I see a familiar older looking ex. Someone I've always disliked, to put it mildly. "Where is she?" I glare at him with the panic-filled anger I felt. "Mommy!" He steps aside and I rush inside. Willow runs into my arms with a smile. "Daddy told me you were coming." I look up to see him watching us. Connor stands to the side with his arms crossed. He looks furious as well. I pull back and look at her but she doesn't seem the least bit concerned. In fact, she's smiling.

"Come on, honey. We're going home." I take her hand and start to lead her out. "Emma." I let go of Willow's hand and sharply turn towards him. "My name is Brooke! Not Emma!" I'm furious, enraged, livid with him. He knew my number and didn't even bother to call me to tell me he wanted to see her. "You always did hate me, though I never knew why. I don't remember doing anything to hurt you." I tense up and I feel myself grow angrier. I felt like punching him now, but I refrained from allowing my daughter to see that side of me. "I didn't think a reason was needed." He laughed as my eyes narrowed even more. "You know, I always did like that about you." My eyes widen in surprise and I step back. "We don't like each other."

"You don't, I do." I scoff, turning around and walking out. "And you should give up looking for a way to break it. You won't find anything." I stop in my tracks again but I refused to turn to him again. " How did you know?" I hear him take a step forward but I turn around with a sharp glare, stopping him in his tracks. "How do you know?" I ask more loudly and clearly. "You've been following me, haven't you ?" My voice grows louder as I spoke. To the point, I'm now shouting at him. "You know, angering you was so easy and amusing. I thought it was cute." I feel my cheeks flush as I grow flustered but I refused to let him win. "Don't change the subject! Stop following me, don't contact me or Willow again!"

I scoop Willow into my arms and rush out. Connor, however, stayed behind a little longer and a moment later, I hear a loud smack then a thud. I hear him laugh before complimenting Connor's strength. I hear Connor growl at him to leave us alone before the door slams close. "Mommy? What's going on?"

"That man isn't your father. He lost that privilege the second he left, which was a good thing." I place Willow into the car, buckling her in. I open the car door but Connor holds it, stopping me. "I think I'll drive this time." I nod without arguing and move the passenger seat. The drive was silent and I lean my head against the window. My eyes grow heavy as the day weighs heavily on me now and I start to nod off. In what felt like a second, Connor shakes me awake. "We're here." I slowly nod, unbuckling and exiting the car. Connor opens Willow's side and pulls her out. She had fallen asleep as well.

I follow him inside, unlocking the door for him. I watch as he lays Willow down in bed. I step in and dress her when he leaves then tuck her in. I feel so relieved and happy to have her again and grateful that her father had her instead of some stranger. I know I could've just waited until tomorrow morning for her to be back. Ava wasn't the one kidnapped after all. I hadn't thought about that at the moment though. All I knew was my daughter was missing and I had to find her by any means necessary. I truly did hate that man.

"Hey, are you okay?" I turn to Connor and sigh. "Yeah, Willow's home now." Connor steps forward and hugs me without saying anything. I feel much more relaxed and comfortable now. "You punched him, didn't you?" He was silent for a moment before answering. As if he was hesitant about answering. "Yeah, I did." I laugh at him amusedly. "I've never seen you punch someone before." He shyly chuckles and pulls away. "I'm glad you did though. I would've done it myself but Willow was there."

"That's why I did it after you left." I sigh, leaning forward and resting my head against him. "Well, I don't know about you but I had a long day." He hums in response but neither of us moved. I thought back to Willow's words before about being with Connor. Before, I wasn't sure about the idea. He was a friend, someone who hung out with us now and then, but now? I feel even more confused. We're together more often now thanks to this mission we have and I feel we've grown even closer. In fact, I'm starting to think Willow was right. He is such a kind person to us. Our best times are together and I want to have more of them. I feel so comfortable and happy with him. Like a blanket of warm feelings. We trust each other with a lot as well. After seeing that bastard, I feel eternally grateful to have met Connor. He cares about Willow and me more. I pray we find the end to this soon as a way to m

"I should get going. It's late and you need to sleep too." I stand up straight again and smile at him. "Thank you for everything, Connor. You are truly amazing." He smiles at me, but it's soft instead of gleamy and bright. Perhaps I'm the only one thinking this. I'm probably tired and frustrated after today. "You are too. You were ready to fight someone today." We both laugh for a short moment before everything becomes silent again. I can't tell if it's awkward or not. It's just still. "I'll see you later then." I nod. I walk him to the door and bid goodbye, telling him to be safe on his way home. As soon as I close the door, I go to my room and change, sliding into my comfy bed. I think of what I may have just discovered and my cheeks warm. "No, sleep. Sleep is what I need right now. Not to overthink my own feelings," I mumbled before closing my eyes and forcing my body to sleep which still managed to take quite a while.