Born of Fire (Doctor Who AU)

Chapter 34 The Wibbly Box

 Daniel had predicted an early, harsh winter, he just hadn't expected it to hit on the way out of Glesga.  Not quite ready to let go of the terrifying experience of watching Ian punch Daniel, Robbie spent the first half hour of the drive chattering. Nora tried to pay attention, but his conversation was mostly about nonsense, punctuated by calls of, 'are you okay, Dad?' She glanced back often hoping to reassure him, but the incident had terrified him.  He'd clung to them most of the afternoon, refusing to let Daniel out of his sight long enough to even go the bathroom. When Daniel had announced it was time to leave, he rushed out of his grandparents' home ready to put Glesga far behind him. Thirty minutes outside of Glesca, with the snowfall thickening, he grew quiet garnering a worried glance from Nora. She smiled at the sight of the boy, clutching his camera,  asleep with his head leaning against the window.

 Daniel glanced away from the road long enough to flash a reassuring smile. The sight of his beautiful face, bruised and swollen made her want to scream. She could well imagine Addie's reaction. She reached over to stroke the side of his face. 

 "What?" he said.

 "You should have gone to Casualty," she said.

 "I'll be fine. Will be interesting to explain to the kids though."

 Nora smiled."And Addie?"

 "Yeah, that will need a bit of finesse," he chuckled then groaned. "Don't make me laugh, it's still sore. New experience -- getting punched. Can't say I like it much."

 Nora glanced in the back again and once assured Robbie wouldn't notice his mum breaking a rule, she unfastened her seatbelt and slid over to nestle against Daniel's side. The rest of the drive was spent with his arm draped around her shoulder. For the first time since she'd slid from under the covers she felt safe, watching the landscape turn white making everything seem fresh and clean, and listening to him just breathe. 

"Mein Gott, what happened?" Addie stared at Daniel when he carried Robbie through the door of the house.

 "Nothing, I'm--" he started as Nora pried Robbie off and sent him to the loo.

 "Don't you say it," Addie fussed.

 "Ian hit him," Nora explained. "He's in the gaol now, Hopefully, they'll keep him there. Scared Robbie have to death."

 "Why?" Addie took their coats as the two pulled over their wellies and set them in the basket next to the door.

A proud smile tugged at her lips.  "Because the Sheriff declared our marriage over and gave me full and permanent custody." Nora said. 

 "Like I said, everything is fine. Dinner smells delicious," Daniel said as he kissed Addie's cheek and headed for the kitchen. 

 Nora kissed Robbie good night and walked out of his room, leaving both his night light and hall light on. She and Daniel both expected Robbie, even with Finn at his side, to have nightmares tonight. The struggle to be a good boy had finally proven too much after they got home. He'd thrown a proper fit in the bathroom, kicking and screaming his rage.  Daniel had held him between his legs with his arms wrapped around him just letting him cry. She would never forgive Ian for that; for terrifying her son so badly that he'd wee'd on himself while crying. Now, standing in the doorway, she wiped away tears of anger as she watched him curl up with his rocket and Finn.  Walking toward the stairs, she hoped the big white dog could really keep the bad people away from her little boy. 

 Halfway down the stairs, she stopped to watch Daniel poke aimlessly at a log crackling with fire in the fireplace. The sight notched up her level of worry.  He'd refused to let anyone check him out after being knocked on his arse.  Despite an aching jaw, he'd managed to read Robbie a story and even helped with his bath, but when he thought no one was watching, he sagged a little. She was afraid Ian might have hurt him.  She finished the walk down the stairs, walked quietly up behind him, sliding her arms around his waist. Usually, he would turn and pull her in his arms, but not tonight. Tonight, his eyes stayed on the fire, but his hands covered hers. He huffed slightly as if some unseen force had knocked the winds from his lungs.