Loving Ms. Winters

48: Alice's POV

(A/N) WARNING this chapter contains triggering situations involving sexual assault, violence, and abuse.

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It was weird staying with my dad after not seeing him for so long. He had reappeared into my life as quickly as he had left it and part of me still resented him for it. He had shown us around, taking us downtown to go shopping the second day and to the pier on the third. He seemed genuinely happy and after everything we had been through I couldn't blame him for moving out here. He seemed to love Blair which had surprised me at first but then again, my mother was always the homophobic one. We had to head home tomorrow in order to make it back in time for Sarah's birthday and honestly I was a bit sad to be leaving so soon.

"What time do you two gotta be at the airport tomorrow?" My dad asked looking over at us from across the table

We had settled into the back patio an hour or so ago, my dad with his beer and us with our wine coolers. It was hotter today than it had been since we got here but now as the sun set it felt refreshing.

"Our flight leaves at two." I replied before taking a sip of my strawberry daiquiri Seagrams

He nodded, seeming disappointed "It was real nice having you two around, I'm gonna miss you when you leave."

Blair smiles brightly at him "I promise we'll be back to visit sir, no one else can help me annoy her like you do."

He chuckled "I guess that's true, I was thinking about coming up to visit you two next time."

"You should come for Blair's graduation." I smiled looking over at Blair who rolled her eyes

He grinned back at me as I turned to him "I'd love to, I still can't believe you're dating one of your students."

"Me either." I replied feeling the heat rising to my cheeks

Blair's phone started buzzing at the table and she looked down at it before looking up at me again "Sarah's calling, I'll be right back."

She quickly disappeared into the house leaving my dad and I alone at the table.

He looked up at me, his expression grim "Alice I know we really haven't had a chance to talk in private but I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry for leaving you. I should've never done that to you, I should've at least called and I wish I could change it. I regretted it for so long that eventually I just thought it was too late, I shouldn't have let Braidens funeral be the reason I finally came back. I love you so much sweetie, I really hope you know that."

My father had never been much of an emotional guy so I could feel my eyes watering by the time he finished speaking. I had waited years for this, to hear him say those words.

"I forgive you dad and I love you too, just promise me you will never disappear on me again. I missed you so much, I thought I'd never see you again." I replied unable to look up at him, focusing on the wood of the table instead

~The Next Day~

Blair had hardly said a word since she talked to Sarah and it was really starting to worry me. We had made it onto our plane, Blair had taken the window seat leaving me next to the aisle but I didn't mind.

I leaned over whispering "Baby what's bothering you."

She shook her head, not even bothering to look at me, her eyes focused out the window "I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Okay, did you have fun in Florida?" I asked trying to change the subject

She nodded "I did, thank you for bringing me."

"My dad seemed to really like you." I smiled as she turned to look at me, her eyes dull

She faked a smile, most likely thinking I wouldn't notice the difference "I'm glad, he was really nice."

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" I questioned

She sighed "Not here."

"Okay." I nodded before leaving my head on her shoulder

~Later That Night~

By the time we had settled on the couch it was pitch black outside. The flight wasn't too bad and traffic on the way home from the airport was pretty light. I already missed the beach but it was also good to be home after traveling all day.

"Alice?" Blair asked breaking me from my thoughts

I looked up at her "Sorry I was zoned out, what did you say?"

She rolled her eyes looking down at the floor "Nothing just forget it."

"Blair," I said scooting closer to her on the couch "what's wrong?"

She sighed, seeming extremely anxious as she fiddled with her hands "It's about Scott."

"What about him?" I asked running my fingers through her hair

She looked up at me, tears in her eyes "Sarah yelled at him for what he did when he came to pick up his stuff. He was drunk as usual and he threatened her to never tell anyone about it. Then he, he.." She trailed off seeming a million miles away for a second "he beat her and forced her, he.. he.."

"Shh" I said pulling her into a tight hug unsure of what to say

Her head rested on my chest as she cried, her body shaking slightly. I had never particularly liked Scott from what Blair had told me even before I knew everything. I wished in that moment that he'd drop dead, that he'd get the karma he deserves but I knew it wouldn't come true. The only way we were going to make sure this never happened again was getting the police involved. I can only imagine what state Sarah is in right now, part of me wanted to drive straight to her house but I knew Blair needed time to let out everything she had been holding in since last night.

"I should've reported him, this is all my fault." Blair sobbed into my shirt "I should've warned Sarah sooner, I should've done something."

I ran my fingers through her hair unable to hold back my tears any longer "Blair do not say that, none of this is your fault. Scott is a piece of shit, he is the lowest form of life to have ever walked this earth and I am sorry for the pain he has caused both you and Sarah. One day he will get what's coming to him, I promise you that."

She didn't respond, she just let herself break down into my arms like she had months ago.

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